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And the walls came tumbling down

By Will 2 years ago, at the end of December Add your comment below

Amid all the anticipation that Australia are about to lose their first home series in 16 years, there are some intriguing stats to come out following Dale Steyn’s individual excellence:

(Cricinfo)

Steyn has shone, but it’s been South Africa’s allround dominance which has most stood out. That, and Australia’s many cracks. A batting lineup with one or two ageing hasbeens; the over-reliance on Ponting; some seriously un-Australian loose strokes (Katich, of all people, chasing wide ones) and a bowling attack lacking penetration. That too is over-reliant on Brett Lee, who is injured, and although Mitchell Johnson is progressing nicely, I still don’t see him as a pack-leader.

So, if South Africa knock off these runs, they’ll condemn Australia to their first home-series defeat since West Indies in 1992-93. That’s a monstrously long time ago. I was 10 and my cricketing education had only just begun. Ever since, Australia have ruled the roost.

I’m sure nearly every Englishmen staying up late tonight will automatically (and patriotically?) pledge allegiance to South Africa. But even Australians, I like to think, might be quite excited at the change in world order. Don’t underestimate how significant this is; how Australia responds over the coming years is deliciously exciting.

Fellow losers staying up late (or early) to watch the match, leave a comment or three.

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9 Responses to “And the walls came tumbling down”

  • Gonzo Cricket wrote:
    December 29th, 2008 at 8.54 pm

    I am excited to see Tests be more competitive.

    I grew up as an Australian kid watching Border etc get whipped regularly, so there’s some nostalgia in the impending doom….

    I am however demanding the heads of the Australian selectors on a plate, garnished with something bitter.

    There is a lot of talent in Australian domestic cricket, and the most striking feature of the current selectors has been the lack of a plan B.

    I’m interested to see what happens with the captaincy though.

    Is it time for Australia to join India and England in allowing ex-captains to play on in their specialist role? It’s never been the tradition in Australia, but I feel the time has come.

    Ponting is a great batsman. Australia cannot afford to lose him in that role, but I’m not sure he’s the right person to blood a new generation. He’s far too conservative as a captain, and displays a disturbing lack of any ability to think on his feet when plans aren’t working.

    The Channel 9 commentators brought this up yesterday, and they didn’t seem to think Ponting would continue if he lost the captaincy. That seems ridiculous in this day and age of professional cricket.

    Is Clarke really the person to lead the team though?

  • Will wrote:
    December 29th, 2008 at 11.50 pm

    All valid comments Gonzo, will reply fully later. Big question for now though: why has Ponting opened the attack with Siddle instead of Johnson?!

  • Gonzo Cricket wrote:
    December 30th, 2008 at 12.02 am

    Because he’s a bloody idiot. :)

  • Marcus wrote:
    December 30th, 2008 at 1.28 am

    Johnson’s always been first-change, even behind Stuart Clark. I’m a big critic of Ponting’s captaincy but this isn’t that remarkable.

  • Gonzo Cricket wrote:
    December 30th, 2008 at 1.33 am

    Sure. He was first change when behind Stuart Clark.

    He’s not behind him now though… and given Australia needed to actually take early wickets, would you seriously rate Siddle as being more likely to do so than Johnson based upon recent performances against this SA side?

    Given how exhausted Lee looked, the smart move would have been to start with Lee/Johnson, then replace Lee with Siddle when he ran out of puff.

  • richo wrote:
    December 30th, 2008 at 6.04 am

    Johnson should definitely be taking the new ball, he’s clearly our leading bowler. He carried the bowling attack in India (where Lee and Clarke both failed) took the most wickets in the series against the Kiwis and has been the only bowler to consistenly trouble the Proteas while taking wickets.

  • raz wrote:
    December 30th, 2008 at 6.41 am

    south africa and india are now going to be competing for the no. 1 spot in all 3 forms of the game i think

  • Darryl wrote:
    December 30th, 2008 at 9.31 am

    This little Aussie is definitely excited about the future. Australia has got some quality young players coming through, but they might need time to develop. Meanwhile, I think we’ll remain competitive without being dominant.

    As for the Ashes 2009, it’ll be a tight one.

  • krusty wrote:
    January 5th, 2009 at 2.53 am

    I think over the next few years you won’t be able to name a clear number one test team in the world. It will be closely fought out between three or four teams for a time.

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