- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
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.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.