THERE’S STILL LIFE IN TEST CRICKET
THE glitz and glamour of the SA20 cricket tournament captured the imagination of local fans over the past month.
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape pulled off a second consecutive title triumph as they beat the Durban’s Super Giants in the final at Newlands last weekend.
But there was some controversy involved with the Proteas men’s team as a result, as all the top players were mandated to play in the SA20 by Cricket South Africa to ensure that the quality of the event was of the highest standard.
As with other T20 tournaments around the world, the SA20 is regarded as the main ‘cash cow’ that can keep the sport in good financial health for the rest of the year.
That meant a vastly under-strength side had to travel to New Zealand for a two-Test series against the Kiwis’ best team.
The Proteas duly got beaten by a comprehensive 281 runs in the first Test in Mount Maunganui, but coach Shukri Conrad’s squad has shown remarkable resilience to fight back in the second match in Hamilton over the past few days.
Batter David Bedingham scored his maiden Test hundred, and wily off-spinner Dane Piedt turned back the clock to produce his career-best figures of 5/89 in the first innings.
South Africa set New Zealand a target of 267 for victory yesterday, and had real hope that they could bowl out the Black Caps on day four.
Yesterday, the Proteas Women side were involved in a Test match of their own, against Australia in Perth.
It is rare that both SA senior sides would feature in the longer format at the same time as the women hardly get to play in the white kit.
Their previous Test was against England in June 2022, and they made a disastrous start in Perth yesterday by being bowled out for just 76 by the world-class Australian outfit.
But captain Laura Wolvaardt’s team kept plugging away and eventually claimed five Australian wickets for 251 runs.
So, while T20 cricket is all the rage these days, it was pleasing to see some typical South African gees in the traditional form of the game this week.
That is something to savour, as Test cricket continues to fight for its survival.