Poor attitude by Proteas team

ONE must compliment SA Cricket on taking the Proteas to the smaller unions, who deserve to see their heroes performing live.

After the resounding victories in the tests, one would have expected the Proteas, although senior players were absent, to continue with their dominance,

The standard of play in Paarl and again in Kimberley was well below the level expected on the higher ranked team. What was disturbing was the lack of discipline in both the bowling department (conceding so many extras) and also the batting, being needlessly run-out – five run-outs!

It surely is close to a record to witness ALMOST six players run out! In the Mickey Arthur era one had the feeling that the players were running the show, so one has to ask, once again, is Gary Kirsten also being pushed aside, now that they have become the No1 test side.

The Black Caps were all over the field in Kimberly and the bowlers bowled a tight line, whereas Morne Morkel had his customary wishy-washy closing over!

Surely the coaches can come up with a plan and point out to these highly remunerated sports-men that a bad day in the office should be the exception, rather that the rule. The players' box was very animated and jolly while the ship was sinking, rather than being concerned at the decline in chances of scrambling a win.

Even Alan Donald had given his rugby ball a miss for the evening!

Maybe part of the problem is in fielding a rotating side which falls apart when the so-called better players are rested.

Hopefully the next match will see a better standard of competitive play, which is essential to entrench their spot in the table.