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Sixteen runs to win off three overs to achieve a world record Test target of 458 – with three wickets left in the hut. What would you do with history beckoning?
The armchair critic in you would probably go for the victory as opposed to the draw.
However, Proteas’ tailenders Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn decided otherwise, as darkness descended upon the Wanderers on the fifth day of the first Test against India on Sunday.
The Proteas were playing a resurgent India, who had dominated the fourth day of the Test with centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara (153) and a patient 96 from Virat Kholi.
It was predominantly through their efforts that India had racked up a 458-run lead after being all out just after lunch on the fourth day.
The now often coined cliché of ‘a probable win for India’ when a target in excess of 400 is set in the fourth innings of a Test, was bandied about on the fourth day at the end of the day’s proceedings.
South Africa ended at 2/138 on the fourth evening – but that score did not change opinions. There was going to be only one winner, India, or else a draw.
By the time centurions Faf Du Plessis and AB De Villiers had departed the stage late into the fifth day, 16 runs were needed off 19 balls.
Earlier JP Duminy played on after AB had suffered a similar fate, with his side needing 56 off 13 overs and Du Plessis still holding the fort.
At the start of their innings’ the two kingpins, Faf and AB, seemed to be content to just play out the overs – after coming together at 4/197 only to be prized apart 205 runs later.
They batted together in a glorious partnership of 205 on a difficult wicket, that lasted a few minutes short of four hours.
Du Plessis who could now easily assume the title of ‘Barry Block’ as one commentator suggested – after his seven-hour feat in Adelaide last year to save a Test – withstood the onslaught of Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma and a somewhat impotent Ravichnandran Ashwin, to compile 134.
When a tired Du Plessis was run out after having his wickets disrupted by a pinpoint throw from Rahane, it seemed the game was still there for the taking for South Africa, though the odds diminished a wee bit.
After Duminy was dispatched for five in stepped Vernon Philander, who was joined by Dale Steyn shortly afterwards, following Du Plessis’s departure.
16 runs to get in three overs. Surely it was on and an entry into cricket’s history books.
Even India was surprised as Steyn proceeded to block every ball, while Philander who is no mug with the bat (he finished on 25 after a score of 50-odd in the first innings), followed suit rather unexpectedly.
Dhoni spread his field onto the boundary ropes. And so it went … block, block, block, until Steyn smote the final delivery of the Test, following a full toss from Shami for six.
An anti-climax for most at the ground, who had come to witness possible history.
South Africa were at the climax, only eight runs off a place in history. India were three wickets away from a memorable win, but the odds it seemed had been firmly in South Africa’s favour earlier on.
What followed was quite funny. Out of frustration, fans at the ground booed both teams off the field.
Television cameras had earlier focused on non-plussed members of the crowd gesticulating in frustration as they realised that South Africa were not going all out to win the game.
But how short-sighted was the Proteas’ approach?
Graeme Smith’s reaction: “We trust our players to make the right decisions on the field .. they’re mature enough.”
But the question might be: is he happy with the decision Philander and Steyn had made not to go for the victory?
Kohli says they were pleasantly surprised that with three overs to go and 16 to get, the Proteas’ batsmen did not go for the runs.
Coach Russell Domingo also echoed his captain Smith’s sentiments. It is well-known that Domingo’s man management skills include allowing his players to make the decisions on the field of play.
However one should ask the question, does it mean that the coach sits back and has no influence whatsoever in the decisions of the team on and off the field of play?
What is his opinion of Steyn and Philander’s decision not to go for the victory, when it seemed likely to so many fans?
How would he (Domingo) have called it if the tail-enders were not allowed to make their own decisions at such an important juncture in the match?
Steyn could clearly be seen shaking his head towards his batting partner as if to say ‘no, no don’t slog us out of here… let’s settle for the draw’.
It has also come to light that the two tail-enders were waiting for a slog in the final over in which to score the runs after making sure of the draw – but Shami was not going to allow that!
Domingo though he should be applauded for adopting that kind of man management approach, should take care that he doesn’t free himself of all decision-making.
Smith and his band of men (inner circle) are a strong unit and could easily usurp the coach.
Now, with the Australians coming to these shores in February it would be wise for them to review strategy of how decisions are made on the field of play.
Domingo might have to make it clear who’s the boss. As the Australians have shown in their victory in the Ashes they will not be shy. to employ the mental disintegration tactic on the number one team in the world.
It is Clarke’s ambition to wrest the ICC test Championship trophy away from Smith’s grasp.
Already we have seen Jonathan Trott’s departure home from Australia due to a stress-related illness and Graeme Swann’s sudden retirement mid-series.
However, it still makes for a gripping series come February as the South Africans have shown enough steel to make the Aussies wary.
Smith and co won’t given an inch even in the sledging stakes and are proving now against India that their title will not be taken easily from their grasp.
Remember the South Africans have by and large been responsible for Andrew Strauss’ and Michael Vaughan’s retirement.
However a match which could easily have been the greatest Test ever played was instead the greatest draw played .. whatever side of the fence you’re on .. it was indeed gripping stuff … to coin a cliché a good advert for Test cricket.
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