Neil's England Tour Diary - chapter 1

SUNDAY, 24 JULY

There are always jokes about the weather in Leeds and Manchester – apparently, it has something to do with the Pennine hills which stretch between the two cities – but meteorological statistics suggest there isn’t actually a great deal more cricket lost ‘up north’ than anywhere else in the country. Unfortunately, today was bad for those statistics.

Quinton de Kock was in glorious form with the bat and played a couple of equally delightful shots in the interview room afterwards, especially in reply to a question about whether his recent white-ball form had anything to do with his retirement from test cricket.

“I’m not too sure, to be honest, I haven’t real thought about it. I’ve always been a pretty decent white-ball player anyway so I don’t know if it is that. I don’t think so,” he replied, as laconic behind the microphone as he had been with the bat in his hand.

There was a memorable moment during his innings when facing one of England’s three left-arm seamers, Sam Curran. Either sensing that a short ball was coming, or daring Curran to bowl one, De Kock rehearsed a late ramp-shot over the keeper’s head. Curran duly delivered the short ball and De Kock duly ramped it over Jos Buttler’s head to the boundary.

Asked whether his playing schedule had been “freed up” by opting out of test cricket, De Kock said ‘no’ because “…I’ve been roped in to play a couple of leagues but that’s my own decision, although it is still a sacrifice.” It was hard not to wonder what the administrators of those T20 leagues thought about their offer of a contract being described as “roped in” and generous pay-cheques being described as “a sacrifice.” Still, it is often sensible not to read too much into Quinnie’s off-the-cuff comments.

Do Kock doesn’t turn 30 until December but he might have been referring to a 39-year-old rather then a 29-year-old when talking about players giving up one of the three formats in order to manage their workloads and extend their careers. Did he see that happening more and more in the future?

“It’s going to start being tough for players, if they feel they can do it then it’s up to them. But it is coming to that time. It starts getting harder the older you get and your body doesn’t start cooperating like it used to.”

Rassie van der Dussen was named man-of-the-series for his brilliant century in the first game at the Riverside Stadium in Durham. “It (the rain) was a pity because we were in a good position and looking to get to 300+ once again. We wanted to hit the ground running in the first game and that’s what we did, we have a good blue-print for what we want to achieve and we followed it well,” he said. And what is that blue-print?

“To be adaptable, take care of the power-play and play smart cricket in the middle overs. I wasn’t expecting heat like that coming to England (temperatures peaked at over 40 degrees) but it wasn’t completely foreign to us.”

So, onto the T20 International series we move with the first game in Bristol on Wednesday and the second in Cardiff just 24 hours later. The third game is scheduled for Southampton on Sunday.

“Hopefully there’s going to be some exciting and high-scoring matches given the grounds we are playing at,” said England captain, Jos Buttler.

SATURDAY, 23 JULY

If there’s one thing the Proteas men’s team has done better than anything else over the last two or three years, it is blocking out the ‘noise’ and distractions from the other side of the boundary while they are going about their business on the field. That ability has served them well and they have produced some outstanding performances and results during that time.

There have been some low points, of course, but by and large, they have been successful by concentrating on themselves and each other while their employers and bosses attempt to put things straight in the boardrooms of both domestic and international cricket. They will need to do so again at Headingly in Leeds on Sunday with the prospect of just their second white-ball series win since 1998 at stake.

Uncertainty about the future of the international game continues to swirl and suggestions that the future of the 50-over ODI format itself may have begun a terminal decline. There is still a majority of professional players who support the format but, we are told, their majority is declining. Especially with so much 50-over cricket still being played and no clear direction of where it is heading now that the conceptually excellent World Cup Super League, which included 13 teams bidding for eight automatic qualification spots at the World Cup, is set to be disbanded.

Former England batsman Mark Ramprakash wrote in his Guardian newspaper column today that Ben Stokes’ sudden, shock retirement from the format would be a seminal moment leading to a swathe of big-name stars withdrawing from ODI cricket following next year’s World Cup in India.

Other former players have suggested that test cricket, too, will be compromised by the pervasive invasion of T20 league around the world with outspoken former India captain and coach, Ravi Shastri, even suggesting that the number of test-playing nations should be cut to six. South Africa, incidentally, makes his cut-off for the ‘top six’.

Shastri’s proposal is preposterous, not to mention selfish and small-minded. But that’s a conversation for another day which, no doubt, will be had.

As tempting as it might be to write off their dismissal for 83 on Friday night as a ‘bad day at the office’, the Proteas will know that they were badly exposed against a seaming ball and conditions which offered swing, too. Headingly is notorious for offering both – more so than any other ground in the country. Much improvement will be needed.

FRIDAY, 22 JULY

There is so much excitement and determination within the Proteas squad to make this a memorable of tour of England that it is churlish to even imagine, let alone suggest, that events off the field might be providing a distraction.

South African tours of England only come along every four or five years and they are cherished highlights of any player’s career.

Perhaps it was the gloomy Manchester rain and grey skies which prompted the gloomy mood but, in an era of cricket in which context and meaning is everything, there were moments when both sides might have wondered what the ‘point’ was.

England’s players are exhausted in the middle of the most punishing international schedule ever conceived and South Africa’s, like many others around the world, are concerned about the future – theirs personally, and that of the game.

It doesn’t mean anybody tried less hard on the Old Trafford field, far from it. And indeed, the entertainment was absorbing with England recovering from 72-5 and 101-6 to reach a respectable 201 in 28.1 of their allocated 29 overs and the Proteas failing dismally to recover from 6-4 and 27-5 to 83 all out. From their highest ODI score in England (333-5) to their lowest in the space of two games.

Just for the moment the actual cricket seems to be a pleasing although not crucial side-show to the events which are capturing the attention not just of media, but the cricket following public.

South Africa’s new domestic T20 League becoming a ‘mini IPL’ appears to be of almost equal interest in this part of the world to the ECB’s decision to stage no international cricket during school holidays next year in order to prioritise (force) cricket lovers to watch The Hundred tournament.

Still, the current ODI is still genuinely intriguing and has been made even more so by the prospect of a decider at Headingly in Leeds on Sunday. Just a question of booking a R2 000 train ticket to get there now.

THURSDAY, 21 JULY

There was some good natured banter with Anrich Nortje today regarding the schedules international teams are expected to maintain and also the different ‘style’ of play adopted between England and South Africa.

The hosts, of course, have revolutionised their approach to limited overs cricket with a fearless, attacking approach characterised by their disregard for defeat and failure as long as victory and success comes in greater quantity.

South Africa’s approach, historically, has been to adopt a clinical and assessed approach to each game in order to leave as little as possible to chance and maximise their chances of victory.

England’s approach under recently retired white-ball captain, Eoin Morgan, was revolutionary. It changed the national team from first round dropouts in the 2015 World Cup to champions four years later. But now, as always, the entrepreneurs and being caught by the pack and, perhaps, overtaken. Although it is too early to make that call. England have a lot of credit in the bank.

A couple of days ago, when Lungi Ngidi addressed the media, it was announced beforehand that he would not answer questions about CSA’s decision to forfeit the three-match ODI series against Australia in January. It was a ‘tactful’ way of telling the media not to ask any questions on the subject. It always looks, and feels, better if nervous administrators have the wherewithal and confidence to brief players on how to answer pertinent questions rather than attempt to prevent them.

Anyway, the implacable Nortje was inevitably asked about the horrendous schedule of white ball games the England team is currently enduring (12 games in 16 days) and the plethora of domestic T20 leagues around the world. Before even contemplating any soothing platitudes, the great man from Uitenhage said: “Personally I wouldn’t mind playing a bit more test cricket.” Enough said. Right there.

The second ODI takes place at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Friday. South Africa are 1-0 up and, given the exhaustion in the England ranks, are overwhelming favourites to claim just their second ODI series victory in England after their 2:1 win in 1998.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

The Proteas are mercifully spared most of the realities of a country in logistical distress as they are moved from one venue to the next in their luxuriously appointed coach, complete with tables, toilets, TVs and even spaces for the players to lie down – although that is very much ‘off the record’ as UK Health and Safety regulations require that everybody should be wearing a safety belt at all times.

As impressive and satisfying as the victory was in the first ODI in Durham, attention has naturally been drawn to the confirmation that South Africa’s new domestic T20 League will now, by and large, be a mini-IPL. All six Franchises have been purchased by IPL teams with the top price fetching around $3million. It’s good money in Rand terms but somewhat short of the $500million valuation of IPL teams.

As always Proteas players talk of ‘focusing’ on the next game and concentrating on the series against England. Which they will undoubtedly do. But it is also impossible for them to be considering their futures and what might become of bilateral cricket. News is breaking almost daily and only the most committed Play-Station Warriors are able to avoid it.

Even the Proteas weren’t able to avoid the traffic chaos on Wednesday, the day after the hottest temperatures ever recorded in the UK. But at least the extra hours were spent playing cards in air-conditioning. It wasn’t quite like that for many millions of stranded, distressed travellers with cancelled trains to cope with. Or without. A gentle jog down one of the billions of English ‘lanes’ this morning brought me to an in-season blackberry bush. And a shuddering halt. Eating them was much better than running.

Onwards to Manchester and the second ODI at Old Trafford. Given the England team’s weariness, it’s hard to imagine them fighting back with great vigour.

TUESDAY, JULY 19

A comprehensive victory by the Proteas which may, or may not, be remembered by those who experienced it as the hottest day ever recorded in the United Kingdom. Temperatures soared up to 40 degrees which is about 25 degrees hotter than the annual average in the North East of England which is renowned for its cold climate. Even in the summer.

Rassie van der Dussen’s magnificent century might well be remembered more for his aerobic capacity than for the clinical way in which he dealt with England’s attack. Just 10 boundaries meant a LOT of running. It was also, he admitted, the first time he could recall a one-day game of either domestic or international status without a six.

While the crowd sweated and sweltered, with a few dozen fainting, South Africa’s players prided themselves on their “conditioning” according to Van der Dussen, who nonetheless had to undergo precautionary rehydration treatment during the first half of England’s run chase.

Durham’s relationship with South Africa is a strong and affectionate one with Dale Benkenstein still regarded as the greatest captain they have ever had, on and off the field, and with a maiden County Championship to show for it. Former England fast bower Steve Harmison, who is now a media pundit, reckons Benkenstein’s influence on Durham Cricket will last for many years to come.

“He always believed that the pursuit of victory was more important than the avoidance of defeat – he was positive, encouraging, respectful and empathetic. And he could also be tough if he had to do, but that wasn’t often because he commanded respect.”

Durham County Cricket Club’s respect and appreciation of South African cricket, and cricketers, made for an especially hospitable welcome for the Proteas and a memorable few days. The region is known for producing a string of especially hardy and successful fast bowlers, from Harmison to Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood and Matty Potts. And Brydon Carse. Yes, Brydon Carse. Born and bred in Port Elizabeth but extremely quickly absorbed into the culture and ethos of Durham and England. You would think he’d been born and bred in Ashington, as Harmison and Wood were, by the way he’s spoken of in these parts.

Off to Manchester for the second game at Old Trafford on Friday.

MONDAY, JULY 18

There is no doubt that England will be dining on Proteas for their main course in what is the busiest international summer in their history, and there have been some busy ones in recent years.

Their concern is that they have heavily over-indulged on the soup and starters and may not have the appetite to cope adequately with the steak from South Africa.

Whereas South Africa enjoyed two productive practice matches against England ‘A’ last week and have had the luxury of three leisurely days of rest and training in the north-east of England ahead of Tuesday’s first one-day international at the Riverside Stadium in Chester-le-Street in Durham, England finished their ODI series against India (with a defeat) in Manchester and endured a three-and-a-half hour coach journey on Monday before playing again just 48 hours later.

The sudden, unexpected retirement of Ben Stokes from 50-over cricket came as a shock to even the players closest to him. There is not even a shadow of doubt that there was an element of ‘protest’ behind his decision.

England’s summer of international cricket this year spans 103 days. The national team, across formats, will have played on 50 of them by the time the final test match against South Africa ends on 12 September.

‘Ridiculous’ is the most common and popular word to describe the schedule, but only in public. More crude descriptions are used in private.

Nonetheless, that is not the Proteas’ problem or concern. England may be implementing a rotation system and using a variety of new faces to cope with the back-breaking player workload, but the scorecards will not reflect that next week, never mind in the years to come.

A win is a win, match or series. And if Keshav Maharaj and his men can pull it off, it will be just the second white-ball series win in England.

The only previous one was in a three-match ODI series in 1998 during which the first innings totals were 223, 226 and 203. South Africa won the first two matches before narrowly losing the third to win the series 2-1.

What a different world the game was played in back then.