How about this for an ultimate Australian cricket fans fantasy? Complete obliteration of England in a brutal Ashes whitewash that has sent shockwaves through the English camp off the field.
Seeing hated foes such as Jonathan Trott, Graeme Swann and Matt Prior laid in waste as the casualties during the tour, as well as the trio of Cook, Flower and Pietersen loaded in the gun as part of its aftermath.
The fantasy was made all the more lovely for the fact we saw it happen.
In the face of this, we can be forgiven for allowing hysteria to delve into delusion with us now sure we will ascend to our rightful place atop the Test cricket summit, starting with a victory over South African.
In thinking this, we are contemplating a four-minute mile when just having learned to walk again.
I say this as the impressive whitewash was achieved despite the team’s batting still being fundamentally flawed, with the tail rescuing it all series long. This was inspired by Brad Haddin, making a comeback that would have cast Lazarus as his back-up.
Consider these first innings figures to show the effect that the Aussie tail had on the series – the contribution of the top order, with the final score in brackets.
First Test, Brisbane: 5-100 (295)
Second Test, Adelaide: 5-257 (570)
Third Test, Perth: 5-143 (385)
Fourth Test, Melbourne: 6-122 (204)
Fifth Test, Sydney: 5-97 (326)
That is 1057 runs added by the 7-11 batsmen at an average of 44.
Against the outstanding South African attack in their own backyard, these deeds will not be replicated. For Australia to stand a chance, it will need its top six to stand up.
Fans will say that they achieved that in the recent series by pointing to the nine centuries scored by the top six, with only George Bailey missing out.
While one can respect this, seven of the nine centuries were scored in the second innings with Australia holding huge leads and under little pressure.
The key is who might stand up in what will be a real cauldron.
Michael Clarke is the obvious one, with him being a vindicated batting master with performances of real note in South Africa against the same attack.
One gets the feeling that when the passion of the series is at its most intense that he might be the one to take centre stage.
Of the rest, Chris Rogers has the technique and temperament to be a factor, while the little Aussie battler in Steve Smith always finds a way.
One has less faith in Shane Watson surviving the brutal new ball examination from the South African quicks at three.
Which leaves only Dave Warner, and whether he can translate home form into away performances and is mature enough to deal with the South African bowling quality and unsettling tactics.
While the batting is a worry, the bowling unit is so exceptional that it could even dominate the much-vaunted South African batting line-up. The attack has a balance that has rarely been seen, allowing it to fire on all cylinders in such an eclectic manner.
It’s equally adept at strangling the batsmen into submission through their suffocating defensive acumen or blowing them away with brutal attacking assaults.
Do we need to remind South Africans of the devastation that Mitchell Johnson can wreak?
Ultimately, the battle between South African bats and the Australian bowling will define the series. On one hand is a batting line-up that has taken a blow by the loss of Kallis, but still has the quality to neutralise the Aussies attack.
They have the credibility of doing similar to a very accomplished English attack performing at its best, and aided by its home conditions, in 2012.
In the other corner is an Australian attack that in its past two series has smashed an English batting unit of high calibre into complete oblivion, allowing the team dominance in the series that has permitted their batting to become a factor.
If the Australian bowling can make it a series where 300 is a good score, then it becomes a toss of a coin clash.
Lastly, we cannot look at this series without remarking on the impact that Jacques Kallis’ retirement will have on the South African team. The team has lost the ace out of its deck with his masterful batting, heady bowling and underrated slips fielding consigned to the history books.
This leaves them with the challenge to find a replacement for the irreplaceable – an act of futility that can only enhance Australia’s chances in the series.
Lzk
Guest
Wht otherz dnt relize is that the proteas ar unbeaten in 14 test series. yes the oz cn win a test bt i dnt see them wng the series
Bebop, Vern actually played one test less.
Bebop
Guest
Proteas rescued a match that was lost and had were 8 runs off securing the biggest run chase in test history. Kallis was a big contributor but the real mettle was from AB and Faf. As Geoffrey Boycott put it, the proteas should strangle the groundsmen, as the pitches were designed for the Indan bowlers not the SA pace attack. This was part of the trade off the CSA made to the BCCI, who were threatening to pull out of the series altogether leaving SA with no tests over December and Jan. as it was, the highlight of the SA cricket calendar, the New Years test at newlands, was cancelled. India would roll over Aus today, and with odds against the Proteas won the series (they would have risked losing the first test by slogging had their been a third test in line, but at two tests, if you lose the first, you can at best draw the second.. Then decimated them in the second.) India are close contenders for top spot. Subtract the numbers of this ashes series from the bowlers stats and then compare. England were is crisis and could been taken by Zim. Players retiring mid series, broad injured (broad btw was the top wicket taker in 2013 before that series - one or two ahead of steyn and Vern BUT had played 14 tests vs 9 each for the SA top 2. Misleading unless you compare like for like), etc. So exclude the ashes stats from the batting and bowling averages, then compare...
jonty
Guest
Short answer NO, this South African team will kill Australia u lose 5-90 odd v SA and they'll finish the job unlike England Steyn,Philander & Morkel wow they'll rattle a few rib cages. We'll see how cocky & upbeat the Aussie cricket team after this series if they win I'll happily eat a big dose of humble pie but can't see that happening & I don't sledging Alma,Smith,De Villiers,Du Plessis & co will work.I'd like to see Clarke mouth off at these SA bowlers talk about a broken arm well Steyn might give him a broken jaw with some chin music
There in lies the answer. Don't try to find a Kallis.
kabelo
Guest
They have beaten a tired english team now they think they can dethrone south africa their number one mantlel. South africa will be number one for a very long time, I mean even if they have lost king kallis they still have the best team in the world. This is my starting eleven against australia - Graeme smith, peterson, Hashim amla, ab de villiers, du plessis, quinton de kok, jp diminy, ryan mclarren, vernon villander, dale steyn, morne morkel.
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
Not ready for test cricket yet
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Dave Warner could be crucial as the different bowling that SA have, that is more attacking, may suit him very well meaning he could start smashing them all over the place. Haddin, if he is to continue his form, along with Bailey and Smith may be crucial as attacking players. Watson if he plays his natural game. This is how i think we will beat South Africa, by being attacking and taking on their bowlers and making them rethink plans.
danuk
Guest
Going to be a good series and think it will be a good indication for both countries where they stand currently
jason8
Guest
They would be mental not to choose de Kock... this guy can bat.
Pure Protea
Guest
Dream on. Proteas havent lost a series in like 14 successive tests.
Charles Lara
Guest
must agree with you JGK clarke needs to go back at 5 bring in doolan( a proper top order bat) at either 4 or 3 to play that pujara role before you expose clarke to the new ball.watson has been consistently exposed to the LBW and saffers who are much more skilled with that will pin him down.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Old Dale and Vern looked like they were on an extended holiday for the first two tests, in fact Vern did extend his holiday by pulling out of the second Be interesting to see if the Indian warm up sees them better prepared?
Pope Paul VII
Guest
lol
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I reckon our blokes can pinch the series but SA should be well prepared so it's going to be interesting.
Vikramsinh
Guest
For aus, there arent many in top 3 . . . Who could do that. . . .
ak
Roar Guru
Don't go exactly word by word. What I am saying is that it is better to bat with an aim of not getting out rather than trying to score. Eventually the sting goes out. And then run making would become easy. That was what Pujara did and that was also what Vijay and Rahane did. Kohli who is a naturally better batsman was the only one who was more aggressive and succeeded. Dhawan did not try to spend time at the crease. He batted the way he bats in India which led to his downfall. Amongst the Indians it was his wicket which was the easiest to take. That was because he did not put price on his wicket. He did try to make amends in the second innings of the second test wherein he was looking to stay at the crease. Though he failed it was a good effort compared to his earlier innings on the tour. So it is important to give the bowler some respect. As the old saying goes, give the first hour to the bowler and the rest of the day will be yours. David Warner if he does try to blast his way will fail. But if he defends well and puts a price on his wicket then he can give himself a chance to succeed. The role of the openers and No 3 will be very crucial.
Pom in Oz
Roar Guru
Does anyone know when CA announce the Aussie squad?
Disco
Roar Guru
I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest there will loads of sledging.
Rich_daddy
Roar Guru
Wouldn't get ahead our ourselves. Smashing an extremly mediocre English outfit at home does mean our path back to number 1 is a formality. As the article shows, Australia's batting is questionable and were in big trouble in almost every test. It is highly unlikely SA will let them off the hook if they find themselves in the same situation. While our bowling is good, any injury would test the depth of our attack. How would Australia's attack fare if Mitchell Johnson was unavailable and who would replace him? They will also be bowling at a far stronger batting line up in familiar conditions. In saying all of this, I think it will be a tight series.