The missing South Africa series victory
Look closely at the Basil D'Oliveira Trophy. Did the 2012 series really happen after all?
The result of the South Africa-England series was confirmed last week in Johannesburg, and after the Centurion was finished Alastair Cook was able to get hold of the Basil D'Oliveira Trophy which the sides now compete for.
It had been in South Africa's hands since 2008 when, inspired by Graeme Smith, they clinched the series at Edgbaston. They retained it with the 1-1 draw in the 2009-10 series and, again, kept hold out of it with their impressive 2-0 victory in England in 2012.
But, wait a moment. Did that series really happen? Zoom in on the trophy as it was presented to Cook and it appears not to have been engraved. Now, there are a few Englishmen who would probably be fairly happy to forgot that series - the bowlers who conceded 637 for 2 at The Oval, Kevin Pietersen for those text messages and Andrew Strauss for all the off-field politics he had to deal with and ultimately his retirement - but surely it is one of the proudest moments for South Africa?
No doubt it is just an oversight - and it may even be hidden on the other side of the plinth - but if anyone knows the number of a good engraver you may want to pass it on.
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