Whilst its common knowledge that England and Australia are the fathers when it comes to introducing cricket to the world, but little do people know that another nation hailing from the southernmost tip of Africa also has its legacy in the red-ball game stretching back over a century, woven into the very fabric of cricket’s history.
The country in question is none other than South Africa who also played their first Test match way back in the season of 1888-89 against England in their own backyard at a time when perhaps the world was yet to be corrupted by greed over humanity.
As time progressed, the entire cricketing fraternity witnessed some fine talent rise from this Southern African nation with the likes of Graeme Pollock and Barry Richards, two batters moulded in excellence along with a mighty fine all-rounder in Mike Proctor amid many more.
Whilst these stalwarts were on top of their game, their country owing to the ill-fated apartheid were exiled from the international arena, around five years before the first ODI World Cup which was held in 1975. The result South Africa, a team on the rise missed the opportunity to showcase their mettle in the limited overs format at the time.
Perhaps a loss as much for world cricket as it was for the rainbow nation!
With this being said, there is always light at the end of the tunnel and possibly South Africa was rather relieved to find theirs as 20 years on the ban was lifted and this powerhouse remerged in the international scene.
The outing, a three-match ODI series against India in 1991, who perhaps were one of the strong allies for the Proteas whilst in banishment.
The South African team at the time was led by a 42-year-old, Clive Rice, a mighty fine all-rounder and the first limited overs captain for his country as he gleefully yet humbly acknowledged the mammoth 90,000 strong crowd that had turned out for this momentous occasion at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
A picture that has forever been etched in the annals of time and is as much a sight to behold today as it was almost 35 years to date.
The Proteas boasting some fine talent with the likes of Allan Donald, Keppler Wessles, Peter Kirsten and Brian McMillan were as formidable as they come. Having said this, the Indians were also a force to reckon with, boasting capable players in their ranks too, including the likes of a once-in-a-generation all-rounder in Kapil Dev, a young upcoming sensation in Sachin Tendulkar and an able leader in their young skipper in Mohammad Azharuddin.
The first match was a mighty close affair as South Africa posted a small but competitive 177 batting first and almost made a match of it reducing India to seven wickets down, though the home side scrapped through by the barest of margins.
The white lightning, Allan Donald was rather impressive in this outing as he picked up his maiden 5-wicket haul, enroute to also becoming the first South African to do so in their limited overs excursion and the third player on ODI debut.
The second ODI again went in India’s favour as the hosts pilled a challenging 223 batting first in a 45 over a side game which was more than enough as the Proteas were skittled out for 185.
As the third game dawned upon the Proteas, their pride was at stake with the expectations of a nation eager for a win that had deserted them for 20 long years resting on their shoulders.
Well, the Men in Green and Gold did not disappoint on this occasion, as India batting first in the national capital mounted a rather strong 287 for 4 with a player-par-excellence in Ravi Shastri scoring a mighty fine 109, who in time would become equally adept in the comfort of the commentary box.
South Africa had a massive chase on their hands as two stalwarts in Keppler Wessles and Peter Kirtsen stepped up to see their side home scoring 90 and 86 respectively as the Proteas comfortably dashed down the target down with nearly three overs to spare.
Truth be told, South Africa despite losing the series had most certainly won hearts with their first outing in more than 2 decades in the international fold and would use this game as a building block to soar in the 1992 World Cup, their first-ever by reaching the semi-finals.
As time has moved on, South Africa has consistently performed well in limited-overs cricket, rekindling the echoes of past hopes among the Mzansi faithful.
The memory of the nation’s readmission remains a deeply emotional milestone, made even more meaningful by the enduring dream that the elusive World Cup trophy will one day find its way home.
This perhaps would make the green and gold cricketing cake even more delicious!
image source– FirstPost
