Contests between Australia and South Africa always seem to have something about them.
Though not quite an Ashes series, matches between the two nations nonetheless tend to have that extra level of excitement for fans in the anticipation of quality cricket and hardness at the contest.
In recent times, the teams have been relatively evenly matched. However before this series, most pundits were predicting a South African win, largely due to the quality of their bowling attack and recent winning record.
The Australian batting order was still seen as potentially vulnerable, especially without the injured Shane Watson.
However despite these predictions, the first Test match of the summer has concluded with little indication of who might win the series, ending in a draw.
The Proteas finished at 5/166 after Michael Clarke (259*) declared at 5/565. The Aussie captain was content with a 115 run lead and a chance to have a crack at the South African batsmen.
Hussey (100) had by then been added to the list of century makers, before Morne Morkel had him caught by substitute Faf du Plessis. Morkel was the best of the South African bowlers, with 3/127.
James Pattinson (2/58) once again took wickets, along with Nathan Lyon (2/41) and Peter Siddle (1/36). Jacques Kallis (49) was steady for South Africa, while Amla (38) and De Villiers (29*) also made starts.
Neither side is claiming to have the upper hand for the next test in Adelaide, a path of least resistance designed to limit the amount of pressure on performance.
But it is also a measure of two sides that, at least in this match, it was more even than anticipated.
Despite early wickets, the Australian batting line-up flourished. A side described as brittle by many stood up against the world number one pace attack.
The South African bowlers too did not look as invincible as had been reported leading up to the Gabba Test.
Dale Steyn (1/129), Vernon Philander (0/103) and Morkel all looked dangerous at times, but they took stick as well. Rory Kleindvelt (0/97) bowled 12 out a total of 23 no balls, a damning statistic for such a professional unit.
Both teams can improve but predicting which one will is no easy task.
The advantage of all of this from a spectator’s point of view is that the winner of the series is hard to predict. There is no real indication at this stage which team will be able to take control for long enough to determine the outcome.
This makes for great viewing. The nine days between Test matches will build the anticipation and excitement.
If the Test series between Australia and South Africa continues in the same way as it started at the Gabba, the result may be in doubt right up until the last moment.
As a cricket fan, that’s fine by me.
pope paul v11
Guest
I'll tell you what else will improve the SA chances. Pat Howard, Performance Manager. I wasn't aware we had a Performance Manager or a Pat Howard but we do and he speaks, admittedly for Invers and the selection panel. Apparently Watto, erstwhile golden child, is a no go unless he can bowl. Watto reckons he won't be up to bowling until at least Perth, ergo no Watto. Pat then bangs on about the selectors placing high value on batsmen who can bowl and goes on to talk up Quiney as a bowling option for the allegedly deep SA batting, now less so with JP coming to grief . Whatever happened to batsmen who can bat? Rule number 1 is pick your best 6 batsmen and if one can bowl a bit good luck but if not, pick your best 6. Bear in mind that this pitch was absolutely dead. I wouldn't pay much attention to SAs 5/166 as they were never in real danger. If they ever do need a real batsman there is a bloke playing for Queensland called Khawaja who is easily amongst the top 6 batsmen in Australia. If they don't pick Khawaja they are insane.
Jason
Guest
Indeed. The Gabba test has only improved the odds for South Africa.
Dave
Guest
I agree that the series may be a bit closer in than many predicted but I would still put South Africa out in front. When considering that the game ended in a draw one should remember SA played almost the entire match a man down. Duminy was a big loss, you only need to look at Amla's bowling to see how much his bowling was missed. Their bowling attack failed, but Steyn and co are not known for putting in 2 bad performances in a series. Rory K will likely make way for Tahir. The flip side is when was the last time Australia's bowling attack put in 2 dominant performances in a row against top shelf opposition? My concerns about the batting line-up remain. A score of 3-40 hardly fosters a sense of optimism.
Bearfax
Guest
Hope so James. He has certainly had a golden year, and I well understand his desire to keep Ponting and Hussey in the side with the vulnerable top order. At the moment the opening pair are very much a hit and miss proposal. Warner could be something special, but someone has to get hold of the kid and have him play more conservatively at the beginning of an innings to ensure he has his eye in. Recently he's been a quick snare for opposition bowlers. The Gabba certainly suited the pedestrian and generally defensive Cowan, because there were no gremlins in it. Most batsmen were getting out because of flashy strokes. All credit to Cowan for sticking to his style, but I have serious concerns when he has to face these bowlers on a more active surface. His latest effort is 'fools gold' in a sense in that it probably saved his position only temporarily, especially when you consider that so far this summer in Oz he had been averaging just over 21 from seven innings (the test century took his summer average to 34.5). Not sure why Quiney has been put in the team. This summer so far he has played eight innings at an average of 29. Compare that with Hughes first class average this summer here in Oz at 41.5 in nine innings, Burns at 40.4 in thirteen innings and Khawaja at 49 in nine innings. But hey the selectors know best dont they. I still think South Africa will be too good in this contest.
James
Guest
I believe he will continue. He is going on to become one of the all time great batsmen. And he is beginning to show real class as a Captain.
Bearfax
Guest
But how will we cope if Clarke goes off the boil. He's been winning games almost alone for the past 12 months.