Job done, consistency now needed

The deciding third test match in Cape Town was South Africa’s best performance of the three test matches during the recent test series against Sri Lanka.

It was the most complete performance of the summer by the powerful Proteas test team. During this deciding test match the Proteas dominated the match from the outset and put the difference in quality between the two teams in perspective.

Unlike the first test match, which to a point was played on a contrived surface that heavily favoured South Africa, the third test was played on a normal flat pitch that gave the Sri Lankans every chance of success as well. Galvanized into action after the catastrophic loss in Durban the Proteas never allowed the Sri Lankan team into the contest.

Sri Lanka contributed to their own downfall by bowling first on the flattest of pitches and by so doing handing the advantage over to South Africa. Once that mistake was made by Tillakaratne Dilshan, who was unconvincing as captain during this series, it was always going to be difficult for Sri Lanka to stay in the match.

Dilshan had his finest moment in Durban where he captained well, but his reluctance to be disciplined at the top of the batting order shows a lack of resolve. The captain in international cricket has to make every effort to lead from the front and Dilshan’s stubborn approach of not being willing to change his loose batting strategy when the occasion demands it leads to a lack of respect for him as a leader.

If he intends to captain Sri Lanka for a long period he will have to take a long look at himself in the mirror. It is all very well to hide behind the façade of his attacking nature, but as an opening batsman and a captain as well one has to be prepared to do the hard yards when the situation warrants it.

As a collective unit during the Cape Town test match the South African players displayed the ruthless approach that they are searching for on a regular basis. They executed their disciplines well and, apart from a few blemishes in the field, the coaching staff will be happy with the way that the test unit finished off the domestic summer.

Before the series most pundits predicted a one sided contest. The first and the third test matches provided exactly that. The Proteas are striving to be the number one test team in the world. They have the ability to reach this important milestone. When this South African team play to the best of their ability they are hard to beat anywhere in the world.

Judging by the performances of the Proteas in the first and the third test matches of the series the inexplicable defeat in Durban is still inconceivable. It was easy to come back in this series against a weak Sri Lankan combination, but it won’t be as simple as that later in the year against stronger opposition.

The next test series is against New Zealand. The Kiwis play well at home but when one looks at both teams on paper South Africa again have the far stronger combination under all circumstances.

The upcoming series against the Black Caps will be the last opportunity for South Africa to find the right combination as well as the resolve needed to beat England and Australia later in the year.

Hopefully the experienced gained and the lessons learned during the five test matches at home over the last two months will enable the Proteas to gain the much needed consistency they require to get through the next few months unblemished and gain the number one test ranking in the world, which they are well capable of.