So that wasn’t much of a Test match, was it?
The Proteas smashed
Zimbabwe inside two days to win the first-ever day/ night “four-dayer” on South African soil.
Last week, I warned that this was going to be a no-contest.
I just didn’t expect the already-shortened match to be over and klaar after just five sessions.
But the ICC will have to think hard on the Test format and which teams are worthy of playing the game at its purest and highest level.
Zimbabwe, ranked last in the standings, offered the Proteas absolutely no resistance as they got steamrolled in PE.
There will be no upside to this match for the game’s bosses or Zim cricket.
And for Ottis Gibson’s Proteas the benefits will be negligible until we see how the hosts fare against India come next week.
Those day-night conditions really helped the Proteas, with Morne Morkel having an especially great time with the ball.
The paceman was back to his best after his injury problems.
The best bit was that he got the ball in the right areas - just as he did before his latest injury setback.
If he continues to hit those lengths, he will be a potent weapon against the top-ranked Indians.
The Proteas held back fellow quickie Dale Steyn who was also on his way back from injuries.
With the veteran ace being out for over a year, it’s understandable that they didn’t want to risk him against Zim.
But will he be ready for the Virat Kohli and span?
The same can be asked of skipper Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock.
Without Faf, the batting did look a little off, but that can be remedied. They just need to be more mindful and be prepared for the spin of Ravis Jadeja and Ashwin.
There were some positives though it might be a little controversial to say.
With Faf, Quinton and Dale not ready for the game, the selectors could “overload” the team with players of colour.
In all, there were three ethnic black players rather than the stipulated two that make up the “average over the course of the season”.
That means that SA will only have more breathing room, should they be pressured to drop a player that is struggling for form against India and later in the season and against a fired-up Australia.
While it’s important to push transformation, Steyn, De Kock and Faf are pretty much non-negotiables when the Proteas want to put out their strongest teams.
Still Temba Bavuma and Andile Phehlukwayo gave significant contributions.
And for a guy like Andile, this just serves as another step on his way to being Vernon Philander’s long-term successor.
Plus the two days of extra rest and preparation for the first Test against India on January 5 won’t hurt either.
And we finally have some international cricket to look forward to at Newlands.
Let’s just hope that the drought hasn’t turned the pitch into a dustbowl for the Indians to baljaar on.