Virtually five consecutive days in the field left the South African side footsore and weary as they began their reply to Zimbabwe's painstaking 419 for 9 declared and that reason alone was probably sufficient to explain their own slow progress in reaching 519 for 8 in reply. South Africa were in the field for 262 overs at Harare after enforcing the follow-on and then another 178 at the beginning of this Test,which began after just two days' break. It was little wonder the bowlers encouraged the batsmen to take their time.

The huge, tangible desire for victory that characterised the South Africans' performance at Harare was gone by the time they batted at Bulawayo and they were happy to return the bloody grind handed to them by the home side.

The final two hours produced some moments of excitement but there was never, ever, the danger of an upset. Zimbabwe were simply required to bat for a session and although the pitch was breaking up, they were never under pressure.

If South Africa had batted with just 10% more purpose throughout their innings, or any purpose at all during lengthy periods of it, they would have earned themselves at least another couple of hours to bowl at the Zimbabweans at the end. The prospect of surviving four or five hours at the end of a seven-hour day would have placed the home side under pressure before a ball was even bowled and that could have made all the difference.

If there is one thing the South African team hate more than losing, it is criticism. They were highly defensive of their tactics and pointed to the slow approach of the Zimbabweans which dictated the course of the match and to the slow pitch which made run-scoring awkward. Pollock's glitzy cameo of 41 from 57 balls put paid to the pitch argument. And surely a team like South Africa should not allow themselves to be dictated to by a team like Zimbabwe.

There was bloodymindedness in this Test, and it was not fun to watch. If bloodymindedness is the only weapon the poor man has to avoid defeat, maintain pride and avoid embarrassment, then the rich man should be clever enough to counter it with something more imaginative.

Neil Manthorp is a director of the South African sports news agency MWP Media Sport.

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