2 Mar / 2018(510)…Recent test matches in South Africa is producing low scores.

The recently concluded India- South Africa series was a low scoring affair. One would assume host South Africa had prepared surface that would their bowling, viz suit swing and seam. Nevertheless after observing stats of recent past series played in SA(2017 onwards), I found out that teams are not able to post big scores (400 plus) regularly.

In 8 Test matches played since Jan 2017, only thrice teams went past > 400 (both inns). If one has to look at overall test cricket record since Jan 2017, then in 53 test matches 34 scores of 400plus(both inns)were scored in every test playing nation.

Here is few statistical analysis of test match played in South Africa and comparison with Ashes 2017.

Below is stats analysis of last 3 series played in South Africa

                  (only of visiting team)

Bangladesh in South Africa(2 test series)

Bangladesh lost both test matches quite easily. Without giving any fight the games got over with more than a day to spare. Although tourist had a healthy run-rate with better boundary rate, they were not able to post big score. Their highest being 320. The host had little or no problem white washing Bangladesh. Their batters had a gala time hitting six centuries!. Their run rate and average was top notch.

Bangladesh South Africa series analysis
Bangladesh Batting analysis
Role play – sum of partnerships/team scores
Crease – sum of overs at crease/team overs
30+ : batting for >30 overs/inns
< 3 : batted less than 3 overs
Bangladesh bowling

Zimbabwe in South Africa – only test match

This only test was a landmark for both teams as it was the first day night test match played by either teams, and first in South Africa. It also happened to be the first ever 4-DAY TEST MATCH!.
South Africa won the game inspite scoring modest 309 on day 1. The tourist were bundled out for 68 and were enforced to bat again. They did not do much in 2nd inn and SA won by an Inn and 20 runs!.
Series analysis
Zimbabwe batting performance
Zimbabwe bowling performance

India in South Africa (3 test series) 

This series was the most important test series for India in recent times. It was their first series against a formidable opponent playing away from home. India lost the first two game very easily.
It was a low scoring affair with 335 being highest team score.
Result wise - all 3 games became one-sided after a period of time.
The margin of wins were 72 runs, 135 runs and 65 runs. India won the last test defending 241!. The 1st and 3rd test got over with more than a day to spare and the 2nd test got over with 2 sessions remaining.
India South Africa series analysis
India Batting analysis - There was only one century scored in this series, and it was Indian captain Virat Kohli.
Indian Bowling analysis

Batting XI performance and partnerships

Below tables have average runs of each batting position with centuries in bracket. Similarly in partnerships tables. Average runs for each partnerships with No. of > 50 plus in bracket.
GFX Batting XIAvg runs Bat XI
Partnerships GFXAvg Runs partnerships
Zimbabwe South Africa GFX Bat XIZimbabwe South Africa Bat XI
Zimbabwe South Africa partnerships gfx Zimbabwe South Africa partnerships
India South Africa Batting XI gfx India South Africa Bat XI avg
India South Africa partnerships gfx India South Africa partnerships avg

This analysis will finish in next post which will feature South African players analysis in last 3 series and Australia performance in their last test series.

 

 

 

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