Why South Africa won’t beat Australia
Roar Pro By Benjamin Conkey, 3 Dec 2008 Benjamin Conkey is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Australian Cricket, Bangladesh, Cricket, Murali, New Zealand, Proteas, Ricky Ponting, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies
I feel a sense of déjà vu with the upcoming Australia-South Africa series. The Channel Nine commentators, noticeably aware of the possible downturn in ratings due to New Zealand’s dire performances, reassured viewers that the Kiwis were merely an entree to the main course of the Proteas. Haven’t we heard that before?
Yep, we have.
It was the same last time South Africa toured. The West Indies were thumped three-zip in the Frank-Worrell Trophy, leading to the promise of better things to come from the Cricket Boks.
Of course, it didn’t really eventuate. The best South Africa could manage was a draw in the First Test in Perth, eventually losing the series 2-0.
This time we’re told it will be different.
Sorry to be a kill-joy, but I’m not convinced. I don’t care how many matches South Africa have won over the last eight years, they can’t play against Australia in five-day cricket.
Even taking into account their apparent whizz-bang bowling line-up and the loss of Warne and McGrath from Australia’s arsenal, I can’t see them winning on Australian turf.
It’s true that Dale Steyn is the leading wicket taker this year and, yes, the Proteas do have several batsmen amongst the top runs scorers in world cricket.
These figures are, however, inflated due to South Africa playing no less than four Test matches against Bangladesh, a fact conveniently forgotten by Tony Greig and purposely exploited by Ricky Ponting – the master of putting the pressure on the opposition in pre-match talk.
The reason why South Africa have not beaten Australia in recent times is simple – none of the experienced batsmen have EVER scored consistent runs against Australia.
In fact, only two of the current Proteas (Kallis and Prince) have scored a century against an Australian side. It’s just not good enough for a team that’s been bridesmaid for close to a decade.
The middle order lacks an aggressive player. Amla, Prince and Kallis are all accumulators of runs and rarely dominate an innings, which suits Ponting’s control tactics.
It often feels like a South African innings never takes off once Smith is out. Even Boucher seems to have gone on the defensive in his batting approach.
If South Africa are any chance, so much depends on Dale Steyn. But I believe this over reliance will cost them because Australia will play it smart. They’ll play Steyn just like they play Sri Lanka’s spin wizard Murali, offering few chances while he’s bowling and milking runs from the other bowlers.
Australia’s aggressive approach to their cricket will win out once again.
South Africa’s batting weaknesses will be exposed against consistent bowling and the gap between the two sides will be revealed.
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- Explore:
- Australian Cricket, Bangladesh, Cricket, Murali, New Zealand, Proteas, Ricky Ponting, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies
December 21st 2008 @ 8:43pm
Darryn said | December 21st 2008 @ 8:43pm | Report comment
To all of you who wrote S. Africa off…….EAT THAT!!!!!….Do you have any more predictions Mr Benjamin Conkey?
December 22nd 2008 @ 12:35pm
Cameron said | December 22nd 2008 @ 12:35pm | Report comment
I bet you feel like a right idiot now… Hmmm… You can add 2 names to that list of centurions, and I’m guessing Amla and McKenzie will be added to that same list shortly.
What does it say about Australia’s bowling “attack” that a team with such “weaknesses” in their batting lodged the second highest run chase on them in history..
I can’t wait to read your excuse for this one…
December 22nd 2008 @ 4:03pm
Joho said | December 22nd 2008 @ 4:03pm | Report comment
WAT NOU?
What now Mr Conkey and more wonkey predictions?
December 24th 2008 @ 2:45am
John said | December 24th 2008 @ 2:45am | Report comment
This article is completely biased and has been proven completely untrue. well done south africa.
December 29th 2008 @ 6:05pm
The Ed from S.A. said | December 29th 2008 @ 6:05pm | Report comment
I’ll comment tomorrow, once S.A have won the match by 8-10? wickets and have taken the series…
December 29th 2008 @ 6:09pm
Mark Nieuwoudt said | December 29th 2008 @ 6:09pm | Report comment
Quote “South Africa’s batting weaknesses will be exposed against consistent bowling and the gap between the two sides will be revealed.” This should read… “Australia’s bowling weaknesses will be exposed against consistent batting and the gap between the two sides will be revealed.”
Please research your subject before publishing an article. Well done SA.
December 29th 2008 @ 7:54pm
photon said | December 29th 2008 @ 7:54pm | Report comment
You gotta love it. 3 nil 3 nil, yeah 3 nil to South Africa maybe. Here’s how tomorrow will go, Smith will just tell the guys to bat for time, and this series will be won an hour before tea. Oh you gotta love it, paybacks a b….! Hussey’ little jig before dropping steyn, although I’m not sure you can really call it a drop, is the funniest thing I’ve seen in ages
December 29th 2008 @ 8:00pm
photon said | December 29th 2008 @ 8:00pm | Report comment
ha ha ha
December 30th 2008 @ 2:10pm
The Ed from S.A. said | December 30th 2008 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
@ Mark: I couldn’t put it better.
I Love this article. It shows the arrogance and the pure stupidity of Australian cricketing mentalities. Please can the great sporting Nostradamus; Benjamin Conkey, please remove his head from his a$$ so that he can comfortably accommodate both his feet. Would it be too much to ask for a published apology for your shocking bad article? I’m only asking, since somehow this website allowed him to write this glorious piece of cricketing journalism. Its not a personal attack, it’s a request that Ben actually take some accountability for this horrendously written and short sighted article.
Congratz S.A. You made us proud. And sorry to Australia; please accept our most sincere condolences.
December 30th 2008 @ 2:40pm
Spiro Zavos said | December 30th 2008 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
The Ed from S.A. The article actually made good sense at the time. But the fascinating thing about sport is its ‘glorious uncertainty.’ Can The Ed put his hands across his heart and tell us that he hasn’t confidently predicted a South African victory in cricket or rugby (with a very convincing analysis on why this will come about) only to be proved wrong?
Part of the fun of sport is trying to work out what will happen before the event actually happens. Then, when the prediction is correct taking the credit for it. And when it is wrong, being sledged by supporters of the opposition.
It should be remembered, too, that Australia was in a positions to win both Tests.
South Africa had to complete the highest fourth innings score ever in the 130-year history of Test cricket in Australia to win at Perth.
And at the MCG, at the end of the second day South Africa was 7 – 180 and staring at a huge first inning deficit, and probably the Test.
Graciousness is as important in victory is in defeat, as often the difference between the two outcomes can be very fine indeed.
A tremendous achievement by a well-coached, skilled, well-led and disciplined side which sets up the Test series in South Africa beautifully.