Talk about South Africa and you marvel at how this feisty cricketing nation has mastered the art of survival in Test match cricket. In the days of big hits and racing tempos, the South African batsmen, many of them natural stroke-makers, can switch their methods to blunt attacks in the cauldron.
South Africa’s most recent exploit — it began the fifth day at 38 for one at the SSC ground — of saving a Test and series on a last day pitch to finish at 159 for eight in a daunting 118 overs is indeed heroic. Creditably, the side took on a probing spin pack led by left-armer Rangana Herath.
Good techniqueSkipper Hashim Amla played 159 balls for his dour 25 but did so with precise footwork. Defensive batting demands technique; particularly in sub-continental conditions where close catchers surround the bat. He picked the length early, played with soft hands and was decisive in his footwork.
Compare this with India’s capitulation at Southhampton against Moeen Ali’s off-spin, which was at best ordinary. The match was there to be saved but if the South Africans raised their game against spin — the right footwork was central to their success — the Indians floundered because of lack of it.
Several of the Indian international stars hardly play any domestic cricket and over a period of time have become vulnerable even against mediocre spin.
The footwork against Mooen Ali was so tentative that it was hard to believe that these men were brought up on Indian tracks against competent spinners. By lunch time on day five, the Indian second innings had concluded. It was a shameful surrender.
Stepping forward judiciously or using the depth of the crease to shorten the length should have done the job against an off-spinner of Moeen Ali’s calibre but the Indians were found wanting. What a contrast from South Africa’s epic tales of resistance.
Poor footworkIf you notice closely, the footwork of the Indian batsmen in Southampton was disappointing. Virat Kohli appears to have issues with his stance and this has adversely impacted his balance. Without balance, footwork is bound to awry.
Cheteshwar Pujara is at his best when he plays the waiting game. But then, a tendency to be more strokeful has derailed, momentarily, his innings-building skills. He is no longer as secure on or outside the off-stump, and appears to be caught up with this ‘momentum thing.’ On occasions when he has attempted to dig in, he has struggled to find the right balance.
Pujara in this series has not been going fully forward or back. Resultantly, he is being caught out at the crease. Several Indian batsmen have been going back and then moving forward which suggests they are actually not getting anywhere.
And this English attack lacks the consistent precision of an Alec Besder or a Brian Statham who would give very little away and build pressure all the time. These are times when even England’s premier paceman James Anderson sends down too many deliveries either short or wide. The Indians should have done better.
The South African fightbacks have been fuel-driven by a tight technique and the flexibility of methods.
Over the last two years, the South Africans have drawn at Adelaide on the final day with A.B. de Villiers, so explosive in the Twenty20 format, eating up 220 balls for his 33.
This right-hander’s batsmanship is underlined by strong fundamentals.
Then, at the Wanderers against India, Faf du Plessis, another batsman with immaculate technique and a penchant for changing his style of play, and de Villiers notched up centuries under pressure to force a draw.
The South Africans then displayed belief, technique and the ability to bat through sessions without losing focus to almost pull off a sensational draw against Australia in Cape Town. Only a telling final burst from Ryan Harris ambushed Smith’s men.
The side, now led by Amla, has wrested back the No. 1 ranking in Tests from Australia after a stirring fightback in Colombo. There is a lesson in this for the Indians.
