Proteas in Sri Lanka, day 3

Some people have a lot to say about the state of South African cricket at the moment, a time when very little is actually ‘happening.’ The Proteas are still in quarantine in Colombo while the Momentum Proteas begin their series against the West Indies with a warm-up game tomorrow in Antigua having completed their mandatory quarantine period. 

The SJN hearings remain in recess while those “adversely mentioned” prepare testimony, either oral or written. There is a lot to look forward to, good and bad in equal measure. The men’s team have a last chance to develop strategies and an optimal starting XI before the T20 World Cup which is still seven weeks away while the women enjoy the relative ‘luxury’ of quality game time as they refine an already well-tuned unit.

The third Test match between England and India has been a welcome diversion for the first three days of quarantine in Sri Lanka but hopes of Indian resistance extending the game into a fifth day were snuffed out on the fourth morning by a potent bowling performance from the home team. A remarkably strong come-back from England following the fifth day debacle at Lord’s last week.  

Today provided our first opportunity to step out of the room, briefly, for the mandatory day-three PCR test which means we’re just another three days away from semi-freedom provided our tests are negative. I say ‘semi-freedom’ because, even when the series starts and we move from our government-appointed quarantine hotel back to Colombo, we will be restricted to the grounds of the hotel, the transport, and the commentary box for the rest of the tour.

At least I had a brief glimpse of life from the other side of the swimming pool I’ve been staring at for three days – that’s my room in the far corner. Apart from the five minutes walk to the testing station, another three hours was spent walking 9.2 kilometres in my room, 26 steps per lap. Thank goodness for the thousands of brilliant, informative and entertaining podcasts available these days. 

A dear friend sent me an image of the technique that may have been adopted by the Sri Lankan Army medics to conduct their PCR tests. Actually, the doctor may have been dressed like an intimidating, modern-day Darth Vader, but once he’d speared me, we bonded happily for a few minutes before despatching me back to my room.

Dane van Niekerk spoke with humility and inspiration in equal measure during a press conference from Antigua which was viewed from around the world and various time zones – she represents the calmness and stability missing from the men’s game currently.    

The Proteas held their first ‘small group’ training sessions today  - maximum six players at a time – while the support staff, excluding medical – remained hotel-bound. 

The ‘Elephant in the Room’, of course, remains the SJN and the resignation of assistant coach, Enoch Nkwe, shortly before the Proteas left on tour. The CSA Members Council (now largely defunct) issued a statement on Saturday indicating it’s support for the board’s ‘timeline’ in investigating the concerns raised by Nkwe: “…there are dues processes to follow…” CSA president, Rihan Richards, was quoted as saying. 

Mark Boucher was hard to warm to as a player. He was happy to accept the ‘hard man’ label of the national team and appeared never to care what his ‘public opinion’ rating was. Or even what his team mates thought of him, never mind the opposition. He was, much as the Australian team he faced so often, devoted to winning ‘at all costs.’ His reputation will follow in the same direction as theirs unless the team starts winning everything and some of his former black and brown team mates, who have said nothing, speak up in his defense.

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