Cricket and rugby are two sports that bring the country of South Africa together. Over the years, South Africa had to overcome many obstacles to reach where they are currently. But heartbreak has followed them everywhere, be it in the ICC World Cup 1992 or in 2015. But the fans of the Proteas have always been up there with the team in their ups and downs. The support of the fans have made the country one of the top forces in the cricketing world. Here, we take a look at the cricketing history of the side over the years.
History of South Africa national cricket team
The first official cricket match in South African cricket history was played on January 5, 1808, between two British service teams stationed there after the British Army occupied South Africa. In 1843, the oldest cricket club in South Africa, the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, was established, and in 1876, the first championship between four clubs for the 'Champion Bat' was held in Port Elizabeth. After this, in 1889, South Africa became the third Test country after England and Australia.
In the same year, first-class cricket established its base in the country. But in 1907, it was the President of the South African Cricket Association, Abe Bailey, who wrote to the President of the MCC to form an 'Imperial Cricket Conference' (now known as the International Cricket Council - ICC). This also meant that South Africa was one of the three founding members of the ICC, way back in 1909.
Apartheid in South Africa national cricket team
South Africa was banned between 1971 and 1991 due to the widespread prevalence of apartheid in the country. In 1970, when the South African government made apartheid a policy, the ICC was put in a social dilemma. According to the rules of the then government, the team could only play with white countries, ie England, Australia and New Zealand. Along with this, the condition was that only white players would play in the opposition team.
When the ICC banned the South African team, the future of many big players was plunged into darkness. It took 21 years to bring about a change in the country when the policy of apartheid was finally abolished. International sports returned to South Africa in 1991 under the Rainbow Nation, led by Nelson Mandela. And along with this, the ICC again reinstated their Test cricket status in 1991.
Early Developments of South Africa national cricket team
South Africa played their first Test after their ban was lifted against the West Indies. In that game, it was Andrew Hudson who shone with a brilliant 163 runs in his debut, but the Proteas lost the match by 52 runs. But soon, they defeated India at home in their second Test series. They won 7 out of the 10 series that they were a part of, and drew the remaining three. This dominance was repeated between 1998 and 2003. The Proteas won 14 Test series, lost two and drew one in this period. From 2006 to 2018, he played 43 Test series. In this 29 matches were won, 6 were lost and 8 matches were drawn. At the same time, this country introduced players like Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers to the world.
But later politics once again ruined South Africa's Test cricket. During this, many players opted for 'Kolpak Deal' to continue playing. With the arrival of new faces, South Africa lost 5 of their last 8 series.
ODI history of South Africa national cricket team
South Africa played their first ODI in 1991 when their ban was lifted. They lost the match by three wickets against India, with Sachin Tendulkar playing an innings of 62 runs. With the youngster flourishing, India won the series 2-1.
South Africa played their first ICC World Cup in 1992. To everyone's surprise, the team reached the semi-finals, but in that match, chasing a target of 253 runs in 45 overs, the South African fans faced heartbreak when rain interrupted the game. With 22 needed off 13 balls, the Duckworth-Lewis rule came into force. The target remained the same but the team fell 12 balls short. With 22 runs needed from 1 ball, South Africa lost the match by 19 runs. This halted their dream of winning the World Cup.
But in 1998, South Africa won the inaugural ICC Champions Trophy (then known as the ICC Knockout Trophy) held in Bangladesh. This is by far their only trophy at the international level, with the side facing heartbreak yet again in the semi-finals of the 1999 ICC World Cup.
The chokers of cricket
South Africa are one of the few cricket teams in the world who have the tag of chokers attached to them. This unwanted title is because they perform consistently throughout every tournament but fail in the big matches. Many have attributed this to the bad luck of the team.
T20 History of South Africa national cricket team
South Africa played their first T20 International on October 21, 2005, against New Zealand in Johannesburg. Their first win in T20Is came against Australia at the same venue. In 2007, South Africa hosted the inaugural ICC World T20. In the first match of the tournament, South Africa played against West Indies and won the match by eight wickets. But in Super 8, the team were knocked out because of their low run rate. In 2009, they reached the semi-finals of the tournament but lost to the eventual champions Pakistan.
South Africa again reached the semi-finals of the 2014 ICC World T20. But once again they choked and they lost to India.
