It has been quite a few summers since the dominance of the home team has been publicly doubted heading into the commencement of a series. I don’t really count the just completed Black Caps series, when there was a modicum of dissenting discussion following the Indian debacle, Andrew Symond’s behavior, and the fading form of some leading players.
Fortunately for Australia, the Kiwis tried hard but eventually were short of class.
You could argue either that Australia were not at their best or that they didn’t have to be in the truncated season entrée. Ponting’s men may have appreciated the soft introduction to the Southern summer after their tough six weeks on the sub-continent.
Certainly Brett Lee’s form improved, Stuart Clarke gained full fitness, and the whole team re-acclimatised to bouncy pitches, bland cuisine and tap water.
Question marks still remain on the form and future of Matthew Hayden and Symonds.
Surely Shane Watson will be the all rounder in Perth given his outstanding bowling in India and again in the Shield match last week at the ‘Gabba. He is in form, Symonds is NOT, and there will be no time for getting into peak form during a Test match.
The South Africans have played some very tough, well disciplined and thoroughly planned cricket in the last year and a half and are leaving no computer unbooted in their march forward.
Several former international coaches have been contacted and some engaged (especially Duncan Fletcher) to formulate a winning scheme. Expense doesn’t seem to be a problem (cf Pakistan Cricket, who refused to appoint even an assistant or engage a sports psychologist for their previous coach!)
The Proteas are serious, not “deadly”, but you get the sporting analogy. So don’t expect much light banter from them on or off the field during the next couple of months.
If Australia open their mouths inappropriately, they will cop it back with a multiple. India learned how easily Australia can be unbalanced and have their attention diverted from the main game when an opponent refuses to accept the verbal assaults.
It will be a significant challenge for the Australians to ‘box clever’ and keep their mouths closed. Leaving Symonds out of the 12 may be a prudent first step towards that cause.
The series is billed at Number One versus Number Two, and the ICC rankings reflect the ladder truly for a change.
South African can win this series.
Australia must improve over recent showings. Hayden’s illustrious career may be finished if he loses the battle with Steyn and N’tini and perhaps then Australia can move forward.
Chris Rogers continues to pile up the credentials to take that spot.
This will be Test series worthy of the title.
This series’ twelfth and final team has a distinct West Indian flavour at the top of the order, and a domineering captain.
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