Proteas victorious against England
The Proteas' great victory over England at Centurion probably inaugurated a new era for the national team.
Koos Venter and Eliot Mahlase
South Africa defeated England by 280 runs in the final day of their fourth and final test match at Supersport park, Centurion on Tuesday.
England crashed to 101 all out before lunch on Tuesday morning as Kagiso Rabada managed to slice through the English batting line-up.
The flame of hope is burning much highter again for South African cricket after the performance of the Proteas in the fourth Test against England.
The convincing victory over England showed South African cricket crossed the Rubicon to a new era for the national team.
Suddenly there is clarity about what the team can do without Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Alviro Petersen and even Dale Steyn.
New heroes appeared on the scene and if this team that played in Centurion can serve as the core for the future, there is no reason why the Proteas would not return to their place as the best Test nation in the world.
There was a long search for two reliable opening batsmen who could fill the shoes of Smith and Petersen.
Though Dean Elgar did not get big scores in this fourth test, he was one of the better performers during the series, and he definitely has the talent and temperament to open the innings for South Africa for a long time to come. He is also one of the leaders in the team.
Many column inches have been written already about Stephen Cook’s fairy tale test debut, after he had to wait 33 years to get his first chance to play a test for South Africa.
There is however no doubt that Cook has the ability and character to open the innings for the Proteas for at least another three to four seasons.
There has also long been a search for a replacement for Makhaya Ntini in the team, which was obviously more than just about cricketing ability.
In Kagiso Rabada, the Proteas found not only a brilliant bowler with a great future but all indications are that he also will be an excellent role model. His 13 wickets in this test made him an instant cricket legend.
Quinton de Kock, South Africa’s young wicketkeeper and brilliant batsman showed in this test once again that he has a great future as a cricketer. His 129 runs in the first innings was a crucial factor to the win.
Temba Bavuma probably also established himself in this series as a mainstay in the Proteas’ middle order.
Add to all these names the stature of AB de Villiers as a player and leader and the future suddenly lighter than the dark of a few weeks ago.
Forget De Villiers’ three consecutive ducks, he will get his form back and he will also be inspired by the way the rest of his teammates performed when he struggled. We know in any case the saying that form is temporary but class is forever.
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