South Africa v England, 3rd ODI, Port Elizabeth

Monkey no more

The Wisden Verdict by Steven Lynch

February 4, 2005

The South African flag replaces the monkey on Graeme Smith's back © Getty Images

As monkeys on backs go, a sizable one has just been shrugged off Graeme Smith's broad back. In 14 attempts stretching back to last February, his South African side had only managed to beat Bangladesh, alongside 12 defeats and that enervating tie at Bloemfontein three days ago.

To pull it off Smith made his first one-day century - the first by a South African captain in ODIs - without ever quite playing at his best. England let him off twice which, along with some unusually clumsy fielding and the odd catch that looped out of reach, cost them in the end.

Almost inevitably, in this tremulous tour, there was a late wobble. South Africa were cruising at 196 for 3, but dipped to 214 for 6. Later on, the wicket of Mark Boucher caused palpitations in PE, but Shaun Pollock displayed a cool head to steer them home, with a little help from Ashwell Prince, who this time remembered to sprint when shouted at.

England might not have been at their best in the field, but their main problem was in the bowling department, where the throttling, threatening presence of Andrew Flintoff was badly missed. You sensed Marcus Trescothick, thrust into the captaincy spotlight (and more on the lights later) by Michael Vaughan's stomach bug, looking around for Freddie, and catching his breath when he remembered that he was watching with his feet up at home. Leave aside the brawny batting and the bravura bowling, Flintoff's most Botham-like quality is his charisma, and the up-and-at-'em approach that is so necessary in the one-day game. Darren Gough huffed and puffed and tried to provide it, but although it was close there was to be no repeat of the remarkable finish at Bloemfontein.

Meanwhile the lights at St George's Park were quite a talking point. Winking away like Christmas candles in your grandmother's front window, they seemed inadequate for an international match. Prior to tonight the highest second-innings total under them was a modest 223 for 6, which South Africa made to overhaul Sri Lanka in December 2000. Smith's gritty innings might have earned them a stay of execution, but it's probably time to invest in a new bulb or two.

Steven Lynch is the editor of Cricinfo.

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