SOUTH AFRICA IN CRICKET

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28260, 24 April 1957, Page 15

SOUTH AFRICA IN CRICKET

The South Africans’ feat of finishing its cricket test series against England on level terms was an excellent one, and it seems that at present South Africa and England are clearly the top international teams. The West Indies this year may extend England, although the team was badly beaten by the Australians in the series at home.

The rise of South Africa really began with the series in Australia in 1952-53, and it was one of several instances of the South Africans coming from behind. In Australia South Africa lost the first test, won the second, lost the third, drew the fourth, and in the fifth Australia led off with 520. The South Africans did wonderfully well to score 435, and then they dismissed Australia for 209. They then needed 297 to win, and made the runs with four wickets in hand to tie the series.

In New Zealand they won the first test easily and drew the second. In 1953-54 South Africa beat New Zealand in South Africa, winning four tests and drawing one. In England in 1955, South Africa lost the first two tests, then won the next tw T o, but lost the last, a tense, close game. The second test was one which the South Africans had every chance of winning. The 1956-57 series against England was expected to be particularly close, and close it was. England won the first two matches, but South Africa should have won the third, which was drawn. A modest scoring rate and a modest total were required on the last day, but the batsmen lacked sufficient enterprise. However, the South Africans again came from behind by winning the last two tests. There can be no doubt that the Australian team which will visit the Union next summer will have a much more difficult test series than the triumphant team of 194950, which won four tests and drew the other.