Upon arriving on South African soil Michael Clarke confidently claimed “this Australian attack is the best in the world”.
As with any captain it is Clarke’s role to talk up his team’s chances, he is hardly going to proclaim the Proteas bowling attack untouchable and that the Australian bowlers are unlikely to challenge them over the three-Test series.
However, is Clarke’s statement just overconfident posturing or is there an element of truth to it?
Using the recent Ashes series as a gauge Clarke could be well within his right to make such a claim. The English batting line-up, arguably the most settled in the world in November last year, was comprehensively routed.
On six occasions they were dismissed for less than 200 on pitches which, with proper application, were conducive to high scores. The bowling attack, for the first time in Australian ashes history, remaining unchanged throughout the series.
Leading the attack was Mitchell Johnson, Australia’s newest moustachioed menace, who combined aggression, pace and (at times) surprising accuracy to claim 37 English scalps at an average of 13.97.
He was accompanied by two able lieutenants in Ryan Harris (22 wickets at 19.31) and Peter Siddle (16 at 24.12) who both had an uncanny knack throughout the series of making crucial breakthroughs whenever the English had a sniff.
Rounding off the attack is Nathan Lyon (19 at 29.36) who after temporarily, and some argue inexplicably, ceding his position to Glenn Maxwell in India and Ashton Agar in England has cemented his place in the Australian team for the foreseeable future.
Going into this series, however, the Australian pace bowling attack could not be considered in the same class as South Africa. Dale Steyn, now 30, has taken 350 Test wickets at an average under 23.
His figures of 6 for 8 against Pakistan at the Wanderers last year will be remembered as one of the all-time great bowling efforts and is testament to a man who will finish his career as one of history’s greatest fast bowlers.
He is currently ranked second in the ICC Test Bowling rankings. The man who recently replaced him, Vernon Philander, has 105 Test wickets at an astonishing average of 18, proving that a consistently aiming to hit the top of off-stump will always get wickets.
The third prong in the pace attack is Morne Morkel who, at 6 foot 6, has used his ability to extract pace and bounce to great success claiming 183 wickets at a touch under 30.
Since 2010, South Africa have dismissed four teams, Pakistan twice and New Zealand and Australia once, for fewer than 100 (three of these scores were less than 50).
One area where Australia hold an indisputable advantage is in the spin department.
Nathan Lyon is now regarded as one of the world’s pre-eminent spin bowlers. The first Australian spinner to claim 100 Test wickets since the retirement of Warne and MacGill, he has proved himself in Australian, English and Indian conditions.
By contrast, South Africa has continued its perpetual struggle to find their first world class spin bowler since Hugh Tayfield.
Imran Tahir, despite some success in the UAE, averages over 40 while Robin Peterson is more of an all-rounder than spin bowler capable of dominated a batting attack.
If Australia is to challenge South Africa Nathan Lyon must assert himself on the series.
This Australian bowling attack is the most settled it has been since England was last whitewashed in 2006/07.
Mitchell Johnson (8), Peter Siddle (6) and Ryan Harris (3) are all ranked among the Top 10 Test bowlers in the world while Australian self-confidence is the highest it’s been in half a decade.
However, one successful series against an underperforming English team does not make a world class bowling attack.
Though the Australian bowling attack is undoubtedly talented it cannot (for this moment at least) be considered the best in the world. It must first prove itself against the world’s best batting line-up.
A successful tour over the next two months could, however, prove Clarke’s confident statement to be true.
SamAus
Guest
Hi Tom, the fact that you are looking for a player to get injured tells me a lot about your personality. Let's hope for a hard fought battle where the batsmen and bowlers are pushed to the limits of their ability, shall we? I for one don't really want to see anybody breaking body parts. As for the bowling attack, the two teams are very closely matched. I think the first session will go a long way in determining who has the acendency in this series. Both Aus and SA play best when they are confident. SA though, play amazing rear guard cricket as well so if Aus do not get the upper hand in the first session they might pay for it. Siddle needs to be replaced. Great series against England but we all know that there are better in the wings. Johnson & Harris - Amazing form but lets see if they can replicate. Lyons - Sorry, but still doesn't convince me but still better than anything SA can put on the park. Steyn, Philander, Morkel - Best trio in world cricket for the last 10 years. Even with a weak spinner they are head and shoulders the best bowling lineup for me.
One-eyed Jack
Guest
I notice that he hasn't made the same sort of comments about the batting line up. It must be about time for Warner to fire up.
Deccas
Guest
This series is a bit of a contest for that mantle in some ways. Steyn and Philander are the best two in the world, but Johnson and Harris could push them for those positions if they hold their form for 2 more series. Morkel is an excellent 3rd seemer, and his height adds a lot of variety to the attack. Siddle is a better bowler though, he is more experienced gets a bit of swing, uses the crease well and bowls great lengths. he gives away a little in terms of variety but adds a lot of pressure. Johnson's left arm puts us close in terms of variety. So far SA lead but its close. Peterson is an improved spinner and is capable of keeping things tight and building pressure, he takes the odd wicket but his batting is probably his stronger suit. Tahir I actually don't know about, I've only seen him get clobbered but he has managed to take wickets against good opposition before. Lyon is a good offspin bowler who has improved significantly. He gives us a decent edge in that area which brings the attacks roughly in line with eachother. The overall strength of the SA attack hinges on who replaces Kallis. I have absolutely no idea what will happen but Watson is the benchmark. Watson is a very accurate bowler who keeps the runs down incredibly well. He also gets swing in the air and can be very difficult to face. If SA replace Kallis with a strong bowling allrounder, or a bowler and bring in a keeper, or drop peterson or Tahir, that extra player could well match or exceed Watson, but equally they may not. Durability issues aside he really is a fine bowler. Clarke is justified in thinking our attack is better, its more rounded and stable. Any attack with bowlers numbers 1 and 2 in the rankings is going to be considered number 1 until proven otherwise, though I do think we are in with a chance to do just that.
ozinsa
Guest
I also read in the same story that Smith described himself as humble. At least the BS is flowing steadily from both sides. Clarke was pumping up tyres and why not? The Australians destroyed an English batting unit whose combined average would imply they might score 380+. I know that's a ridiculously unreliable way to estimate scoring but, even following the series, it's 40 runs more than the Australian teams averages might suggest they would score. The Aussie bowlers thus demolished a batting lineup that had pretensions to being top 2 in the world. These bowlers are pretty good if not the best and a captain is surely allowed to favour his teammates.
paul mckay
Guest
I didn't say who I would drop eh. Just that if either (all) three were (match) fit for the first test they probably would have started. For the record, I expect Jono is currently a certain starter and if all were fit n firing I suspect Sids n Harris might struggle. I guess my main point is that the analysis of our bowling stocks doesn't account for our depth of quality. (ps I reckon tait was indeed good enough)
Nudge
Guest
A bit hard to forecast the weather 9 days out GS. If they are saying its going to rain for the next 7 days then expect a 3 day test
Genius Selector
Guest
We're going 2 have to wait until the 2nd test in my opinion. The forecast in Centurion is pathetic.
Eliot Bingham
Roar Pro
Great article and read Matt. My thoughts mirror yours about us not claiming the best bowling attack the world over. If we can go into South Africa and beat them at their own game then we can lay claim to possessing the best bowling attack. I have a feeling however that the class of Steyn and Philander will be too much for our batsmen.
Dizzy Tangles
Guest
"Tait and Nannes were never good enough for test matches. Being fast is not the whole picture. " agree. Raw pace alone is nothing and can even be a burden as the runs keep flowing
Tom Dibble
Roar Rookie
Steyn and Philander are the best Test bowlers in the world, without a doubt. The ICC rankings back that up. Morne Morkel, with the bounce that he gets, is a good third option, but the fact that they've just lost Jacques Kallis and haven't settled on a spinner means they aren't a complete attack. Steyn, Philander and Johnson, at their best, would be a formidable fast bowling trio. Can't wait to see Johnson break Smith's hand again after his comments earlier this week.
Bazza
Guest
As Smithy said, "Lot of Australian bull...."
langou
Roar Guru
I can't imagine those type of comments being made in any other sport. If you asked a football captain if his team has the best midfield in the league the response would be 'No I think so and so have done it over the longer period' or 'we are always trying to get better but are going in as underdogs'. The desire to want to play down the big statements doesn't seem to happen in cricket for some reason.
bryan
Guest
You would drop Harris Johnston and Siddle for Starc Cummins and Patterson? Really? Tait and Nannes were never good enough for test matches. Being fast is not the whole picture. But I do agree with Watto. I think he is very underrated by Australian fans. I believe Watto's main problem is the perception that he has not achieved to the limit of his ability, unlike a few other favorites.
jameswm
Guest
Clarke did acknowledge he was biased in saying that, but I think he's right. South Africa might have an edge over the three quicks, but our spinner is clearly better and our 4th quick is a useful test medium pacer. Steyn and Philander vs Johnson and Harris - there's really not a lot in that. Any of the four could be considered the best bowler of those 4, with the SAffas in front due to their consistency for 2 years. Morkel and Siddle as backups, Siddle probably has the edge. Smith reckons their batsmen know how to bat over there when it's moving. Warner vs Philander will be interesting. Philander could make Davey look out of his depth, or if his accuracy is a tad out, Davey could belt him for a few.
JGK
Roar Guru
To be fair, Clarke prefaced his statement with "I might be a bit biased...". Also, it has now been 2 series where the Aust attack has been outstanding. England - with all it's quality batsmen - didn't reach 400 in 10 Tests.
paul mckay
Guest
And these aren't Aussies best. Starc, Cummins & pattison would have all started if fit, not to mention their fastest Tait & Nannes who can't be bothered - oh & I suspect you underrate Watson.