On Saturday the Proteas fly out of Johannesburg heading for Karachi via Dubai. Not the safety and security of a charter plane for Quinton de Kock and his 21-man squad, although there’s certainly nothing wrong with Emirates Business Class. That is the least of the experiences which lie ahead, a tour for neither the faint-hearted nor the claustrophobic. From the moment the squad is met on the tarmac and ushered away to their quarantine base this will be a tour unlike any other they have been on. Only head coach Mark Boucher and Faf du Plessis, who captained a World XI in an exhibition T20 series in 2017, have toured the country before.
Shew - I think the purpose behind touring, or at least a major part of it is for the team to "take its country" to another, foster friendships and leave a little bit of South Africa in that Land once you have left. Going on tour in the manner that they are, seems a bit pointless - other than some cricket. The team cannot leave their hotel floor as you say to even go down to the lobby restaurant, let alone same the local cuisine in the streets and then when they do play - no crowds. So, other than the crickets and the SA delegations getting a free "Jolly" before the tour, what really is the point as the locals cannot even enjoy going to watch them play. Perhaps I am too cynical? The cost must be horrendous.
You were holding the gun at the wrong end! My dad was in the khyber rifles in 1947 so when we lived in Islamabad for 5 years 77-81 when he was the Defence attaché I learnt Urdu and spent lots of time with locals. Boy was it a great place. I would love to go back!
Hi Neil. Do you have any reservations about the quality of the umpiring that the Proteas will be encountering? I take it that you will not be going to Pakistan. Regards.
Shew - I think the purpose behind touring, or at least a major part of it is for the team to "take its country" to another, foster friendships and leave a little bit of South Africa in that Land once you have left. Going on tour in the manner that they are, seems a bit pointless - other than some cricket. The team cannot leave their hotel floor as you say to even go down to the lobby restaurant, let alone same the local cuisine in the streets and then when they do play - no crowds. So, other than the crickets and the SA delegations getting a free "Jolly" before the tour, what really is the point as the locals cannot even enjoy going to watch them play. Perhaps I am too cynical? The cost must be horrendous.
You were holding the gun at the wrong end! My dad was in the khyber rifles in 1947 so when we lived in Islamabad for 5 years 77-81 when he was the Defence attaché I learnt Urdu and spent lots of time with locals. Boy was it a great place. I would love to go back!
Hi Neil. Do you have any reservations about the quality of the umpiring that the Proteas will be encountering? I take it that you will not be going to Pakistan. Regards.