Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
EP 3: WTC REVIEW
4 Plays2 days ago
Rohit and Bran review the WTC
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and World Test Championship Final Review
00:00:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you might be listening to. And welcome to the third episode of the GSPN Cricket Podcast, where we're going to full review of the World Test Championship Final from last week.
Australia vs South Africa: Match Analysis and Reactions
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah couple of A couple of days later than we hoped, but i'm yeah, here we are. um So a lot has happened since the match and we're here to bring you not just the ah the overview of the game, but the fallout as well. There's been a lot of just before the recording of this podcast of breaking news out of the Aussie camp as a result of the direct result of the matchup.
00:01:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, I guess unless you've been living under a rock, Australia lost the test match last week for five by five weekers, surrendering their mace to South Africa. And on that note, a very warm welcome to Brand, the man.
00:01:44
B-Critical
Pleasure to be here, mate. Pleasure to be here. Bleat under not the best circumstances. Yeah, unfortunate outcome. Mate, you were there. Tell us about it.
00:01:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, you know I was there for all the days except for Friday. was the day of the big Boomer and the Markham partnerships. I'm kind of happy to miss that. I was sort of tempted all morning to go when Stark and Hazelwood were
00:02:09
B-Critical
Thank you.
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
batting but ah probably a good thing in the end. But you know what I really loved about going there and you know i went to the last two test championships but um because India wasn't there um it was a different sort of crowd and I guess but being ah and I guess having Australians and South Africans dominate the crowd.
00:02:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah, it was a very familiar atmosphere and probably one that was very familiar to Aussie fans back at home, where the South African fans, I think, just very much like us, don't take it too seriously. There's not that tribal following that you see um for winter sports like rugby and league and AFL.
South Africa's Journey in Test Cricket
00:02:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But um yeah, I think that the result was probably really, you know, while was very disappointing that Australia surrendered their maze, I think two things.
00:02:54
B-Critical
Thank
00:03:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
One, it was obviously a win for Test cricket, like everyone's saying, and a really big victory for South Africa, the first ever cricket world title. um But secondly, i think it was very fitting, considering that two years before that, probably saw the most upsets in Test cricket history, going starting all the way from the Australia West Indies upset at the beginning of 2024,
00:03:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
to Sri Lanka be the England at home, Pakistan being whitewashed by Bangladesh at home, which no one's talked about because New Zealand then whitewashed India, who just before that lost convincingly to Sri Lanka at home.
00:03:28
B-Critical
Thank
00:03:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
who Yeah, so I think with a World Test Championship like that, it was very fitting that South Africa won the way they did and against the team that probably caused them the most heartache over the years.
00:03:50
B-Critical
Yeah, do definitely, man. it's um I would definitely say, although we think of the Ashes, we have Trans-Tasman rivalries, India, Australia of late. For South Africa, I think the biggest win is still beating Australia.
00:04:03
B-Critical
Obviously, there's a fallout from Sandpaper.
00:04:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:04:06
B-Critical
There's the history from some of their famous chokes. Their most famous is probably 99, which was against Australia in the semifinal. um but You know, even with their readmission, Australia was kind of pretty instrumental in their band, pretty instrumental in their comeback.
Key Match Moments and Strategies
00:04:21
B-Critical
um You know, so it's historically, this is probably, well, this is the biggest moment in their cricket history. ah We were just waiting for that choke that didn't happen.
00:04:33
B-Critical
I've probably thought from the start of the day, final day's play, that they did have it in the bag. um There was a good
00:04:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
look
00:04:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, what? You mean when they had 60 runs to get with eight-weekers? Turn it up, man.
00:04:43
B-Critical
Sorry, sorry. the Third day, third day, my apologies.
00:04:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:04:47
B-Critical
um
00:04:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. and like
00:04:47
B-Critical
I did think they had it in the bag. ah Not everyone did, to be honest with you. I think Australia was still favourites at that stage, um which was pretty crazy. But I don't, what do you mean?
00:04:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you mean? What do you mean? so i At the end of day three, they were favourite.
00:05:01
B-Critical
No, at the start of day three.
00:05:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, okay. i I mean, yeah, like, I think...
00:05:04
B-Critical
i
00:05:05
B-Critical
I thought we were behind then, to be honest with you.
00:05:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:05:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, I thought so too, but I do understand why it could be seen as 50-50 on the scorecard at least. um Condition, i mean, it turned out to be a beauty of a toss to win, right? and But what was interesting about it was that I don't think the captains foresaw what was going to happen to justify that decision. It was just that the condition looked overcast, right?
00:05:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It was a bowl first pitch and yeah we had two great bowling attacks.
00:05:34
B-Critical
Thank you.
00:05:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think, um you know, what ended up happening was that South Africa batted at two of the probably best times to bat. when And Bouvuma benefited the most, you know, batting first in the first innings of Bettingham.
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he was probably lucky to survive an outside edge offense.
Breaking the 'Chokers' Label: South Africa's Triumph
00:05:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
so um But in the second innings as well, and he when South Africa he came out to bat and the sun was shining, I mean, we we the earlier the signs were there when Stark and Hazelwood were hitting Robata around the park. You probably thought to yourself, like, um yeah, it's probably not too bad a surface, right? It's definitely not day one.
00:06:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... um Yeah, I think, you know, it was very fitting and it was fitting on so many levels. I mean, Steve Smith dropping Bovuma on the same day that Herschel Gibbs dropped Steve Waugh.
00:06:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, Bovuma's obviously not the sort of character to go to Steve Smith and tell him that he dropped the World Test Championship. So, it would have been very sweet if he had.
00:06:35
B-Critical
That would have been hilarious, I guess.
00:06:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:06:37
B-Critical
Given his...
00:06:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you couldn' you couldn't picture it. But the the thing is, you know, I was just my South African friends this, from now on, if they lose, if not a choke, it's because they suck. And that's probably um yeah for a sad thing. The choking tag will, I think, forever die.
00:06:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unless...
00:06:55
B-Critical
Well, this is the thing.
00:06:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. and let
00:06:57
B-Critical
This is their weakest... Sorry, a lot stronger South African teams have lost, and we'll call it a choke. this wouldn't really be it This wouldn't have been a choke if they lost, given the i ab ble their history.
00:07:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:12
B-Critical
You know, the only reason we'd call this a choke is because they're serial chokers. But if they'd never choked before and they just lost this test, we wouldn't even really call it
Australia's Team Selection and Future Prospects
00:07:20
B-Critical
a choke. I mean, they were the weakest side. Do you know?
00:07:22
B-Critical
all the but the past navy league Australia going into the game.
00:07:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the words
00:07:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but I mean, I wouldn't really look at things like CrickViz and sporting odds to really determine who's favourites like that. I mean, I mean i guess that's the definition, but I don't really think that um really, you can always rely on that.
00:07:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I feel that, look, South Africa killed the chokers tag in every way because they chased the second highest run, fourth innings chased at Lord's.
00:07:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
against the opposition that's most famous for not choking in the final, right? And, you know, throughout the ah just little moments that normally go against South Africa in these events went for them. Like, I remember at some one point, Aidan Markham hit um the ball straight down and passed the ball into the stumps with Pavouma out of his crease. But ah normally, that would have tapped the baller's foot on the way.
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And um you get Bovoom out early. We saw um how fra we saw Tristan Stubbs didn't look very comfortable. Kyle Verena was a little bit all over the shop. I think there was probably a good chance for Australia to win had Smith either held on to that catch or if the little one percenters went their way. Yeah.
00:08:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the two men who needed to stand up from a batting perspective did in Markram and Boobooma. And I'm a big believer that the average doesn't tell you the capability of a player.
00:08:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And on any given day, a player that good can stand up, right?
00:08:57
B-Critical
Yeah, look, I mean, I'm not saying that okay the odds Australia were favourites, the odds were what they were, but whether they should have been or not, I thought they were too short as well. I'm not... I don't think it's as massive a surprise as everyone's making out.
00:09:12
B-Critical
At the end of the day, Australia lost a test match, a one-off test match. Do you know what i mean? Like, if it wasn't the World Test Championship final, if it was the third game of a three-test series, would our reaction be the same?
00:09:24
B-Critical
Do you know what i mean? So it's like...
00:09:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
but yeah but you But you can say that about a World Cup final as well.
00:09:25
B-Critical
ah
00:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like India just lost that one one day off. But the whole idea of losing a final that you know beforehand that this is the game you need to win. Right? And both teams knew that from January. ah Beginning of the year. Like I think January 4th is when Australia crushed India and Sydney and that's when they knew.
00:09:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
So from January 4th to June 11th I mean that's five more than five months. And In that time, Australia played a couple of tests, albeit in Sri Lanka. um Yeah, I think that if you're talking about...
00:10:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, the reaction... like yeah i think there's definitely... There definitely should be fallout as a result of this. And, you know, um ah ah in terms of breaking news, news that just broke out before this podcast, Australia have gone ahead and dropped Manon.
00:10:17
B-Critical
massive yeah massive massive news i mean look we basically watched his career unfold we were both there in the 2019 ashes when he really started came out with a bang and um
00:10:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:31
B-Critical
Yeah, now he's out of the side. Probably rightfully so. Massive news, but not totally unexpected. There is going to be a fallout after losing a final, I guess. And there is a lot of focus on the Ashes.
00:10:45
B-Critical
When we look at this fallout, it's not simply speak it's i mean it's not simply a fact of he's being dropped because of we lost final.
00:10:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:10:54
B-Critical
I mean, had we won the final and he had the same scores, I don't know. What do you think? Would he have been dropped anyway?
00:11:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I feel that the public is definitely on the side of Manus getting jobs, right? Now, i the way I look at it, um I think it's a fair call, but I also think Manus was one of our better players and in the top order last Test match.
00:11:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And and yeah are we saying that because he didn't cash in in Sri Lanka, um he did a... Yeah, mean I'm just saying that ah because of Steve Smith's injury,
00:11:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just think that um dick I could have seen a scenario where um they gave Manus one more chance. ah Just because, you know, the West Indies is probably, ah but you know, this is the last chance for Loon. And probably Manus knows that. And it'll be interesting to see how he would have gone.
00:11:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it's also...
00:11:47
B-Critical
I think the selectors don't rate
Challenges in Australian Batting Lineup
00:11:49
B-Critical
the windies. And the issue is that they think now's the chance, one, to blood young players. But two, like, you know, they do they want a situation where Marnus saves his spot in the windies and then has a dreadful ashes tour?
00:12:04
B-Critical
you know what i mean? So they might be wary of that.
00:12:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
That could happen to anyone. That could happen to consciousness.
00:12:12
B-Critical
True, that's true. But then there's nothing to say that Constance is out of form.
00:12:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I find the logic... I find the logic... I find the logic with a lot of this sometimes a bit flawed. Now, the thing is, though, Constance has got the public on his side, and he definitely has shown enough that we need to see more.
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's for sure. It's not about the run. It's not about the average. But what he's done so far, no one really understands what this man is capable of, this boy or man or whatever, um it's appropriate to call him, is capable of.
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
but And I think for that reason, and even Josh Inglis, a bit like when Mitch Marsh was recalled into the team, and maybe a year or so before that, the form he was form he's showing across formats is just...
00:12:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
solime And I think you've just got to get him in there somehow. And maybe this is a good chance to play both of them for that reason. And I think it's a good chance, it's a good time for Marnas to be dropped because all great batsmen have been dropped at some point.
00:13:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And it's not the first time Marnas has been dropped. I mean, remember, he you said he started ah in Ashton in 2019. He actually made his debut the year before that in the UAE. And um we get started and played a couple of the home tests.
00:13:21
B-Critical
That's correct. Yeah. Package stock.
00:13:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
but um So he's been dropped before, but this boy the first but it is the first time he's been dropped as an established player since he's been recalled. And um yeah, i'm con I'm very confident he'll be back.
00:13:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Let's see if he features in the West Indies series as well, because you never know what injuries form as well. i What are your thoughts on Khawaja?
00:13:48
B-Critical
uh quadra's last four years have been great quadra's test wasn't great quadra's series against ind india wasn't great i mean the real the rhetoric is that well the criticism is that does he struggle against good fast bowling um the having said that we're talking about the two best fast bowlers in the world or that he'll have to face he doesn't
00:14:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
but don know but It's not just that, right? It goes way back. It goes back from Birmingham in the last action, right? so since that So since that game, Khawaja hasn't really turned up until he got to Sri Lanka. So we're talking the West Indies and Pakistan at home. Now, while they went Pumrah, Rabada level, we are talking you know pretty decent quicks.
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we're talking about a series where...
00:14:35
B-Critical
Well, I mean, he was batting pretty well in the last test until the ball changed in the ashes, but I know what you're saying about, I mean, how often do we look, he was a leading run scorer in that ashes.
00:14:46
B-Critical
I mean, you've broken it down to each test in isolation.
00:14:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sure. Yeah.
00:14:49
B-Critical
and um
00:14:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no, no. I agree with that.
00:14:50
B-Critical
There was no,
00:14:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I agree with that. I'm saying that he should have definitely been picked, but it goes to the New Zealand series as well is what I'm saying. It's not just he's been boomerang.
00:15:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I think that was a very handy line for him to say while he was there at the end. Well, he played a match-winning knock in Sydney and then he did well in Sri Lanka. I felt that was a convenient line to say, but it just, that Robada, that match against Robada probably undid that a little bit. It probably just opened up a couple of concerns.
00:15:24
B-Critical
Yeah, I mean, it's ah he definitely looked all over the shop against Robata, struggled for 20 balls before getting out in the first innings, didn't do much better the second.
00:15:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But...
00:15:36
B-Critical
But in a situation where opening has been an issue for some years now, like even when Quadra came in, obviously, Warner's form was a bit up and down. His his position started to be questioned.
00:15:50
B-Critical
Then when Warner retired, there wasn't anyone banging the door down. I mean, the natural who Cricket Australia probably hoped, who Australia probably hoped was a natural replacement, obviously had his own issues, Pekowski.
00:16:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Australia probably hope to get much reprobates next to this.
00:16:05
B-Critical
um So there was no obvious replacement. And look, we've been struggling for that second opener since I really doubt we're going to go and
00:16:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I don't know.
00:16:13
B-Critical
change two at once when we don't have, you know, one solidified.
00:16:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I... I... What I... I still find there's too much obsession over batting positions. in my opinion. Like, I think that the rhetoric of the six best batsmen playing, I don't see a reason why they should move away from that.
00:16:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And a player not playing well does not necessarily mean they're not playing well because of their position. Right? um and And I think the Steve Smith experiment proved that. Like, he got 91 in his
00:16:45
B-Critical
Yeah, but that's a, you know, the thing is, right, the thing is, you know that in Australia, maybe ah opening is seen as something different, right?
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:16:55
B-Critical
Like they put,
Cricket Performance Evaluation and Pressure Situations
00:16:56
B-Critical
they make a big deal of being an opener.
00:16:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
but it's But my point is, yeah, like...
00:16:58
B-Critical
And you're, no, I get your point.
00:16:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:16:59
B-Critical
I get your point. But do you think, even if they took a middle ground, right, even if they say, ah, you don't need a specialist opener to be an opener, they're not going to go extreme on that and pick two non-specialist openers.
00:17:13
B-Critical
Do you know what i mean?
00:17:13
B-Critical
So I don't think the fact that,
00:17:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, is Khawaja a non-specialist opener?
00:17:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, what constitutes a non-specialist opener? well That's what I'm saying, right? Like, if you give any cricket player, if they get promoted, if they ah they make the World XI and you tell them that they need to open, I don't think they'll say that they'll turn that down, right?
00:17:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, we're talking about superstitions. We're talking about things like that. And I'm saying in a world of data-driven, you know, sports science, we really shouldn't get too hung up on batting positions.
00:17:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, that's just my my view. I'm saying that
00:17:50
B-Critical
So for the West Indies, you keeping Kwaidja or are you dropping him? I mean, the decision's been made.
00:17:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
i would keep i mean i would keep him.
00:17:54
B-Critical
No,
00:17:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I'll keep him for a couple of reasons. It's the one country he's never taught. So from a sentimental perspective, I'd like that. but
00:18:03
B-Critical
no, from both selectors, don't look at that.
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
well
00:18:04
B-Critical
From a pure selection basis.
00:18:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no, no. Of course. I'm joking. I'm joking. i'm joking. um Yeah, of course he should make it. I mean, he's been opening and he's got a century two matches ago.
00:18:09
B-Critical
Yep.
00:18:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
He got a century in the Shield. um So I think he makes it. But my point is that Minas, if he had got a couple of... There are a couple of quirks about cricket that just annoy me. Like if Minas' 70s were two centuries, he would be playing.
00:18:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, at there is...
00:18:31
B-Critical
Okay. Okay. india ye okay
00:18:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
lived in the earth And the second inning in particular was a match-winning one. Now, if he had got he had converted those two two centuries, which they probably were worth, especially the second innings one, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
00:18:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I guess the thing is, because Manus came into the game... with the but talk around it being his last chance, the fact that he didn't even perform then is probably something a lot of other players have done in the past, including Alex Carey in Sri Lanka, when Josh Inglis came in and threatened his spot. So I have no issues with mine as being dropped.
00:19:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
the ah But how do you think the team performed in general? Because we're seeing a lot of collapses by the team. We're seeing, I said, it's not...
00:19:16
B-Critical
Yeah, well, this is the thing. I'm not so surprised that we lost this final. Like, end of the day, South Africa won something like eight out of nine tests to make the final. They've they've been on a winning streak.
00:19:29
B-Critical
they And they did what they had to do. Obviously, they had they had that bizarre situation. which ties in with the fallout. it This ties in with the fact that they've got no home test series for the next year.
00:19:41
B-Critical
um But the fact that they sent a second, third string side, really, to New Zealand and they lost that series because they had their domestic T20 competition on, which demanded all their best players, probably their second and third XI as well.
00:19:59
B-Critical
So there was, I mean, there were guys playing second division county, that were representing South Africa in that series in New Zealand. No one... but but but We all thought we'd written them off for the final.
00:20:12
B-Critical
We thought it was crazy, given World Test Championship, that they'd do that back then.
00:20:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, back then, absolutely. Back then, it looked like India and... Look, to be honest, until the India-New Zealand series, it looked India and Australia was a two-horse race.
00:20:25
B-Critical
Yeah, exactly. Until they lost to New Zealand three nil yeah. But definitely, definitely.
00:20:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And...
00:20:30
B-Critical
And obviously...
00:20:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And um the other thing is, the do let let you I really hate that people talk about South Africa's run to the tournament against club teams or whatever they are, because they had a top-nine team, and...
00:20:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
um When Australia started, when they had their 16, the run of 16 wins on a trot, the first 15 of them um were in Australia and New Zealand, and one was in Zimbabwe.
00:20:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
so And they were against the West Indies and India, obviously night like like a very weak Indian team at home. So if you want to drill down on things like that, um I think that we we can... we can um but throw dirt on a lot of achievements in the past.
00:21:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, to win eight test matches, like, where things like weather can come into play, and to win two tests in Bangladesh is not easy for a Western team. It's not easy for a Senna team.
00:21:24
B-Critical
and not just And not just that. I mean, it's not as if we like the nest we lost the test to the West Indies in that time.
00:21:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Senna team, I should say.
00:21:30
B-Critical
you know what i mean? Like, it's not like this was given where we're going to walk through this final and win.
00:21:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, exactly.
00:21:35
B-Critical
If we could lose to the West Indies in Brisbane, we can definitely, in Brisbane, the fortress, but not probably not so anymore, but if we could lose to the West Indies in Brisbane, then we can definitely lose to South Africa at Lords with that bowling attack that they have.
00:21:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
At home. home, exactly. Yeah. Yeah.
00:21:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:21:52
B-Critical
you know what mean?
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's not dingo.
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly right.
00:21:53
B-Critical
Like, like, Robada is better than as good as Shemar Joseph is, like, was that day. Like, you know, Robada is more dangerous than Shemar. And they've got Ngeidi and Janssen in that attack as well.
00:22:07
B-Critical
Like, do you know what i mean
00:22:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Rivada's done it before. Rivada's done it against Australia in South Africa, in Australia. And this is the first time they've against a two-course.
00:22:13
B-Critical
mean? Yeah, in Brisbane that time. Right.
00:22:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, in Brisbane, in Perth, I remember, in 2016. Um... um You know, ah he's he's done it before. So, yeah, for sure. It's so it's not a surprise like that.
00:22:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think
00:22:27
B-Critical
And it's also not like our batting has been, like, super strong for the last two years.
00:22:32
B-Critical
Do you know what i mean?
00:22:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think...
00:22:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's exactly that, right? So if you look at the three Test Match losses for Australia, so Brisbane against the West Indies, Perth against India, and then this one...
00:22:41
B-Critical
getting the ask.
00:22:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
um you know I would say that all three of those games were games that were australia that ah probably all I think fans all felt the same at the end of each of the games.
00:22:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Look, it's not the end of the world. right, against the West Indies, the trophy was retained and it was seen as an aberration. It was seen as, you know, oh, this is great for West Indies cricket, although, as usual, nothing really came of it.
00:23:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
um The game against India was seen as, okay, we just got beaten by a great man on his day, right, Jaspreet Bumrah, and um the pitch flattened out um very similarly.
00:23:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
The second inning with Rahul and Jaisal, probably very similar to Markram and um Marker and Bovuma in the sense that a week it didn't look like coming and that probably comes to my next big point, Brian, that this four ball, this bowling attack to awesome force them to Lion Stark, Hazelwood, Cummins, you know they've been literally the most durable four-man bowling attack of all time, right?
00:23:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And and The problem, though, the one asterisk next to their name is despite how good they may be on certain occasions, and the overall their career, they're all absolutely world-class.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
up There's too many instances I can recall that um these bowls have let games slip. And so we can go back to 2019 at Leeds. I know Pattinson was playing instead of Stark.
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, um you know, they lost an unlosable game there. ah They failed to close the games against India and Sydney and Brisbane in 2021. um The same for bowling attack.
00:24:22
B-Critical
Yep.
00:24:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, games that they should have won, right, and the at the second innings mark. um The Lords test, you know, where um the famous Johnny Bester, Alex Carey Lords test. I mean, Australia should have.
00:24:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Australia were bossing that game or all the way until that last day where Stokes went absolutely ballistic. And Stokes and Broad, you know, um, made the tackle look very weak and out of ideas.
00:24:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so on the biggest stage, and know the ashes probably at Lords has biggest stage, but the whole world was obviously had their eyes on this, uh, the final. Um, and it was almost seen as a celebration of the four of them because there was lot of talk about bowling coming in.
00:25:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, we not, and you know, the these four have won the T20 World Cup as well as, um
00:25:14
B-Critical
The one-day World Cup.
00:25:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
One day World Cup twice.
00:25:15
B-Critical
um Well, actually, no lying. No lying, but that fastball was...
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, sorry. Yeah. ah Yeah, I feel like this is another occasion. We're talking about four five different occasions in not too long a distance. We're talking in in a space of five, six years, five different games that I think, anyway, Australia should have won because, and these bowlers,
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I know Patterson, as said, played ahead of Stark and headingly. But yeah, I think that's probably a really big asterisk that I can't get my head around. And I don't think enough has been spoken about that.
Narrative Shifts in Cricket History
00:25:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I wonder what it is. Is it the fact that they're all similar pace? And some stage, if it's not working for them, they're all samey. And yeah, it's in a line as well.
00:26:00
B-Critical
I don't even put it down to that. haven't analyzed it in the same way, but I'd be more inclined to say that, you know, sometimes another team's going to get the better of you. And um like you said, most of those, well, two of those games have been away games.
00:26:15
B-Critical
um Another two of them have been against India when India were the best side in the world. um so
00:26:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, they were playing Washington Sundar and it was a very...
00:26:27
B-Critical
look that That test, that Brisbane test is obviously going always be ah unique one, I guess. But but
00:26:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
that you know what we're saying about the Shemar Joseph test? And isn't that... What I'm saying is you're forgetting the game before that. Australia were bossing the whole game. Like Australia declared when Green and Smith were batting in Sydney.
00:26:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And at T, I remember he got Rohane out first his ball the last day. And they couldn't get their tail end out. And know Ashwin is not a tail ender, but I mean, um that awesome foursome, they literally couldn't get that. Yeah, I'm just saying that what's frustrating is that this ah this didn't happen with McGrann Warren.
00:27:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right? I know there were a couple of occasions, um like Jacques Rudolph 2005,
00:27:17
B-Critical
So what's the solution? You're saying it's time for Bolin to come in?
00:27:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
um not I'm not saying there's a solution because these guys are champion ballers, right? But I'm saying that it's a pretty bad rap sheet. It's a rap sheet that they've accumulated. And it's not governed. This isn't a rap sheet based on stats. This is just talking about me, someone who lives and breathes every ball of their game.
00:27:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I felt that on those were games that they um let slip and those games would have altered the perception of this team in history. If they won that Leeds test, they would have won the ashes away from home.
00:27:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know If they won that India series in 2021, the narrative goes, okay, India could only beat Australia without Smith and Warner. Right. I'm not saying this is true, by the way. I'm just talking about the dominant narrative. And I'm saying if they similarly, I'm not saying 2023. You can say at the Oval, right? They squandered for a different reason. But um yeah, 2023, they won at least. But yeah, there's something about this team on fourth innings.
00:28:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Big total.
00:28:21
B-Critical
Well, I mean, some of it's very relieving in the stats. Like, for example, some of those tests you mentioned have been the last game in the series. or the later game in the series, especially the India ones from 2021, and Stark has pretty poor fourth and fifth innings, fourth and fifth test records.
00:28:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
but ga um they But what about Leeds?
00:28:42
B-Critical
I mean, these stuff this stuff, a lot of this stuff is anecdotal, right?
00:28:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but what about Leeds, right? Like, we're talking about Leeds. um Yeah, I mean, i'm yeah I'm just saying that's probably a big thing. And, um you know, I guess you were keen for Boland to come in.
00:28:54
B-Critical
Oh.
00:28:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think that would have made a difference?
00:29:00
B-Critical
Look, I think he would have been really fresh and he would have just, wouldn't have made a difference. Look, Stark would still have done what Stark did first innings. There was no issue in the first innings. I'd just be guessing if I was to say he did. I reckon he would have, but that doesn't, what does that mean?
00:29:16
B-Critical
Do you know what i mean? Like what did um in that second innings, Australia got, I mean, Stark at the end of the day got three wickets in 14 overs.
00:29:27
B-Critical
So who were we talking about? Boland replacing Hazelwood, 19 overs for one wicket.
00:29:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean it has to It has to be. I mean, look, obviously he's not going replace Commons as captain.
00:29:37
B-Critical
Yep.
00:29:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not going to replace Stark. A for his...
00:29:40
B-Critical
Well, he would have been fresher. Like, to be honest with you, like, he would have been – he obviously had a great – I think the fact that he was the best player last World Test Championship Finals almost kind of negligible. That's just sentiment.
00:29:52
B-Critical
um But Hazelwood was – had the IPL, you know, had to travel back and forth a little bit because of the break in the IPL.
00:30:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But so did Cummins.
South Africa's Cricket Legacy and Future Impact
00:30:08
B-Critical
Yeah, exactly.
00:30:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're flying.
00:30:08
B-Critical
But that makes two of them, right? Cummins is the captain.
00:30:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But so did Stark.
00:30:11
B-Critical
and pardon me
00:30:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
i I mean, mean, but he played in the IPL. I mean, they're all flying.
00:30:16
B-Critical
Well, Cummins didn't make the playoff.
00:30:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Travis Hedges.
00:30:17
B-Critical
um Look, to be honest, yeah, but one extra, like some of this is a void.
00:30:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But i mean
00:30:22
B-Critical
Like you're not going to replace all.
00:30:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, do you think that
00:30:24
B-Critical
ah You're not going to bring in, you're not going to bring in Bowling, Doggett and you know what I mean? And Abbott.
00:30:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, but I don't understand. So, like, what I'm saying is I don't think – I think the Medicos are the only ones who can comment on how fresh and fit, as well as the players, right? So, if they – and the players, and the players, and the players.
00:30:39
B-Critical
Not really. The medicos tick a box to say if they're fresh and if they're fit or not, if they're fit. Yeah, if they're fit.
00:30:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, one else should have a – no one else should be able to have a say, right? Now, I'm saying that if you're choosing – like, the question comes down to who's a better bowler, Hazel would have bowled.
00:30:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not about – you assume that every player is fit. like I'm McSweeney is fitter than Travis Head, right, who played the IPO. But, like, it's not about that. You choose your best players.
00:31:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think No, but they –
00:31:10
B-Critical
Yeah, i think the but like I think there's not much in it. Like, Faisalwood was fit for the last World Test Championship final. And would you say he was with Poland a better bowler then, but he's not now?
00:31:23
B-Critical
Do you know what I mean?
00:31:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they read they didn't pick...
00:31:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, they even then, they didn't pick Boland ahead of Hazelwood. They picked Boland because they wanted to get Hazelwood ready for the Ashes.
00:31:34
B-Critical
Yeah.
00:31:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:31:35
B-Critical
Yeah.
00:31:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, and Hazelwood at the time hadn't played a game since Sydney with missing the India tour. So I think that was more that. So I think... I don't think till date Boland has been picked ahead of Hazelwood on form.
00:31:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
So... I think in the past...
00:31:52
B-Critical
Yeah, I don't know. what i Do I think he would have been more penetrative in the second innings? I'd probably lean towards yes.
00:32:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, yeah, I mean, it's probably easy to say that after Hazel took one wicket, but I think, I mean, listening to the pundits and from my point of view, I don't think Hazel would um bowl badly at all. I mean, towards the second inning, um there were a couple of balls he dragged down, but um generally I thought it was good.
00:32:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what do you think? this means for South African cricket. Like I think the reason why we they probably have a special place in our heart is because in the 90s and do people of our vintage, South Africa, especially from Australian fan point of view, was a pantomime villain.
00:32:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
While England was the arch rival, When Australia was at its dominant best, South Africa was seen as the um team most similar to Australia in the style of play, the best fielding team, best fast bowlers and a very strong batting unit. I mean, Australia always had probably better spinners.
00:32:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But um yeah, what i think it was very nice to see all the fans get around a team. But what do you think this could mean for South Africa? Do you think this could suddenly mean a whole horde of ICC trophies?
00:33:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
i cc trophy
00:33:08
B-Critical
Short answer, no. um I don't because I just see T20 World Cups as being like pretty fickle. Anything can happen in a final. um So, and that's what that's the next cab off the rank.
00:33:23
B-Critical
One day World Cup. Possibly... probably not their one day form of late hasn't like saying obviously you know like it's not like oh they're definitely world dominators but I think it's still huge like um so like for South Africa I think it's massive for test cricket there they had a lot of traveling fans more than Australia did by all accounts of people like yourself who are at the game um obviously there's a lot of South Africans in the UK as well which would have added to that crowd. But the reception back home was massive as well, um which, you know, you don't necessarily associate with South Africa. We know cricket's big, but not the way it is in India or Pakistan, for example.
00:34:06
B-Critical
It's more similar to Australia, like you said. So, yeah, it's huge. It's a shame they've got no tests there. Hopefully they have a travelling contingent go to Zimbabwe. um But, you know, the next test at home, hopefully it's still in the memory and that's massive.
00:34:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sure.
00:34:23
B-Critical
Hopefully this game's still in the memory um because I'm sure if they had a test, you know, start of their summer in November, like they normally have their have start their test season, I'm sure their next test there would have been massive.
00:34:38
B-Critical
It was like their homecoming test. So, um yeah, unfortunately that's not to be.
00:34:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
sure
00:34:44
B-Critical
So let's just say, let's let's let's wait and see. Like the sad situation where, You know, there's players we believe should still be in the international game for South Africa that aren't there. They've still managed to pull this off.
00:34:58
B-Critical
I'm sure that'll link.
00:34:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think...
00:34:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I think a lot of credit has to go to the coach, Shukri Conrad. I mean, you know while he could be seen as responsible for getting rid players like Clark, I mean, that's all the rumours anyway that he was probably involved in.
00:35:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um lack of flexibility that saw Klaassen leave the international setup. It probably does, um mean it ah like this victory is probably well-deserved because um it's very it's a very difficult um campaign to sort of push to get around the national team and prioritize the national team in a world where Money is just offered to players hand over fist.
00:35:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
um and And when you do that, you do run the risk. you know A bit like New Zealand did with Bolt, you do run the risk of crowding out some of these players. But it's good reward because um yeah Test cricket, and historically, um is being about, and we are getting you know all cheesedick about this, Test cricket has and meant a lot more than money.
Financial Aspects and Growth of Test Cricket
00:35:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
right It meant the pride of a nation. um you know New Zealand talk about the Test Series winning against India. i mean We're talking a few weeks, right but that's going to be a memory that all Test cricket fans will remember for life.
00:36:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
and you For most cricket fans, you name a city and a year, and it's almost like a quarter that's map. where it just bring back People can tell you exactly what happened.
00:36:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know We showed that in this podcast, talking about Sydney 2021.
00:36:24
B-Critical
Yeah, but I guess while that all sounds nice, and I totally agree with that, and the sentiment around that, I agree, and we're always going to remember tests. We probably you know forget most... like you know I couldn't i'll probably watched the whole of the first IPL, but I can't remember a single game ball like ball by ball like I would a test match, for example, right?
00:36:43
B-Critical
So ah guess what I'm saying is that that's all great how we value test cricket more. Players might as well. Gary Steed might say, Like, oh, the the New Zealand, ah the the India series win was better than the World Test Championship Final, etc.
00:36:58
B-Critical
But that doesn't mean the players stick around and play tests unless they're fortunate enough to, which means that they get paid massively to do that like they do in Australia, India and the and England.
00:37:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
david
00:37:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:37:11
B-Critical
say
00:37:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
but but you don't know But you know what, right?
00:37:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you say that, but if you but but then you but look at the chance of being a national hero. I mean, the best players, like Robada, Clarsen is not going to experience that.
00:37:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
anymore, right? Like what does that Africa, like Tempo Bovooma is gonna be a national hero and there a lot of intangible benefits with that, right? That go beyond just financial, um,
00:37:36
B-Critical
ah Look, I agree, but I think if you have a base, right, if you if like there is still some money attached to it. And in South Africa, if you're a lock in the test side and you're always going to play, I think then you might be all right. But if you're a fringe player and your place isn't guaranteed, or even if you're in the side, even if you're, say, a Janssen but not playing any T20s, I don't know if the amount of money that's on offer to you if you do play T20s is gonna supersede, supersede all the benefits you're seeing, like legacy.
00:38:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Watch... Watch this
00:38:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
pace, right? Because, i mean, i was last year when um um Nikhil Aurora, name right there's and CEO of, you know, i one of the tech CEOs, right, from the US, was talking to Athiz and Hussain about um yeah about the hundreds and his investment in the London spirit.
00:38:28
B-Critical
Yep.
00:38:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they're talking about Test Cricket and he was saying, look, Test Cricket is his favourite format, but Test Cricket is not for sale. Right? So, um dad that believe me, right, there's lot of, I mean, Jarrah Kim has talked about this before, there's a lot of interest, people who are interested in test cricket and the demographics who like test cricket are generally quite wealthy around the world.
00:39:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so there's a lot of money there, right? um And so you just, like I say, mark my words that over, because there's a lot of value in it and we're seeing that, we're seeing the best players in the world. I mean, I know there are some who aren't playing, but the vast majority are playing test cricket.
00:39:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, Or aren't by choice, like Glenn Maxwell, right? I mean, and the thing is, but sometimes um like even like not every job um and some people some prestigious jobs don't get paid as much as other jobs right like the president only gets a year in the us right so sometimes things there are um other ways to deliver derive value other than money but having said that we do live in a commercial world but i just say that you just never know this can change the whole setup can change and
00:39:41
B-Critical
you
00:39:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
test trick money in Test Cricket could come from an unexpected source.
Critique of World Test Championship and Test Cricket's Future
00:39:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then, mean, it'll be interesting. But, you know, I think overall this was a big victory for Test Cricket.
00:40:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It's nice to see all the top 18, the main 18 in cricket, having won an ICC trophy now. I mean, a major world title. um So, yeah, I think if you look at it from 2014,
00:40:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
um which is just 11 years, all of the top eight teams have won world title.
00:40:25
B-Critical
Yeah, look, that's that's that's true. I mean, back to the test cricket space, I do think that, um like, you're right, it has stood the test of time. That's one thing we have to give test cricket.
00:40:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:40:37
B-Critical
um And I do think a source of money will come into it. Like, um at the end of the day, I think that as the Indian cricket Well, the other thing is, as the Indian palate gets more sophisticated, hopefully they get more into their tests as well. And that big money that we see going to T20, that'll go there too. So, yeah, I think you're onto something there.
00:41:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, for sure.
00:41:00
B-Critical
I hope at least.
00:41:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
For sure. And look, so on that note, I think we we will wrap up here um for what's been an amazing World Test Championship. And one last thing I want to say to that, um you know, this format, this concept has been criticised heavily from its inception in 2019.
00:41:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the biggest criticism is when people state the obvious that it's not a perfect system. But What I don't realise that the World Test Championship was an attempt to solve an existing problem, not ah not something designed to be the issue that solves the silver bullet solution for solving World Test cricket.
00:41:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is a notional tournament. um ah ah um you know ah with a single final play. And the constraints of this tournament are based on the fact that age each series is based on bilateral agreements comprised of a different number of games because of the costs involved in setting it up and the revenues generated.
00:42:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that resulted in teams playing different amounts of series and also not knowing and not and and the top teams ensuring they play amongst each other. So by design, um poorer nations like South Africa are sometimes faced with the misfortune of playing less um profile test series.
00:42:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And for that to be used as a stick to beat them with, I just think is um completely ah believe goes completely meantime it' completely oblivious to the actual scenario of what's happening.
00:42:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think...
00:42:34
B-Critical
Yeah, no, totally agree, man. Totally agree. On one hand, we're saying, oh, they had an easy run, but on the other hand, we won't play them in a five-test series or, you know what I mean, or refuse to tour there.
00:42:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:42:45
B-Critical
Like, yeah, it's hypocritical for sure. ah So, yeah, we've got ah we fought the beast we created in that sense, and South Africa won.
00:42:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:42:55
B-Critical
We've just got to suck it up. um We...
00:42:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly. And I guess it's good, you know some of the good signs of the fact that, look, Australia have added a test to the West Indies, so they're playing three instead of two. um South Africa are playing three test matches at home against both England and Australia next year, which should generate huge local interest.
00:43:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And new Australia are hosting New Zealand for four tests. So, look, I think a lot of noise is being made. And think the administrators, you know, um they see it. Then there's a challenge, right?
00:43:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not an easy challenge to solve because on one hand, it's very difficult to turn down money that's just been given to you. But on the other hand, we can't kill the golden goose, right?
00:43:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Test cricket's the reason why cricket exists. And um the whole history of the game, and the reason why it's the sport with the most books written about it is because it says cricket.
Conclusion and Upcoming Series Preview
00:43:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
But on that, Sombra, though, we'll probably end here and we'll reconvene next week, or later today, actually, when we preview the India experience.
00:43:59
B-Critical
Yeah, we'll be less of a gap between drinks for this one. We'll be back tonight, less than um freakin less than eight hours time. We'll quickly preview the yeah ah second the next cycle of World Test Championships already started.
00:44:14
B-Critical
um And the second major test in that is England-India, which will um cover both very interesting teams, of course, which we've um you know gone through a bit of late.
00:44:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:44:25
B-Critical
But yeah, looking forward to that one. We'll catch you then.
00:44:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you there. Bye.