Was it the greatest act of deception the game of modern day cricket has ever seen? Well, probably not, as much as the idea appeals to the spirit of cheering on the underdog. Zimbabwe recieved a welcoming gift in the form a genuine thrashing from the Eagles in Bloemfontein, and the chance of a competitive one-day series between the African neighbours looks on the unlikely side of remote or thereabouts.
But that doesn't mean it isn't a series without purpose. Efforts are being made to rehabilitate the game in Zimbabwe while the political status quo remains unbothered by genuine international concern for the country's demise, that said, there's still a flicker of hope that cricket may just cling on for survival despite the chaos within which it exists.
Earlier in the week, coach Kevin Curren insisted that there is plenty of talent in Zimbabwe, and that exposure and experience are crucial in developing some sort of credible team. The brightest group amongst that talent pool will get a severe working over in the up coming weeks, with the Champions Trophy looming, and hopes of a return to Test cricket late next year will depend on signs of improvement against the big names in limited overs cricket first.
And the Zimbabweans will be well aware of that, which will make them tenacious opponents; it's unlikely to translate them into instant victors, however, as a nine-wicket Pro20 loss, given it was their first time in that format of the game, against a strong but not world-beating Free State side underlines. South Africa's batsmen could find themselves umbling over themselves to get to the crease, bowlers will be eyeing their averages eagerly, and Zimbabwe will hope for respectability spiked with the odd individual performance thrown in for good measure (and TV revenue) and one might find yourself thinking that a competitive team can be re-built.
For South Africa, then, it's a gentle introduction to a long season in which the one-day game sits eminently poised. The fact that Pakistan and India arrive for Test matches over the summer has been largely lost in the groundswell of limited overs debate, a situation fuelled by South Africa's one-day form being considerably more polished than the Test form at the moment. The Champions Trophy awaits in India, gauge for every international team that has its eye on the West Indies next year, and a World Cup looks somewhat more in South Africa’s range. The chase at the Wanderers in the greatest one-day game ever makes for recollection for the players, let alone supporters at a surreal level, it's also a significant reminder of the talent South Africa can call on. It took Australia setting a target of 434 to make South Africa realise just what they were capable of, but now they know, and that knowledge should make them rightfully confident of their one-day strength at the moment. Not every game will be played on a flat track at the Wanderers with short boundaries, of course, and smaller but equally tricky chases on less benign pitches lie ahead. But with Jacques Kallis returning now, and Graeme Smith to follow shortly, the squad will be at full strength, with the balance of the ideal XI the remaining test for Mickey Arthur. Which slow bowler to play, where to bat Shaun Pollock, who to include in the seam attack — there's a little tweaking to do, but the foundation of a very good side is well in place. Is it a side good enough to win the World Cup?
The Zimbabwe series will be a gentle introduction back into the game for the Proteas with a more meaningful examination to come at the Champions Trophy; if the Wanderers momentum can be upheld despite a long one-day break, then India could be a good tournament for South Africa. Wait until then for meaningful assessment. For this series however, spare a thought for a battling Zimbabwe, and look out for any sign of promise in a team trying desperately to defy the situation back home.
So if Zimbabwean cricket looks to be on the back foot of the standard set by a provincial South African team, is it fair to put them on the world stage? Or does everybody love to cheer for the underdog?
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