Lessons from Down Under

Three weeks is a long time in the life of a politician, and an eternity in the existence of a national cricket team. Within three brief weeks, Australia has gone from zeroes to heroes. They drew the series against South Africa after meekly succumbing to the Proteas at Newlands. The Baggy Greens next won their first test at the Gabba against New Zealand in comprehensive fashion.

Not only did Australia beat South Africa at the Wanderers and thrash New Zealand by nine wickets, but they have also unearthed two extremely exciting debutants, Andrew Cummins and James Pattinson.

The 18-year-old fast bowler Cummins captured six for 79 in the second innings of the South African team at the Wanderers to inspire an unlikely Australian win.

Pattinson, 21-years of age and a big express fast bowler, ripped through the New Zealand top-order to take five for 27 as Australia romped to a nine-wicket victory.

Suddenly, Australia possess two new fast men capable of bowling at speeds of 150 kilometres an hour, and taking quick wickets.

No accident

Australia, stunned by their comprehensive Ashes loss to England, declared a national state of cricket emergency in 2011 and did soul-searching, resulting in dramatic changes. There was a change of coach, of selection staff, of captaincy and even the retirement of one opening batsman.

South Africa has not won a home series since 2008, yet they react as if no alarm bells are ringing.

Andrew Hudson, chairman of selectors, spoke about the need for a replacement for Mark Boucher, but also indicated that the embattled Boucher would be retained.

Gary Kirsten, the coach, emphasised the need for ‘small tweaks to become even better’ in an interview with the Sunday Times and said that after the series against Australia ‘we have a better understanding of what those tweaks are’.

With all due respect to the coach and the chairman of selectors, but currently our lack of a vision and bold leadership are sources of concern to cricket fans in this country.

When Mickey Arthur and Graeme Smith discussed the way forward in 2007 while on a tour of Pakistan, they opted for the dismissal of Shaun Pollock as a member of the test bowling attack. They also threw down the gauntlet to the top-six batsmen to take collective responsibility of scoring 300 runs and of amassing two tons between them.

South Africa won 11 of the next 15 tests, and secured away series wins against England and Australia.

The Proteas will need a bold new world and a new ruthless approach if they want to beat a mediocre Sri Lankan team.

Sri Lanka have been under fire recently, losing a test series at home against Australia, and failing miserably against Pakistan.

Kepler Wessels, a former SA captain, declared that the island men rely heavily on Mahela Jayawaredene and Kumar Sangakkara and that even a South African A-team might beat them.

A personal guess is that the SA A-team, especially the top-order, would succumb to the spinners of Sri Lanka, even on South African soil.

Furthermore, South Africa currently do not need a particularly hostile attack or a magnificent top-order to overwhelm them in order for the hosts to lose at least one test per series.

South Africa have habitually self-destructed the past four years, especially after taking a lead in a series, or after scoring a convincing victory. In short, they have beaten themselves repeatedly. Batting implosions have been the order of the day.

It is as if  complacency is setting in, undermining their intensity and almost obsessive will to win again and again.

It is as if South Africa sit back and bask in the glory of the win, feeling that they have earned the T-shirt now.

But in order to be a champion, you have to reassume control again and again. You have to reassert authority over a beaten opponent.

It is of little use for England to reflect on their marvellous 2011-Ashes campaign against Australia. In 2012, they have to repeat the magic.

And by the way, Australia, spearheaded by two superb young fast bowlers and supported by a resilient top-order, will challenge the superiority of England.

If Andy Flower and his men approach the Ashes-series with a similar relaxed demeanour as the SA approach to the second test at the Wanderers, Australia might have a real chance of retribution.

Ultimately, South Africa won’t win against Sri Lanka by merely looking at the patchy form of Mark Boucher and Ashwell Prince or the shortcomings of Jacques Rudolph and Imran Tahir.

The leadership will have to inspire them to a new level of ruthlessness, challenging the team to ensure a whitewash against Sri Lanka, and to continue that run of form against New Zealand.

Anything less than that would be considered a failure.

Kirsten spoke about creating an environment as coach where the players feel they have been given a chance to thrive as cricketers and as people. Sure, but what about a team wilting and sliding because of a culture of complacency?

That would require bold leadership. Kirsten and Smith will have to take unpopular decisions. They might be forced to give certain players ultimatums - perform or be prepared for the worst.

Are Kirsten and the team management prepared to move decisively?

If not, the series against Sri Lanka (the first test starts at Centurion on 15 December) will see the continuation of an alarming pattern and a downward slide in the test performances at home.

Fanie Heyns