So now that the dust is still trying to settle following the sandpapergate fallout, what is Australia’s chances of fighting back to level this Test series?
It would be foolhardy for the Proteas to think that Australia don’t have enough grunt to bounce off the canvas after being felled by the ball-tampering sucker-punch at Newlands.
I don’ think South Africa’s captain, Faf Du Plessis, players and management will want to have anything to do with a complacent attitude just because they have their foot on the Aussies’ throat.
As former South Africa spin bowler Pat Symcox said earlier this week on radio, “Cricket is largely a game of the mind – where confidence determines the state of play”. And confidence will be sky-high among the South African contingent – especially now that the Aussies have been winded by their two Test losses on the trot.
But Faf and his men would know better than to think they can just walk over the old rival because of the discord in the Aussie camp.
It is hard to believe that South Africa has never won a series at home against Australia since their readmission. Maybe it was the Warne factor in the past, Australia’s superior tactical approach under leaders like Steve Waugh, or a refusal on the part of past South Africa captains to give spin a chance, that entrenches this stat in their record books. Who knows?
Winning the toss could prove crucial at the Wanderers. The venue, not possessing a pitch anymore that previously had a ball swinging and nipping around like a wildcat back in the day, would probably offer something for the bowlers. But such are the pitch conditions in South Africa during these times, due to weather conditions and what captains suggest pre-match to curators, that the nip may only stay around for an hour or two.
Batting on the fifth day could also be an issue, if the pitch gets scuffed up by footmarks or the inconsistent weather conditions (brief thunderstorms and so on) that are prevalent on the Highveld have their say.
Batting first could be a conundrum for Australia as their batsmen have been struggling for runs. The openers (who could be Matt Renshaw and Usman Khawaja) have to front up and solidify the top order. Others like the Marsh brothers will also have to come to the fore now.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Austalia’s pace attack, with the exception of Pat Cummins whose warhorse, attritional attitude has stood out in this series, can be a clincher for them.
Mitchell Starc has gone off the boil sometimes, especially when the ball has not reversed, and at times, when the chips were down, one felt almost like he was throwing in the towel. Pace bowlers work best in packs.
The bowling unit will have to lift up their socks and get all those pistons synchronised and lead the way, if Australia is to have any advantage.
Nathan Lyon, who can tie up one end, has not been at his best in South Africa, and it is in fact Keshav Maharaj of South Africa who has shown better guile and penetration.
To say the Proteas are in the driving seat to win the series is an understatement, given the circumstances. Their top-order is firing, as well as the tail. The bowling unit have worked together like a well-oiled machine, and now that Morne Morkel has found his mojo too, they could prove unstoppable in terms of variety in attack.
South Africa would know their opponents are winded but certainly not vanquished just yet. A series draw would be akin to a series win for Australia – given the prevailing troubles in the Aussie camp.
Can Australia pull it off and square it? It would be better if they do. The wound following sandpapergate is still open – and it hurts.
What a little bit of salve, in the way of a 2-2 series draw, would do to soothe things down a little bit.
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