I watched plenty of the game, I read a fair bit about it in the aftermath and I spoke to a few people who were there.
I’m referring to the Adelaide contest of last year when day-night Test cricket took its first wary steps into the big, bad world of international sport.
It wasn’t perfect – novelties rarely are – but it delivered far more plusses than minuses and from the moment it was apparent the format could work, it was inevitable that Cricket Australia would schedule in more of the same for future seasons.
The cricket was good, the crowds were good, the ratings were good and the overall consensus of those doing the watching was that it was good.
So the first date could be considered a success. ‘Would you like to go out again next week? Do the same again?’
Well where New Zealand needed a few more decent chat-up lines before putting on their best outfit and agreeing to and afternoon/evening rendezvous, South Africa have decided that they’ll be washing their hair.
Not sure about the suitor? The venue? The balls? Or simply keen to return to what you know and settle for an awkward tryst in a busyish bar before departing with a ‘I’ll give you a call’ and meeting up a couple of years down the line with nothing else to talk about?
It could be that the South Africans are playing hard to get and by declining the initial offer they’re hoping Australia will find them even more desirable (I actually mean they want more cash but that’s a bit vulgar).
Or it may be that they don’t want to do it as a trip in to the unknown, for some, is a trip they’re unwilling to sign up for.
Either way, it’s depressing to see the effort made only for an opponent to pour cold water on the proposal without even giving it a try.
And the quotes from the South African players’ representative, Tony Irish, while making a valid point about experience, go on to resemble something from a management seminar.
“The main reason is we feel disadvantaged. Not one of our players who will compete in that Test has played Test match cricket, or any cricket, with a pink ball.
“The reluctance to play is a sign of how much importance the South African players place on the series against Australia.”
From a playing perspective, it should be easy to empathise with AB de Villiers’ side as some kind of familiarity underpins a sportsman’s positive psyche whereas a lack of knowledge results in the opposite.
But the waffle about how much importance they place on the series being a reason for their unwillingness to play ball is nonsense. That is politician’s talk, the insertion of an earnest appearing soundbite to deflect attention away from the issue at hand.
They don’t want to because they don’t know. Nothing more and nothing less.
There would still be reluctance even if the South Africans had played some first-class cricket under lights with a pink ball because the whole concept is still wearing nappies but it wouldn’t be anywhere near as committed.
Yet there has to come a point where it isn’t a case of asking but of telling. The Adelaide Test match in the forthcoming Australian summer will be a day-night and that is that. You either play or you don’t.
That may seem dictatorial and so it is. Yet so much is made of administrations and administrators being unwilling or unable to take the decisions that benefit their respective sports and when they do they hit a brick wall. Catch-22 I believe it’s called.
There are six months before the aforementioned Test and that is plenty of time for the South Africans to practice with and play against a pink ball. They might even ask for more dedicated practice on their tour itinerary or, heaven forbid, in their own country.
We’re not looking at an insurmountable problem here but the more procrastination there is the bigger a hole will be dug and the more acrimonious it will become and nobody wants that.
So South Africa, agree to the date, arrange a suitable time, make sure that hair is nice and shiny and show up.
As the first attempt proved, it really won’t be that bad.
Charl
Guest
Of course, if something is suggested the minions just have to accept it. Freedom of choice not a concept understood in England, Alex?
Sanjay Poojar
Guest
No no no ! India must tour India number one
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The difference is that when the white ball was introduced, visiting teams played warm up games using the white ball until mall cricketing countries were used to it. What help are the Saffas being given to acclimatise with the pink ball?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The Adelaide test only worked because it was a PR and ratings success. To play with the pink ball, the curator had to leave more grass on the wicket than necessary because the ball would lose its colour to quickly. Why on earth should SA play under lights with a pink ball, a concept of the game they have never played before. Perhaps CA could have organised the tour so as to play a few first class games as day/nighters with the pink ball. That would have been the logical approach, then again we are talking CA.
Craig Swanson
Guest
How is playing at dusk in a pink test any different to batting at dusk in a ODI game? The Saffers have done that plenty of times as have the Aussies. So what is all the hoo ha about? AS I see it, our test batsmen and probably those of SA have batted on roads for too long. Suddenly they are presented with a testing pitch which shows up a loose technique and they start running scared. I blame the ICC and other boards like CA for allowing dead pitches to be prepared in order to ensure a five day test match to get more bums on seats for more revenue.
felix
Guest
That sure explains a few questions I had about the Aussies,blind patriotism seems a weaker word ;-)
Chris
Guest
Players say one thing to fellow players and another to the public. And usually its the truth to fellow players and its the political correct party line to the public.
Craig Swanson
Guest
CR. India has now jumped onto the pink ball test wagon It is the future. If your blokes do not want to get left behind they need to embrace it. Seven months til the Aussie tests..plenty of time to acclimatize to the pink ball.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
;-) To be fair though I think the lack of international sporting news & opinions in local Australian news plays a big role in helping to garner some of the blinkered opinions, or one sided opinions that we stumble across on these sites from time to time. I love Australia & I live in Australia at the moment. Besutiful cracking country with wonderful people. :-) I grew up in SA and have also lived in London, UK & USA so I kinda have a good understanding to make comparisons about this and international exposure. Australia is a bit like America, different sports and different place but really internally focussed across all sports which is why many Aussies can't wrap their heads around Super Rugby and having teams compete against New Zealand & South African teams when most of them don't even know where Durban or Bloemfontein are! And to be frank couldn't really care less. And Australian teams don't always win! Lol But hey it is what it is, not right or wrong, just different. That's the culture. The problems start when one thinks their culture and opinions are the only ones that are right because they are viewings things from their little world and think it's the same everywhere else and so they must be right. I doubt anyone on here would've ever heard of Kevin Anderson (tennis player), yet he's ranked higher than the Aussie Nick Kyrios who's ALWAYS on the news. I guess it s really good thing that Aussies always support Aussies hard and make a big deal about them even if they're not that good (ie Kyrios & Tomic). SA and the UK actually have pretty good coverage and exposure of all things, from international news through to sports. Anyhow gone off topic, love Queensland, love the Sunny Coast, Love Aussies, great people... most at least :-) And hope the Proteas can beat them in cricket again this year in Aus!
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Revive Test cricket? Didn't think it needed a revival? Mate I can't recall a time over the past 20 odd years where Test cricket hasn't been stronger and more popular!!?? But it's all about perception and how well your own team does, so maybe it feels that way for South Africans because SA were number 1 for about 5 years. I'm sure it felt that way for Aussies during the Warne & Waugh era, or Ponting's team in 07.
Simoc
Guest
Who cares? Test cricket is a carcass. Day/night is a chance to revive it.
felix
Guest
Hey Rhino just loving your presence and tackling just like the Sharks showed the Champion Highlanders no space. Keep it up and maybe just maybe some. Aussie will get it through their heads. ;-)
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
The current state?? Ha ha you wish! Say that after SA wins again and are back at number 1 :-) Mate Australia are on 112, India 110 & SA 109. NZ are in 6th spot at 96, just below England at 102. Yes last year was the first time a Test team other than Australia managed to beat them since 2006, almost 10 years. But hey they're on a par with NZ ;-)
geoffo
Guest
Cocky stuff Burgy. I wonder if the side is as confident as you after getting hammered in their last 2 home series against this opponent?
BurgyGreen
Guest
With the current state of the South African side, this series really isn't that much bigger than the one against NZ. The Adelaide Test worked. I definitely think that SA should ideally get at least two three-day practice games, but with today's generally pitiful tour game offerings you don't often get what's ideal. Mediocre preparation is part of playing the game at the moment, no matter where the tour is played. Adjusting to the pink ball on a well-grassed but by no means unplayable Adelaide pitch is surely easier than adjusting to subcontinent turners.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
"But the waffle about how much importance they place on the series being a reason for their unwillingness to play ball is nonsense. " No mate in all seriousness your statement couldn't be more untrue. For South Africans, beating Australia in Australia is THE ULTIMATE in Test cricket. SA are looking to do this for a 3rd consecutive series. Why bigger things up by throwing in something that's only ever been done once before and many of the players from both camps aren't too keen on?
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Ha ha ha ha Yep get the only team in the world that beats you in Australia not to tour and don't tour to SA. That way you can keep a good record as SA look to win their 3rd consecutive series in Australia.... ;-) That's real mature. Mate I think there's only country being selfish and trying to bully here..... Throwing in something that's only ever been tried once for such a big series!
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
How was the integrity of test cricket dented in all this? Because it wasn't a high scoring runfest? So any time that the conditions favour the bowlers and the game is over in 3 days severely dents the integrity of test cricket does it? That's a pretty silly statement. With the plethora of batsmen friendly roads around these days it's refreshing when there are conditions with a bit in them for the bowlers, even if it often means the match is over in 3 days. And by the way, who is this ACU that you are accusing of bullying?
Internal Fixation
Guest
I know a fair few Saffas and precious whingers they most certainly are not. The pink ball is really no different to dust bowls in India or playing at altitude in Union. I can just hear Cuba Golding Junior yelling it now...... Show me the rand!
felix
Guest
Somebody thinks somebody cares too much,if they decide not to play SA it is their decision to make,SA will go along with whatever you Aussies decide. On the positive note it will be good riddance to that entitlement attitude,so come Aussies make up your mind already,there are plenty of countries that wouldn't mind playing SA.