South Africa’s tour of England ended in bitter disappointment after the hosts were able to win the series-deciding Test at the Oval. In many respects, this is a story of what could have been for the Proteas after they began the series in swashbuckling style having blown England away inside three days at the Home of Cricket. However, that innings and 12-run win at Lord’s was the last South Africa would taste of victory after England won back-to-back Tests to secure the series.
Undoubtedly, business class would have had many somber faces in it as the plane carrying the Proteas home to Johannesburg left the Heathrow tarmac and climbed into the sky. Perhaps there would have even been time for some solemn contemplation during the eleven-hour flight back to the Rainbow Nation with players staring off into the vast abyss of the night sky while trying to work out where it all went wrong. After all, this was a team that cantered to victory before seemingly losing all discipline by handing England a series win that they didn’t have to break a sweat for. It should be stressed that this isn’t to say that England are an average side, far from it as the latest sports betting illustrates with the Three Lions, as of the 15th of September, at impressive odds of just 6/5 to win the Ashes against Australia next year. Rather, this is an attempt to make sense of why the Castore Proteas lost their grip on a series they looked likely to win.
Admittedly, pointing fingers is a favorite pastime in sports journalism but often, the truth is that there is no need for drawn-out inquiry pieces after a defeat as the opposition is at times, just far too superior.
In this instance, however, there was a notable chain of mistakes made by South Africa’s captain Dean Elgar that essentially handed England back the initiative after the Proteas were in the ascendency. Here, we’ll look back on the decisions that hamstrung South Africa.
Team Selection
Few could believe the latest cricket news websites on the morning of the second Test as the headlines informed readers that Marco Jansen had been dropped. The lanky all-rounder had been instrumental in helping the Proteas win the first Test and was seen as key to their efforts at Old Trafford, especially with ball in hand under cloudy skies. Instead, Elgar opted for two spinners on a pitch that was renowned for fast bowling, and just like that, South Africa’s captain had put his team behind the eight ball. To make matters worse, Elgar would inexplicably choose to bat after winning the toss despite the conditions being ideal for bowling. South Africa would go on to lose five wickets in the first session, and in effect, lose the match as well.
Elgar surrenders his wicket at the Oval
During the third Test, the contest was on a knife edge on the fourth day as England and South Africa desperately tried to gain an overall advantage. On this occasion, the Proteas were batting and doing everything in their power to grind out a competitive score for England to chase in the fourth innings. The score stood on 83/1 with the lead being 43, at the crease was Elgar whose length of innings would, in many respects, decide which way the Test would go. However, Stuart Broad would trap the left-hander LBW with an inswinger which saw the finger go up from umpire Nitin Menon. It was a decision from the Indian official which left a lot to be desired but in fairness to Menon, he was left with no choice after Elgar, for no rhyme or reason, walked off immediately after being hit on the pads. Hawk-Eye would later reveal that the ball missed the stumps by a significant distance which made Elgar’s decision not to review look all the more unforgivable.
Unsurprisingly, the rest of the batting lineup would crumble soon after their captain was seen to throw the towel in. Regrettably, that’s the nature of professional sport, whether it be football, rugby, or anything else, if the team’s leader appears to give up, then the chances of victory will all but fall away.
Elgar will know as much and will also be aware that the sports news pieces following this incident which saw him wave the white flag would ultimately level a fair bit of criticism at him.
The question now is whether South Africa’s captain will fall on his sword. In the past, Proteas captains have walked for less. However, this particular resignation hangs on whether Elgar’s position has become untenable. Tellingly, we’ve already seen Mark Boucher, South Africa’s coach, agree to step down in the coming months and you get the distinct impression that Elgar may not be far behind him.
