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.
JohnB
Guest
The 2-0 win to Aust last time is a bit deceptive - SA led on the first innings in Perth before giving up 500 in the second innings. However, able to hold out themselves. Again competitive in the first innings in Melbourne, but not up to chasing 360 odd in the 4th ininings (not Robinson Crusoe there, and did the pitch deteriorate?). Led strongly on the first innings in Sydney, but then felt compelled to set a target for Australia, and arguably were a bit generous in doing so, and lost heavily in the face of a good innings from Hayden and Ponting. You could say 1-0 would have been a fairer reflection - and then what if they'd won the toss in Melbourne instead of Australia? That SA team looked a bit light on for bowling - Ntini (admittedly better than he probably is now), a fading Pollock and Nel, with a bit from Kallis, Langeveldt and assorted straight breakers. They look better this time. Rather supports the idea this shapes as being close.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
Actually just had a look at the stats for the 2005/06 series. Warne averaged 33 with the ball and McGrath averaged 40! Very interesting. http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005-06/RSA_IN_AUS/STATS/RSA_IN_AUS_DEC2005_JAN2006_TEST_AVS.html
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
South Africa haven't beaten Australia in a series since 1969/70 and have only won two of the last 18 Tests against the Aussies. Yes Australia did have Warne and McGrath, but South Africa had Donald and Pollock. If they are to win more than one batsman has to stand up. Last time they were here the only batsman to offer consistent resistance was Ashwell Prince.
sheek
Guest
Geoff, SA have had better teams than this & failed before. But of course, we all know it doesn't work like that! The Proteas have an experienced & settled lineup, much like England in 2004-05. And they have the master plotter Duncan Fletcher on board. As Spiro suggests, if they're going to upset the Aussies, this is the opportunity to do it. The Aussies are vulnerable, down in confidence a little, & variable form across the board. Sledging is all good fun - until someone gets hurt!
Spiro Zavos
Expert
The point Geoff makes about the sledging intriques me. It has seemed to me that since this time last year when the Indians responded, often with verbal violence and antics, to the continual and vicious sledging from the Australian players and forced them to hold back on the verballing that Australia has lost a lot of its edge in the Tests. The vicious sledging made batting against Australia such an unpleasant experience that many opposition batsmen cracked. But with the verbals toned down somewhat this pressure on the opposing batsmen has been toned down and the resistance, especially from the Indian batsmen, markedly increased. In this sort of situation where deeds rather than words will be the most important factor it will be interesting to see if the South Africans can put up good enough scores for their bowlers to deliver a victory. If the South Africans can't do it this time, you doubt whether they can do in the next decade. The batting line-up is mature. The bowling line-up has Dale Steyn at what should be the peak of his career. The only problem for South Africa is the lack of a world class spinner, a perennial problem for them since the days decades ago of Hugh Tayfield.