I’m still not convinced, even after beating the Proteas in their own backyard and the 5-0 Ashes whitewash, that the Australian cricket team are as good as the media is making out.
I do believe that we are playing well enough to win. We are slowly rebuilding our line-up to one where 11 names will continuously be on the team sheet.
Australia are recognised now as the most dangerous team in Test cricket, but with the rankings not really giving a great indication of the strength of nations and difference in ability, we won’t really know until we play different nations.
International cricket is as closely matched now as it ever has been. With the resurgence of countries like New Zealand and Pakistan, as well as the ever-consistent Sri Lanka and India, the Test cricket stage is very exciting.
England capitulated during the Ashes series: Jonathan Trott left after the Gabba Test and Graeme Swann retired, while Alastair Cook’s role as captain has been scrutinised and Kevin Pietersen dropped since the series ended.
The last few Tests in the series were barely worth watching and I don’t think it was doing our players any benefit in competing against a mediocre team, apart from gaining momentum as a group.
The story in South Africa was a different one. We ruffled their feathers and made them uncomfortable in their own environment.
The Proteas have been known for their ability to go about their business on the cricket field without being influenced by the other team’s mind games, sledging or type of cricket.
We were aggressive with both bat and ball, however the victory was thanks mainly to David Warner and Mitchell Johnson. We shocked them and took the game away from them in single sessions.
They were forced into making team changes and we were one step ahead when it mattered most.
Both England and South Africa are now in a phase much like the one we found ourselves in from 2007 until recently.
The past few years have seen the retirement of some of the best players of a generation: Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and more recently Graeme Smith and Graeme Swann.
It’s time for new leaders and new teams to take the cricketing world by storm. Australia currently has the edge, but to me it feels like this is only the beginning of what looks like a very exciting future for Test cricket.
The next few years should deliver some of the most competitive series we’ve seen in a while, and even more surprises.
Deep Thinker
Guest
Test cricket is in good shape talent wise but it going through a period of renewal after a lot of veterans have recently retired and been pushed out. Commercially, cricket is in a bit of trouble. Australia can sustain number one status, but mainly because of a loss of key personnel from its main rivals. Australia ran into England and Saffers at the right time - both teams are in decline with retirements to key players (mid series, pre-series, and post series). My feeling is that, assuming all things remain equal, Australia cannot sustain a period of dominance with this team. Watson, Clarke, Haddin and Rogers don't have long left and will be hard to replace. I am not so worried about losing Harris because there are plenty of fast bowlers in Australia right now. The only consistent performing batsman outside the team is Phil Hughes who is a one-dimensional cricketer who does not contribute anything if he is not scoring runs. I guess Chris Lynn has shown some good signs. There are no decent batting all-rounders other than perhaps Andrew McDonald who is 32 and will fill a role but not dominate at international level. They have been talking up Faulkner as a number 6 when Watson retires - he is a very good bowling all-rounder but not a number 6 batsman. Maxwell's bowling is more part time than that of a genuine all-rounder. Just like his brother, Mitch Marsh is not utilising his talent. When Haddin retires, there are a bunch of capable keepers but nobody who has stood out yet with sustained high level performance at FC level. Neville may be an option, Whiteman and Carters are intriguing but need to back it up with another good season, Wade and Paine are reasonable options. But from what I have seen these guys won't be liabilities but are not world beaters. Spinning stocks are looking ok - O'keefe is a ready made test spinner waiting in the wings if the selectors forgive him for whatever it is he has done. Fawad Ahmed looks ok. Agar needs more development and looks to be more of a batting all rounder. Muirhead may be a year or two away but looks very talented from the T20 bowling I've seen. In short, unless we find some more players in a couple of years, expect Australia to continue to bowl sides yet be unable to push home the advantage with runs. However, while they won't dominate, I think Australia or India will be number one over the next two years or so. South Africa and England all of a sudden need to find some new players, the Pakistan team are in exile, and West Indies have significant problems. Sri Lanka are ok but hardly on the rise. The three teams on an upward trend are India, New Zealand and Bangladesh. India can be expected to consistently challenge Australia as best in the world and New Zealand are a bit of a dark horse. Bangladesh will need to continue to improve and may be about 4-5 years away.
Tony Loedi
Roar Guru
Jack you sound like I did after the saffers beat us in Adelaide when we were a bowler short and then in Perth when we had to replace our whole bowling unit, but unfortunately for me back then and for you now is that a win is a win my friend.
SteveOL
Roar Pro
Classic. Those grapes are sour.
AlanKC
Guest
Wow jack, a bit down over the result old seun? I'd reckon the players would disagree with you on Centurion being dead...
Johnno
Guest
Jack zzzzzzz Excuses, excuses,excuses, Man up.
jack thomas
Guest
Australia did not beat south africa and is not capable of it. (Steyn = harris+johnson). In the 1st test, styen was just back from surgery n was not his best. In the 3rd test, he didnt bowl due to injury. Without steyn, it is half south africa, as it will be half australia without harris n johnson or either of them. Australia can do nothing without harris n johnson. n its not capable of beating south africa. n the series itself was so meaningless n of no value since it was played on dead pitches. remember 47 all out on a meaningful pitch. A test match is not a test match when played on dead pitches(all tests, especially 2nd n 3rd tests).
MikeTV
Guest
Test cricket is certainly entering an exciting and unpredictable era - no more long periods of dominance by any one team.
Patrick
Guest
*you're
Johnno
Guest
Sorry your wrong, test cricket is on the decline, withering on the grape vine thanks to the aussies and the upper class poms in the south of England who play and finance the game. Test cricket crowds outside of Newlands Cape Town suck, same in India.. It's on the slippery slope test cricket, unless it changes and modernises with the times. Test cricket has never been a sport to change or evolve, and is too steeped in tradition too it's undoing. No expansion it's a joke. Test cricket is on the decline this is the T20 generation man, so man up!