Add up to a good day out watching Test cricket at Newlands
Samantha Smith04-Jan-2015Choice of game
I can’t remember the last time I missed an international game at Newlands. In fact, I would probably attend a dead rubber between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh with as much vigour as an Ashes contest. It is thus safe to say that my attendance at the New Year’s Test, the marquee event in the South African cricketing calendar, is an unequivocal certainty.Team supported
South Africa. I’ve supported the Proteas ever since I watched Lance Klusener decimate bowling attacks in the 1999 World Cup. The prospect of supporting another team is a reality I do not wish to fathom.Key performer
It was a relatively slow-paced day of Test cricket with no single outstanding performance. However, Faf du Plessis’ solid knock of 68 helped place South Africa in a dominant position. He constructed two half-century partnerships with Alviro Petersen and Hashim Amla, respectively. He looked poised for a big score but was convincingly stumped off the bowling of a persistent Sulieman Benn in the 50th over.One thing I’d have changed about the match
I would have liked to have seen Alviro Petersen score a ton. He seems to have an ongoing relationship with the 17-30 run bracket. It is a relationship predominantly characterised by the odd single-digit score, a career-saving fifty and poor shot selection. Nevertheless it was good to see that he has found love with a relatively well-constructed 42. It’s just a pity he couldn’t covert a start into something more substantial.The interplay I enjoyed
I relished the short-lived morning contest between a set Jermaine Blackwood and the always fiery Dale Steyn. Steyn persisted with bowling fuller deliveries predominantly around off stump, was put away for four, guided for twos and then succeeded in his second over of the day trapping the middle-order batsman LBW for 56.Wow moment
Today it was the crowd and not the cricket that generated the most entertainment. A beer snake created using plastic beer cups, held up by more than two dozen spectators and spanning almost three blocks of the popular North Stand, caught the attention of the cameramen, fellow spectators and even the cricketers. In true competitive fashion, the guys in the Railway Stand attempted to better their North Stand counterparts by joining two smaller snakes into one large anaconda of beer cups. Not to be outdone, the gentlemen in the North Stand constructed an even larger snake with the help of some eager, shirtless patrons from the Oaks embankment. For a glorious few minutes, the two groups chanted high-spirited victory songs across the field. The ideal ending would have seen a chain of plastic cups long enough to span the perimeter of the ground. Alas, it was not to be as both beer snakes collapsed without much fanfare. I’m just guessing here, but it probably had something to do with the growing presence of orange-vested security marshals perturbed by gestures of light-hearted fun. Party poopers.Close encounter
My friend and I were seated directly adjacent to the West Indies dressing room. Animated youngsters and enthusiastic adult fans lined the steps leading to the change room vying for autographs, selfies and small talk. Marlon Samuels and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were in particular demand.Shot of the day
Amla’s perfectly timed cover drive off Shannon Gabriel in the 53rd over was simply magnificent. He just keeps getting better and better.Crowd meter
As to be expected, a very healthy number of supporters turned up for day two. The Oaks grass embankment and the Snake Pit were customarily full an hour before play started. Despite cooler weather, most supporters opted for shaded seats – whether they had purchased tickets in these areas or not! The Newlands faithful duly celebrated every boundary scored by the West Indies batsmen, but reserved the most rapturous applause for AB de Villiers as he made his way to the crease.Fancy dress index
On the odd occasion, a plethora of supporters bring new meaning to “dressing up for the cricket”. While the snazzy folks in the corporate suites opt for suits, ties and pencil skirts, some prefer a different style. “Sunfoil Saturday” has become synonymous with fancy dress. Today, the theme was “Caribbean flavour”. Some took the safer route and adorned West Indies shirts and brightly coloured tops. The more adventurous came dressed as teddie bears, transvestite ballerinas, a pilot, a duo of sailors, a peculiar fairy and Mr and Mrs. AB de Villiers. You’d be forgiven for wondering how any of these costumes are Calypso-themed.Entertainment
During the lunch break, up-and-coming Proteas bowler Kagiso Rabada adjudged a gentleman in a multi-coloured shirt, bright yellow trousers and blue shoes complete with realistic braids and a Rastafarian beanie as “best dressed”. He walked away with a cash prize and adoring applause from the folks on the grass embankments.Tests v limited-overs
In truth, there is simply no comparison between the different formats of this spectacular game. One’s preference for a particular format will depend entirely on one’s time, patience levels and which elements of the game one enjoys. Personally, I view a T20 as a happy meal from a fast food joint, an ODI as a filling lunch from a family restaurant, and a Test match as a three-course meal from a five-star establishment.Accessories
I make an effort to secure seats in the lower section of Upper Block K in President’s Pavilion. With a view that looks straight onto the pitch, it’s arguably the best place to sit at Newlands. The only downside is that the smell of burning oil, garlic and fried sausages from the stalls located behind the Pavilion wafts through the Stands with great regularity. However, those who are fans of that strong combination of scents can thank me later for my seating recommendations.Banner of the day
There were a host of placards on show today. Many expressed a love for AB de Villiers, one referenced the similarity between Chanderpaul’s name to the slang word “chunder”, and another simply stated that South Africa are the world’s best Test side. However, the funniest banner, complete with a photo of its subject, read “Alviro Petersen, 34: Wanted for scoring no runs”. It would have probably been even more effective had the beleaguered opener been dismissed cheaply. Nevertheless, it certainly reflects the public’s dissatisfaction with Petersen’s lack of runs this past year.Marks out of 10
7.5. An enjoyable day at the cricket punctuated with outstanding entertainment, humourous costumes and a lively crowd. Bring on day three!