Apparently the racist taunts at Perth were kaffir (derogatory term for a black South African) and kaffir-boetie (kaffir-lover) to the white players. Also the people saying it supposedly had SA accents, so I think the general view is that they were ex-pat Saffies. I think it's pretty grim behaviour. I'm all for sledging but I draw the line at racism, and I think it is probably even worse when it comes to SA because of their past and the struggles of SA sport to overcome it.
There is a bit of a love-hate between Aussies and Saffie sport teams (why do I feel like I say that about all teams we play?), and they traditionally play very hard and sledge away merrily but this comes from the fact that they repsect each other as opponents, but they are always good mates after the game. (case in point: when the Aussies don't sledge you and start talking about fair play, then they don't respect you. Look at the ashes, and look at the result!) And this view is generally held by the fans as well. But as I said, race is one thing that doesn't belong in sledging. As Ntini said: "You just look at the person and say … 'You can swear to me, you can tell me my mum is a so-and-so', but when it comes to those words, nobody can take it."
As for the draw, great work by SA to hold on. I think part of the problem has to lie with Ponting's captaincy. His only game plan is to bowl Warne all day. Not to mention the obvious fact that it's going to wear Warne out, on the last day of a test match a captain has to be innovative to tease out those wickets. And the WACA isn't even much of a turning wicket so Warne was always going to struggle there. Ponting really needed to mix it up more and unsettle the batsmen. But either way, it keeps the rest of the series alive.
I agree Krug that it's been a great year for cricket. It's a shame that England have been so rubbish lately as I want the ashes next year to be two teams at the top of their game, but it's great for Pakistan to be playing such solid cricket. You make a good point about Inzy, but that's happening with a lot of countries right now. A few teams have big names who will soon retire and a new era is beginning. England are lucky to have their best players still peaking, while greats like Inzy, Sachin, Lara, Warne, McGrath, are coming to the end of their era. Actually I have a feeling that SA could soon be the team to beat. Graeme Smith is hard as nails and the more he disciplines his side, the more they grit it out, they just might have the attitude to stay near the top of the tree. they need another quality bowler though. |
