Two Tests doth not a series make

Australia’s current tour of South Africa has produced some enthralling cricket, with the contest being feisty. Graeme Smith scored a much needed 50 in Port Elizabeth while Jacques Kallis also returned to form with a classy knock, reminding us of his enormous value to the Proteas. Morne Morkel is starting to reach the heights his tall frame promised when he first made his Proteas debut, while JP Duminy played a knock that was filled with character before his known talent emerged towards the end of the Proteas innings. David Miller also showed the power and attitude to suggest he belongs on the international stage. Having been at SuperSport Park for that damp squib of an affair, it was a classy improvement.

With all this happening, and Australia giving the Proteas a contest, it is a travesty that there will be only two Tests between the Proteas and the Australians. Considering that both teams are part of the top tier of Test nations, boasting several of the most exciting names in the cricket world, how can a five-day break between the second and third ODIs be justified?

It’s an anomaly of the modern game that the ICC has seen fit to say that two Tests equals a series. While the bottom line is what is most important to the administrators, providing the public with a proper contest within the true crucible of the game seems to have fallen by the way side. It will be cricket fans in Durban, the most likely venue for a third Test, who will be missing out the most.

The current series is also symptomatic of South Africa’s ill-forged place within the international schedule. Over the last three years, South Africa have played the least number of Test matches among the top five Test stations. The Proteas’ 18 Tests are half the number England have played and Australia have played 40 more ODIs than the Proteas’ 46. South Africa in fact have actually played the least amount of cricket among the top eight international sides over the last three seasons. The Proteas have been on the cricket field 109 days less than England, 97 fewer than Australia and are 86 days behind India.

At least this season the Proteas have a heavy schedule: 11 Tests and 16 ODIs (including the current Australia series). For a team among the best of the world, it is a fair allocation in accordance with their skill. Still, from now till April 2020 as stated by the ICC’s Future Tours Programme, South Africa will only play 82 Tests versus England’s 109, Australia’s 107, India’s 102 and play less than the West Indies, Pakistan (who won’t be playing in Pakistan most likely) and Sri Lanka, who have 84, 88 and 88 Tests each. South Africa only play two more Tests than New Zealand during this period.

It just isn’t congruent.

While the players will enjoy long winter breaks, but considering how good South Africa are, it is a shame the likes of AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel won’t exhibit their skills as much as their contemporaries.