South Africa v Bangladesh, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, 8-12 April, 2022

maybe back in Tayfield’s era

lardbucket wrote:No whining from me.

I think place of birth is an accident beyond any individuals control.

To a lesser extent decisions made by an individual’s parents before that individual reaches adulthood, or certainly adolescence, are beyond that individual’s control/choice.

I think a 25 year old changing his national allegiance purely to play cricket for that new nation is a different matter. Admirable in the case of d’Oliveira, cynical in the cases of Greig, Wessels, Lamb, Smith et al.

I can’t remember all the credentials of the various Yarpoms (and Yarpozes/Yarpsnoozes etc.) over the years, but in general I’d say:
- Largely grew up in adopted country, since before say teenage years (Strauss, Stokes, Labuschagne) - fine
- Through birth/nationality of a parent (KP) - fine
- To play Test cricket when born in a non-Test nation, after serving appropriate residence (Morgan, at the time) - fine
- Anything else - needs to be carefully controlled. Certainly playing for more than one “top tier” nation at senior international level during a career shouldn’t be allowed (though some debate to be had there, e.g. Ireland have played two or three Tests so does that make them a major nation?)

Bangers smashed by 332 runs following a declaration. That is rubbish by them given how many players the Proteas are missing. Maharaj takes seven and reaches his 150th test wicket milestone, Harmer takes three.

Disappointing to see them crumble to spin… you’d expect them to struggle in swing/seam-friendly conditions away from home but should be familiar with the turning ball.

Red wrote:Looks like the Bangers will go down again. When was the last time Seth Efrica opened with two spinners?

the previous Test

Going back to the 70s/80s Yarpoms, I guess that was understandable given the ban in place on their home nation at the time. Though guess it must have raised some political debates as per Russian sportspeople today! (Could the UK or Australia offer Medvedev - the tennis player not the politician - fast-track naturalisation if he denounces Putin? )

Gawd, what an ordinary 2nd innings effort AGAIN by the silly Bangers.