Two record run chases in two weeks
Cricket fans around the world cannot ask for more.
Just last week India successfully chased a near 400 target against England and won the match with six wickets to spare. The heroes of that victory were Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh. Prior to that victory, India had only once before chased such a big target successfully but that was nearly three and half decades back, in West Indies. In home soil, chasing a 300+ score for victory was something none had experienced. The history and average fourth innings score on the Indian soil were against India. But, India chose to rewrite the script.
As if the fairies have granted a boon to chasing teams, just minutes back, South Africa, set to score 414 for victory against Australia, have successfully chased it, thanks to a Captain’s knock by Greame Smith (108 in 147 balls with 13 fours) and a heroic unbeaten 106 in 186 balls with 9 fours by A B De Villiers. This is great for test cricket. Australia clearly are beginning to see the effect of not having a quality attack. As long as the Australians had Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath they were able to demolish any team in the world. The departure of these two greats from test cricket has clearly set Australia on the decline.
I expect interesting outcomes once this test series between Australia and South Africa ends. Ricky Ponting, the great batsman he is, may find his captaincy under threat. We may see Michael Clarke getting elevated to captaincy sooner.
Two great run chases in two weeks is something not seen in test cricket in many many years.
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Thats an excellent point, they’re both withing a few days of each other. Maybe there is something in that, maybe pitches are holding up better because broadcasters need five full days of play, maybe the game has become more batsmen oriented. But no matter what, the pressure that comes with chasing a fourth innings target, let alone surviving one, is Test Cricket at its best.
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