South Africa are set to field an understrength attack for next week’s blockbuster third Test against Australia, with Dale Steyn ruled out due to fitness concerns and firebrand Kagiso Rabada banned for the rest of the series.
Champion quick Steyn had been expected to be fit in time for the third Test in Cape Town but now will only be considered for the fourth Test, Cricinfo reported yesterday.
That is a major blow to the Proteas given Steyn’s wonderful Test record against Australia – 70 wickets at 27, with a blistering strike rate of 46.
However, the loss of Rabada is an even bigger issue, with the 22-year-old having bullied Australia’s batsmen in a man of the match display at Port Elizabeth.
Rarely has a quick bossed the Australians in such a manner on a pitch which didn’t greatly favour pace bowling. In the second inning, there was the rare occurrence of David Warner, one of the world’s elite express bowling players, battling to deal with a bowler’s speed.
Rabada bulldozed through Warner’s defence repeatedly as the vice-captain’s reflexes failed him.
That must have been an intimidating sight for the other Aussie batsmen, none of whom, bar captain Steve Smith, are as comfortable as Warner against extreme pace. Rabada had proven to be by far the biggest threat to the batting line-up, grabbing 15 wickets in the first two Tests.
AP Photo/Themba Hadebe
Compounding the loss of Rabada and Steyn is the fact Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel – the nation’s two other most experienced bowlers – have combined to take just eight wickets at 37 in what has been a low-scoring series.
Morkel was dumped in favour of 21-year-old paceman Lungi Ngidi after bowling poorly for most of the first Test. At that stage it looked as though Morkel had played his final Test, having announced before this series that he would be retiring at its end.
Now, Morkel looks likely to return in place of Rabada. That greatly weakens the attack, given the comparative ease with which the Aussies played Morkel when it mattered in the first Test.
Philander, meanwhile, has been his accurate, frugal self, but has badly lacked penetration, taking just five wickets at a lofty strike rate of 92, which compares unfavourably to those of Rabada (32), Mitchell Starc (39), Josh Hazlewood (55) and Pat Cummins (55).
While the Proteas still have a fine pace attack without Rabada and Steyn, they would lack the dynamism and penetration offered by either one or both of those bowlers.
South Africa will hope Philander’s impact will swell due to his return to Cape Town, his most successful Test venue. In eight Tests at Newlands, Philander has hoarded 47 wickets at 16, including four five-wicket hauls.
(AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
He has, however, had mixed results against Australia at Newlands.
In 2011, he had one of the best matches of his career, as he took 8-78 in a big win over Australia at the venue. But the last time these nations squared off at that ground, four years ago, Philander had one of the worst games of his career, taking 1-158 as the Aussies hammered the Proteas.
The major difference between those matches was the pitch condition.
In the first of those Tests, the juicy green track perfectly suited Philander, whereas last time around he was neutered by a more parched and batting-friendly deck. It remains to be seen which type of Newlands pitch will confront the teams when they arrive at the ground next Thursday.
With Steyn and Rabada out, Australia will have the edge on a drier pitch, which leads me to think we may see the first true green seamer of the series.
ADP
Guest
The reality being that both sides are letting the game down. Sure. Some of your compatriots should also be aware of this then, from some of their posts it appears as if they are engaging in self-righteous moralising when talking about how the game should be played.
Don Freo
Guest
It is something SA fans need to read, though. From their posts, it is clear they are unaware of this reality.
ADP
Guest
I can accept that SA have been badly behaved this series. I can also accept (for the sake of argument) that AUS have been less badly behaved. That still does not put you in a position to carry on as if the AUS team is some kind of moral authority by comparing rap sheets, or making blanket statements about "Saffas' true colours". Don't know you mate, but you don't seem like an idiot so I reckon such statements are beneath you. Saying "we actually haven’t been as bad" exonerates no-one. Fact is both teams have been naughty. And it's a bloody shame - there is a hell of a lot of (cricketing) class on the field, wish we could enjoy and talk about that rather than bad behaviour of the players.
Bobbo7
Guest
Classic Chris... "zero evidence of any sort that Warner ever tried to punch anyone, other than Joe Root..." so he has form on the board with punching other cricketers.
Bobbo7
Guest
No Don. The Australian cricket team has quite an extensive history of poor behaviour, including the current series. Delusion and a short memory are different things, although even with a short memory you can look at Warner's recent behaviour as a fine example.
DavSA
Guest
Of course it is a major blow Ronan . Just imagine if it was Mitchell Starc out for the rest of the series. It would be as bad for Australia. But ....sometimes these things have a way of working out . It has opened the door for Morkel to complete his illustrious test career on the playing field and not carrying the drinks. Ngidi can be as dangerous as Rabada on his day . Just ask India. It also opens the door for Dale Steyn to return although I suspect SA will only select him for the 4th test if they lose at Newlands and have to throw everything at Aus to square things up.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Nevill and Abbott have given NSW control of the game. They are a real bogey side for us. But it looks like it will be a QLD v Tassie Final, although the Vic's are mounting a fight back.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Just like Maddinson this whole summer. Does nothing when the season's on the line, is brilliant when his team's out of contention.
At the end of the day it is advantage Australia, it will be a tough series for SA.
Don Freo
Guest
No. Rabada is the worst that has ever been. How can one have so many demerits so early in a career? Keep trying to deflect. The only problem is you keep deflecting it onto your own stumps. The finger is raised, Jake.
Jake
Guest
Neil Wagner, the worst of the lot is a kiwi.
Rellum
Roar Guru
QLD has had a shocking day. Not only are we conceding runs to Maddinson we lost Matty Renshaw to a concussion from an accident during a fielding drill this morning. Hopefully he is right for the final. And for me putting up these NSW commentators is a bit nauseating.
Don Freo
Guest
Your imagination. Have another read of Matthew's rap sheet. History and paranoia are 2 different things, Bobbo7.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Yes, walking in a straight line and having a look of surprise when the bowler gives you a little shoulder bump is like diving. Right. Okay. Glad I don't live in your fantasy world.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
What rubbish. There's is zero evidence of any sort that Warner ever tried to punch anyone, other than Joe Root many years back, and he probably deserved it! And he did get suspended after that! Warner was clearly trying to get in De Kock's face after he said something that Warner really didn't like, but to suggest he was trying to punch him is really letting your imagination run away with things!
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Steyn's average against Australia in Australia is 28, and in South Africa is 26. His overall average is 22.32, and his average in South Africa is 20.98. So his worse average against Australia can't be attributed to playing on roads in Australia.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Yeah, it's the movement, but if you are getting the ball to move late at extreme pace then batsmen are going to be late on the ball trying to cover the movement. If it's slower, then they have more chance to see the ball move and adjust. So bowlers who can get the ball moving around at extreme pace are really hard to handle. Top batsmen can generally handle extreme pace pretty well when it's going straight. Faster onto the bat and faster off it.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Interesting commenting on Steyn having a wonderful record against Australia. His average against Australia of 27 is still good, but his career average is 22. So his record against Australia is actually significantly worse than his overall record. It's still pretty good. But it makes "has a wonderful record against Australia" a rather strange statement.
Bobbo7
Guest
Don, the Aussies regularly get ugly on the cricket field.
Jake
Guest
Little jacko has a very big chip on his shoulder.