Oval Invincibles gave us something to shout about
Just in case SA cricket supporters missed it on Saturday, the country had three compelling reasons to cheer and celebrate when the Oval Invincibles beat the Southern Brave by 48 runs in the final of the inaugural Hundred competition at Lord ’ s.
Captain Dane van Niekerk was not just at the heart of the final victory, she led from the front throughout the 10 games to finish with 259 runs, eight wickets, a cherished trophy and an even greater respect among teammates and opponents than she enjoyed before.
The Momentum Proteas captain scored 26 from 29 balls at the top of the order and claimed 1/16 from her 20 balls, but was completely outshone on the day by her SA teammates and partner Marizanne Kapp, the leading women’s allrounder in the world.
Very few cricketers throughout history, of either sex, have been skilled or strong enough to open the bowling and bat in the top four, but when Kapp is good, she is very, very good. Having walloped 26 off just 14 deliveries to guide her team to 121/6, she took the new ball and removed the Brave’s top three batters without a run among them before bowling No 11, Lauren Bell, to finish with an astonishing 4/9 from the 18 balls she bowled.
No less impressive was the performance of the third South African in the Invincibles XI, the world’s fastest bowler, Shabnin Ismail. Of the 20 balls in her allocation, a staggering 15 were dot balls. She finished with 1/14 as the Brave succumbed meekly to 73 all out.
It may only have been a domestic tournament, but it was the most high-profile women’s event staged outside of ICC events, and looks set to transform women’s cricket and transport it onto its greatest stage yet. And three Proteas cricketers were right in the centre of it.
“I have no words at the moment,” said an emotional but delighted Van Niekerk before chiding herself for batting “too slowly” and putting her team “on the back foot. But it’ sa childhood dream to play a final at Lord’s. I’m just so pleased for the whole team, it was a special day.”
Yesterday, Proteas men’s coach Mark Boucher made public his 14-page affidavit to social justice and nationbuilding (SJN) ombudsman Dumisa Ntsebeza. It was also emotional, but in a very different way.
Having been accused by several former teammates of racist language and influencing team selection on racial lines during his playing days, Boucher contextualised lack of education about race and culture prevailing in his earliest days in the team from his debut in 1997. He suggests that what some players thought was “playful banter” is now seen through a very different lens and “sincerely apologises” for all offence caused. But he strenuously denies being racist.
“There has been an implicit insinuation in some media reports and by some people in social media that I am a racist. The attack on my character by these people has been relentless, bereft of objectivity and evidence and appears motivated by a hidden agenda. My family and I have been traumatised by it. Being accused of being a racist is a label that is nigh on impossible to eradicate. I hope that the hearings will make objective findings based on evidence and facts, and will not be swayed by innuendo and the baseless accusations against me,” Boucher says.
“I was part of a group of four players that was fondly called ‘the rats’ of the team. We were the youngsters that were not in the starting XI who would scurry around doing chores for the seniors, carrying bags and earning ‘our badge’, so to speak.
“I recall many fun evenings when the rats — Mr Makhaya Ntini, Mr Paul Adams, Mr Herschelle Gibbs and I — went out in Sydney on our own, as the rest of the team had to be responsible and get to bed early. We were youngsters having a good time experiencing touring life to the fullest. I was also often roommates with Mr Ntini and also with Mr Adams on the odd occasion.
“While at the time we thought it was playful banter within a team environment in which we all participated as a normal part of team dynamics, I deeply regret and apologise for the part I played by joining in with my teammates in singing offensive songs or using offensive nicknames,” says Boucher.
The former wicketkeeper cannot give oral testimony because he leaves on Wednesday for Sri Lanka with the national team for a tour of three ODIs and three T20Is. He wanted his affidavit to be published more than 10 days ago and has been smarting that SJN “protocols” prevented it.
In coming weeks, others will take the stand to defend themselves. There will be counterallegations and alleged examples of mutual namecalling. The behaviour of the accusers will be examined. It will be extremely sad and harmful in equal measure. Cricket SA was warned it would be so when they chose to hold this vitally important process in public.
During the worst of it, I suggest you remember the Oval Invincibles triumph at Lord’s and the performances of Van Niekerk, Kapp and Ismael, three of the world’s best cricketers. Because there are still more good stories than bad in SA cricket, though it may not feel like that when the SJN hearings resume.
26 off 14 deliveries was Marizanne Kapp’s contribution with the bat before taking 4/9 to help the Oval Invincibles to win the final of the Hundred competition