New Delhi: 13 years have passed but the bizarre events that unfolded in the opening Test between South Africa and Australia at Cape Town are still fresh in the memories of the cricket fans. An astonishing two-and-a-half day Test match at the Newlands witnessed parts of all four innings being played on Day 2, on which 23 wickets fell for the first time in Test history.
That was not all, the Test also saw a batter from both teams dismissed twice in a day and No. 11 emerging as the top-scorer in the innings.
After posting a decent total of 284 in the first innings courtesy of a superb 151 by Michael Clarke, Australia bowled out South Africa for 96 and took a commanding 188-run lead. But their jubilation was short-lived. Led by an inspired bowling spell by Vernon Philander, the Proteas bundled Australia out for 47 – their lowest total since 1902 and went on to win the Test by eight wickets on Day 3. The home side achieved the run 236-run target courtesy of sensational centuries from skipper Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla.
During the run-chase, an uncanny event unfolded on Day 3 morning, which happened to be November 11, 2011. At exactly 11:11, South Africa required 111 runs on the 11th day of the 11th month in 2011. At that moment, the scoreboard read 11:11 11/11/11 which prompted Cricket South Africa to ask all the fans in the crowd to stand on one leg for that minute, staying true to the tradition of ‘Nelson’.
What is Nelsen?
In cricket, “Nelson” means the number 111 and multiples of it, such as 222 (double Nelson) or 333 (triple Nelson). The term is associated with the iconic English umpire David Shepherd, who used to hop and skip on the field whenever the score struck a Nelson. The late umpire believed that Nelson was unlucky and that having no body part touching the ground would bring better luck.
During the Cape Town Test between South Africa and Australia in 2011, an uncanny event unfolded when at exactly 11:11, SA needed 111 runs on the 11th day of the 11th month in 2011. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
