The Age
Peter Roebuck
February 16, 2009
ALTHOUGH denied access to the 2000 bottles of champagne, 8000 lobsters, 400 portions of caviar and 500 bottles of whisky (almost enough to quench the thirst of crooked cricket officials rightfully worried about the appointment of David Coltart as sports minister) put aside for Mugabe’s forthcoming 85th birthday party, the Australians ought to enjoy themselves in South Africa.
To that end, they might consider adopting the attitude taken by Graeme Smith and company on their recent visit to Australia. Previously long-faced, the Proteas were almost jovial as they toured the country and it showed in their cricket. Refusing to dwell on distractions such as laser beams and oafs and collapses, the Proteas were popular and successful.
Ricky Ponting and chums must likewise forget about frowns and play positive cricket. Already the selectors have played their part by turning towards youth. Yesterday they hurled David Warner and Moises Henriques into the fray. Previously it had been Peter Siddle and Andrew Macdonald, both included in the touring party. Next comes Phillip Hughes, a sparky batsmen with ear studs but, happily, not tattoos. Mistakes have been made but the determination to break away from the era of 31-year-old debutants has merit.
Accordingly, the Australians will arrive in Africa without the baggage they have been carrying all season. Youngsters tend not to worry about margin loans, breaking bodies or upset partners. Whereas seasoned campaigners can be thrown off course by outside forces, youngsters can retain simplicity. Part of the trick in sport is to stay young as long as possible while absorbing the lessons time alone can bring. Matthew Hayden, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee were bogged down by a variety of issues, and it showed. The main recent mistake involved Brad Haddin’s gloves and response, conduct that did not stop him ascending to the T20 captaincy.
Alas the Aussies must confront the Proteas without Stuart Clark, the most missed and least mentioned of the injured old guard. Clark first made his mark in Cape Town with a withering spell on a lively surface. Till then he had been cast as an impressive domestic seamer, a tag nowadays carried by Shane Harwood. Ever since that imposing debut, the Proteas have held the property expert in high regard. Without wishing him any harm, they were delighted by Clark’s absence this summer. Batsmen fear bowlers capable of pinning them down and darting the ball about.
Obviously the Australians have not been given much time to pack their bags, let alone adjust to local conditions. After last night’s match they had to hasten to their hotels, catch 40 winks and then hurry to the airport for a morning flight to Africa. Towards the end of the week, they will start their only practise match in the university town and former Afrikaner stronghold of Potchefstroom.
But cricketers have become adept at changing mindsets and techniques at the drop of a hat. Jean-Paul Duminy’s performances this season were proof enough of that. Nor can complaints about exhaustion be tolerated from players eager to spend their spare time playing cricket in India.
Despite all the misgivings, the Australians will be hard to beat in a series likely to be played on grassy and seaming surfaces. Pace remains the side’s strongpoint, with Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson and the swingers capable of forming an honest combination. Assuming Michael Clarke is fully fit, the batting has a solid ring to it, too. Marcus North has much to offer, but Macdonald’s batting may be deemed too dodgy for such a central role.
Of course, this assumes a match goes ahead, which cannot any longer be taken for granted. The debacle in Antigua was a new low for the game. It is inexcusable that a match can be cancelled after 10 balls and those responsible must be held to account. Nothing changed in the the days before the match. Thousands of visitors and umpteen television viewers were left in the lurch and the current players were embarrassed a week after a brilliant victory. Julian Hunte must resign as chairman. Equally puffed-up past players must put up or shut up.
Australia may find conditions at the Wanderers and Durban to their liking. Both wickets offer bounce and pace. Home advantage might not count for as much as it did in India. Sometimes it is easier playing away from home, as challengers and with a limited number of players to call on. All the more reason to look forward to a tight and compelling Test series.