The real test is when 60 000 people are chanting and 100 runs are needed
I COULD regale you with plenty of travel stories this week. From the natural beauty of Rotorua’s geothermal activity to the explosive ability of the Pohutu Geyser and pictureperfect Lake Taupo I could attempt to paint a picture-perfect postcard image.
But then I would also need to add how a South African was hauled over by a law enforcer after a local driver had made a video clip of the suspected driver’s negligence on the road, prompting the officer to proclaim “What side of the road do you drive back in SA because you are the worst driver in all of New Zealand!”
The officer then proceeded to “escort” this group of South African travellers for the remainder of their journey, which was close to over 250km. I don’t know what impressed me more: the presidential-style entry into Wellington or the fact that a “concerned citizen” had made the video and was hit with a $250 spot fine (that’s over R2200!) for lighting up ONE cigarette in the car.
Hopefully the Proteas are learning quicker here in Australasia than some of their supporters. They certainly need to after succumbing to an inspired Pakistan team that turned up the heat at a chilly Eden Park last Saturday.
South Africa are world-beaters when they have the opportunity to bat first and regularly go on to post a significant first- innings totals.
However, this confidence evaporates when a target has to be chased down in high-pressure situations.
Various players have spoken about how such scenarios had been sketched in the team room prior the game, but I believed Morné Morkel’s assessments are spot-on if South Africa want to move forward as a team.
“It’s all well and good to chat in the change room but it’s on the park that matters. The only test is when 60 000 people are chanting and we have 100 runs to get. We know what went wrong and we have answers to the “grey areas” – we’re going to work on them until we get better.”
In AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn, South Africa are fortunate to have a group of individual stars that are all plying their trade together at the same time. But that is sometimes not enough because every member of the squad needs to make a contribution at some time down the line.
The next couple of weeks will arguably define the entire career of most of the SA players. If they fail to achieve their objective then they could just be the next group of South Africans being granted a police escort – only this time it will be one all the way back home.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
@KP24:
I CANNOT BELIVE THIS! I JUST CANNOT! But, well done Bangladesh! You deserved it! #ENGvBAN – Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen struggles to comprehend how England had just been knocked out of the World Cup by Bangladesh.
WHO TO FOLLOW
@GraemeSmith49 – The former Proteas skipper has been very vocal of late. Check up on him here…