Can you remember what you were doing on this day 18 years ago? The chances are that if you are a cricket fan and live in the Western Cape you would have been at Sahara Park Newlands watching the first ever ODI to be played in South Africa.
Appropriately, the adversaries were the Proteas and India. Appropriate is the right word, because the Proteas’ first ever ODI was also against India at Eden Gardens on that famous November 10 1991, when the sub-continent witnessed the birth of cricket’s latest rivalry.
There have been many other famous rivalries such as the Ashes contest between England and Australia, which is currently enthralling the cricketing world “down under”, not to mention those between India and Pakistan.
But, given time, there is tangible evidence that South Africa and India are building a tradition of similar proportions.
After all, the approaching Castle Test series is between the No. 1 and 2 ranked sides on the ICC Test ratings, and visiting coach Gary Kirsten has already said that his squad cannot achieve greatness until it has won a Test series in South Africa.
Remarkably, that first ODI played in South Africa had been preceded by 15 matches away from home in India, Australia, New Zealand and the West Indies.
The Proteas won that first home ODI by what on paper looks like a comfortable 6 wickets, although there were, in fact, only 3 balls to spare.
The match also marked Fanie de Villiers’ debut in any format of the international game, and was also historic in that it witnessed the first instance of a third umpire TV decision in an ODI when Kepler Wessels was adjudged run out by Rudi Koertzen.
Koertzen, recently retired after a distinguished career, made his ODI debut two days later and was to stand in a Test match for the first time later that month at his home ground of Axxess DSL St George’s.
The MTN ODI series between the Proteas and India starting early next year will witness more history. Assuming the first two encounters of the five-match rubber are not completely washed out, the third game at Sahara Park Newlands will be the Proteas’ 450th ODI.
And assuming Graeme Smith is not ruled out of action through injury (an unfortunate possibility these days) the second match at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium will see him become South Africa’s most capped ODI captain of all time.
The latest edition of South Africa-India rivalry will indeed be a summer of many highlights.
It also includes the historic Standard Bank International Pro20 for the Krish Mackerdhuj Trophy at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, which is expected to draw the biggest crowd to witness a cricket match on the African continent.
A star-studded Bollywood cast will entertain fans at the conclusion of the match.
This match will also honour two of the legends of the modern game: Makhaya Ntini of South Africa and Sachin Tendulkar of India; as well as Clive Rice’s pioneering Proteas team that made the first tour to India in 1991.
Fans can purchase tickets via TicketPros – www.cricket.ticketpros.co.za or call centre: 087 151 4400, at PostNet outlets and at all host venues.
Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO, said: “The rivalry that existed between South Africa and India in the first ODI on South African soil 18 years ago is even fiercer today, and the upcoming tour by India is going to be one to be remembered for all time.
“This tour could well be another pointer as to which is the top world rated team in both Tests and ODIs, and both the Proteas and India have big points to prove.
“It is also great that the tour is going to be part of the rich history between these two great cricketing nations, particularly with the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in South Africa with the commemorative Standard Bank International Pro 20 match between the Proteas and India.
“The tour will certainly re-write the cricketing history books on many fronts and we urge the South African public to be part of it by being there.”
Really looking forward to us playing India this summer. Hope we are up to it.
See Oz had a massive loss to England. The first time they last at home by a innings since the 1973 WI side done it to them. Then that was also the last time they lost a series until SA won a series there in 2008. Think it is time for a new Captain for Australia. Just had a meeting today with some of the Aussies that are here that saw last month on business over there. They really taking it bad, saying this is the lowest point in the crici since we beat them in that series, now this was totally the end. They all want Pointing to go.
Anyhow Go Proteas.
Although I don’t like KP have to admit he was totally brilliant batting. Well done to him. He said it was coming here to Durbs for a month, playing some crici here and it was Ford got him back to batting back on track. So we done our little bit..hehehe.
@ Puma: 2 terrible english there..hehe. Meant – Ford got his batting back on track. lol.
1, 2 & 3@ Puma:
Yes, we will have to do with just cricket for a while… 2 months and 10 days till the Super 15
@ grootblousmile:4 – gbs, That is a long time without rugby, but really looking for to this summers cricket. India number one and SA number two. Can’t get better than that. Should be awesome. Now hope the weather plays ball, cause this time of year we get thunderstorms up in the highveld and plenty rain here in the sub-tropical Durbs. So keeping fingers crossed we see 5 full days of cricket in the Durban test.
Super, Why is Wanderers not getting a test? Must be the first time there is no test at Wanderers. Shame that cause it is like the home of cricket in South Africa.
Okay I am out. Catch up tomorrow if I am not too busy.
Hi Puma i enjoy every moment of the Ashes series, so far it is the Roses giving the Kangaroos a great pain. I just love it when Ponting gets it up his, ….
@ Puma:
That is surprising. Centurion is getting more and more big games, you must watch out for the MTN Final on Friday. I will try to cover the game here too.
5@ Puma:
Did you have a look at the “Best Of Brussow” video on the Brussow thread.
Hell, seeing that I realised how much we missed him in the breakdown battle in 2010.
India coach Gary Kirsten wants his keynote batsmen to each face “two to three thousand balls” under South African conditions in the lead-up to the first Test against the Proteas at Centurion from December 16.
That is the target he has set for them, no doubt motivated by the knowledge that his No 1-ranked side will not have the benefit of a warm-up match before the three-Test series gets under way.
Cape Town-born Kirsten began the process of acclimatising his troops with a small, advance group of the squad’s more rookie players – batsman Cheteshwar Pujara and seamers Jaidev Unadkat and Umesh Yadav – at Claremont Cricket Club here on a hot, cloudless Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s really just about getting the players used to much bouncier surfaces than they are accustomed to back in India,” Kirsten told Sport24.
He was not shy to remind the 22-year-old Pujara, as he weaved out of the way of the occasional sharp bouncer, that “this is the medicine for the next six weeks” and the coach weighed in himself with a few “chucked” short deliveries.
Kirsten also whizzed down a few softer-ball missiles with the aid of a tennis racquet.
“I want each of our batsmen to receive 2 000 or 3 000 balls before the Tests start,” he said. “(Pujara) has probably already ticked off close to 500 in a couple of hours today.”
Kirsten confirmed that the immeasurably more experienced Rahul Dravid had left India on Tuesday and was expected at Wednesday morning’s next session – another middle-order veteran in VVS Laxman also did the long haul on Tuesday.
The full Indian squad is expected to be training together by Friday.
@ Puma:1 – sorry date wrong there. Meant 1993.
@ superBul:8 – Super, Normally I watch all the ashes games. This time only caught just a bit, been really hectic busy. Did watch all of the golf though and LOVED it. Very pleased Lee won it. You know he has been coming here for 15 years, played I think 12 at sun city and then playing in our sunshine tour and our open. So kinda felt good to see him win.
@ superBul:
9 – Super, I will try to watch that on Friday night. Yes Centurion is getting more games now. Just not sure why Wanderers never got a test, seems kinda strange to me.
@ grootblousmile:10 – gbs, No been too busy, will look at it tomorrow. Told you if we have to have a fetcher then there is only one, that is Brussow, so pleased he is ready to play again. Just hope his knee holds out. Once you start having problems with knees and ops on them, they tend to just keep getting worse. So all fingers crossed for him to go injury free from here on.
Okay now really out of here. Will catch up tomorrow sometime if not too busy. Probably in the afternoon.
Cheers Super and Gbs.
Puma maybe this is why Centurion is picked before Wanderers.
The South African bowlers won’t be unleashed on a green mamba wicket in the first Test against India at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
“I’m definitely not going to prepare a pitch where the Test will be over within three days,” said groundsman Hilbert Smith.
“But it will be a pitch that will definitely offer something for the bowlers on the first morning.”
“I want to prepare a pitch where it won’t just be an automatic choice to bat if you win the toss,” the experienced Titans groundsman told Sport24.
Of the 15 Tests that have been played there, SA has won 11.
Groundsman Hilbert Smith has already received a call from the South Africa coach, Corrie van Zyl, about what is required for December 16.
He didn’t want to reveal, however, what Van Zyl requested for the first Test against (coach) Gary Kirsten’s team, but said they spoke the same language and sang from the same hymn book.
“Look,” says Smith, “everybody wants the ball to fly past the Indian batsman’s ears because they are apparently vulnerable against short deliveries.
“But to make this happen, you need a lot of grass on the pitch.
“Then you can have a scenario where one team is bowled out for 120 while the other gets 150.
“Even an average seamer is then made to look world class.
“That is not what you want,” he said.
“If we win the toss on that sort of a pitch and bowl them out cheaply, then I’m the hero, but think what could happen if the roles are reversed and they bowl us out cheaply.
“Then they demand your head and everyone wants to know what went wrong.
“I want to see that first session or that first morning playing a big role, because it’s then that there has to be something for the bowlers, and the batsmen will have to stand strong to survive.”
Smith said the weather a few days before the Test will also play a big role in how the pitch will look eventually.
Wallabie, if you read this. I answered your post on the award thread on keo. But will do so again here, as here we have a proper crici thread.
Agree Oz has been the best crici nation in the world for many years, think since about 1994.
Look I really like and enjoy the Aussies, they great people and plenty fun. But I don’t like losing to Oz not in crici most of all, cause they beat us plenty. So being with some of the Aussies yesterday, just had to smile when they were taking it so bad about the test loss to England. Cause I know the feeling from Oz beating us good a solid many times.
Oz will be back, have no doubt about it. Just too much talent down there. For now just enjoying our turn, playing well. That is also India and us. Can’t wait for our summer crici to start. The Indians get here next week.
Can’t wait.
Super, What are our chances against India this summer? Your thoughts?
@ Puma:
Puma, i would say great. We have 2 of the Worlds best bowlers in Steyn and Morkel , we also have a great back up emergency bowler in Kallis. The form of Steyn was not great in Dubai but if he can get his act going we have great strike bowlers.
Just one more thing must happen and i feel confident. Our captain with his glass hands must not break another finger. Wonder whats wrong with his bones?
20@ superBul:
What’s wrong with his fingers… he tries to bat with his hands…. hehehe
I was at Newlands for the New Years’ day test with my wife. Saw two magnificent centuries by Mohammad Azharuddin and Sachin Tendulkar. Azzar scored his in typical brisk fashion while Sachin was appropriately measured and more deliberate. He was caught out by Adam Bacher at the end of play to a magnificent catch. Plucked out of the air, a real credit to the contest and a fitting end to the day’s play.
Hoping the coming series carries on the tradition of great contests between the top 2 teams in the world at the moment IMO.
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