Almanac Cricket – South Africa v Australia 2026, Third Test: Cricket, my game.

CRICKET, MY GAME

It is 7.10 pm AEDT and I have been preparing for the final day of what has been a most absorbing test of strength between South Africa and Australia.

It’s anybody’s game at the moment but SA are the slight favourites with Australia having to make 288 to take the series.

I had booked and paid for everything in August but circumstances prevented my attendance but that’s cricket and life. On air I had tipped South Africa 3 Australia 0.

I am taking the opportunity to write because of the annual tale “that Test cricket is dying”. I wish my life lasts as long as it, cricket, has been dying for well over 100 years.

This series has been again a gladiatorial competition between two nations that have little love for one another both on and off the field. But what a competition.

I revisited the media to glean some more knowledge of the series and was not surprised with the interest being shown here in Oz. We love our sport like no other but we also believe that change is inevitable. No player lasts forever.

The moment I loved the most was the comments coming from the pens (age again!) of many of the letters to the dailies. Particularly in Victoria at the axing of Scott Boland from the final game.

HERE ARE A FEW SNIPPETS –

“ In what profession can you fail or your major KPI’s yet still receive your maximum salary? The Australian men’s first XI.

David Cayzer ,The Australian 29/10/26

“The critical selection problem Australian cricket faces is the selection of the selectors”

David Champion, The Age 29/10/26

“ What does Scott Boland need to do for selection? Give blood?”

Ingrid Rodger, The Age 29/10/26

7.40pm and Renshaw (0) and Labuschagne (4) are out in Rabada’s first over!

HERE ENDETH THE LESSON!

Marco Jansen player of the series in my opinion. He has been the one constant in all three Test matches. (7.55pm)

It would be wonderful if Australia could produce all-rounders of the calibre of Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder in today’s team and in the past Jacques Kallis, Eddie Barlow, Trevor Goddard, Mike Proctor, JP Duminy. Just who was our last great all-rounder? K.R.Miller I think.

Back to our fans

“Scott Boland left out of the third Test. Please explain!”

Don Hyatt. The Age 29/10/26

“Administrators are the scourge of most things. He (Bland) and Head basically the only one with pass mark and he gets dropped. Wish he was 26 and defected to NZ or UK or anywhere!”

George Munro , Facebook 28/10/26

“What is wrong with the selectors, need their heads read!”

Lorraine O’Sullivan, Facebook 28/10/26

Just remember these are a very small sample from people who care about the great game. Wonderful stuff.

Senior cricket writer Barney Ronay from The Guardian (UK) wrote a marvellous piece that probably was not seen in Australia about Tembo Bavuma in particular, and the game. “Moments of beauty, gold, legend……. T20 can’t produce these. It’s throwaway content, poor social celebrity fawning.” The Guardian 24/10/26).

9.15pm and Australia are 6/46 and it is free entry for anyone who wants to see the final coup d’etat.

In the words of that great football coach David Parkin, South Africa had too many A Graders and B pluses as against Australia’s mainly B graders.

Now we can get to bed early for the next few weeks before my favourite team, New Zealand, cross the ditch to play a four Test series.

Australia’s team? I am afraid there might be only one change for Perth on December 10th – Labuschagne out and Smith in. Sorry.

More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.

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At 86 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named ‘Chloe on Flinders’ and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.