Proteas in Sri Lanka, day 7
The last day of quarantine was the longest, seemingly refusing to end. The hours dragged like sandbags behind tired donkeys. The hour-long news cycle on CNN was in slow-motion but the ghastly stories from Afghanistan didn’t change. It was too gloomy and had to be turned off.
Perhaps it was the prevailing mood that made Captain Temba Bavuma’s pre-match press-conference also seem gloomy. There is nothing worse than professional sportsmen papering poorly over obvious cracks within their ranks, and for Bavuma’s honesty he should be thanked and praised. Although it might have been reassuring to hear that the team were fully focussed and united in their bid to win the series against Sri Lanka, it would have been wrong if that was not the case.
Maybe it was simply the nature of the questions Bavuma was asked. There were a couple centred on the likely spin-battle between the teams, that the hosts were likely to play three front-line spinners with a couple of part-time options, and whether South Africa would have the courage to counter that with a third spinner of their own, but at least half the questions were about the ‘culture’ within the squad and the resignation of assistant coach, Enoch Nkwe.
Many captains might have been tempted to say everything was ‘fine’, but Bavuma said that he was hoping to speak to Nkwe after the tour about the reasons for his decision. He also said that the ‘culture’ within the squad was ‘work in progress’ and that ‘hard conversations’ were still taking place. He admitted that Nkwe’s reported concerns about the environment within the Proteas squad ‘concerned’ him.
There is clearly still a great deal to be resolved, and the limited overs captain is not backing away from his responsibility. Once again, that is to applauded, not regretted. The other truth is that expectations for optimum performance must be limited. Some cricketers may be able to block the extraneous noise in their surroundings, but most will be adversely affected – at least subconsciously – which will translate into subdued performance.
I am extremely aware that I may have painted a gloomy picture. It may not be so, it may also be due to pacing the seventh floor corridor 42 times during the afternoon. It is 118 steps from top to bottom. Depending on the intensity or otherwise of my podcast or thoughts, it varies by just a step either way. I thought I’d share the views with you from each end.
Sri Lanka’s nationwide lockdown was due to end today. It has been extended until September 6. This is not the lockdown experienced by South Africans, even at Level 5. Here, even the supermarkets are shut. Those who can afford it are permitted to order food and household supplies by delivery. Those who cannot are provided with a very basic ‘food-package’ from the government. My gloom will surely pass soon, but right now it feels appropriately reflective of this nation’s mood.
At least the Colombo evening skyline put a smile on my face - sundowners with one of my oldest friends, Tony Hoffman. And being a cameramen, it was his photo… And, the cricket starts tomorrow and I am genuinely excited for that!