Cricket: SA wins series against Australia
How many times have I wanted to type the title “Cricket: SA wins series against Australia”!!!
What a great victory from the South African cricket side! We sort of had the feeling that if not now, then the opportunity would probably never present itself…ever!
Who would have thought victory would be so comprehensive?
We quietly hoped the team wouldn’t fall apart after the first few wickets fell…like they did in the past. When presented with the a quick loss of wickets, someone came to the rescue of the team. Graeme Smith, AB De Villiers, Dale Steyn, JP Duminy, the list goes on. Instead it was the Australians who faltered.
The victory is sweet because of the way the South Africans overcame past deficiencies. Who amongst us didn’t hold their breath each time Smith went out to bat. It was standard belief that SA was in the game as long as Smith was batting. Now it ain’t over until the last batsman has lost his wicket!
If anyone doubted that cricket is a psychological game, then watching the Aussies implode mentally in direct contrast to the growing confidence of their opponents, is enough proof. The body language of the Australians -on the field and interviews – spoke of a team in a state of shock. They looked exactly like previous visiting teams who were anihilated by Shane Warne, Glen Mcgrath and the Waugh twins…dejected.
Now the tide has turned.
The media who played their part in Australia’s victories now derides them. The Golden boys are golden no more.
Australia will for a while probably go into the perpetual rebuilding stage which we know so well, especially after a loss they will talk of the ‘rebuilding’ the team. They will find out how fickle the media and public can be. Whether the opposing team is better or not, victory will be expected of them. Every frown will be a signal of discontent in the team. Ask Graeme Smith and the Proteas, they know all about it.
Which of course makes this series victory even better.
Well done to the Proteas and many more!
