Contests between Australia and South Africa have caught the imagination of cricket fans all over the world even before the aparthied era. South Africa's last series before the aparthied era was against the Australians and they whitewashed them 4-0. That South African line up boasted of the likes of Barry Richards, Greame Pollock, Mike Proctor, Peter Pollock among others. However, the contests between the two teams after South Africa's readmission have been nothing short of fantastic. From Soth Africa's thrilling 5 run test victory at Sydney in 1994 to the monumental run chase at Johannesburg in 2006, we have been treated to some fantastic cricket. Among all these moments, this summer will standout as the best contest between the two teams. During this summer, we have watched some great cricket and performances which would be remembered for years to come.
South Africa landed on Australian shores in December last year with the hope of becoming the first team in more than 10 years to win a test series in Australia. The series was thrilling to say the least. The matches swung between the two teams like a pendulum. The highlight of the series was the emergence of Jean Paul Duminy. His calm fifty in the first test ensured a win for the Proteas and the boxing day test match was his as he and Dale Steyn pulled off an unlikely partnership. Australia did not play badly. In fact, the South Africans played brilliant cricket. What more could Australia do? They however came back to win the third test at Sydney but what signified the South African performance was when their injured captain Greame Smith came out to bat at no 11 to save the test match for his team. This just showed the spirit with which the South Africans played in the series. He was the last man to get out in the series but his guts won hearts of many cricket fans.
The Australians went to South Africa after the twin setbacks of loosing the test and the odi series at home. This time it was the turn of the Australian debutants to show thir talent. The Aussies completely dominated the first two test and sealed the series with ease. The final test was won by the home side comprehensively. The Aussies discovered Marcus North and Phillip Hughes during this series. North's hundred on debut helped Autralia to set up a good score. Phillip Hughes wiped out the dissapointment of a duck in his ebut innings by scoring 2 hundreds in the second test match.
Cricket fans have been treated to fantastic test cricket from the two sides during the last 4 months. Some of the performances have been brilliant. This has been a summer of new talent. A summer which would not be forgotten by both the teams for years to come. New players have emerged from this series who seem to have the character to play test cricket for years to come. Test cricket is the actual test of a player. It just shows the quality of the player. Temperament is essential to play test cricket and some of these players have shown it early in their careers. Mitchell Johnson's all round display was a revalation. There are talks of him being the next all rounder for Australia. However, one must spare a thought for Bryce McGain. He was completely taken apart on his debut by the South African batsmen at Cape Town and one doesnt know what lies in store for him. Let us just hope he gets another chance and makes good use of it.
As a cricket fan I hope to see more cricket like this. Such contests will help increase the popularity of the longer version of the game in an era where T20's are gaining popularity all over the world. We must all remember that a player's class can only be determined when he plays test cricket. A cricketer is said to be complete when he dawns the test cap for his country. T20 cricket is like a small dynamite and can entertain people in a short time but how can we forget that test cricket has also produced fantastic moments. I end my post by quoting Paresh Rawal's dialogue from the movie Chini Kum "Asli Cricket is the Test Cricket."
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