It has been a long time between drinks, but after 5000 Twenty20 games, Australia is set to play some Test match cricket. The summer looks very promising. South Africa has played a solid warm up game and have largely showed that they are ready. Steyn is bowling with pace and fire, while the likes of Smith made runs. Australia appears less than settled at this stage. Ponting has a hamstring concern, Shane Watson is likely to miss the first Test with a calf injury, while Cowan and Warner are coming into the game without the luxury of having runs behind them.
For Australia, the bowling is the clear strength. Siddle and Pattinson have bowled convincingly in recent Sheffield Shield matches, as has Ben Hilfenhaus. Mitchell Starc has improved immensely, and could nudge out Nathan Lyon, who is having to battle a few demons of his own. This is unlikely however. Lyon will play, but his bowling has noticeably gone off the boil in the past few months. He will come under pressure if he is not able to take wickets, or at least tie up an end, while the quicks go to work.
South Africa defeated Australia in the previous series that these two fought out on Australian shores. Australia were better in that series than many remember. The Perth match featured a spectacular last innings chase by De Villiers, Duminy and company, while the Melbourne Test was won, following a lengthy stand where Daly Steyn made 76 runs, which turned the match in South Africa’s favour.
The memory of this defeat is tending to convince many that South Africa start this series as rampaging favourites, however the series will be very tight. Provided, of course, that Australia’s batting can stand up under pressure. That is the key to deciding this series. The best bowling attack in the world, up against an ageing batting line up that has shown a certain degree of fragility. Cowan, Warner, and now Quiney are likely to make up the top three. Neither is experienced, and with the exception of Quiney, neither is in great form. Ponting, Clarke and Hussey follow. Clarke was supreme last summer, as was Ponting. Ponting has made runs at shield level, though has an injury concern, while the ageless Hussey is facing his least favourite opposition, having a very poor record against Steyn, Morkel and Philander.
Partnerships are the key for Australia. Their collapses have been marked by an inability of any player to stem the flow of wickets. Granted, they were dominant with the bat last summer, however they will have to go up a gear this time around.
Australian Cricket News 