ODD DECISION: Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn opted to bat out for the draw with India instead of chasing a world record. PHOTO: AFP
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa skipper Graeme Smith defended the controversial decision to abandon his team's epic pursuit of a world record score and settle for a tense first Test draw against India.
South Africa needed just 16 runs off the final three overs with three wickets remaining as they chased down 458 to win the opening match at the Wanderers.
But when top-scorer Faf du Plessis was run out off the fifth ball of the 133rd over, having hit a majestic 134, the batsmen in the middle – Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn – opted to bat out for the draw.
The next two overs were maidens and even though eight came off the last over, including a six by Steyn off the final ball, it was too little, too late.
"Ultimately the guys out in the middle made the decision that they thought was in the best interests of the team," said Smith of a decision greeted by boos from the home crowd.
Smith said it was the best option with only the injured Morne Morkel and number 11 Imran Tahir left to bat.
"With Morne struggling to stand and with no ability to run between the wickets and with Imran you're not too sure what you are going to get. “
“We as a team have to support the decision that Dale and Vernon made in the middle," said Smith after his side reached 450 for seven at the close.
"With two overs to go, and one Test match to go with an opportunity to win the series in Durban, we have to be 100% committed to the decision.”
The world record for a successful run chase remains the 418 for seven by West Indies against Australia in St John's in 2002-03.
Philander reaches top of Test rankings
After the result of the first Test against India, Philander reached the top of ICC Test rankings.
He entered the match trailing team-mate Dale Steyn by four ratings points. While Philander recorded figures of four for 61 and three for 68, Steyn managed just one wicket. The contrasting performances resulted in the pace bowler gaining 13 ratings points and Steyn conceding the same number of points.
This means Philander now leads Steyn by 22 ratings points and the 28-year-old will now go into the Durban Test, which starts on Thursday, as the number one ranked bowler in the world for the first time in his career.
Correction: Earlier version of the story erroneously stated 'breaks' instead of 'brakes'.
COMMENTS (5)
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yeah and Pakistani players always applied so much logic as deliberately delaying so that match could be called off against Nz. You Pakistanis are a funny bunch. :)
are u guys nuts ?? if steyn would have got out there was no morkel to bat out rest of the overs, and tahir can't bat so at least think before commenting. I am an Indian and even i wanted sa to win or at least go for a win because they came back so strongly from nowhere. It's about enjoying the game. But you guys always end up with these conspiracy theories. i feel sorry for your country.
@et please publish
I myself experieced first time in my life a fixed match. It is so obvious. You put your full effort to win the match. The way philander was player..it was so clear that they were trying to win the match. Money$$$$ (bookies) made this game bad. We all know, what happened that day. At the end of the day, money won and cricket lost.
For God's sake if you cannot write correct english then please do something else for a change; You write 'breaks' on title of this news item; By the way, it is 'Brakes' ; i.e. slow down, stop; It is really nice to see your caliber and competency; This shows even editor is clueless; just propaganda machine you make this newspaper;
The decision defies logic . Three wickets were remaining and we know the south Africn tail can bat a bit. If it was the last wicket this would have been acceptable. Although I have never questioned the integrity of modern day cricket ,now i have my doubts. With the spineless Indian bowling on the backfoot how you can not score.