Cricket Betting: Sour South African grapes

England Cricket / Frank Gregan / 11 January 2010 / Leave a Comment

"The Proteas were looking for any distraction from yet another test match which they managed to throw away."

South Africa failed to make their ball tampering allegations official but continue to whinge about the issue to the press. Does this mean Graeme Smith's men are feeling the heat ahead of Thursday's final test. You bet, says Frank Gregan.

Were England guilty of ball tampering during the third test? The video evidence looked fairly conclusive as Stuart Broad's size 12 boot complete with havoc wreaking spikes and a mesomorphic body shape bore down upon the ball and gouged its way into it.

It could hardly be described as subtle ball tampering - it looked more like the actions of grumpy old Grandad bursting the kid's balloon! Broad claimed tiredness rather than tampering were his motives and it appears that the match officials bought it.

The South Africans didn't want to let it go and have made reference to it on numerous occassions in the media, causing the smell of sour grapes to emanate from the press conferences.

The South Africans made no official protest and as a result the matter is now closed. Yet they are still harping on and aggrieved that no action was taken against the English which is fuelling the flames of the 'just because you're losing' brigade. 'Put up or shut up' seems to be the take on it in England and the lack of official complaint leads to the conclusion that the Proteas were looking for any distraction to take the focus away from yet another test match which they managed to throw away.

There are, of course, two sides to every tale and as unpatriotic as it may seem, let's consider this from a South African perspective for a moment or two. They are being vilified for not making the complaint official and choosing instead to use the media in order to vent their disappointment. That suits the English argument but it isn't how it is being played out in South Africa.

Their take on the matter is that the laws of the game in relation to ball tampering are straight forward. The matter is to be reported to the match officials which is exactly the course of action that they followed. As far as they are concerned, the incredible thing is that the match officials decided that merely reporting their concerns did not represent an official complaint and when the Proteas sought guidance they were told the deadline for action had passed.

The South Africans aren't happy and Andrew Strauss has made them even angrier by calling their actions petulant and underhanded. This all adds to the electric atmosphere for the final test during which a draw will be enough to secure another fantastic series win. England have not been at their best but have shown amazing tenacity and a determination not to be beaten that will provide a base for many future tours.

Graeme Smith and his men have thrown away two match winning positions, England had the one chance at Durban and converted in style, mullering the Proteas. The declaration in Cape Town left England chasing 466 with 55 overs and a full day to play. It turned out to be not aggressive enough and if Smith had have given his bowlers another half hour, Graham Onions probably wouldn't have been able to make the Proteas cry!

Those who followed the recommendations to back England to win the test series and Jacques Kallis to be the top South African batsman are in very strong positions. They might like to consider turning the screen green. England will need to get off to a good start during the fourth and final test in Johannesburg, which gets underway on Thursday, but the pitch is likely to be pacey. England tend to do things the hard way and a match should be attainable in the region of [2.1] to lay an English opening partnership in excess of 50 runs and that is this week's recommendation.