‘Wounded’ Proteas return to Centurion
Proteas aiming to salvage pride in their last test match against England in Centurion on Friday.
Despite losing the series to England, Proteas will look to salvage pride when they take on England in their final test match in Centurion on Friday.
The last test match Supersport Park involving the South African cricket team was back in 2014 against the West Indies. The locals will surely look to fill up the stadium to watch some of their heroes even though things have been tough for AB de Villiers and co.
Though the outcome is of academic interest, the Proteas are hoping to get their first test match win in eight attempts. To do this in Centurion will be surely be a bonus.
Under the captaincy of Graeme Smith, the Proteas went to England in 2012 and claimed an away series 2-0 which saw them named the number one test side thus putting the English off the throne.
The team has been almost untouchable on top until recently when they lost an away test series to India. Many blamed the demons in the pitch for the horrific showings but the Indian team and management thought otherwise.
When the England tour arose, many predicted South Africa to top England, especially with the return of fast bowler Dale Steyn.
The series, however, began on a dark note when Dale Steyn got injured at the start of England’s second innings, which initially decided the match. The Proteas went on to lose by an emphatic 241 runs.
Rain had the last laugh in the second test match in Cape Town which was evenly contested and could have gone either way.
If the second test papered over poor batting, then the third test exposed the Proteas’ poor batting ability which saw them all out for 83 in the second innings with a lead of just 73.
A loss at the Wanderers didn’t just see the Proteas lose their second test series in a row, but it also saw them lose their number one place in the ICC rankings.
Perhaps the loss of two of the best bowlers (Vernon Philander and Steyn) had an impact in them leaking runs but their batting performance leaves much to be desired.
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