T20I series drawn 1-1. ODI series whitewashed 3-0 by Pakistan. Test series clean swept 2-0 by South Africa. Fair result? One feels so. It ends a wonderful international summer for the Proteas, where, barring that ODI series, they were invincible. But the players cannot relax! Because in a couple of days' time, they get ready to represent their domestic teams in SA20, which kicks off on 9th January, 2025! And immediately after that, they head to Pakistan to play an ODI triseries ahead of the Champions Trophy. Pakistan, on the other hand, cannot relax either. They have got another Test series coming up, from 16th January, 2025 against West Indies at home, before a series of white-ball matches follow, including the Champions Trophy. We are done for now, but cricket keeps on coming. New Zealand and Sri Lanka get set to lock horns again, in the second ODI on 8th January, 2025 while India Women are ready for their next series, against Ireland Women from 10th January, 2025. Keep checking the tabs for other scores and stay entertained. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
The victorious skipper of South Africa, TEMBA BAVUMA is up for a chat. He says the result in this game is the most pleasing thing and appreciates the way the team took it on them and performed. Mentions it was good old Test cricket and is satisfied by how the game panned out with batters and bowlers both contributing at the right times to put them in a good position. Talks about the young Kwena Maphaka and says he will be in the South African colours for a long time. Lauds Maphaka's temperament and appreciates his effort in this game. On being asked about the WTC final at Lord's he says they are looking forward to it and having to go up against Australia will be tough but great.
The skipper of Pakistan, SHAN MASOOD, is up for a chat. On being asked what can he take from this series, Masood picks out a few things, like doing well in Centurion and fighting back here. But rues the missed opportunity in the first Test having South Africa 8 down and here, failing with both bat and ball in the first innings. Is proud of the way the team stepped up at different moments but wants his side to understand how to grab the crucial moments. Details that Pakistan have been usually good when they have had their backs against the wall, like they did against England at home and here as well. But he admits that learning has to come by experience and if it is the hard way, so be it. Hopes to make use of these learnings in their next series against West Indies. On his and Babar Azam's thought process in the third innings, Shan details that they planned for smaller things, like playing for the next 30 minutes, getting the next 20 runs and feels sad for Babar for not being able to bat through on Sunday. Praises the other batters for stepping up, in the absence of Saim Ayub.
SOUTH AFRICA'S MARCO JANSEN HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE SERIES. 10 wickets with the ball and also 80 runs with the bat. Says that he didn’t expect it but was very much pleased with it. Talks about his role which is just trying to impact the team whether it is a new ball or an old ball. He just is a happy man if the team wins, regardless of his performance. Mentions that when the pitch doesn’t do much, he makes plans as per the players and he is happy to do that. On being asked whether he loved batting more or bowling, in this series, Jansen says batting, talking about his score of 62 in the first innings here, where he hit the ball pretty well and was happy to make a contribution for his team as it comes in handy in winning the match. Concludes that he is proud of his batting and jokes about being a lower order batter making a contribution is always handy for any team in the world.
SOUTH AFRICA'S RYAN RICKELTON HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for his wonderful 259 in the first innings. He says he is over the moon with the victory and his knock hasn't quite sunk in yet but looking back he will cherish it for a long time. Adds that it was more of a mental challenge that he went past and trusted himself and is happy it came through. Talks about how he tries to keep his head in the present and not worry a lot about what is to come ahead which gets him into a groove. States that he loves playing here and appreciates the support he gets and mentions how special it was to have his family here to witness it all. Concludes that his injury should get better and they will monitor it closely until Thursday (9th January, that's when Rickelton's team - MI Cape Town - plays its first match in SA20 2025).
... THE PRESENTATION ...
What would disappoint Bavuma more is that forget the fact that wickets were not coming, but the South African team was losing its mettle. They resorted to sledging and were frustrated and rattled, clearly not the sign of a top team. Such pitches and days are necessary for every team, so that they get a honest check of their bowling resources and their fitness. Kagiso Rabada eventually picked up 3 wickets but he was struggling with a dodgy knee while even Bavuma was fighting fitness and cramps. Not to forget, Ryan Rickelton did not take the field on Day 4 at all, due to a hamstring strain. After toiling hard for 122.1 overs, they finally got the job done, with Keshav Maharaj taking 3 towards the end. Not to mention - 18 no balls in that third innings, 13 by Rabada alone. Ouch. The Proteas were lucky that no wicket fell on a no ball. The bowling coach really has his work cut out before the WTC final. Amidst the gloom though, a youngster stood out. 18-year old Kwena Maphaka ran in really hard in that third innings and really troubled the Pakistan batters, showing a glimpse of South Africa's bright future. Please stay tuned for the presentation.
Will Temba Bavuma ever enforce a followon after this match? Ha ha ha, definitely not for the next few months. His bowlers were excellent in Pakistan's first innings, with Kagiso Rabada rocking the Asians hard with 3 wickets. Everyone who bowled got a wicket and the innings ended so soon that perhaps, the team thought that the bowlers are in form and can wreck Pakistan apart. But what they got in the opposition's second innings, was a total surprise.
And now, South Africa. Sneaked in a 2-wicket win in the first Test, were in a difficult position at Lunch on Day 1, but the rest, became history. Ryan Rickelton, opening for the first time in Test cricket, struck a magnificent 259, receiving good support from skipper Temba Bavuma (106) and Kyle Verreynne (100). The importance of Rickelton's innings was that it was not just a hundred. Or even a daddy hundred. It was a grandfather hundred, which could have even been a triple, had he not been asked to go for quick runs on Day 2. And then, towards the end, the lower order just had fun. In the second innings, Markram found another new opening partner in David Bedingham and they wasted no time in seeing off the target of 58, with Bedingham making a fine unbeaten 47 (30).
The most obvious disappointment for Pakistan was of course, the way they bowled in the first innings. They enjoyed a wonderful second hour on that opening day, reducing South Africa to 72/3, but after that, they just could not find wickets in clusters. They were stopped by Ryan Rickelton but you look at that scorecard and see Jansen making 62 and Maharaj making 40 and that tells you, how tired Pakistan bowlers were. They toiled hard for 2 days, bowling 141.3 overs before their misery finally ended. Mohammad Abbas was their best bowler on show, picking up 3 wickets and consistently honing in, in the right areas, like a machine, while the others were disappointing. Salman Agha got 3 wickets as well, but did not quite build on his efforts on that opening day.
Strong teams, from 205/1, target 550-600 from that position. Batters look to bed in and get at least a half century. But for Pakistan, no such thing happened. They did string partnerships, but no one apart from the openers got a half century. As many as 5 starts were witnessed between numbers 4-8 but no one converted those. Yes, they did miss Saim Ayub, who got ruled out on Day 2 itself, from both innings. It was a freakish injury, sustained during fielding, but still, cannot serve as an excuse.
Sometimes they say, when your backs are against the wall, you have no way other than moving forward. That's what Pakistan did here. Conceding a massive lead of 421, an innings defeat and a possible Day 3 finish was writ large on their face, but Shan Masood and Babar Azam - two of their experienced batters, laid a solid foundation. They added 205 for the opening wicket and that gave the tourists some hope. But this is where Pakistan fall short as compared to other teams.
Coming to this match, Pakistan will have to question their batters about their performance in the first innings. If you could get 450-plus in the third innings of a match, that too, lagging behind by 421, then surely, 194 all out does no justice to the batting unit. They were 118/3 in that first innings and should have got at least 250-300 from there. But an irresponsible batting display, which saw only two batters cross 40, dug very deep trenches for the visitors.
7th Test match win on the bounce. Who would have thought this to happen? Halfway through South Africa's WTC cycle, there were massive predictions of an Australia-India final. But the Proteas have shown that they have not made it to the final by any fluke.
End Of The Over 7.1 : 61/0
4 Runs
47.1
D. Bedingham
47 (30)
A. Markram
14 (13)
S. Shakeel
0.1-0-4-0
7.1
4
Saud Shakeel To David Bedingham
FOUR! SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 10 WICKETS AND TAKE THE SERIES 2-0! Short and outside off, David Bedingham rocked back and punched it through the covers. Started to run but before the single was completed, the ball reached the boundary.
We will have another over! The fans are ready to celebrate. Just 1 needed for a win. Saud Shakeel has been given the ball now.
End Of The Over 7 : 57/0
6 Runs
16.1
16.2
16.3
16.4
16.5
16.6
D. Bedingham
43 (29)
A. Markram
14 (13)
K. Ghulam
2-0-13-0
6.6
1
Kamran Ghulam To David Bedingham
Full again, around middle and leg, David Bedingham nudges it to deep square leg for a single. They just need 1 as the scores are on the level now.
6.5
1
Kamran Ghulam To Aiden Markram
On a nagging length, around off, Aiden Markram pushes it to long off from the back foot for a single.
6.4
1
Kamran Ghulam To David Bedingham
In the air, and a shout of catch, but it lands ahead of long on. Tossed up, around off, from around the wicket, David Bedingham chips it in the air and takes a single from the long on.
6.3
1
Kamran Ghulam To Aiden Markram
Outside off, Markram punches it down to long off for one more. A boundary away now, are South Africa!
6.2
1
Kamran Ghulam To David Bedingham
Around middle, David Bedingham works it through mid-wicket for a run. 5 more required now.
6.1
1
Kamran Ghulam To Aiden Markram
'OH NO!' screams Markram in disgust. That was a buffet ball. Short and outside off, Aiden Markram rocked back to cut, aiming for the boundary, but only found backward point. Should have been a dot ball now but that was so fiercely struck that the fielder misfielded and the batters took a single. 6 more needed for the win.
Should be the last over of the match and series...
End Of The Over 6 : 51/0
12 Runs
45.1
65.2
15.3
15.4
05.5
05.6
D. Bedingham
40 (26)
A. Markram
11 (10)
S. Agha
3-0-25-0
5.6
0
Salman Agha To David Bedingham
Gives air to the ball this time, full around middle, angling in, David tucks it to square leg off the front foot for no run. South Africa need only 7 more runs now.
5.5
0
Salman Agha To David Bedingham
Flatter, quicker, around off and middle, David Bedingham drives back to the bowler off the front foot.
5.4
1
Salman Agha To Aiden Markram
Much fuller, around middle, from over the wicket, Aiden Markram flicks it to long on for a single.
5.3
1
Salman Agha To David Bedingham
50-RUN OPENING STAND! Short, outside off, David punches it through the covers for a single.
5.2
6
Salman Agha To David Bedingham
SIX! HUMONGOUS! Bedingham has a flight to catch. The target is in single digits now! Short ball, around off, Bedingham jumps down the track and swings it miles over cow corner! 9 needed to win now.
5.1
4
Salman Agha To David Bedingham
MISFIELD, FOUR! Pakistan themselves want this to end in a hurry. Landed outside off, David Bedingham hits it hard down the ground. There is long on in place and he gets to his left too as well, but only parries it behind.
End Of The Over 5 : 39/0
7 Runs
04.1
14.2
14.3
44.4
14.5
04.6
A. Markram
10 (9)
D. Bedingham
29 (21)
K. Ghulam
1-0-7-0
4.6
0
Kamran Ghulam To Aiden Markram
Full, around off, Aiden Markram comes forward and defends it to mid-wicket off the front foot.
4.5
1
Kamran Ghulam To David Bedingham
Short again, but outside off this time, David stays deep in the crease and punches it wide of cover for a single.
4.4
4
Kamran Ghulam To David Bedingham
FOUR! THUMPED! Drops it short, around middle, from around the wicket, angling in, David Bedingham goes back in the crease and pulls it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary. They need 20 now.
4.3
1
Kamran Ghulam To Aiden Markram
Short and really poor ball, wide outside off, Aiden Markram tries to hammer it away but it is so wide that he barely reaches it. Toe-ends it through the covers. Takes the single but the throw is also poor now as the bowler fumbles. Markram looks for the overthrow but Bedingham is not ready.
4.2
1
Kamran Ghulam To David Bedingham
Outside off, short again, Bedingham opens the face of his bat and guides it behind point for a single.
4.1
0
Kamran Ghulam To David Bedingham
A short ball to start. Around off, David Bedingham punches it towards cover.
Kamran Ghulam called into the attack now.
End Of The Over 4 : 32/0
3 Runs
13.1
13.2
03.3
03.4
03.5
13.6
D. Bedingham
23 (17)
A. Markram
9 (7)
S. Agha
2-0-13-0
3.6
1
Salman Agha To David Bedingham
Full, outside off, David comes down the track this time and drives it to long on for a single to end the over.
3.5
0
Salman Agha To David Bedingham
Drags the length now, just outside off, David Bedingham goes back in the crease and tucks it to mid-wicket.
3.4
0
Salman Agha To David Bedingham
Full outside off, David Bedingham comes forward and drives it back to the bowler.
3.3
0
Salman Agha To David Bedingham
Pushed through quicker and fuller, at the stumps, David Bedingham knocks it right back at the bowler.
3.2
1
Salman Agha To Aiden Markram
Full, at the stumps, Markram drives it to long on for a single. South Africa need 27 more runs to win.
3.1
1
Salman Agha To David Bedingham
Flatter in trajectory, short and on off, Bedingham punches it to deep cover for one.
End Of The Over 3 : 29/0
13 Runs
12.1
12.2
42.3
12.4
42.5
22.6
A. Markram
8 (6)
D. Bedingham
21 (12)
M. Abbas
2-0-19-0
2.6
2
Mohammad Abbas To Aiden Markram
Back of a length, outside off, Aiden Markram cuts it off the back foot wide of deep point for a couple of runs. They need 29 now.
2.5
4
Mohammad Abbas To Aiden Markram
FOUR! Driven straight down the ground! Full, on the fifth stump, from over the wicket, slow in pace, Aiden Markram comes forward and drives it straight, to the left to the bowler. The ball was briefly in the air as it went past Abbas's left hand for a boundary wide of long off.
2.4
1
Mohammad Abbas To David Bedingham
A quick single! Back of a length, outside off, David Bedingham cuts it off the back foot wide of mid off and runs off for a quick single. Shan Masood picks it up and throws at the batter's end but misses it and Markram just reaches in time.
2.3
4
Mohammad Abbas To David Bedingham
FOUR! Sheer power on that one! Fuller than a length, on off, David Bedingham covers the line and whips it across past mid-wicket for a boudnary.
2.2
1
Mohammad Abbas To Aiden Markram
Back of a length, on off, Aiden Markram cuts it hard to deep point for one.
2.1
1
Mohammad Abbas To David Bedingham
In the air, but falls in the no man's land. Abbas goes short and hits the deck hard, over middle. David Bedingham looks to pull but is hurried into the shot. Skews it high to the vacant square leg region. Mohammad Abbas himself charges for the catch but fails to reach there in time. A single is taken.
End Of The Over 2 : 16/0
10 Runs
01.1
11.2
21.3
61.4
11.5
01.6
A. Markram
1 (3)
D. Bedingham
15 (9)
S. Agha
1-0-10-0
1.6
0
Salman Agha To Aiden Markram
Tossed up, around middle and leg, Aiden Markram comes forward and defends it with the full face of the bat to short leg.
1.5
1
Salman Agha To David Bedingham
Full just around off, David goes back in the crease and nudges it wide of mid-wicket for a single.
1.4
6
Salman Agha To David Bedingham
SIX! THUMPED! He is looking in a hurry now. Tossed up, outside off, from over the wicket, David Bedingham comes down the track and whacks it over long off for a biggie. They need 43 now.
1.3
2
Salman Agha To David Bedingham
Pushed through quicker and fuller, David Bedingham rocks back to block. Gets an outside edge that races to deep third for a couple of runs.
1.2
1
Salman Agha To Aiden Markram
Nearly! Flights it nice and full, on middle and leg, Markram turns it to the right of short leg who sticks his hand out but fails to take the catch. The ball goes to short leg and the batters set off for a run. The fielder collects the ball and has a throw at the bowling end but misses. Two escapes for Markram in a single ball.
1.1
0
Salman Agha To Aiden Markram
Starts from over the wicket and serves it well outside off, on a fuller length. Markram reach out for it but only manages to get an outside edge that falls at the vacant silly point region.
Spin! Surprising. Salman Agha has been given the task of sharing the new ball.
End Of The Over 1 : 6/0
6 Runs
00.1
00.2
00.3
20.4
00.5
40.6
D. Bedingham
6 (6)
A. Markram
0 (0)
M. Abbas
1-0-6-0
0.6
4
Mohammad Abbas To David Bedingham
FOUR! Nicely Played! Goes fuller this time, outside off, going away, from over the stumps, David Bedingham comes forward and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. First one of this chase and they just need 52 now.
0.5
0
Mohammad Abbas To David Bedingham
Good length, around off, David Bedingham tucks it to mid-wicket off the back foot.
0.4
2
Mohammad Abbas To David Bedingham
First runs of the chase! Back of a length, outside off, from over the wicket, David Bedingham punches it off the back foot to sweeper cover and takes a couple of runs to get off the mark.
0.3
0
Mohammad Abbas To David Bedingham
Similar line and length and Bedingham gets across the line and looks to whip it over in infield on the leg side but fails to do so. Gets hit on the pad missing the ball on the inside edge.
0.2
0
Mohammad Abbas To David Bedingham
Full and outside off, a hint of shape going away off the deck. David Bedingham leans on for a drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.
0.1
0
Mohammad Abbas To David Bedingham
Starts from over the wicket and lands it on a good length, just outside off, David Bedingham gets closer to the line and blocks it to covers.
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