Sorry I can't help putting the boot in but hell its satisfying to see the South African cricket team put one over the Aussies...
Having said that, we can't get too cocky. Apart from this fourth One Day International (ODI), the other three games were extremely close and if one over in each game had gone against us, we'd have been in a very different situation.
One of the things I think that South Africa HAS done better than Australia in this series is clearly defined the roles of each player in the side... something I believe Australia has not gotten right this time round.
Every player in the SA side knew and played to their role and Johan Botha was a standout despite some criticism from Ricky Ponting.
David Warner is a perfect example. The guy has come in to the side with an extremely random role - he's been employed to hit or get out - if it comes off great, if not then its a wasted wicket and Ponting gets in early.
A couple of people are probably going to disagree with me but I thought Shaun Tait and Nathan Bracken bowled really well in the series. Tait was a bit of a spray gun from time to time but I reckon he'd be good in the test side... As for Bracken - he's been the pick of the Aussie bowlers. However I got the impression that Tait doesn't know what his role is - he charges in, bowls the ball at 150km/h but isn't sure if he is supposed to be containing or taking wickets.
In South Africa's setup, Johan Botha, Albie Morkel, Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy knew their roles and bowled to them... Where was the spinner in the Aussie side who could bowl ten overs for thirty runs??
What about Brad Haddin and David Hussey? The guys can bat, but they seem to be coming in at the wrong times. I'm no Aussie selector but I reckon Haddin would be a real pain in the arse type of batter to bowl at at the top of the order and somebody like David Hussey would be great at the end of an innings.
What was the role of Ben Hilfenhaus in all of this?! I thought he was the guy supposed to keep things tight in the middle of the order, but I got the impression he thought he was a strike bowler?
Dunno what our readers think but would love some feedback.
Otherwise well done SA and HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY....
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2 comments:
hey marc
good article. I think you make some good points there regarding the roles of the Aussie players. I think that is the only place I would defend the Australians because, roles aren't defined over night. Most of these guys are young or have played a handful of games. It is too early to decide, who is doing what in the team. These guys come in and go very quickly. They are not given a proper stand or set of games to prove themselves or to define their roles. Some of them are in the team to fill in injury slots. I think it is part of the rebuilding process and the experiments will go on for a little while longer, until a proper team is being formed.
Tait's role is clearly defined. Ponting stated it during the WC of 07. Tait is only in the team to bowl fast and in hope that he would take wickets in that process. Yes, he will leak runs. He is not there to contain. He is a wayward bowler but a dangerous one. His line and length might not be perfect or will ever be controlled enough as it is for Lee or Mcgrath. He is just that type of a bowler. Australians will need to put up a big score and let this guy loose in the field.
Warner is a hit or miss for me, personally. If you look at the Australian team of the past ten to 15 years, you will notice that a guy like Warner has not been there. That is why, you see alot of hype amongst the Australians when it comes to Warner. They are looking for the NEXT BIG THING and they see Warner as that GUY. As mentioned before, he is NOT a GILCHRIST. To me, he is more like an Afridi, who can destroy an opposition on his day. He only knows one way to play. I think he is still young and his role will be defined, but at the moment, he is there to hit the ball and that is it. The selectors are quite conservative and you might or might not see Warner play again. His role is yet to be defined. I rather see the guy get some experience in the domestic level first and make his way up like other players have been doing.
SA have a good setup NOW. They have their roles defined because guys like Botha, Morkel, Kallis have been playing cricket for a while now. You can't really compare (i'm not saying that you are) them with players like Hilfy or Warner. They have hardly played a game for Aussies.
Having said all that, I think Australia just did not play well. It is as simple as that. There is alot to blame and have made some comments over about it, at our friend, baggy's blog.
I watched the lions and dolphins game the other night and thought Ryan Bailey was pretty good.
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