LEFT ARM OVER
NEIL MANTHORP: Match no drag as Smokers take on non-Smokers in fiery clash
The 1886-87 England down under tour’s final fixture ended with a memorably classy clash
End-of-tour fatigue syndrome is a regular occurrence these days, with SA’s meek capitulation to New Zealand in the final Test before being saved by the rain the most recent example of a team experiencing an obvious decline in performance after five or six weeks on the road. It wasn’t always like this. A few years ago it took so long just to arrive for a Test tour that players felt they had semi-emigrated anyway, and several did. Fixtures weren’t what they are now and many games were arranged for nothing more than the sheer joy of playing and, of course, the pleasure of a wager. Betting underscored the game in its earliest years. The earliest Test matches between England and Australia weren’t necessarily the highlights of a tour. It was equally important to secure victories against the state or county sides to show you could really conquer the country rather than just one team. It explains the contests between teams representing the lords, earls and other landed gentry. There was als...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.