It’s not a smart idea to stay holed up in East London, wondering when things will get better. It’s the kind of sleepy, windy, little town that people flee as soon as they can and return to when they’ve run out of options. What’s worse is that it’s narrow-minded.
However, South Africa was stranded in East London from before last Wednesday until after this Tuesday, waiting for the tide to turn more broadly than it had in the surrounding Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka secured their sole women’s series victory in South Africa last Wednesday by winning the third Twenty20 International at Buffalo Park. At the same location, on Tuesday, Masabata Klaas informed reporters on Friday from Kimberley that “it rained, like it always does” during the opening ODI.
In four games versus the Lankans, the washout left the home team with just one victory. There will be no victory in the series if South Africa loses both of the next two ODIs, which are scheduled for Potchefstroom on Wednesday and Kimberley on Saturday.
Did Marizanne Kapp experience any magic from East London? The standout player from South Africa received a demerit point for her passionate farewell to Chamari Athapaththu on Wednesday, and an additional point for “using an audible obscenity” following her dismissal on Tuesday, according to the ICC on Friday. Kapp has only broken the ICC rule of conduct twice in the past 24 months. Perhaps that’s what happens when you spend seven games in less than 15 months in a place so dowdy.
Still, Tazmin Brits had remarkably pleasant memories of their time in East London. She found her stride on Tuesday, scoring 116, her second century in 25 innings in the format after scoring 29 runs in three innings in the T20Is. Most importantly, she hadn’t let the gloomy conditions during the days leading up to the game interfere with her preparation.
After the game on Tuesday, Brits told reporters, “I came to the indoor nets [at Buffalo Park] and I hit a few balls even though it was raining.” “And I tried to convince myself that I’m still good enough to make these runs.” She demonstrated this to herself by hitting Achini Kulasuriya’s opening three deliveries for four runs. “I thought, ‘Yesterday [a typical South African exclamation]!'” when I reached those borders. We’re going!”
What may Kimberley produce? As the sun shone on Friday, Athapaththu told reporters, “It’s like Melbourne weather.” The weather on Saturday called for more of the same. That ought to brighten up another location that isn’t the most well-liked in South Africa. And neither is Potch, nor Benoni, the site of the inaugural T20I match. This is the situation faced by women’s teams, who are not as often as their male counterparts seen at the larger arenas.
Athapaththu was having fun in spite of this: “South Africa is one of my favourite countries.” I adore the ambience, the weather, and most of all, the friendliness. The folks are quite pleasant. I adore the animals, and the nation is lush and green with lots of rivers and mountains. Although I’ve just come to play cricket, I intend to return as a tourist since I want to explore a lot of other locations.”
The consistently upbeat Athapaththu may have appeared particularly happier as a result of her team’s performance on this tour. They say to sing while you’re winning. Regardless of where you are.
