Party’s over boys, you’ve had your fun. The whole country appreciates your efforts against an English team so tired and weak, both physically and mentally, that it’s potentially put an end to some greats’ careers.
Australia’s fast bowlers bullied them, embarrassed them and sledged them into the ground. In reply England simply lay down.
Even captain Alastair Cook couldn’t give the boys a ‘good old-fashioned rev-up’. It’s hard to listen to a captain when he’s not scoring any runs and drops half his chances at first slip.
But in typical Australian fashion the victors are gloating about how good they were and not how good England weren’t.
Peter Siddle recently stated in an interview that he thought that Australia’s pace bowling attack are better than the feared South African trio of Steyn, Morkel and Philander.
To add fuel to an already dangerous fire, David Warner has openly admitted that lines were pushed (but not broken) when it came to sledging the English team.
He then went on to point out that the treatment would be no different come their impending tour across the Indian Ocean.
If there’s anything that playing fourth grade cricket in the Australian Capital Territory has taught me it’s that only the weakest teams can be sledged out (and in ACT fourth grade, that’s most of them).
All of this would be music to the ears of the underfed pitbulls who comrpise South Africa’s pace attack. They could only be sitting back and licking their lips.
The coaches would have watched intently as Australia’s top order wobbled to 100 in most first innings of this recent series.
They’d have realised how different the series could have been had it not been for Brad Haddin. They’d be looking to steam through Australia’s shaky top order.
England’s bowlers couldn’t deal out some of the devastating pace that Mitchell Johnson found this series. Unfortunately for Australia, South Africa can.
Even though Australia’s batting list is completely different to that which South Africa embarrassed in the 2012/13 Australian summer, it’s hard to see any other result.
These Aussie bowlers are confident beyond all belief, threatening the same short and fast bowling that scared England into submission.
What they’re potentially missed is that not only are the likes of Hashim Amla and AB De Villiers among the best and most prolific run scorers in the world, but they’ve also got the scariest bowlers in the world bowling to them in the nets.
When you get down to it, South Africa are still the No.1 team in the world – and with good reason.
Their bowlers have been bowling as a unit for long time now. The lower order have belief that the top order will do its job, and vice versa.
They’re disciplined, professional and have been operating as a very similar team for a long period of time.
Prediction: South Africa to take the series, winning two matches.
Fatty Robinson
Guest
What worries me more than anything is that we are becoming a wee bit arrogant and talking too much. We should tell Warner and Siddle to pipe down and get on with it
Edison Marshall
Roar Pro
You can't replace a Jaques Kallis. The greatest all-rounder that I've ever had the privilege of watching. But his averages with both bat and ball have been among some of the worst in the team over the last year or so. I think the rest of the SA top order will survive without him. It has to learn at some point.
Bebop
Guest
Agreed BB - stats and records are there to be broken. Our players have broken plenty of late. And they're a different team. We are mentally tougher and manage to extract wins from dire situations against strong opposition. I for one find it hilarious that there have been parades and stuff celebrating the bullying of the poms. The poms did the same in 2005. And it's worth remembering (what with all this "mitchell is the best bowler in the world" stuff) that before this series the poms were saying the same about jimmy Anderson. That worked out well now didn't it? We are waiting.
Bebop
Guest
You clearly haven't been watching for the past two years mate. SA have been winning unwinnable matches, and are mentally tough. Aus are playing with a bully mentality - kick em when they're down. But they weren't tested against England. No swann, broad, trott, the team disintegrated. Zim could've taken them. Good luck. We can't wait. I have tickets. Good luck with the sledging - the Aussie 'secret weapon'. Ooohh.... We are shaking I can tell you. Johnson ranked 8th AFTER counting the uplift from this ashes series? Come on,
Howzat
Guest
Hey Biltongbek I never picked England for the 2005 Ashes either, or that Australia would win this series 5-0. Sport throws in plenty of unexpected results. That's the good thing about it.
Howzat
Guest
Hey Charging Rhino, Big headed - coming from a South African that's a bit rich :) You do realise that you're making comments on an article written by an Australian pointing out that South Africa is likely to win the upcoming series, with plenty of comments (presumably some Australian) agreeing with him. Most people would think about that a little bit before charging in with the generalisations.
Howzat
Guest
Yeah 'cause in the whole history of cricket everybody knows that India are as difficult to beat at home as they are away. [end sarcasm]
Ben Marshall
Guest
Well Ed I think you have a very valid view on this and agree that until we take on the best the world has to offer, the Australian teem must stay focused and continue to work hard to obtain the series win! On another note PM's XI should be good! Can't wait!!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Broad was just throwing his bat at everything which I'm sure Australia was happy with. They knew he wasn't going to save the test so a few runs didn't matter much to them because they knew he didn't value his wicket.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
He is actually about as Australian as they come RP, I should know he is my mate.
Edison Marshall
Roar Pro
Yes the stats are there to prove that Australia batted well. But people don't remember that, they remember the SA bowling being ruthless. Putting an end to Ricky Ponting's career and walking away with a series win.
Edison Marshall
Roar Pro
That's what I've been telling everyone!
Charging Rhino
Guest
Okay sorry I apologise maybe I was being a bit harsh on you in particular. Maybe it's Australian culture but it just amazes me how big headed both Aussie players and fans get after winning 1 series, when in reality they have to win a lot more series to get the credit they're after. Or maybe it's just the media "talking it up" and creating controversy. Yes they we're devastatingly good against England, and will test SA but they have a long way to go to get to "worlds best" again. As I said above, since 2006 SA have lost 1 series in the past 25 and won 17. Yet generally speaking Aussies and other cricket fans around the world still don't give them the credit they deserve as one of the best ever Test sides. I'm not saying they should be feared or revered just yet but to dismiss their success rate and the quality of the side is foolish too. Maybe in 10-15 years time people will look back and see their stats and realise how good they actually were. Just like the Windies in 80's and Waugh & Pontungs Australia. One thing you have to compliment Aussies on is when they get into Positive mode they sure do it to the 100% and nobody can tell them otherwise regardless of how many real stats you can throw at them. I guess it's good for team building and patriotism and Aussies do it like no other!!! You guys sure do go full tilt!!! And I'm married to an Aussie by the way :-)
Sandy
Guest
You should read more Rhino. Not sure what your definition of mockery is, name calling is popular though. http://www.sport24.co.za/MySport24/Fans-slam-cocky-Clarke-20140107
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
You do have to think that they will do it eventually.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I think you need to learn to read if that's what you think of me from any of my comments. There have been so many articles and comments suggesting that the Ashes just showed England playing poorly and gave no credit to how well Australia played at all, and then going on to say South Africa will smash the Aussies. While it's always possible that they could, there is a lot of skewing of facts to suggest that. Australia wasn't ripped apart by the South African bowling lineup the last time they played, which was only last summer, and was in fact on top for more of the series than South Africa were on top. That can't be argued. South Africa deservedly won the series because they managed to hold on and survive for draws in the matches where they were outplayed, and then take advantage in the last test. But none of that suggests that they should slaughter Australia here. I'm also not saying I agree with "talking it up" and all that, but i just don't think the Australian's should be shaking in terror at facing the South African team. Steyn and Philander have been good for a long period of time required to take them to the top of the rankings, but if Harris and Johnson bring what they brought in the Ashes they are at least a match for them. That is the truth. It's not making anything up. Also, South African conditions aren't the sort of foreign conditions to Australia's players that places like India are. They tend to play well over there, and in fact, I believe South Africa are still searching for their first home series win over Australia since re-admission. So I'm sure they'll be up for this. If someone had posted a story about how Australia would now take this Ashes momentum and destroy South Africa I'd probably be writing comments against that also as I don't think it's wise. But there is so much wrong about what is written in this story that I can't stay quiet about that!
Charging Rhino
Guest
No mate, based on all your comments you just think it's a stupid article because you're Australian and Australia aren't number 1 or favourites. South Africa are the number 1 team and favourites and you don't like that so it riles you up and you call it stupid. And justify how and why Australia lost the previous series in Aus last year. South Africa have lost 1 Test series in the past 25 series since 2006. They've Won 17, Drawn 7 and Lost only 1 !!!! If Australia ever get back to a record like SA's has been over the past 7 years then Australia will be the worthy number 1 team. And you can mock anyone who suggests that another team is favourites against them. But seriously why all the big talk after winning the Ashes? Australia got drilled 4-0 by India, 3-0 by England and lost to South Africa in 2013. But they have turned things around and are better now. So Yes Australia CAN beat SA next month, but they are the underdogs and yes it will be a good series. I bet the SA players are kicking their lips and going in preparation overload. But Aussie players claiming they have the worlds best bowling attack etc!!? When two of SA's bowlers are rated 1 & 2 in the world!? And the Ausies are further down the list?? Thats not exactly very humble ey? Imagine the mockery from Aussie fans if Harris and Johnson were rated 1&2 and lower ranked chaps say "no we're the best!!" Lol. Instead there's been no mockery by SA fans, just amazement at the "big talk" and Graeme Smith has simply complimented the Aussies on the Ashes, and kept pretty close lipped. Surely that's the wiser route to take? ;-)
Charging Rhino
Guest
Nice to conveniently ignore India then... ??? Who thumped Australia 4-0 in 2013 and whom SA have just beaten.... Australia still have to win a lot more games to get to number 1. South Africa have lost 1 Test Series since 2006. Only 1. In 25 Test series.... Now that's a Number 1 Test cricket team
Ozinsa, poor form is a relative concept, it is also a subjective opinion. I can't wait for this series to start. The Aussies cleaned up against the English, kudo's for that. SA has been winning series after series for the past 4 years, that takes some doing. The truth of the matter is at some point someone will overtake the Proteas, I doubt it will be in the next year.
Hutch
Guest
Rogers and Bailey are the only players in current Aus side that SA have not played Test cricket against ... Unlike Eng many of the SA line up have faced Mitch in full flight, while he is sure to be a hand full and bowling as fast as he ever has it is unlikely the SA's will run scared and "play dead" like their English counterparts. I do think Aus were made to look good by the English, but it will be a fascinating series just a pity SA and Aus don't play 5 match Test series as the answer to who the best side in the world would then be settled without any room for doubt.