NOW, that was nice.
It was really good for the souls of sports lovers in Nelson Mandela Bay to have test cricket at our very own St George’s Park.
The Bay spectators didn’t exactly rush to watch the Proteas take on Bangladesh in the test that ended earlier in the week but spectators all over the country are still finding their feet since some of the COVID-19-restrictions have been lifted.
Then also, both sides were without a number of their regular players for various reasons and at stages the weather wasn’t that great for outdoor activities.
But still, it was test cricket at South Africa’s oldest test venue, a venue with its unique atmosphere.
St George’s is not the most modern and spectator friendly ground but that is all part and parcel of the experience.
As always, the St George’s band was there and, as always, some spectators weren’t happy with the sounds around the ground and others could not get enough of what the band was dishing up.
Hopefully we will soon host the likes of India, Australia and England.
Those who were at the test clearly enjoyed every moment and are hungry for some more of what Cricket South Africa will send our way.
After an enjoyable day of watching test cricket, I followed the US Masters golf tournament on SuperSport and was relieved that I wasn’t at Augusta.
I would rather struggle to get a beverage at St George’s than follow all the strict spectator rules at Augusta, any day.
With Dean Elgar as captain, the Proteas test side is not doing badly at all and it is interesting times with the nugget opener at the helm. One wouldn’t call Elgar a natural leader but he and coach Mark Boucher are tough characters who expect the same approach from the Proteas.
Elgar loves that he is seen, and rightly so, as one of cricket’s tough guys. From a media perspective it is also refreshing to listen to a captain answering questions without beating about the bush – but there is also the other side of the coin.
Some of Elgar’s comments in the series did raise some eyebrows but he didn’t hold back in giving Bangladesh some advice.
This was in reaction to Bangladesh complaining about umpiring decisions and intimidation in the first test.
Elgar told the visitors to get tougher and that they must just rather focus on trying to play better. That is some good advice but this is Bangladesh, not really one of the giants of test cricket.
We would of course love to see Elgar dishing out some advice to the Aussies and Indians also, I just wonder if that will happen.
