South Africa celebrates taking a New Zealand wicket in their crushing victory on Monday. (REUTERS)
Pity the International Cricket Association doesn’t have a mercy rule in place for Test cricket. It would have helped the embattled New Zealand team that is being mercilessly flogged on its current tour of South Africa.
The Black Caps crashed to an innings and 27-run loss in the first Test after being shot out for a meagre 45 in the first innings in Cape Town. Nothing changed in the second at Port Elizabeth on Monday. The Kiwis were humbled by an innings and 193 runs and lost the series 2-0. This column had predicted the Black Caps would have been better off staying at home than boarding that flight to Johannesburg as it had lost its focus following the unceremonial dumping of its former skipper Ross Taylor. The problems aren’t over yet as Taylor announced he will return from his self-imposed exile when England tours in March and this sets the stage for more fireworks.
Reports allege coach Mike Hesson conspired with manager Mike Sandle to have their best batsman demoted f
