CAPE TOWN: England’s cricketers hoped rounds of golf would ease the stress of long periods within a bio-secure bubble but after the One-Day series in South Africa was postponed organisers are taking a fresh look at the impact of COVID-19 protocols on players’ mental health. The decision to postpone the series came after potentially five […]
Poor form, low confidence to blame for South Africa’s World Cup failure
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis spoke previously of how his team were entering the Cricket World Cup “under the radar” as an outsider for the title, but leave the tournament with barely a blip after an abject display in England. Just a single win seven matches has left them with an embarrassing early elimination […]
Burgeoning pace stocks point to future for pitch perfect Proteas
The emergence of Duanne Olivier to bolster South Africa’s impressive fast bowling stocks was a major catalyst in the 3-0 Test series victory over Pakistan and provides a glimpse into the future for teams visiting the country. When Ottis Gibson took over as Proteas coach in August 2017 he made it clear he favoured using […]
Positives for both sides, South Africa grapple with pitch woes
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s triumph in their home Test series against India was a tale of three pitches as the ball dominated the bat and the tourists made a statement about their ability to win in all conditions. South Africa claimed victory in the first two Tests in Cape Town and Pretoria, before India triumphed in […]
4-day Tests a boost for smaller nations: Streak
CAPE TOWN: Zimbabwe coach Heath Streak is unsure if four-day matches are the future of Test cricket, but says they will help to level the playing field between the so-called bigger nations and the minnows. South Africa host Zimbabwe in the first official four-day Test at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Boxing Day, […]