http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c749 vs South Africa - The ultimate show down of the year for Test cricket lovers - Part 2 - Opinion
Continued from Part 1...
In terms of quality, South Africa towers over the English and have a grand opportunity to stamp their authority as the best in the world. This series can thus, be considered as equally important for England’s opponents as it acts as an opportunity to shed
away with their tag of ‘chokers’ in the longest format of the game. Given the manner in which South Africa annihilated England in the first Test of the Investec Series of 2012, it seems plausible that the Proteas might finally be able to do so. This fact in
itself would ensure that the Test series of 2012 would provide plenty of excitement in terms of entertainment. This is in stark contrast to Australia’s decline in the Test arena which almost drained out the intensity between the Poms and their rivals in recent
times. It can be safely said that the ultimate contest exists between a buoyant English team and a resurgent South African outfit. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 is also the only team that can really challenge England in modern times and the conditions in the UK have certainly
helped their bowlers.
The Headingley Test however, pinpoints at quite a few flaws in the South African approach towards beating their opposition at home. Vague flashbacks of complacency had come to the fore in the second Test. Their inability to assert their dominance in the
game was patchy, unlike their comprehensive victory at the Oval. That test briefly hinted at their status as chokers as England managed to hold on to a draw and believe that they still have a chance in the series. All three results looked a possibility on
the final day, which gave a clear cut indication that the series still has plenty to offer in terms of entertainment.
Another reason why the third Test match at Lord's, along with the Investec Series of 2012 as a whole, is considered to be the ultimate show down of the year, is the amount of interest that has been generated in neutral quarters. This is a series that neutrals
cannot help being overwhelmed by.
The fact that the Test crown is at stake in this adrenaline charged encounter, has evoked fascination from millions of fans who continue to Tweet, blog and offer their comments unabatedly. Erudite analysis and prophetic predictions have been a regular feature
for thousands of bloggers around the world. Yet what is even more interesting is that there are more diehard South African fans rather than English ones, largely due to England’s hype as the best Test outfit since the demise of the Australians in 2008. Even
more interesting is that the fact that the animosity that has existed between England and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758
have also shown fervent support for the Africans. This trend of favoring the underdog against a juggernaut was a characteristic of the days when the Australians used to dominate Test Cricket. Such was their dominance that even cricket fans from Pakistan would
sympathize with their Indian siblings, when the latter would go down under.
The share of sympathizers as well as well wishers would always be there in a contest of such proportion yet there is no doubting the fact that for Test cricket lovers, Thursday’s encounter at Lord's and the Investec Series of 2012 as a whole would be the
ultimate showdown of this year.
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: