There’s limited room for sport in the Australian collective psyche, so it’s no surprise that the upcoming tour of South Africa has fallen off the radar somewhat, replaced deservedly by Scotty James, Matt Graham and the rest of the team over in South Korea.
Overseas cricket tends to attract little attention here in Australia, but there are only two weeks until the first Test and it’d be a shame for it to not receive the coverage and interest that the series deserves.
A full six consecutive series has been played since 2006 between Australia and South Africa with the away team winning or retaining.
This record is unparalleled as of late and certainly runs against the modern trend of Test cricket: the only decade during which away teams have fared worse than the 2010s (with a win/loss ratio of 0.545) is the 1870s (where the three first-ever Tests occurred).
Followers of global Test cricket would be aware of the emergence of South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi, a 21-year old tearaway quick who bowls straight and tall, like Stuart Clark but above 140kph. He was player of the match on debut against India, taking 6/39 in a rampaging second effort to defend a not-quite-imposing 287.
Between him, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn (if he’s to return, which is unclear at this stage), we should be about to witness the world’s greatest pace attacks up against each other.
And Sheffield Shield experts have been calling for the debut of Chadd Sayers for years now; Jackson Bird’s hamstring may prove the lifeline for Australia’s premier purveyor of horizontal movement. Four Tests is a long time and there’s every chance that Sayers will get the nod at some point, depending on the selectors’ attitude towards Jhye Richardson.
(AAP Image/James Elsby)
But perhaps most importantly, there’s just something about Australia’s away series; they tend to be far more captivating regardless of the circumstances.
Australia dominates at home in series wins and the last time a visiting team won a match but lost the series was in 2011 at home to New Zealand.
Furthermore, it has only happened four times this century. The New Zealand loss, for those interested, featured David Warner remarkably carrying his bat in the fourth innings.
And on the flipside, Australia’s recent home losses have been crushing, most notably against South Africa last season and the 2010-11 Ashes.
Anecdotally, almost every interesting series that we’ve played in recent times has come away from home. Not many home efforts compare to Australia’s recent battle in India last year, the gritty, bruising win in South Africa in 2014, and the memorable Ashes of 2013, which was fought much more closely than the 3-0 scoreline would suggest.
Each Test tells a story regardless of the series scoreline, and so dead rubbers can be as gripping as any other match. But if single Tests are short stories, then series that last until Day 5 of the final Test are novels, rich in context and drama, as epic as any sporting event.
This March could well provide the platform for a truly memorable set of Tests, and for the emergence of new stars onto the global stage.
DavSA
Guest
25 years of doctoring pitches ? no . The policy of the SA Cricket Board was always to leave the pitches with their distinctive characteristics . Only The Wanderers and Centurian were historically pace friendly . Newlands , Kingsmead and St Georges Park were weighted towards the batsmen with Newlands and St Georges Park historically aiding spin on the final day . The practice of doctoring pitches is a recent and for me unwelcome development . It came about as a direct result of the tour to India. Incidentally the first test in the recent India vs SA series was distinctly spin friendly .
MANISH K RAO
Guest
@DavSA So is it okay if Fast bowler operate from both ends forever!!Height of Hippocracy!Recent South Africa test pitches were boring with no help to spinners. Years of doctoring to help fast bowlers from 25 years with no aid to spinners was finally given back by Indian doctored pitches in 2015 !! And the result of doctoring by SA is next time they might get whitewashed in home against good spin.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
This should be really good. Smith,Khawaja and Warner with 14000 runs between them tested by the best fast bowling attack- Morkel,Rabada and Philander who have taken 600 wickets between them. Elgar,Du Plessis and Amla,who have 22000 runs between them tested by the second best bowling attack- Starc,Hazlewood and Lyon who have 600 between them Nothing casual about the level of cricket there
Miles Katay
Roar Rookie
Casual sports fans don’t follow Test cricket?
Don Freo
Guest
?????
peter chrisp
Guest
Mk i am actually looking forward to the 4 Test series has the actual side been selected? Or i would imagine it's the same as the recent 5 tester?
DavSA
Guest
I watched a bit of the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh tests recently and it was soooo boring with spinners bowling from both ends forever . Not that I am anti good spin but it was very repetitive and for me unwatchable. This upcoming series will not be that . It is going to be cricket on steroids and will be compelling.
the Shafe
Guest
You always must have an all rounder.
Bob Pacey
Guest
G'day Matty, how're things?
Bob Pacey
Guest
Afternoon Don, how's the Doctor today?
Don Freo
Guest
Winter Olympics especially. Does that engage anyone?
Mitch
Guest
Adeliade test match was the one test these batsman were actually tested lets have a look at these greats. Handscomb- 36,12 Bancroft- 10,4 Cant wait to see the court case of the Philander assault class action.
Mitch
Guest
Iv actually did get to see a peek at the team that is posted just about everywhere. i made this selection based on the best batsman in australia not the best batsman at making very easy runs against a fairly weak bowling side. I have been very excited for this series just less excited when there is a batting colapse and the hopless roar critics scratching their heads as to why we didnt see such a obvious situation unfold right in front them.
Paul
Roar Guru
nah, you've taken this the wrong way Matty. I'm happy for the team to go into the First Test as it finished the last one against the Poms. No need for changes of any kind, especially if the change is going to take an inform batsman out of the side. I was only confused by Mitch suggesting Lehmann should play, when the squad's been picked without him. Maybe he meant Darren?
Disco Stu
Roar Rookie
Yeah sorry mate. Nobody's with you on this one. If you are a cricket fan, you are well aware this series is almost upon us. If you are a casual sports fan, you will never take an interest in an away series where you have to make adjustments for time zones and such. My iPhone weather app still has Ranchi and Chittagong screens left over from last year.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Not sure anyone could forget about South Africa, given channel nine had already moved onto talking about it by day 1 of the 4th test against England
mattyb
Guest
And there we have it from the armchairs. Let's drop MM now that he's had a brilliant Ashes while including two players not even in the squad. Lost are the days when we celebrated Australian cricket because we enjoyed what took place on the field.
Bob Sims
Guest
Oops! I'm sure you meant Bancroft instead of Renshaw and M. Marsh instead of Lehmann, didn't you???
David
Guest
Sorry Miles, your point is wrong. The "casual" sports fans do not follow test cricket - when watching cricket, they are more likely to opt for the BBL. Most cricket lovers are eagerly awaiting this series and it promises to be a beauty. Clearly the best two pace attacks in the world - that alone will keep me interested. Whilst the two teams may not be ranked 1 and 2, they are evenly matched with bat and ball. After a dissapointing competition against the Poms, I cant wait for this series to start.
David
Guest
Let's drop M Marsh - he failed miserably in the Ashes. I mean 320 runs at 106.6 is just not good enough. Also, we'll fly in Lehman and Renshaw just to keep the clueless Mitch happy.