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Australia’s title as Test cricket’s kings goes on the line this month in South Africa and the man who guided Australia to world supremacy says the Proteas hold most of the aces.
“South Africa have the luxury of getting home and setting themselves up specifically for that Test series against Australia,” former Australia coach John Buchanan told AAP.
“That’s a significant advantage for South Africa.”
While Australia have slogged it out in a five-match series of one-day internationals against New Zealand, Graeme Smith’s South Africans have returned home to rest up for another epic three-Test series, following their historic 2-1 victory in Australia last month.
Having completed the one-day series against the Kiwis on Friday night in Brisbane, Australia face a Twenty20 International against Daniel Vettori’s men on Sunday at the SCG. Ricky Ponting’s 14-man Test squad finally departs for Johannesburg on Monday.
The Australians will play a three-day tour game at Potchefstroom starting on February 20.
The match is an opportunity for hopefuls such as four-Test spinner Nathan Hauritz and the uncapped leg-spinner Bryce McGain to impress selectors before the first Test starts on February 26 at Johannesburg’s famous “Bull Ring” Wanderers Stadium.
McGain says Australia have gained some momentum from their win in the dead-rubber third Test in January against South Africa.
“With Peter Siddle being man of the match and Andrew McDonald and Doug Bollinger playing their first Tests, they were able to come out on top,” McGain told AAP.
“That was really encouraging.”
It’s a highly inexperienced bowling attack, however, with West Australian Mitchell Johnson likely to be partnered by fellow left-armer Doug Bollinger from NSW and Victorian duo Siddle and McGain.
The four bowlers have played a combined 23 Tests including new pace spearhead Johnson’s 18.
Leading quicks Brett Lee and Stuart Clark are absent through injury and all-rounder McDonald is also set to be thrown into the deep end in Johannesburg after Andrew Symonds was ruled out because of off-field dramas.
McGain, 36, says he feels fresher and fitter than before his shoulder injury cost him a Test debut in India in October.
“I’ve had the operation. While I was doing the rehab I was running and I really had another pre-season,” he said.
“My arm feels just great and it feels really strong. The tendon probably deteriorated slowly over time.
“Now it just feels it’s all completely there. It actually feels better than what I felt when I was bowling previously.
“A couple of leg-spinners who have played for Australia, Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill, have done well against South Africa in the past.
“Their whole batting lineup has got some great strengths.
“If I do get an opportunity I’m not just there for the excitement of playing for Australia, I’m there to do a job to the best of my ability.
“Sometimes that will be bowling defensively and attacking from the other end, maybe supporting the quicks.
“But I’m certain there will be times in the game when it will be time for me to really go after it and be that attacking weapon in the team.”
The Test pitches in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town are expected to assist South Africa’s strong pace attack, led by last year’s leading Test wicket-taker Dale Steyn (with 74 victims).
But McGain is backing his side’s pace attack and his own ability to become a strike weapon.
“Where there is seam movement, the ball certainly spins as well,” he said.
“Good bounce is always a very good weapon for a spinner to have, so it’s not all about sideways spin.”
Australia face a massive task to prick the bubble of South Africa’s enthusiasm now they are back on home turf, especially with inspirational skipper Smith returning to full fitness following elbow and hand injuries.
Ponting and Mike Hussey are the only two members of Australia’s current Test squad who played in the 3-0 triumph in South Africa three years ago.
“There’s no doubt experience counts on a team and South Africa is not an easy place to tour,” says Buchanan, who stepped down as coach after Australia’s World Cup success in 2007.
“Conditions are somewhat similar but there’s travel and the period away from home.
“It can be a place full of distractions if you allow that to occur.”
Buchanan says the opening pairing of uncapped 20-year-old Phil Hughes and his fellow NSW left-hander Simon Katich will be crucial to Australia’s hopes.
“I still believe the key will be our top-order batting which has been inconsistent,” said Buchanan, reflecting on the impact last month’s retirement of Matthew Hayden will have on Australia.
“We need that platform to build on.
“Katich is playing exceptionally well at the moment. He knows his game inside out and he knows Hughes and will be a good sounding board for Hughes.
“Johannesburg can provide really good batting and bowling conditions, but it can be a pretty intimidating place to play against Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Morne Morkel and Jacques Kallis.”
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