Amla the infallible

After winning the first test in Nagpur emphatically, any cricket fan would have had good reason to believe that the Proteas had more than enough ammunition to gun down the Indians on the hallowed turf that is Eden Gardens.

There was however speculation of a rake being taken to the pitch in a desperate bid to provide a result. This was a very real concern for the boys in green because fresh in their memory was the minefield that was prepared for the Kanpur test during 2008. (incidentally SA also led that series 1-0)

Before the start of the Kolkata test the groundsman insisted that this would not be the case. He promised a fair wicket that would provide 5 days of entertainment, however many people were less than convinced.

When the first test got under way. all these fears were allayed as we were treated to a pitch that if anything looked like it had a bit in it for the quicks. There was a smattering of green grass on the wicket (which in India is as rare as a JP hundred).

The Indian seamers got the ball to misbehave a touch during the morning session and Biff left the gate open as is customary against Zaheer. After the initial movement during the session it turned out that the pitch was as flat as Prince's average during the series. Amla and Peterson motored SA to 218-1 before the batting line up found time to commit Seppuku (I believe Ab was behind it, he seems like the type who is into anime)

The Indians proceeded to bat with the freedom and ease that eluded the South Africans, in fact they pillaged and plundered. Not even the demigod abilities of Dale Steyn could prevent the mammoth total.

Once again the Proteas found themselves in a position in which defeat seemed inevitable but memories of Lords and Melbourne 08 sprung to mind. Could the Saffers do it again? This after all is a very powerful batting line up and the batting conditions were at worst, easy. It was not to be...

Amla almost saved the test single handedly, his flawless effort was sadly not enough as the rest of his top order colleagues decided to continue their love affair with the newly discovered Seppuku. Amla admitted after the match that there was nothing in the pitch (perhaps alluding to the fact that his batting colleagues were woeful) It is unjust that a heroic effort such as his ended up on the losing side.

Stats tell a tale

Serious questions need to be asked about the South African batting line up, which on paper looks very good, however the stats of the 2 tests tell a grim story.

Smith, Prince, Duminy, Boucher and Ab played a combined 13 innings and scraped together 176 runs at a dismal average of 13.53. Serious introspection is necessary with the odis around the corner!

Another interesting stat from Kolkata is that every player who passed 30 went on to score a century showing how easy it was to bat on once you 'got in'