Indian cricket team in South Africa in 1996–97
{{Short description|International cricket tour}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox cricket tour |
series_name = India in South Africa 1996-97 |
team1_image = Flag of South Africa.svg |
team1_name = South Africa |
team2_image = Flag of India.svg |
team2_name = India |
from_date = 21 December 1996|
to_date = 30 January 1997|
team1_captain = Hansie Cronje|
team2_captain = Sachin Tendulkar|
no_of_tests = 3 |
team1_tests_won = 2 |
team2_tests_won = 0 |
team1_tests_most_runs = Brian McMillan (296) |
team2_tests_most_runs = Rahul Dravid (277) |
team1_tests_most_wickets = Allan Donald (20) |
team2_tests_most_wickets = Javagal Srinath (18) |
player_of_test_series = Allan Donald (SA) |
}}
The Indian cricket team toured South Africa during the 1996–97 season, playing three Tests from 21 December 1996 to 30 January 1997. Prior to the series, India toured South Africa in the 1992–93 season, losing the Test series 0–1.{{cite web|last=Kumar|first=Rajesh|title=India-South Africa Tests — Head to Head|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Articles/2/2016.html|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=14 September 2013}} India was led by Sachin Tendulkar while South Africa was led by Hansie Cronje. The series was Tendulkar's first overseas Test tour as captain and third overall.{{cite web|title=SR Tendulkar as captain in Test matches|url=https://cricketarchive.com/cgi-bin/player_oracle_reveals_results1.cgi|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=16 September 2013}} The tour began with a Test series (named Castle Lager Series for sponsorship reasons),{{cite news |title=Umpires panel for India-South Africa Tests announced |url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/IND_IN_RSA/ARTICLES/UMPIRES_FOR_TESTS_21DEC1996.html |access-date=25 August 2018 |work=Rediff.com |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=21 December 1996}} consisting of three matches. South Africa won the first two matches by a huge margin, thereby winning the series 2–0, while the final Test ended in a draw. At the end of the series, Brian McMillan of South Africa emerged as the top run-scorer with 296 runs, with an average of 98.66.{{cite web|title=Records / India in South Africa Test Series, 1996/97 / Most runs |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=380;type=series |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=14 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105112712/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=380%3Btype%3Dseries |archive-date=5 January 2016 }} He was closely followed by fellow team member Daryl Cullinan with 291 runs and India's Rahul Dravid (277 runs). Allan Donald and Javagal Srinath finished the series as top wicket-takers capturing 20 and 18 wickets respectively.{{cite web|title=Records / India in South Africa Test Series, 1996/97 / Most wickets|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=380;type=series|publisher=EPNcricinfo|access-date=14 September 2013}} The former was named "man of the series".{{cite web|last=Vasu|first=Anand|title=South Africa dominated from the word go|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/87451.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=28 September 2013}}
The Test series was followed by a triangular One-Day tournament, which included Zimbabwe as the third team.{{cite web|title=Standard Bank International One-Day Series, 1996-97|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155180.html|work=Wisden|publisher=Reprinted by ESPNcricinfo|access-date=28 September 2013|year=1998}} South Africa won all its round-robin matches, and played against India in the finals; they defeated India by 17 runs to win the title.{{cite web|title=Standard Bank International One-Day Series - Final|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/66078.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=28 September 2013}} Donald once again ended up as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 18 wickets,{{cite web|title=Records / Standard Bank International One-Day Series, 1996/97 / Most wickets|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=739;type=tournament|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=28 September 2013}} while Cronje was declared "man of the series".
Squads
The South Africa squad announced for the first two Tests excluded regulars Jonty Rhodes, Fanie de Villiers and Pat Symcox. Rhodes was omitted owing to an injury and concerns over suitability of his form for Test cricket, Symcox over the use of two spinners on bouncy wickets; Paul Adams made the team, while de Villiers' exclusion went unexplained by the team management. Derek Crookes, Nicky Boje, John Commins, who were members of the team's tour of India earlier that season, were also excluded.{{cite web |title=South African Squad v India, Dec 1996 - Jan 1997 |url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/IND_IN_RSA/IND_IN_RSA_DEC1996-JAN1997_RSA-SQUAD.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=25 August 2018}} Shaun Pollock, who missed his made the squad upon recovering from a heel injury. Jacques Kallis was also included alongside uncapped Transvaal player Adam Bacher. Their ODI squad was announced on 20 January 1997. Rhodes was recalled to the side following good performances for Natal in the domestic circuit. After good performances in the Test series, Kallis was recalled.{{cite news|last1=Hawthorne|first1=Guy|title=Jonty so Happy to be back for SA|url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/OD_TOURNEYS/SBIODS/ARTICLES/JONTY_HAPPY_RSA_21JAN1997|access-date=18 January 2018|work=The Star|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=20 January 1997}} After the squad was announced, Brian McMillan ruled out with an inflamed tendon in his left foot; Craig Matthews was named as his replacement.{{cite news|last1=Hawthorne|first1=Guy|title=McMillan Out Of Triangular Tourney|url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/OD_TOURNEYS/SBIODS/ARTICLES/MCMILLAN_OUT_SBIODS_22JAN1997|access-date=18 January 2018|work=The Star|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=22 January 1997}} Matthews injured his ankle during the second game and was replaced by Rudi Bryson.
A 16-member India squad was announced for the Test series.{{cite web |title=India to South Africa 1996-97 |url=http://test-cricket-tours.co.uk/page_2633341.html |publisher=test-cricket-tours.co.uk |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825145409/http://test-cricket-tours.co.uk/page_2633341.html |archive-date=25 August 2018}} Sachin Tendulkar was retained as the captain; Sunil Dev was named manager for the tour. Navjot Singh Sidhu and Vinod Kambli were not considered for selection due to disciplinary reasons, while Ajay Jadeja, Sunil Joshi, Wasim Jaffer, Sanjay Manjrekar and Abey Kuruvilla were left out from the squad. Overall, four seam bowlers and two spinners made the squad.{{cite news |last1=Colquhoun |first1=Andy |title=Tour Matches: India continue long, hard road |url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/IND_IN_RSA/ARTICLES/IND_LONG_HARD_ROAD_20DEC1996.html |access-date=25 August 2018 |work=The Telegraph |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=20 December 1996}} However, the inclusion of three wicket-keepers including uncapped player Pankaj Dharmani attracted criticism.{{cite news |title=Kapil Dev bounces national selectors |url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/IND_IN_RSA/ARTICLES/KAPIL_IND_SELECTION_18DEC1996.html |access-date=25 August 2018 |work=Rediff.com |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=18 December 1996}} Jadeja and Joshi were later brought in for the triangular ODI series, along with Robin Singh and Salil Ankola, who replaced Dharmani, David Johnson, Venkatapathy Raju and Woorkeri Raman of the Test side.{{cite news |title=Jadeja, Joshi, Robin, Ankola return to the Indian side |url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/IND_IN_RSA/ARTICLES/IND_ODI_SIDE_13JAN1997.html |access-date=27 August 2018 |work=Rediff.com |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=13 January 1997}}
Tour matches
= Three-day: Eastern Province v Indians =
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 21–23 December 1996
| team1 = {{cr-rt|IND|name=Indians}}
| team2 = Eastern Province
| score-team1-inns1 = 335/6d (101 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = Sourav Ganguly 97 (204)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = Nantie Hayward 2/62 (23 overs)
| score-team2-inns1 = 322/4 (84.5 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = Kepler Wessels 103* (182)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = Venkatesh Prasad 1/32 (15 overs)
| score-team1-inns2 = 130/2 (32 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = Vikram Rathour 64 (77)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = Nantie Hayward 1/22 (7 overs)
| score-team2-inns2 =
| runs-team2-inns2 =
| wickets-team2-inns2 =
| result = Match drawn
| report = [http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/IND_IN_RSA/IND_EPR_21-23DEC1996.html Scorecard]
| venue = St George's Park, Port Elizabeth
| umpires = Cyril Mitchley and Dave Orchard
| motm =
| toss = Indians won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain =
| notes = Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid (both Indians), and Kepler Wessels and Mark Rushmere (both Eastern Province) passed 4,000, 5,000, 23,000 and 7,000 runs respectively in first-class cricket.{{CricketArchive|ref=Archive/Scorecards/63/63252|name=Eastern Province v Indians, India in South Africa and Zimbabwe 1996/97}}
- Venkatesh Prasad (Indians) picked his 150th wicket in first-class cricket.
}}
= 55-over: Natal Invitation XI v Indians =
{{Single-innings cricket match
| date = 30 December 1996
| time =
| daynight =
| team1 = Natal Invitation XI
| team2 = {{cr|IND|name=Indians}}
| score1 = 288/5 (55 overs)
| runs1 = Neil Johnson 80 (112)
| wickets1 = Woorkeri Raman 2/28 (5 overs)
| score2 = 236/7 (55 overs)
| runs2 = Rahul Dravid 64 (81)
| wickets2 = Neil Johnson 2/25 (7 overs)
| result = Natal Invitation XI won by 52 runs
| report = [http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/IND_IN_RSA/IND_NATAL-INV-XI_30DEC1996.html Scorecard]
| umpires = Wilf Diedricks and Rudi Koertzen
| motm =
| toss = Natal Invitation XI won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain =
| notes =
}}
= 50-over: Griqualand West v Indians =
{{Single-innings cricket match
| date = 9 January 1997
| time =
| daynight =
| team1 = Griqualand West
| team2 = {{cr|IND|name=Indians}}
| score1 = 205/7 (50 overs)
| runs1 = Willie Dry 72 (85)
| wickets1 = David Johnson 3/26 (10 overs)
| score2 = 206/3 (35 overs)
| runs2 = Sourav Ganguly 101 (85)
| wickets2 = Martyn Gidley 2/15 (7 overs)
| result = Indians won by 7 wickets
| report = [http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/IND_IN_RSA/IND_GRIQ-W_09JAN1997.html Scorecard]
| venue = De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley
| umpires = Danzel Becker and Barry Lambson
| motm = Sourav Ganguly (Indians){{CricketArchive|ref=Archive/Scorecards/63/63362|name=Griqualand West v Indians, India in South Africa and Zimbabwe 1996/97}}
| toss = Griqualand West won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain =
| notes = Pieter Barnard (Griqualand West) and Rahul Dravid (Indians) passed 1,000 and 2,000 runs respectively in first-class cricket.
}}
= Three-day: Free State v Indians =
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 11–13 January 1997
| team1 = Free State
| team2 = {{cr|IND|name=Indians}}
| score-team1-inns1 = 320/7d (87.4 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = Boeta Dippenaar 96 (170)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = David Johnson 5/78 (23.4 overs)
| score-team2-inns1 = 296/6d (97.4 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = Vikram Rathour 115 (203)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = Bradley Player 2/37 (19 overs)
| score-team1-inns2 = 259/2d (60.3 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = Gerhardus Liebenberg 133* (176)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = Sourav Ganguly 1/47 (10 overs)
| score-team2-inns2 = 185/6 (64 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = Vikram Rathour 50 (78)
| wickets-team2-inns2 = Nicky Boje 3/60 (21 overs)
| result = Match drawn
| report = [http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/IND_IN_RSA/IND_FS_11-13JAN1997.html Scorecard]
| venue = Goodyear Park, Bloemfontein
| umpires = Robert Brooks, Brian Jerling and Barry Lambson
| motm =
| toss = Free State won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain =
| notes = David Johnson (Indians) claimed his 100th wicket in first-class cricket.{{CricketArchive|ref=Archive/Scorecards/63/63375|name=Free State v Indians, India in South Africa and Zimbabwe 1996/97}}
}}
= 50-over: South Africa A v Indians =
{{Single-innings cricket match
| date = 30 January 1997
| time =
| daynight =
| team1 = South Africa A
| team2 = {{cr|IND|name=Indians}}
| score1 = 251/6 (50 overs)
| runs1 = Louis Koen 105 (134)
| wickets1 = Venkatesh Prasad 2/42 (10 overs)
| score2 = 94/5 (24.2 overs)
| runs2 = Sachin Tendulkar 37 (37)
| wickets2 = Piet Botha 2/18 (6 overs)
| result = No result
| report = [http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/IND_IN_RSA/IND_RSA-A_30JAN1997.html Scorecard]
| venue = Jan Smuts Stadium, Pietermaritzburg
| umpires = Robert Brooks and Brian Jerling
| motm =
| toss = South Africa A won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain = The match was abandoned due to rain.
| notes =
}}
Test matches
=1st Test=
{{Test match
| date =26–28 December 1996
| team1 ={{cr-rt|South Africa}}
| team2 ={{cr|India}}
| score-team1-inns1 =235 (86 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 =Andrew Hudson 80 (191)
| wickets-team1-inns1 =Venkatesh Prasad 5/60 (19 overs)
| score-team2-inns1 =100 (39.1 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 =Sourav Ganguly 16 (45)
| wickets-team2-inns1 =Allan Donald 5/40 (16 overs)
| score-team1-inns2 =259 (70 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 =Adam Bacher 55 (101)
| wickets-team1-inns2 =Venkatesh Prasad 5/93 (25 overs)
| score-team2-inns2 =66 (34.1 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 =Rahul Dravid 27 (73)
| wickets-team2-inns2 =Allan Donald 4/14 (11.1 overs)
| result =South Africa won by 328 runs
| umpires =Steve Dunne (NZ) and Dave Orchard (SA)
| report =[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63736.html Scorecard]
| toss =India won the toss and elected to field.
| rain =
| motm=Andrew Hudson (SA)
| notes = Adam Bacher (SA) made his Test debut.
- India's second innings total of 66 was their lowest against South Africa in Tests,{{cite web |title=First Test Match, South Africa v India |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153324.html |website=Wisden |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225124957/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153324.html |archive-date=25 December 2010 |url-status=live }} and fourth overall.
- Nayan Mongia broke the record for effecting most dismissals by an India wicket-keeper in a Test.
}}
After India won the toss and elected to field first, South Africa were bowled out for 235 runs. India managed just 100 runs in their first innings. South Africa in their second innings made 259, setting a target of 395 for India. India ended up scoring 66 runs, their fourth lowest total in Tests,{{cite web|title=Records / Test matches / Team records / Lowest innings totals|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/india/content/records/145832.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=16 September 2013}} thereby losing the match by 328 runs.
=2nd Test=
{{Test match
| date =2–6 January 1997
| team1 ={{cr-rt|RSA}}
| team2 ={{cr|IND}}
| score-team1-inns1 =529/7d (162.5 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 =Gary Kirsten 103 (204)
| wickets-team1-inns1 =Venkatesh Prasad 3/114 (36 overs)
| score-team2-inns1 =359 (92.2 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 =Sachin Tendulkar 169 (254)
| wickets-team2-inns1 =Paul Adams 2/49 (18 overs)
| score-team1-inns2 =256/6d (72 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 =Brian McMillan 59 (76)
| wickets-team1-inns2 =Javagal Srinath 3/78 (18 overs)
| score-team2-inns2 =144 (66.2 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 =VVS Laxman 35 (109)
| wickets-team2-inns2 =Allan Donald 3/40 (18 overs)
| result =South Africa won by 282 runs
| umpires =Darrell Hair (Aus) and Rudi Koertzen (SA)
| report =[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/63737.html Scorecard]
| toss =South Africa won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain =
| motm=Brian McMillan (SA)
| notes = Dodda Ganesh (Ind) made his Test debut.
- Lance Klusener scored his first century in Tests. It was the fastest by a South Africa player in terms of balls faced (100).{{cite web |title=Second Test Match, South Africa v India |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151915.html |work=Wisden |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125000820/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151915.html |archive-date=25 November 2010 |url-status=live }}
- Lance Klusener and Brian McMillan's partnership of 147 in their first innings was the highest for South Africa for the eighth wicket in Tests,{{cite web |title=Second Test Match, South Africa v India |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151915.html |website=Wisden |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125000820/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151915.html |archive-date=25 November 2010 |url-status=live }} before it was surpassed by Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock in 1999 (148).{{cite web |last1=Dean |first1=Geoffrey |title=Test Match, Zimbabwe v South Africa 1999-2000 |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153835.html |work=Wisden |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115123929/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153835.html |archive-date=15 January 2016 |url-status=live }}
- South Africa's first innings total of 529 was their highest in Tests since readmission, before they made 552 the following year.{{cite web |last1=Owen-Smith |first1=Michael |title=Third Cornhill Test, England v South Africa 1998 |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151922.html |work=Wisden |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805062935/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151922.html |archive-date=5 August 2011 |url-status=live }}
- Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin's partnership of 222 in their first innings is India's record for the sixth wicket in away Tests.{{cite web |last1=Gupta |first1=Rajneesh |title=Highest partnership in an overseas Test |url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2003/dec/14partner.htm |website=Rediff.com |access-date=25 August 2018 |date=14 December 2003}}{{cite web |title=Records, Test matches, Partnership records, India, 6th Wicket |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;home_or_away=2;orderby=fow_score;partnership_wicketmax1=6;partnership_wicketmin1=6;partnership_wicketval1=partnership_wicket;team=6;template=results;type=fow;view=innings |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=25 August 2018}}
}}
=3rd Test=
{{Test match
| date =16–20 January 1997
| team1 ={{cr-rt|IND}}
| team2 ={{cr|RSA}}
| score-team1-inns1 =410 (150.3 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 =Rahul Dravid 148 (362)
| wickets-team1-inns1 =Lance Klusener 3/75 (27 overs)
| score-team2-inns1 =321 (89.1 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 =Shaun Pollock 79 (158)
| wickets-team2-inns1 =Javagal Srinath 5/104 (25.1 overs)
| score-team1-inns2 =266/8d (83 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 =Rahul Dravid 81 (146)
| wickets-team1-inns2 =Allan Donald 3/38 (18 overs)
| score-team2-inns2 =228/8 (68 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 =Daryl Cullinan 122* (200)
| wickets-team2-inns2 =Anil Kumble 3/40 (23 overs)
| result =Match drawn
| venue =New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
| umpires = Cyril Mitchley (SA) and Peter Willey (Eng)
| report =[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/63738.html Scorecard]
| toss =India won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain =
| motm=Rahul Dravid (Ind)
| notes = Rahul Dravid (Ind) scored his first century in Tests.{{cite web |title=Full marks to his powers of concentration |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/magazine/full-marks-to-his-powers-of-concentration/article29640889.ece |website=Sportstar |access-date=8 March 2024 |date=October 2003}}
}}South Africa appealed for bad light and escaped defeat.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/series/62290.html Tour home] at ESPNcricinfo
- [http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/IND_IN_RSA India in South Africa, Dec 1996-Jan 1997] at ESPNcricinfo archive
- {{CricketArchive|ref=Archive/Events/2/India_in_South_Africa_and_Zimbabwe_1996-97|name=India in South Africa and Zimbabwe 1996/97}}
{{International cricket tours of South Africa}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Indian cricket team in South Africa in 1996-97}}
Category:1996 in South African cricket
Category:1997 in South African cricket
Category:South African cricket seasons from 1970–71 to 1999–2000
Category:International cricket competitions from 1994–95 to 1997