South Africa’s historic series win
Posted: December 29, 2008 Filed under: Randomization of randomness 4 Comments »The vivid images of Imran Khan lifting the 1992 World Cup was enough to get me into cricket , I never looked back since then. I used to play a lot when I was younger, but I am now confined to periodic following over the Internet. In those two (almost) decades, Australia were always on top. Many people, when they don’t have their favorite sports team playing, tend to support the underdogs; and I am no different. Since they were not my favorite team to start with, they were always the team I was rooting against. Nothing personal against them; they never were underdogs hence never garnered my support.
I am keenly following the current Australia Vs South Africa test series, finally my support for an underdogs seems to be paying off. South Africa, the perennial chokers, just handed a series defeat to Australia in their own den. A feat most recently achieved by Richie Richardson’s team in 1992/1993 season, 16 years ago. Though India just handed a series defeat to Australia, South Africa are the ones to nail the coffin with a series win at Aussies own backyard.
It seems that Australian supremacy of world cricket is slowly waning down. Who knows if I would be supporting Australia next year, there is a good chance that they won’t be starting as a favorite for rest of the year 
Yes, this has been a great series so far, may not be so for Aussie fans but surely for cricket fans. I too used to be cricket fanatic. I am not that crazy anymore but still follow the game and would appreciate the chance to play sometimes with friends.
South Africa certainly has shrugged off their chokers tag, though cricket fans will never forget their 1999 and 2003 world cup debacle. They have pretty good looking team right now with inspiring captain at top of the order. In 2009 the contest for top spot will be between SA, India and Australia, though its dangerous to write off Srilanka esp with the kind of spin attack they have. Australia will remain among the top teams but how long can they hang on for the top spot or how fast they can regain their spot ( if they manage to lose it in near future) will depend on their bowlers and how fast their batsman hit form. Its a great shame that country of Shane Warne is unable to create a convincing spinner.
India in a meanwhile may still struggle outside subcontinent so SA has actually a great chance to be #1 team and hang onto it for some time. But I do think no team in near future would be able to dictate the terms like Australians did in last decade or so.
I loved SA winning this series. I would love they making it 3-0 but I still felt little sad for ponting missing out century by a run yesterday night. He is such a terrific player, I would love him break all breakable batting records.
All in all its great thing to happen for cricket. Australia produced some legends and dominated the world cricket for far too long so its time to move on. Cricket will be more interesting when 3,4 teams compete to take on the top spot rather than giving up top spot to one team and making only 2nd spot as attainable goal.
Despite having many cricket-crazy friends, cricket never attracted me. I still don’t understand it:)
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