Former South African batting mainstay Daryll Cullinan tells Nihal Koshie that years of experience in the sub-continent has made the Proteas more wristy
On how the India-SA rivalry has grown over the years
In those days coming back into international cricket was about dealing with the great unknown. We never grew up watching India play or watching international cricket because of the apartheid system. The initial tours were about learning how to play in the sub-continent. A wholesome respect has developed over the years as we have played against some of India’s great players. It has developed into a tough rivalry. India have become a tougher team mentally and a very imposing side. We have enjoyed the variety India brings to their game with the spinners.
On where this rivalry stands
From a South African perspective we consider playing in India a bigger challenge than playing Australia in Australia or England in England. An Indian tour brings lot of travelling, lots of crowds, tiring conditions and wickets you won’t find, in terms of spinning, anywhere else in the world.
On why South Africa have done well in India
It helps that we have had the pace bowlers. If you look at the stats over the past few years, then pace bowlers have taken three times the wickets than spinners. We also have the ability to be patient about the conditions and we have had an accommodating attitude when in India. We have had the pace to put the Indian batsmen under pressure. For example, Tendulkar in eight Test matches only averages 28 against us in India!
On how SA batsmen have overcome weakness against spin
We have learnt to work the ball into the gaps, we have become more wristy and we play the ball late. That probably comes with having to deal more with spin and in turn getting comfortable with it. I think the sweep shot was used by some players more than others and it was a shot Bob (Woolmer) introduced. When we first came to India we had no one to share any experience with us. During my first tour we had 32 Test caps amongst us and 29 of those were of Kepler Wessels. For us it was an absolute trip of discovery going on those first tours — India, Sri Lanka and
Pakistan.
On what it will take India or SA to dominate Tests
You need depth. The reason why Australia dominated in the 90s is because they had players who could fit into the Test level as soon as they are picked. Guys just can’t be brought into Test cricket, unless they are proven winners at the first-class level. Otherwise if you lose two-three key players due to injury or loss of form then you are not going to be right up there and you won’t dominate for a generation. In South Africa, depth is a concern though we have talent.
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