Paine’s politeness plan eases final Test tensions

Handshakes and respect the order of the day, as centurion Markram stars Misfiring Alli ‘will come good’

IN a strange turn of events cricket – the so called gentleman’s game – took a leaf from football, more commonly known for diving and being okay with cheating, to reinforce some decency at the end of what’s been an acrimonious series between South Africa and Australia.

Tim Paine, the Australian captain, admitted to watching football on TV in the past few weeks and seeing the players shake hands after the anthems, set off a light bulb in his head. He approached South Africa’s skipper Faf du Plessis before play and relayed his idea, which Du Plessis was happy to accept.

So after both anthems were completed yesterday, players from the two teams shook hands, Morne Morkel, playing in his final match for his country, doing so carefully as he balanced his young son Arias on his other arm.

“There’s been a bit of tension between the two sides,” said Paine. “We want to be super-competitive but we also want to be really respecting of our opponents. It was important we showed that today, it’s something we want to take forward and that’s the way we want to start a Test series. (Faf) thought it was a good idea and maybe other sides, including South Africa may start using it as well.”

It was the turning of a new leaf for Australian cricket – symbolically at least – in the

PLAYS OF THE DAY

MAKING HIS MARK

Despite leading the national under-19 side to the World Cup title in 2014, it took a little while for Aiden Markram to break into the Titans side. There was no denying his class however, and once he did, how the runs flowed. His elevation to the Test team was delayed too, the selectors choosing caution rather than to expose him in difficult conditions and against an experienced attack in England. Many criticised that decision, but given the success Markram’s had this summer, immediate aftermath of a turbulent week for the sport world-wide but particularly in that country. Cricket Australia says it wants to change the culture of the national team, making it less boorish.

“We are taking it one day at a time and slowly trying to build back the respect of the cricket world, our fans and the Australian public. We have a

it was the right call. He’ll make many many runs for the Proteas, though not every innings will be as good as the one produced here.

WARREN WHITELEY

The Springbok and Golden Lions captain was called on to ring the ‘fiveminute’ bell signalling the start of play here yesterday.

It was a moment, he admitted afterwards, of great pride. “I give it a full go, four (pulls) I think,” said Whiteley. Being a Natal boy, Whiteley admitted that Friday was his first visit to the famed ‘Bullring’. “I was really long journey to get to where we want to get to, we think the last couple of days have been the start of that long journey,” said Paine.

“There’s times we have to be more respectful of our opposition and more respectful of the game of cricket; at times we have tended to push the boundaries as far as we possibly could,” said Paine.

so excited man, driving in here, I was so amped, what an atmosphere, I wanted to get out there…” he laughed. Given that the ICC don’t take too kindly to shirt-sleeves being brushed, we reckon it’s best Whiteley stick to bell-ringing at cricket grounds.

FOR FAF’S SAKE

The South African captain came into the series with an injured right index finger, and throughout – against some very good Australian bowling he has struggled. He is battling for confidence with the bat, and yesterday’s ‘first baller’ spoke of

“I think we’ve seen that people probably don’t like that, it’s time for us to change. We are happy to do that, I think it probably suits this group of players, we are a different group of players than Australia have had for a long time, we haven’t got too many guys who like to verbalise… that really hard-nosed Australian approach. We are about cre-

a muddled mind. In seven innings he’s contributed just 55 runs, with a highest score of 20. He’s a better player than that.

A BIG CROWD

The Gauteng Cricket Board is expecting good crowds throughout this Test, which given that it covers a weekend and two public holidays is understandable. The first day saw over 17 000 stream in through the gates. Unlike at Newlands and St George’s Park, masks were absent and behaviour appeared mostly to be quite good. ating an environment where guys can come in and play cricket and be themselves; if we can achieve that, guys will achieve better results.”

There was a noticeably more sedate atmosphere between the two sides compared with what was on display in the first three Tests.

Aiden Markram, who spent more than five hours crafting

PITCH

Highveld Lions coach Geoff Toyana, who knows a thing or two about this pitch, tweeted after tea that it was a “good Test wicket”. “A touch slow, but will get quicker on (days) 2 and 3,” Toyana added. Faf du Plessis reckoned it was browner and drier than usual too, and believes there’ll be variable bounce. That’s okay, as long as it’s not the sort that’s dangerous, the Wanderers has three demerit points against its name after the India Test in January was rated “poor.” It can’t afford further sanction in the next five years, or it will lose its the most magnificent century, said it was much quieter. “The first three games there was a lot of chat on the field. Maybe not so much of that today. Both sides are pretty drained. It was a lot worse for the Australians but it still had an impact on us,” said the Proteas opener.

Nevertheless both Paine and Markram explained that despite the volume being turned down, the play itself was still invigorating, particularly once the Australians had settled down in the final session.

“It felt like a Test match, it was really competitive… we are playing a different style but a lot of the guys would have been thinking about some other things, and were a little bit flat,” Paine mused.

“Being out there and batting there was always pressure. It always felt that you are in a big contest,” Markram added.

international status.

QUOTE

“I’ve been watching on SuperSport – there’s a lot of soccer on – I notice that they (shake hands before every game) and I though cricket’s the gentleman’s game and having spoken to our players, it was felt it’s something worth bringing in. It’s something we will look to use going forward, I don’t know, it’s just a good show of sportsmanship and respect.” – New Australian captain Tim Paine explains why he chose to shake hands with the SA players after the anthems.

Aiden Markram