IT DID not take long for this series to become fractious. For the past decade there has been antagonism and an undercurrent of ill-feeling between England and South Africa and after a rather tame affair at Lord's last week, the pugilists have shown t
heir true colours at Leeds. While the sniping and dissembling from some players and management members should not detract from some worthy performances, the truth is that this match is more likely to be remembered for some distasteful shenanigans rat
Of the cricket it is Ashwell Prince who has done most in the past fortnight to display South African cricket at its rugged, tough best. His fighting century in the first innings at Lord's was a classic rearguard action but his century yesterday grasped the advantage for his country and set up a wonderful opportunity for a victory that would strengthen South Africa's ambition to win an away series in England.
He did it, as he always does, with a mixture of pugnacity, intelligence and discipline.
His partnership – currently 179 and ongoing until a mixture of bad light and rain curtailed play – with AB de Villiers was vital as it drew the hope from the England players that they could salvage their timid first innings by restricting the deficit to below 50. De Villiers was a commendable foil, particularly considering the dressing down he had received the previous day for a shameful act when he claimed a catch off Andrew Strauss. Micky Arthur, the South African coach, defended his charge but the manner of his teammates' behaviour suggested they had an inkling that he had spilled the ball.
The fact is there have been no whispers in his career that de Villiers is a cheat – indeed anything but – so this incident could be put down to a genuine indiscretion or momentary lapse and his contribution with the bat showed him at his best, a talented and composed young cricketer, albeit there were few of his most elegant drives.
There was little excuse though for the behaviour of Arthur and captain Graeme Smith when they ordered Hashim Amla to remain on the field after Michael Vaughan's contentious catch on Friday evening. The umpires and Amla himself were content that the catch was good and that is how the situation should have remained. Stronger umpires would have controlled the game at that moment and just given Amla out but it was referred and with inconclusive video evidence Amla returned to the wicket.
There is such a thing as 'spirit of cricket' and poor old Amla, a thoroughly decent cove, was used by his seniors to taint it in the most disgusting fashion.
There was no excuse just as there was none when England did similar for Kevin Pietersen against India.
When onfield decisions and umpires can be pressured and bullied by a dressing room then the game and all it has stood for for centuries is gone.
Amla did not benefit greatly as he missed a full toss off England debutant Darren Pattinson and was given out LBW. It would be wrong to suggest this was a deserved first Test wicket for the Victorian – he played for them last winter and has admitted that he never dreamed of donning the three lions of England.
Whoever pushed for his inclusion should be asked why – the mutterings are that it was Geoff Miller – although the answer is probably that the selectors saw him bowl at his home county ground, Trent Bridge, a ground notorious for swing, and reckoned he could do similar at Headingley.
They were wrong. The ball hardly deviated from a straight path all day.
Michael Vaughan did not appear enamoured anyway as he preferred Jimmy Anderson and Freddie Flintoff.
It has been 'hard yakka' for Flintoff on his return. Protected at seven in the batting order, he found himself at the crease too soon and with the ball he delivered his usual wholehearted effort but to little effect.
Headingley is a bit of a curate's egg of a pitch. Under cloud it is awkward but when the sun shines it plays true and slow and big scores are compiled. There was no way past the increasingly broad blade of Prince. No swing, no reverse swing and a pre-determined ploy to attack Monty Panesar left England increasingly frustrated and ragged. It was attritional cricket but the kind that wins matches.
Occasionally Flintoff glanced around the field, possibly in the forlorn hope of spying a proven quality act like Simon Jones.
The time for the Worcestershire seamer to return is fast approaching. It is too late for this game though and with the weather set well enough and the game well advanced, England must replicate the fantastic effort of South Africa last week and bat for two days. The difference is Lord's was flat and true, Headingley may not be.
The likelihood is England will lose. Too many wickets were carelessly donated on the opening day and as well as Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn bowled, a score nearer 300 would have been genuinely competitive but what is of great concern is the muddled thinking of the selectors.
Loyalty is all very well but Tim Ambrose is not a number six batsman so in accommodating Flintoff's return they needed to pick a batsman wicketkeeper. Matt Prior was the man despite his fumbles last summer. He was dropped for continued misjudgements. The selectors should suffer the same analysis.
The full article contains 929 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
