South Africa v India: A Chance of History

Graeme Smith - A chance of History rejected. - © ramograph 

History within reach, a World Record total tumbling in front of our eyes, and then, nothing.

As Dale Steyn joined Vernon Philander at the crease, South Africa required 16 runs from 18 balls to set a World Record for a Test run-chase.

The total required, 458, seemed an unlikely and far-off dream at the start of the day, but a double-century partnership from Francois Du Plessis and AB De Villiers took South Africa from a position at which a draw would have been lovely, to almost-certain victory.

Du Plessis was solid, and De Villiers was more expansive, but the partnership saw two batsmen complementing each other, and scoring quickly enough to threaten the target. 

When De Villiers fell on 103, Du Plessis took up the reins, and even when JP Duminy fell quickly and Philander arrived at the crease, shots were being played, and the run-rate was manageable.

The wicket of Du Plessis, a needless run-out, appears to have been the moment the tactic changed. Dale Steyn avoided most of the next over, as short deliveries flew past him, but even at this stage, 16 from 12 as worth chasing.

Inevitably Dhoni put the field back, with more than a run-a-ball required, Philander would have to be clever; he chose not to try.

He blocked the first two deliveries of the penultimate over, and turned down singles from the next two, signalling his intent to defend and protect a draw.

It seems that the word from the South African think-tank, sent out with Dale Steyn, was one of caution and defence.

As a cricket fan, I entirely understand that a game can be played for five days, and result in a draw. I also understand that leaving a game with a draw can be a positive result, but not in this instance.

The crowd who had gathered hoping to see history at the Wanderers rightly booed as runs were turned down, because this was cricket letting itself down.

Sport is loved because of the moments that are created. As a chance of history, and one of those moments became available for Graeme Smith’s South Africa to grasp, the opportunity was turned down.

Whilst the game can end in a draw, if the win is available you must go for it, if only to protect the integrity of the sport, particularly when your sport is as maligned as cricket so often is.