*Official* South Africa Test Tour of Zimbabwe 2025

[Fuller Pilch]

If they were really against Mulder breaking the record then why not declare sooner? Do it half an hour before lunch when Mulder was still a reasonable distance away. Not when he's so close.

Was it they, or Mulder himself?

 

[centurymaker]

Absolutely. Wtc win followed by a world record being broken would have etched this side in history.

Yeah dumb move in the context of South African Test Cricket getting that global coverage. But no. So now they can go back to playing 2 match test series and sending C sides to far away nations. Stay small.

 

[Spark]

I really hate the tall poppy syndrome that cricket culture has around significant milestones and records sometimes.

 

[SeamUp]

This is worse than that ****ing stupid Stokes Ashes declaration.

Some start from Yusuf. First time seeing him bowl, and after just 4 balls, have to say he looks a serious talent. What are the thoughts on him? Seen as a top prospect?

He has improved loads over the last 2 seasons. Picked up a yard & has the nippy action that hits you quicker than you think. With a bit of nip (swing and seam) he is an interesting prospect as he is different to what we got.

 

[Silver Silva]

Yes once or twice taking a pop is fine. But a long history of snarky comments at SA team is tiresome

Lol i don't believe so

 

[Spark]

Was it they, or Mulder himself?

I can imagine that, as a first time young captain, he felt some implied pressure to do the "team thing" and be selfless, despite there being no evidence that declaring was the "team thing" to do at all.

 

[CricAddict]

I really hate the tall poppy syndrome that cricket culture has around significant milestones and records sometimes.

Milestones and records are one of the beauties of cricket and adds to it.

 

[CricAddict]

I can imagine that, as a first time young captain, he felt some implied pressure to do the "team thing" and be selfless, despite there being no evidence that declaring was the "team thing" to do at all.

Yes, SA could have batted the whole day and still closed the test within 4 days, especially with Williams down and doubtful to bat.

 

[Spark]

Milestones and records are one of the beauties of cricket and adds to it.

I can't think of any another sport that is this weird about personal milestones tbh. Imagine if a football player was close to breaking a significant all-time goal scoring record, and then the manager yanked them because it was the "team thing" to do and "personal milestones don't matter". They'd be fired out of the nearest cannon.

 

[SeamUp]

Massive test for these 2 at the crease.

 

[_Ed_]

I can imagine that, as a first time young captain, he felt some implied pressure to do the "team thing" and be selfless, despite there being no evidence that declaring was the "team thing" to do at all.

If anything, a mid-session declaration puts more pressure on the opposition top order than giving them the chance to rest during the break.

 

[Prince EWS]

They have to look at the balls at some point, so just because they were doesn't mean that a declaration is imminent.

If they do declare without giving Mulder a chance to go for 400 then I may seriously consider switching allegiance to Australia. That's how unforgivavble it would be.

Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie!

 

[centurymaker]

If anything, a mid-session declaration puts more pressure on the opposition top order than giving them the chance to rest during the break.

This was not a cricketing/logical declaration.

If he had been batting on like 207*, he would have batted on for another 15-20 overs, if not more.

 

[Gnske]

The pressure is definitely off Zimbabwe right now with that weak deccy-b, you can really tell.

 

[Bijed]

I'm more upset by this declaration than I am by England's performance in the test just gone haha. Batting on for half and hour (or even an hour or more to be honest) wouldn't have negatively impacted SA's chances of winning compared to declaring when they did

 

[Gnske]

Also notice the whiskey dick over milestones is a batting affliction. Jimmy had no issue going past many more significant bowlers.

If Lyon has any sense he'll retire now and protect Glenn "Giraffe blood heals all emotional woundings" McGrath

 

[SeamUp]

There is no other explanation than the team-thing to do but the test match was 4 sessions in ! We were always batting once and we playing 2 spinners. Surely him having to bowl overs wasn't that big of a factor.

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

Milestones and records are one of the beauties of cricket and adds to it.

Yes , winning is the most important thing of course but if you can get a milestone along the way it's a cherry on the cake ..

And context is important to , we are barely halfway through Day 2 , if Zimbabwe can survive 250 + overs with Bennett, Curran, Raza missing and their best bat Williams suffering with a fever they absolutely deserve the draw. This declaration was completely unnecessary .

 

[centurymaker]

Also notice the whiskey dick over milestones is a batting affliction. Jimmy had no issue going past many more significant bowlers.

If Lyon has any sense he'll retire now and protect Glenn "Giraffe blood heals all emotional woundings" McGrath

Lyon low key aiming for Warne's record. And no way he will retire until he gets nudged out of the side.

 

[morgieb]

What a disgrace. There was no real reason why he couldn't wait an extra half an hour. Mulder's let pearl-clutching dickheads get into his head too much.