What we saw in Brisbane was abject, even painful, writes Greg Chappell. If South Africa don’t or can’t bounce back, valid questions will be asked about the decline of Test cricket.
“Never make excuses. Your friends don’t need them and your foes won’t believe them.”
South Africa landed on our shores with an unproven batting line-up, and it is still exactly that. In the past three years, their top six have the worst record on the road of all Test teams. From the best touring team, boasting the likes of Smith, Kallis, Amla and de Villiers averaging 48, they have slipped to a paltry 27 from their current top six. What we saw in Brisbane was abject, even painful.
The MCG pitch won’t be as lively as the one at the Gabba, but it has offered seam movement with the new ball in recent years. Both teams rely on their bowling attacks - but in Smith and Labuschagne, Australia have two world-class players; three if you count the out-of-form David Warner and four if you include the fast-improving Head.Warner is back where he burst onto the scene in 2009 with a blazing 89 in 43 balls in a T20 game against South Africa.
Improving your ability as a hitter does little to develop your skill and mindset to make meaningful runs in Test cricket. Players like Mitch Starc are rare and to be commended for prioritising Test cricket at the cost of a huge hit to the back pocket. The senseless proliferation of T20 leagues has led to the unavailability of the best players in many countries. The Big Three need to urgently convene, brainstorm and generously resource the cricketing renaissance of the West Indies, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, if they are really serious about the health of Test cricket.
The encroachment of T20 tournaments, has resulted in more players turning their backs on Test cricket and others suffering injuries from their non-stop dalliance. T20 cricket is fast becoming an existential threat to Test cricket, not its saviour, as some would have you believe.
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