CSA have been naughty

‘Tis the season to hand out prizes and thorns to those who have been naughty and those who have been nice. Let’s look at cricket’s achievers, over-achievers and the under-achievers of 2011.

PROTEAS BEST RESULT

First Test v Australia at Newlands and Group B CWC match v India in Nagpur

I can’t separate these two. The old fogies will tell you that Test cricket is superior to all else and the historical significance thereof. That Cape Town Test was certainly unforgettable, what with the Australians being bowled out for 47 and all that.

But to be in Nagpur that Saturday night when South Africa fought back first with the ball and then with bat and watching Robin Peterson take the required 13 runs off that final over bowled by Ashish Nehra will stay with me for a very long time.

BEST PERFORMANCE

Easy, Jacques Kallis in the New Year’s Test in January against India. He made two centuries in that match, 161 in the first and 109* in the second with that latter knock done while dealing with busted ribs.

MOST SURPRISING SHOWING

Be honest who thought Robin Peterson would play such an influential role in South Africa’s World Cup campaign? Yet the left-arm spinner picked up 15 wicket – the most by any South African – and had a hand in that thrilling win over the eventual world champions.

BEST NEWCOMER

Again, easy. Vernon Philander, wasn’t thought of too highly when named in the squad for the Australian series with many dismissive of his domestic performances. Yet in three Tests he has 24 wickets, has picked up four ‘five-fors’ and been named Man of the Match twice and Man of the Series against Australia. Impressive.

WORST MATCH

Not winning the second Test at the Wanderers against Australia left a bitter taste; but nothing will match the depression felt in Dhaka after the quarter-final exit in the CWC to New Zealand. South Africa tossed away a winning position in a match against a side far inferior to them. The ‘choking’ label remains firmly in place and they’ll get another chance to remove it at the T20 tournament in Sri Lanka later in 2012.

WORST PERFORMERS

The Board of Directors of Cricket South Africa

A not-so-festive season for this lot who have dragged the name of the sport through the mud these last few months. It must be pointed out that not all are liable in this mess with Northerns Cricket and the North West Cricket Board not supporting a vote of no confidence against former CSA president Mtutuzeli Nyoka. – The Star

* Stuart Hess’ column will return in January