It turns out karma exists. In cricket, at least.
Just days after South Africa stunned the sport by completely disrespecting Test cricket with a woeful squad named for a tour of New Zealand, a full-strength side was bowled out before lunch – recording just 55 in the second Test against India in Cape Town.
It was South Africa’s lowest score in a Test since 1932, and their lowest in a home Test when winning the toss and batting first since 1889 (84 vs England).
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Kyle Verreynne top-scored with 15, one of only two South Africans to score more than five runs.
The hosts were 4-15 at one stage and 6-34.
Mohammed Siraj had the remarkable figures of 6-15 off nine overs with three maidens.
India needed less than 10 overs to take a first innings lead, with Rohit Sharma 39 (42) as the tourists sat at 1-62 off 11 overs.
South Africa named a 14-man squad for February’s tour of New Zealand which included seven uncapped players, most notably their new captain, opener Neil Brand.
The nation’s governing body ruled no players contracted for SA20 franchises were eligible for selection.
The decision saw Aussie great Steve Waugh declare: “Obviously they don’t care.
“If I was New Zealand I wouldn’t even play the series. I don’t know why they’re even playing. Why would you when it shows a lack of respect for New Zealand cricket?
“It’s pretty obvious what the problem is. The West Indies aren’t sending their full-strength side (to Australia). They haven’t picked a full-strength Test team for a couple of years now.
“Someone like Nicholas Pooran is really a Test batsman who doesn’t play Test cricket. Jason Holder, probably their best player, is not playing now. Even Pakistan didn’t send a full side.
“If the ICC or someone doesn’t step in shortly then Test cricket doesn’t become Test cricket because you’re not testing yourself against the best players.
“I understand why players don’t come. They’re not getting paid properly. I don’t understand why ICC or the top countries who are making a lot of money don’t just have a regulation set fee for Test matches which is a premium, so people are incentivised to play Test Cricket.
“Otherwise they just play T10 or T20. The public are the ones who are going to suffers because it’s not the full side playing, so it’s not Test cricket.”
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