Now that the dust has settled…

Posted on February 13, 2010 | 0 views

I thought I’d take some time before I write anything about the Test, at least a day or two. I got distracted and
it’s now Thursday and I am finally writing something.

To say that I am surprised is an understatement. Overly surprised, dumb struck and feeling a bit sheepish is also a
slight understatement. South Africa actually did well in India and yet I am quite annoyed by it. Don’t ask me why, South Africans like to complain. About everything. So I’ve found something to complain about.

When South Africa beat Australia, the Aussies were missing quite a few of their star players and everybody were happy and praising the Proteas. All this while Australia were building a team for the future. A team that ended up losing the Ashes nonetheless but still a team for the future.

Now South Africa have beaten India. And India were withouth Yuvraj Singh, Sreesanth, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. That’s a pretty staunch line-up in itself. But add those names to the Indian squad and it’s pretty intimidating.

Some of the ways in which the Indian batsmen got out were just stupid. They were going all out batting hara-kiri at the best of times. And the Saffer bowlers cashed in. Even Paul Harris took wickets. He kept hitting a certain line and eventually the batsmen just got bored and annoyed and gave their wicket away cause it’s easier than putting up with Harro’s “mystery bowling”. Mystery of how he is in the national side.

Then India almost made South Africa their bunny and almost made them bat again. It wouldn’t have been for long, maybe just 50-odd runs but they would have had to bat again. I would have been more content had South Africa not won by an innings and six runs because that would prove that we just don’t have that killing instinct. We don’t.

Now everybody is saying that all these changes are good and they couldn’t have happened at a better time. Have any of you heard of beginner’s luck? What has Corrie van Zyl actually changed? The same team that played England played against India. That same team that hammered England, hammered India. Where are the changes? Is it because all the players are scared of losing their side in the national side that they have finally ignitated the spark in their bums?

India’s selectors have finally woken up. VVS is back for the second Test and so are people like Karthik and a whole bunch of other people who are quite scary. Rohit Sharm and Pragyan Ojha, they are all there. And if they are picked for the second Test at Eden Gardens then we might end up with a draw. One of those really dull draws. It might be exciting at times, come alive in bits and bops like it so often happens on Indian pitches but it’ll still be a draw.

And then South Africa will be number one in the world again and everybody will praise van Zyl and CSA on their thinking and the changes they have made and the national side will be heroes. Only until they run into an Ottis Gibson inspired West Indies later in the year to lose or embarrass themselves in some way or the other. Then the rubbish starts all over again.

Because when everything goes right then surely there has to be something wrong. I know, look at what I just wrote.

Ps. @Tifosiguy thank you for putting the curse on Chelsea. Please do not allow them to win any more games until the end of the season.

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