At the Wanderers we didn’t witness any fairy tales. There wasn’t any continuation of a Pakistani fight back of yesterday nor there was any over
pouring of rain from the heavens to save Pakistan from a heavy defeat. As soon
as the South African pace bowlers got the new ball in their hands, they immediately
put the Pakistanis on the back-foot. The new cherry swung extravagantly at the
hands of Steyn, Philander and Morkel to sink Pakistan.
Being helpless against the moving ball is nothing new for
the subcontinental batsmen and as expected the Pakistani batsmen were dumb
founded against some relentless display of high quality pace bowling by the
Proteas pacers. The South Africans were the favorites in this Test match but
they were expected to face a tougher challenge from a Pakistani unit who over
the last couple of years have been successful.
Sadly it was not to be. Sadly, it was a one way traffic.
Without a doubt, the South African pace bowling lead by the
fearsome Dale Steyn had the bite and heat to torment the Pakistani batting line
up but to an extent they could be negotiated only if patience and application
was applied along with astute footwork and proper technique. Except yesterday,
the Pakistani fort was found too ill-equipped to tackle the drone attacks fired
from the South African control room. The Pakistani batsmen’s lack of patience
and technique against the notorious moving ball had to be blamed. Time and again,
the Pakistani batting is making them suffer and there are no measures to
rectify this gray area. The boasting with the newly found bowling sensations
will continue without giving much attention to the fragile batting. The alarm
bells are ringing for Pakistan. If they are to avoid further more humiliation
in the upcoming Test matches then they must think seriously about rectifying
their fragile technique against the fast and swinging deliveries. Will they
rectify?
Steyn had been just breathtaking. His match figures of 11-60
indicates how lethal he has become over the years to be claimed amongst the
ranks of Lillee, Marshall, Imran or Akram. I enjoyed watching Steyn’s merciless
and fearsome exhibition of fast and swing bowling, but more than Steyn’s display
the newly vested responsibility of AB de Villiers as the Proteas wicket-keeper
had attracted me the most.
Last year, during the England tour, Mark Boucher had injured
his eye and for which he had to retire from international cricket. In the most desperate
hours, the South African think tank threw the gloves to AB de Villiers to fill
the gap of the mercurial Mark Boucher. AB de Villiers did have the experience
of standing behind the stumps but not on a regular basis. And in Test cricket,
he was quite a novice. But, sincere and responsible cricketers never shy away from
any given responsibilities. In the course of time, AB de Villiers has adapted
himself with this new role excellently.
It was thought that this new role might affect this stylish
and dynamic cricketer’s batting. But so far he has been able to maintain a
healthy equilibrium between the two jobs with a commanding effort. Today, at the Wanderers, AB de Villiers equaled
the record of England’s wicket-keeper Jack Russell for the most dismissal by a
wicket-keeper in a Test match (11 dismissals). Jack Russell had set the record at
this same venue way back in 1995. But De Villiers is a part of cricket record
books for something even more unique. He became the only wicket-keeper to score
a hundred and effect 10 dismissals in a Test match!
Neither the batting has been effected nor the wicket-keeping
role is looking shoddy. But both of them are proving richly productive or the
South African. Like Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, AB de Villiers is proving himself
as a role model of sincerity and superb stamina. And it’s his unique motivation
and willpower which allows him to adapt in this crucial role apt and appropriately.
Undoubtedly, AB de Villiers is unique in his own way.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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