South Africa should have gone for a win even after 7 wickets down

[Harsh Thakor]

On the final day of the Wanderers test the cricket world witnessed one of test cricket's astonishing comebacks.From the threshold of defeat chasing a mammoth target of 458 runs at 197-4 the Proteas gave an exhibition never witnessed before in a 4th innings run -chase and all but pulled off the highest 4th innings score ever to win a test match..On a wicket which was expected to crumble with cracks emerging A.B.Devillers and Du Plessis literally took their team within touching distance of a famous victory .The Indian bowling attack looked all at sea and the Proteas looked like an army batallion on the verge of storming the enemy base effortlessly.Just 55 runs away from a win ,A.B.Devillers played on and an over later Philanderer lost his wicket.With 51 runs to go the match was open again but Vernon Philanderer joined Du Plessis and seized the initiative.With 16 runs needed for victory South Africa looked coasting home before a brilliant throw by Ajinkya Rahane ran out Du Plessis ,who needlessly wanted to steal a single.Sadly Philanderer and Dale Steyn played for safety and let the match peter into a draw.The Proteas would still probably have won but above all would have won a victory for test cricket as a whole.The test match contained the twists and turns of a Hollywood thriller which India dominated for 4 day,but sadly finished with an anti-climax..We must give credit to India for dominating the best test match team in the world .Remember how India was outplayed in all tsest in series in England and Australia.Full marks to India for fighting back relentlessly in capturing 3 crucial wickets at the final stages of the test match when the 5th wicket pair looked invincible and a South African win looked like a walk in the park. On the final day the Indian bowling was not penetrative or imaginative.With a 4th seamer India would probably have won.It proves that India still lacks the ingredient of capitalizing in winning positions. Overall I wish South Africa had achieved the record 4th innings total in a winning run chase .

[bulbul]

there is a reason they were called chokers

[JourneyMan]

You do realize that if they win the Durban test then everyone is going to stop caring about what happened before. On the other hand, if they lost they wouldn't have heard the end of it. Smith is smarter than he looks.

[vvvslaxman]

More than anything else..good post by Harsh :) Give some creidt to INdian bowlers in preventing them somewhat.

[maniac]

No Histroical analysis here :woot:

[Switchblade]

Philander said that Morne was injured and they did not wanted to risk him so decided to play for Draw .

[Cricketics]

Overall I wish South Africa had achieved the record 4th innings total in a winning run chase .

WHAT?? Really? Being Indian, I would never want it to happen against our team. How can you even think of it seeing your own team go down like that. Were you born in british Raj? Who support England over India too?

[sachin34357]

this is what we like to read mr thakor. good thread :two_thumbs_up:

[Marut]

Overall I wish South Africa had achieved the record 4th innings total in a winning run chase .

So that India can now own the dubious distinction of having conceded the highest fourth innings run chase? No, thanks.