BAD DAY FOR SA CRICKET !!

[RexxGrim]

3rd highest 4th innings total in the history of the game. Gutted we couldn't get it over the line, but I think we batted brilliantly.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/222199.html

 

[Creag]

imagine we lost due to crazy batting (chances taken)...what would the comments been then I wonder?

As we all agree, we were within a sniff of setting a new record and taking a remarkable win. However, things were quickly turned when Faf lost his wicket. Steyn has not been in briliant form with the bat in quite some time. India made sure Philander was not going to get any easy 4's. They dispatched most of the fielders to the ropes to force him to go over the top ... extremely risky.

So it was Steyn and Philander who made the call to secure the draw. As SB says, if one of them had got out trying to get the ellusive boundaries, Morkel in next (who can hit big) but problems with mobility meant he was not going to be moving freely in the crease. Tahir is always suspect with bat inhand.

There decision making was based on the possibility of a collapse if one of them went out, deteriorating light, defensive bowling and fielding by India. Having thought about it long and hard (and despite my intense desire to see the win), I support their decision/s.

I credit both India and South Africa for making it an amazing final day. Both teams played that final hour just as any other savy team would have had roles been reversed. I have immense respect for them for this.

 

[Drifter]

Well said McT

 

[The_Right_Honourable_Brit]

All this with 1 wicket in hand on a snakepit of a pitch. (Morkel was injured.)

You people are making me a bit sad. We watched one of the greatest nailbiter tests between the two best teams in the world.

It would have been awesome to make history but we didn't.

Getting less than a run a ball (18 balls, 16 runs) is quite easy, even in test cricket where they can ball bouncers etc. Vernon Philander is a solid batsmen and Dale's average of 12 - given the required number of runs needed) was more than sufficient. Also for people who keep on saying 'Oh, on the 4th day we'd settle for a draw' - yes that is correct, but the game changed on Day 5 and the Proteas were going for it (as AB De Villiers' subdued celebration of his century indicated). As someone else said, on tea on Day 5, the large majority of Proteas supporters would have said going for the win would have been the correct option. Test match cricket is dynamic and not static...just remember that.

What happens if we lose in Durban (a good possibility, given we've lost the last 4 matches there)? Would be playing for a draw be such a wise decision then?

Also love the patronising attitude of some on here who claim only 'real' cricket watchers can understand the draw, as if their opinion is worth more than people who have an opposing view. Btw, I don't watch 20/20 - only Tests and ODIs...

 

[ponder]

imagine we lost due to crazy batting (chances taken)...what would the comments been then I wonder?

I would rather they have lost trying than meekly going for a draw, fsck I hate that.

 

[sand_man]

Getting less than a run a ball (18 balls, 16 runs) is quite easy, even in test cricket where they can ball bouncers etc. Vernon Philander is a solid batsmen and Dale's average of 12 - given the required number of runs needed) was more than sufficient. Also for people who keep on saying 'Oh, on the 4th day we'd settle for a draw' - yes that is correct, but the game changed on Day 5 and the Proteas were going for it (as AB De Villiers' subdued celebration of his century indicated). As someone else said, on tea on Day 5, the large majority of Proteas supporters would have said going for the win would have been the correct option. Test match cricket is dynamic and not static...just remember that.

What happens if we lose in Durban (a good possibility, given we've lost the last 4 matches there)? Would be playing for a draw be such a wise decision then?

Also love the patronising attitude of some on here who claim only 'real' cricket watchers can understand the draw, as if their opinion is worth more than people who have an opposing view. Btw, I don't watch 20/20 - only Tests and ODIs...

16 off 18 when there 9 fielders on the boundary ropes preventing the boundaries, bowlers bouncing the batsman one minute, the next, ball hitting cracks and staying low, you got a new batsman at the crease, the next batsman due in couldn't walk and the last batsman in can't bat... Very easy... You need to put 16 off 18 into context!

SA was going for the win until 3.2 overs from the end when a certain Faf DuPlessies ran himself out!! The then 'dynamic and not static' decision was to play it safe...

 

[Wimhotep]

I would rather they have lost trying than meekly going for a draw, fsck I hate that.

Well said Ponder.

Really disappointing.

 

[AfricanTech]

I would rather they have lost trying than meekly going for a draw, fsck I hate that.

I would rather draw than have India crow over the fact that they beat us at home after we CHOKED with only 16 to win.

 

[snoopdoggydog]

With India wielding all the power now in world cricket, looks like SA were just plain scared to beat them. Just have a look at India's T&C's for touring SA

 

[stefan9]

a Draw is fine if you have no chance to win. This was not the case yesterday at the end. Should gone for the win and that applies to both SA and India. Both were cowardly taking the safety first option instead of risking in other to win imho.

 

[Rubberpigg]

Even though we didn't win, I think it was a great day for South African cricket.
To get a draw out of that game was frikken amazing.
It will go down as one of the greatest fightbacks in South African cricketing history.
Well done , Proteas!

 

[OomD]

What every one is forgetting is that this is a sport! Not a damn bingo game or gambling! Ever since statistics have taken over cricket the decision makers are looking for good numbers and records, but what happened to the fight in each player? What happened to fighting to the end? It would have be better to lose while fighting for a win than to draw for statistical reasons.

Who can honestly say that ANY of the south african players left the field happy after that result?

Fight! That's the only way to build record-breaking teams and players! Everyone remembers the 438 game. Why? Because there was no option but to win or lose. We were victorious because we were willing to fight, in spite of the insurmountable odds.

No difference in this game, but given the option of an "easier way out" the team chose to take that instead of fighting.

Bunch of losers! When you stop fighting, you lose. There is only win or lose, there is no satisfactory second option.

 

[sand_man]

a Draw is fine if you have no chance to win.

Is a draw fine if there's a chance of a loss?

 

[sand_man]

What every one is forgetting is that this is a sport! Not a damn bingo game or gambling! Ever since statistics have taken over cricket the decision makers are looking for good numbers and records, but what happened to the fight in each player? What happened to fighting to the end? It would have be better to lose while fighting for a win than to draw for statistical reasons.

Who can honestly say that ANY of the south african players left the field happy after that result?

Fight! That's the only way to build record-breaking teams and players! Everyone remembers the 438 game. Why? Because there was no option but to win or lose. We were victorious because we were willing to fight, in spite of the insurmountable odds.

No difference in this game, but given the option of an "easier way out" the team chose to take that instead of fighting.

Bunch of losers! When you stop fighting, you lose. There is only win or lose, there is no satisfactory second option.

Not bingo or gambling yet you wanted the SA batsman to gamble with their wickets? They fought to survive and then they fought to get into a winning position and then they fought to survive! 140 overs, 450 runs, 3rd highest 4th innings total in history and you ask, what happened to fighting to the end? and call them a bunch of losers?? I'm sorry but I just don't get it...??

Test cricket is not comparable to ODI cricket!! Can you not see that? In ODI there 2 possible results, a win or a loss. In test cricket there 3 possible results, a win, a loss or a draw...

Some of the most memorable and hard fought test matches in history were where a team batting 4th fought to survive and hold on for a draw! Think Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman for India against Australia, Kolkata 2001.... Michael Atherton and Jack Russell for England against South Africa, at the Wanderers 1995... what about Faf Du Plessis against Australia last year in Adelaide???

It's actually tougher to hold out for a draw and bat all day long as for most batsman playing a defensive, holding game goes against what comes naturally to them.

 

[AfricanTech]

Not bingo or gambling yet you wanted the SA batsman to gamble with their wickets? They fought to survive and then they fought to get into a winning position and then they fought to survive! 140 overs, 450 runs, 3rd highest 4th innings total in history and you ask, what happened to fighting to the end? and call them a bunch of losers?? I'm sorry but I just don't get it...??

Test cricket is not comparable to ODI cricket!! Can you not see that? In ODI there 2 possible results, a win or a loss. In test cricket there 3 possible results, a win, a loss or a draw...

Some of the most memorable and hard fought test matches in history were where a team batting 4th fought to survive and hold on for a draw! Think Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman for India against Australia, Kolkata 2001.... Michael Atherton and Jack Russell for England against South Africa, at the Wanderers 1995... what about Faf Du Plessis against Australia last year in Adelaide???

It's actually tougher to hold out for a draw and bat all day long as for most batsman playing a defensive, holding game goes against what comes naturally to them.

+1

Go read the commentators views around the world - labels such as "one of the best tests ever" abound.

Anyway, realise that you're never going to win over the 'do or die glory boys'

Hell man, why don't we sommer toss a coin to see who wins - save us all the frustration of five days of watching cricket - then we can have records such as "most consecutive correct calls in a season" and "the golden rub award for most accurate alternating calls"

Blech!!!

The thing that really upset Steyn and Philander was the crowd booing them for doing the right thing.

Those of you still decrying the draw, go read this:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-india-2013-14/content/story/703257.html

 

[OomD]

Not bingo or gambling yet you wanted the SA batsman to gamble with their wickets? They fought to survive and then they fought to get into a winning position and then they fought to survive! 140 overs, 450 runs, 3rd highest 4th innings total in history and you ask, what happened to fighting to the end?

I know lots of tests end as a. Draw, I know it's tough. I have no problem with a game ending in a draw. I have a problem with a team (be it orders or otherwise) giving up! You say they would then be gambling? No! Exactly as you said, they were fighting the whole day! They've been gambling the whole day already! They started out the day deciding to chase the score, set their minds to it, and worked hard! But then, when it seemed the risk was too high they stopped fighting.

They were fighting (and bloody well!) the whole day, but they gave up. That it the problem, they gave up.

Winners never quit! And if you quit, you never win. Simple.

 

[AfricanTech]

I know lots of tests end as a. Draw, I know it's tough. I have no problem with a game ending in a draw. I have a problem with a team (be it orders or otherwise) giving up! You say they would then be gambling? No! Exactly as you said, they were fighting the whole day! They've been gambling the whole day already! They started out the day deciding to chase the score, set their minds to it, and worked hard! But then, when it seemed the risk was too high they stopped fighting.

They were fighting (and bloody well!) the whole day, but they gave up. That it the problem, they gave up.

Winners never quit! And if you quit, you never win. Simple.

/gives up/

Sigh...

 

[sand_man]

Those of you still decrying the draw, go read this:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-india-2013-14/content/story/703257.html

Great article, great read, puts things into perspective nicely.

 

[AthenianOwl]

First time you've watched a test?

Test cricket is really not popular anymore

 

[Shi]

So it was Steyn and Philander who made the call to secure the draw.

This should not have happened. The management should have given Steyn clear instructions when he went out to bat. It is a huge decision to put on the shoulders of the two out in the middle.