Fast bowlers hunting in pairs in test cricket have been dreams of cricket for ages. The fascinating site of Lindwall–Miller, Lille–Thomson, Hall–Griffith, Trueman–Statham, Waqar–Wasim, Walsh and Ambrose are even talked about these days.
The great West Indian bowlers in 1970s and 1980s started appearing three and four together. Holding, Roberts, Marshall, Croft and Garner dominated world cricket. Against them only few like Gavasker, Majid, Zaheer batted with authority.
Those who enjoyed the just concluded first test between South Africa and India at New Orleans, Cape Town would agree with me to have seen one of the best fast bowling duel in recent times. When two top batting teams lock horns 18 wickets tumbling on a day in 64 overs mean a grave yard of a wicket. But it was not really that. It was highly quality pace bowling with Philanders 6/44 icing on the cake.
Only the other day at MCG on 26 December in MCG members’ enclosure we were talking about bodyline Ashes series featuring controversial Douglas Jerdaine unleashing Larwood for taming the great Sin Donald Bradman.
On a pace friendly wicket quality pacers from both sides tested the top batsmen of either side. It was only the brilliance of AB de Villiers explosive batting and much superior fielding of the protean which turned the tide in their favor. Steyn, Morkel, Phillander and Rabada brough back into memory the great Carribean pacers of 1970s. Which batsman likes great pacers consistently bowling at 140 kmh plus aiming at rib cage most of the time. Some plays better than the others only.
Going back to the story of match Indian pacers also looked very potent. Kumar, Sami and even Bumrah bowled exceptionally well. On such a wicket it was only natural that Steyn, Morkel, Philander and Rabada would breathe fire and they did. They humbled the might of Indian batting crushing them to 135 all out (definitely India possesses the strongest batting unit in present day cricket). Not that South Africa batted well either. The second innings of South Africa was restricted to 130 earning a chase able target of 208 with plenty of time.
Steyn did not bowl. Yet Philander was too hot to handle and India lost by a comfortable margin. Those who were lucky witnessing the test ball by ball must have seen one of fascinating display of superlative pace bowling. Nothing can match a thrilling site of fast bowler running in full steam and aiming at rib cages of technically equipped talented batsman. Vijay, Pujara , Kohli , Rohit made hundreds of runs in test cricket in not so distant past.
But they even could do nothing.
It was only 360 degree ABD who batted superbly in protean first innings bringing his team back into the game after Kumar pushing the South Africans back to the wall with early inroads . Off course H Pandya also played the innings of his life time in the first innings. But the bowling has to be really of top quality for Vijay, Dhawan , Pujara , Kohli and Rohit failing twice in a test match. Proteans deserved winning for better bowling and excellent fielding. There was hardly much to choose in the batting.
The manner in which New Orleans test played signals the prospect of another fascinating contest of two top dogs South Africa and Australia in not too distant future. Can you imagine a contest featuring Starc, Hazzlewood, Cummins and Marsh teaming against Steyn, Philander, Morkel and Rabada. Hope Steyn gets around soon from injury. Fire against fire. Hope to eye witness the contest soon.
BDST: 0939 HRS, JAN 11, 2018
SI
