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Is it possible Australia are just losing to a better team?

15th November, 2016
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South African is set to make history in the Champions Trophy. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
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15th November, 2016
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Australia has had a less than ideal start to the summer it’s pretty safe to say, and while every man and their dog are calling for “more changes” or “drop the captain/selectors”, have you stopped to think that maybe South Africa are just a better side than us?

Is it possible that the Australians are simply being outplayed and outclassed by a great side that is in top form?

They have arguably the best XI in world cricket at the moment and their form through the ODI series and tests against the Baggy Green in the last few months has shown their prowess in increasing position in world cricket.

More:
» Five talking points from Australia’s humiliation
» Second Test scorecard – Australia vs South Africa

There’s always excuses for losing, there’s always excuses for another batting collapse or a poor bowling performance that leaks out 500 runs in the third innings.

But maybe, just maybe, Australia aren’t failing miserably due to wrong selections or bad coaching decisions and the team and staff doesn’t need to be altered to the nth degree, but the better team is simply winning.

That’s how sport works right?

Two sides or individuals come together to contest their chosen sport, and at the end of the day, the better party walks away with the better result.

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And while sometimes an off performance or a really negative display can bring out the old adage of “they lost it more than the other side won”, but that takes away from the opposition.

South Africa don’t deserve to have their performances so far in the series taken away from them because people would rather say it was Australia at fault and not them being better at the game of cricket on this occasion.

The partnership between JP Duminy and Dean Elgar in Perth showcased all the qualities the Australians weren’t able to get a grasp on in Perth.

jp-duminy-south-africa-cricket-test-waca-2016

Vernon Philander, Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada have exploited the Hobart conditions to near perfection in the second Test, but the home side couldn’t do the same in an identical situation.

The class and patience of Temba Bavuma has been matched only by Peter Nevill when Australia was trying only to survive during the back end of the second test.

Quinton de Kock has scored runs lower in the order and the tail has wagged considerably more than the Australians, playing with poise and intent where seven through eleven have collapsed for the home team.

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The point being South Africa has just played better overall in nearly every facet of the contest and deserve to be in the situation they’re in. Plain and simple.

Yes, Australia have been their own worst enemy at times, but apart from a few brain explosions with the bat, the overall picture has been painted as a side unable to overcome a superior outfit.

As the public mull over another loss in the second Test, Australia needs to consider their game plan and how to counter enemy number one, South Africa.

Concentrating so much on their own performance means they’re looking away from the real battle and playing against themselves, not the opposition.

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