More than pride at stake
For the Proteas, it's about starting afresh and making sure they are building towards being the No 1 team in the world again.
|||Centurion – It’s natural that players will speak up the importance of each Test even those that have no value in the outcome of a series as is the case with the fourth Sunfoil Test starting at SuperSport Park tomorrow.
The restoration of pride is, for the losers of the series - in this case South Africa - essential. For the victors England it’s about maintaining momentum and transferring the good vibes to whatever matches will be played next. “Make no bones about it this team wants to keep moving forward in terms of the team’s journey,” said Nick Compton.
In South Africa’s case pride is just one aspect of why winning this Test is important. It’s been a long, long time, since the Proteas last won one. That was against the West Indies in Cape Town last year and in nine Tests since, they’ve lost five and drawn four.
It’s an ugly record, one that hurts the players, has led to an avalanche of criticism and is for all involved humiliating. However as Stephen Cook, who looks set for a debut in Cenutrion - especially after Rilee Rossouw was released from the squad yesterday afternoon - said, the Test offers an opportunity to start a new chapter for the side, and it’s one all the players will be desperate to script.
Dean Elgar is looking forward to renewing a partnership at the top of the order with the 33 year old right hander that hitherto has included only a few matches for the SA A side. However Elgar also expressed lots of sympathy for his previous partner Stiaan van Zyl. “Cooky’s been knocking on the door for a long time. You cannot not notice what he’s done over the last two seasons. He’s been putting a lot of pressure on the openers,” said Elgar.
The left-hand opener, who’s made 263 runs at an average of 65.75 in the series so far, explained that it was “unfortunate” that Van Zyl was left out. “I feel for him because obviously he’s the guy who’s been asked to fill a position that’s a little bit foreign to him.
“It’s a position I definitely feel (Stiaan) was very capable of doing. Cricket is a funny sport. If the momentum is on your side it can take you a long way. It’s unfortunate, I feel for him, because I know what it’s like to go through bad form, especially in that position. I do sympathise with him, being in that position.”
His own form has been pleasing, but Elgar is by no means ecstatic about his contributions against one of the best seam attacks South Africa have faced in a long while. “I’m reasonably happy with how things have gone, but at the same time very frustrated as well. I’ve got three 40s, and that really grinds me. I’m someone who’d rather go out for a low score than get a 30 or 40 - the hard work has already been done and all you have to do is apply yourself a bit more.”
Elgar highlighted England’s greater experience as being the key to their triumph here - only the second time an England team has won a Test series in this country in the last 25 years.
“Two years ago maybe, they were in a similar position as we are now. They were getting a beating in Australia. But their players have adapted very quickly, they know their roles very well.
“They are experienced with the ball, their bowlers know their stuff. They are highly skilled, focussed and know what to do.”
In all-rounder Ben Stokes, England have a player that has had the South Africans reminiscing about days past. Stokes pulverised the home team in Cape Town and the value he adds in balancing their team by providing a fourth seamer option is reminiscent of what Jacques Kallis used to do.
“They have a lot of impact players in their side. A guy like Stokes adds a huge amount of advantage with bat, ball and even fielding in the gully.”
South Africa would like to feel as if they’ve hit bottom and that they’d like to be trending upwards from now on. It makes the prize for winning the final Test a little more important than the restoration of pride.