WTC's imperfections laid bare by SA's late charge
Hindustan Times Noida|December 10, 2024
MUMBAI: The screams and singing from the South Africa team celebrations echoed across St George's Park at Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) after their series-clinching Test win against Sri Lanka on Monday.
Rasesh Mandani
WTC's imperfections laid bare by SA's late charge

It was a pity there were no spectators to applaud Temba Bavuma's men, but the empty stands seemed to convey a message.

At least Cricket South Africa saw them as early signs. They truncated their Test roster and glammed up SA20, their new T20 league. With interest for Test cricket on the wane, South Africa went to New Zealand with a makeshift squad led by a makeshift captain. That's how Proteas began their World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, with three losses in four Tests (1-1 against India and 0-2 against NZ). Very few would have thought that they would be frontrunners to make the final on the home stretch of the cycle. But here they are, a solitary win in the remaining 2-Test home series against Pakistan from making their maiden WTC final.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HINDUSTAN TIMES NOIDAView all
AAP promises free care for seniors in govt, pvt hospitals
Hindustan Times Noida

AAP promises free care for seniors in govt, pvt hospitals

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced an ambitious health care scheme under which, he said, the Delhi government will give everyone above the age of 60 years - irrespective of income - free treatment in government and private hospitals across the city.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
Modi, Shah hit back in raging Ambedkar row
Hindustan Times Noida

Modi, Shah hit back in raging Ambedkar row

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah hit out at the Congress, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Opposition of spreading malicious lies, after a statement by Shah referring to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar triggered a political storm and jammed Parliament on Wednesday.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 19, 2024
India stresses on peace in key meet after thaw
Hindustan Times Noida

India stresses on peace in key meet after thaw

India on Wednesday emphasised the need for a \"mutually acceptable framework\" for settling the boundary issue with China as talks between Special Representatives of the two sides focused on cross-border cooperation, such as resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers and border trade.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Noida

" I CRIED AFTER MY MATHS BOARD EXAM "

During a visit to his school as chief guest, actor Vedang Raina gets nostalgic about his days as a student

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Noida

In Zen zone: Moulding the marble to match the paint

Smooth curves in pink intertwine the three figures so seamlessly that the marble they are made out of emotes a unified soul.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Noida

Food, drinks, and soulful beats set the mood for Odella's launch

It was a starry weekend in Green Park as founders Nipun Khanna and Samir Aggarwal hosted the grand launch of Odella.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Noida

India has every reason to be proud: Shahana on Santosh being shortlisted for Oscars nom

Actor Shahana Goswami's film Santosh, has inched closer to being nominated for the International Feature Film category in the 2025 Academy Awards.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Noida

Caught Rahane, bowled Ashwin

Given a choice, R Ashwin would have liked to have Ajinkya Rahane permanently at slips for his bowling, such was their combination.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Noida

Unbreakable Santosh back to rallying with an eye on Dakar

Astride a rally spec of Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, CS Santosh was riding through the dirt on the banks of the Egidillo river in Spain when memories of him flying through the dunes at the Dakar Rally flashed across his mind.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Noida

India leave the Gabba with honours even

At almost all times during the Brisbane Test, Australia were ahead of the game.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 19, 2024