The Battle of the Formats: How South Africa’s Test Triumphs Mirror the Epic Rivalry of Batman and the Joker
CricketPanditBatman and the Joker. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty. Cain and Abel. Jekyll and Hyde. Any heroes and villains you can think of. Add to that list South Africa’s men’s Test team and their white-ball counterparts.
The Test team has won five of their last six matches, with one draw. In contrast, the white-ball team has lost their last four ODIs and managed to win only four out of their last twelve T20Is.
Batman and the Joker are distinct characters, yet seven players from South Africa’s squad that triumphed in their 2-0 Test series against Sri Lanka also participated in the 3-0 ODI series defeat to Pakistan. This all unfolded within just 26 days on home soil.
Against Sri Lanka, South Africa notched up four centuries and recorded three five-wicket hauls, along with a 10-wicket haul. However, in the series against Pakistan, they failed to score any centuries, managed just one fifty, and no player took more than four wickets—only once.
It’s possible that Pakistan is a stronger team than Sri Lanka or perhaps they are simply better suited to South African conditions. Regardless, the South Africans must feel a sense of relief knowing that only three players from Pakistan’s Test squad were part of the team that taught them a lesson in ODI cricket.
Temba Bavuma’s team needs just one win from the two Tests against Shan Masood’s side—one in Centurion starting Thursday and the other at Newlands on January 3—to secure a place in the WTC final at Lord’s in June.
The stark contrast in South Africa’s performances has reached a point where Rob Walter, the white-ball coach, is hoping some of the Test team’s success will influence the white-ball players, while also being cautious about the possibility of the opposite occurring.
“I’m hoping the Test side will continue to excel, and I certainly hope I haven’t detracted from their achievements,” Walter remarked after Sunday’s match at the Wanderers. “Perhaps the different format is what’s needed, allowing the players to draw on their past successes. The chance to reach the WTC final should unite and motivate the team.” Team news:
South Africa:
Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder have successfully passed their fitness tests for their groin and finger injuries, but they are still not deemed match fit. Corbin Bosch is set to make his debut just four days after playing his first ODI.
Confirmed XI: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch
Pakistan:
The absence of Mohammad Abbas from the Test team for over three years was never clarified. Now at 34, he has the opportunity to claim the 10 wickets needed to become the 20th bowler to reach 100 Test wickets for Pakistan. Abdullah Shafique has been dropped from the XI after failing to score in all three ODIs during this tour.
Confirmed XI: Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (capt), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah
What they said:
“As much as the WTC final is within our reach, we’ve paid respect to the ODI series and what that means for us. From a motivation point of view, we haven’t been lacking. But I guess at the back of the minds of certain players, we know that after this game, the next two weeks become super important for us as a Test team.” – Temba Bavuma, discussing South Africa’s divided focus before Sunday’s ODI.
“Shaheen mentioned he would be fully fit in time for the tri-series ODIs against New Zealand and South Africa [in Pakistan in February], followed by the Champions Trophy at home. He informed Aaqib [Javed, Pakistan’s interim coach and chief selector] that he can be selected for Tests once the Champions Trophy concludes [on March 9].” – an unnamed source.
