Festival of Cricket – Proteas vs Springboks

Springboks Rugby team

South Africa introduced the Festival of Cricket to replace the New Years Test match, which was omitted after the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) only announced the two-Test matches against South Africa.

The first day comprised of the clash between the South African rugby team and South African cricket team – the two most popular sports teams in South Africa. The match, deemed as an official friendly, was also the final farewell to Jacques Kallis at his home ground, Sahara Park Newlands.

The sold-out stadium was treated to great festivities before the game with South African music bands like Prime Circle performing. Victor Matfield, who replaced Jean de Villiers as skipper, won the toss and decided to bowl first. Friendly sledging started in the beginning of the match – at the toss itself when Matfield replied to asking if they’ll win, “We’ve won two World Cups. I don’t know if they have won any.” Faf du Plessis replied with a laugh, “Early banter, now they’re getting it.”

Jacques Kallis opened to a standing ovation from his home crowd and hit 39 off 32 balls after being caught by Bob Skinstad off Duane Vermeulen. Willem Alberts was on a hat-trick when he took the wickets of Quinton de Kock and Henry Davids. Alberts was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2/14 in his two overs.

However, it was du Plessis’ partnership with David Miller of 89 that proved to be challenging for the Springboks. All of the Springboks had the opportunity to bowl and great fielding stood out from the two-time Rugby World Cup champions. Du Plessis top-scored with 77 not out and Miller with 40 not out as they steered the Proteas to 188 for 4 in their 20 overs.

The Springboks replied in their pursuit to chase the mammoth total with Tiaan Liebenberg and the skipper opening. It proved to be a match of firsts for the Proteas as well with David Miller bowling; Miller took the wicket of Matfield for 23. Franco van der Merwe scored the second highest with 28 off 14 balls, hitting three sixes before holing out to Tsotsobe. Lonwabo Tsotsobe who was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 13 and even bowled a maiden over.

It was flanker Skinstad who top-scored and proved the best player out of the entire Springboks squad with 34 off 22 balls. The Proteas struggled to get the former rugby star out after smashing six boundaries. Du Plessis caught a blinder to send Alberts back by catching the ball over the boundary rope and throwing it up in the air and catching it again. Nonetheless, the Springboks lost too many wickets in the death and were bowled out for 168.

The Springboks had luck on their side throughout the game with rules favouring them more than the Proteas, the rules were as follows:

· All bowlers to bowl below the 10m mark-up.

· The Review System was in place. The Springboks having three decisions whilst the Proteas having two.

· The Extra penalty (Wides and No-Balls) to be given in Test/First-Class level to the Springboks, whilst the Proteas worked on a T20 and ODI system.

· The Springboks to bat with 12 batsmen, but field with 11.

· Any amount of players to bowl.

The Proteas played spiritedly against the Springboks with various gags and stints that they wouldn’t always pull off in a normal T20 fixture. JP Duminy took the gloves regardless of de Kock being in the squad. Duminy proved to be dismal behind the stumps, dropping two catches and failing to catch the ball behind him – despite taking two stumpings.

Kallis opened the bowling for the Proteas in a surprising bowling decision by skipper du Plessis, who said over the on-field microphone that ‘they just wanted to have fun and try something new’. Even de Kock, who du Plessis admitted to never having a bowl in his life, bowled an over. Miller took the ball and bowled two overs for 21 with two wickets. Rory Kleinveldt was the Springboks’ secret weapon but failed to make an impact as the Spingboks lost their eleventh wicket in the 18th over.

A fun-filled day for the Proteas saw Dale Steyn delivering the pitch-report stating, “If I won the toss, I’ll bat first. But hey, what do I know, I’m just a bowler.” Steyn also interviewed fellow South African team members Wayne Parnell, Ryan McLaren and David Miller before the start of the game. Duminy interviewed the Springbok players Fabian Juries, Bismarck du Plessis and Willie le Roux. Morne Morkel sat by the dugout and contributed to the commentating team by interviewing and providing commentary throughout the match.

The Proteas in the end beat the Springboks by 14 runs with eight balls remaining. Faf du Plessis was named Man of the Match.

Full scoreboard on cricinfo: http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/704569.html

PROTEAS: J Kallis, Q de Kock, H Davids, F du Plessis (capt), JP Duminy (wk), D Miller, R McLaren, D Wiese, L Tsotsobe, A Phangiso, Imran Tahir

SPRINGBOKS: RB Skinstad, V Matfield (capt), CR Liebenberg, WA Alberts, DJ Vermeulen, FM Juries, FPL Steyn, BW du Plessis, WJ le Roux, AD James (wk), F van der Merwe, RK Kleinveldt