Recording an impressive 2-0 series win against New Zealand restored the universal cricketing maxim, but the real test will be against the incoming South Africans.
Despite confident sounds from the Black Caps coming into this game, it was unlikely that the now eighth ranked test team (this series loss has dropped them below the West Indies) would have either the players or the form to compete against Australia.
The second Test was summed up by the commentators: “to take advantage of Adelaide, you need either turning spinners or all out fast bowlers.” Daniel Vettori is a bowler that likes to attack in the air, not off the pitch, and New Zealand does not have the bowling arsenal to threaten Australia on their own turf.
This is in essence the difference between teams on home territory. The baggy greens swashbuckling batting order and their pace batteries are tailor made for the decks of Australia.
While the series loss in India had many crying the demise of the hegemony of Australian cricket, India – at probably their most powerful – has a team designed to compete on subcontinent pitches.
Michael Clarke – named player of the series – and Brett Lee, the man of the match in Adelaide, were far different players back at the comfort at home.
Lee, in theory the spearhead of the Australian attack, was a non entity in India, but was back to his best taking twelve wickets in the two Tests (he took only eight in four tests against India). Lee has now taken over 300 test wickets, but interestingly, is the only player in history to pass this mark without taking six wickets in an innings.
But this series has also seen the continued emergence of Mitchell Johnson, the best fast bowler in Australian colours this season.
After being the leading wicket taker in India with thirteen wickets, he led the attacks in the Trans Tasman series taking fourteen at a brilliant average of 11.
New Zealand, missing Jacob Oram and having lost players to the lucrative Indian leagues, struggled not only to take Australian wickets but also with a very inexperienced and exposed batting order. No New Zealand batsmen averages even in the late thirties, and only three times did Black Cap batsmen pass 50 runs.
Such poor returns ensured that Australia was realistically never challenged.
New Zealand must now regroup, with coach John Bracewell departing the setup. While he has been instrumental in their strong showings as a one day side, they have struggled in the five day format, not winning a test away from home against anyone but Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
Incoming coach, Englishmen Andy Moles, has an extensive background, playing for Warwickshire and Griqualand West, and scoring over 15,000 runs at first class level. But never has he been in the elite bracket.
The former Kenya and Scotland coach has strong goals, stating that he wishes to push New Zealand into the top five of the world within a year.
For Australia, a win against New Zealand must be taken into perspective.
Graeme Smith and his proteas are the second ranked team in the world, and are unbeaten in their last nine Test series.
Along with Neil McKenzie, the South African batting order of Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher will combine with South Africa’s best batsman, Jacques Kallis. Kallis.
Australia will also be exposed to pace spearhead Dale Steyn. The 2008 ICC test player of the year – who overtook Allan Donald as the fastest protea to take 100 test wickets – will enjoy the grounds of Australia.
South Africa will play three tests against Australia.
It will be number one versus number two in the world. The visitors have never beaten Australia at home since their readmission in 1991, and many believe that this will be their best chance.
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