Latest News – Sanjay's Cricket World

The summer of cricket between South Africa and Australia is over. It’s been tightly contested, and has been fairly tight except for the one dayers.

The test series were shared one apiece for a 3-3 aggregate, and the Pro 20′s were also shared 1 series apiece for a 2-2 aggregate. However it was the one dayers that were one sided with South Africa convincingly taking both series for a 7-3 aggregate.

Overall the test series was quite even, I still felt South Africa were too reactive, with the Aussies looking to be aggressive and take control from the beginning. The fact that Ponting won 6 tosses out of 6, and was able to bat first certainly helped him, but South Africa were guilty of not exploiting the conditions enough on the first day of all the test matches, when there was something in the wickets. By and large Australia’s batting was solid, and the number of centuries scored bore testament to this fact. The one day our bowling did gain the advantage ie Newlands, we were able to really ram home the advantage and gain a concisive victory.

In chasing totals, South Africa did not gain a passmark. We collapsed dismally in Perth before having a great second innings, relied on the magic of JP Duminy in Melbourne, and came up short in Sydney. Back home we failed big time, before making it count in the dead rubber at Newlands.

Other than Steyn no one else really gave him enough support. Either we need someone else to take wickets or someone to really be more economical than Morkel or Ntini. I would drop Morne Morkel and Ntini and bring in Parnell and Tsotsobe. They will earn more wickets and do more with the ball.

The batting lineup is solid, they just need to be more consistent and dominate more. For instance Jacques Kallis was his usual consistent self, but needs to convert those 40′s-80′s into big hundreds. Amla, Duminy, De Villiers etc need to do the same. I’d still like to drop Boucher and give the gloves to AB, and then bring in Albie Morkel. It’s offer muych greater depth in batting and bowling.

The pro 20′s and one day squads are almost right. We simply have to back our abilities more to dominate games. Go after the bowling earlier, really put the foot down. The one guy who looked to be supremely confident was AB De Villiers and by the end of the series he had a gameplan that worked for him.

Whilst we didn’t dominate the summer, it was important we didn’t lose to the Aussies once again. Mentally we will take much from this, and hopefully break free from the self-imposed schackles we have placed upon ourselves. I look forward to the shortened versions of the game ie Pro 20 world cup, before the summer against the English! Let’s put them away and get some silverware!

The one day series was dominated in the middle stages by South Africa for a deserved 3-2 series victory. Other than the first game in Durban where we missed the balance and class of Jacues Kallis, we have won all the important moments when the pressure was on. That has been the most pleasing aspect from a longer term view.

In chasing down a gettable total in Durban. We succumbed dismally with the loss of too many early wickets. The fact we bounced back with a great bowling spell at Centurion, really hit the Aussies hard when they were looking to dominate.

Capetown and Port Elizabeth were great for the fact we batted first for a change (I was beginning to think we really didn’t know how to set a total) and got great competitive totals. AB De Villiers has been in sublime form. The Aussies have never been great chasers and their middle order simply couldn’t respond.

The last game at the Wanderers was a bit disappointing. It didn’t help not having Johan Botha, but we did well to limit the Aussies to 300 after their start. Runs on the board is always valuable, but it was a gettable total. We started off well and what didn’t please me was the fact we seemed to have learnt nothing this summer. Gibbs caused a lot of the problems in my view by going to slowly, especially at a time Kallis was motoring along. He lost all the momentum, and from that stage we never got the run rate down to an easy level. I’d have liked to see us go harder, faster at the total as by the last 10 overs came around, it was too big a task. Also we could’ve used the power play earlier, as by the time we tried to take it, the game was effectively over.

To finish the series 3-2 in South Africa, and 4-1 in Aus, shows we were the dominant team, but still a long way from the finished article.

As we moved away from the test series, South Africa was able to carry its momentum and comfortably win both pro 20′s matches. It shows the confidence within the younger squad of our pro 20 team, and they are getting better all the time. I feel it is a better balanced squad than the test squad, with more game breakers.

One of our biggest weaknesses, spin bowling is now our big strength, espcially during the middle overs of the shorter versions of the game. They are able to slow the stem of runs, and create wickets through pressure and attacking bowling. It compliments our pace attack well. Our fielding has always had great enthusiasm, our execution just needs to become a bit sharper.

The batting at the top of the order is still slightly concerning. I still feel Gibbs is not the answer. It will be good to have Smith back for the one dayers. Amla, De Villiers and Duminy create a decent middle order, and then Albie Morkel needs greater support at the death. It’s a pretty good formula is we can fine tune it.

As we move into the one dayers, this is the result that will judge our summer. If we can convincingly win the series then the overall season will have been deemed a success. If we lose it is honours shared and back to the drawing board. At home we just have to do it…

South Africa won the 3rd test by an innings an 20 runs. Finally we have managed to record a substantial victory over the Aussies, albeit in a dead rubber.

After losing the initial advantage on day 3, De Villiers and Morkel rescueed the situation and played magnificently, putting the Aussies under all sorts of pressure, and effectively winning the game for us. That is what happens when you put the opposition under pressure and they start to tire from having to spend 2 days in the field. It’s taken us a while to finally produce the sort of innings we need with more regularity. I still think someone should have got a double hundred, but then I just want to see us play to our potential. I was disappointed Kallis once again got out cheaply trying to start his innings again on day 3. He is too good a player to not score a double hundred, clearly there is something wrong with his mental approach, for he never gets going the day after he has batted for a prolonged period.

It’s a pity Duminy missed out. As I mentioned before this series, I thought the Aussies would test him with short pitched bowling. He has to learn to deal with that better, and I still think he has the goods to deliver consistently for us. Albie Morkel added the depth to our batting we have sorely missed, and that enabled us to keep coming at the Aussies when previously they have wrapped up our tail quite quickly.

I think overall we have had a much better balanced team, although we may be one seamer short if Albie Morkel doesn’t produce consistently with the ball. I’d like to see Boucher dropped, the gloves given to AB DeVilliers, and another bowler put in. I think Tsotsobe would give us the variety we so need.

It was fantastic to see Harris do well, as he has such a great attitude. Determination and enthusiasm aplenty. He is like Prince is to our batting. Steyn always chips in with 3-4 wickets, but there needs to be someone else as I think where we have suffered is if Steyn is not firing 100%, there is not enough back up. As great a servant as Makhaya is, and he always gives 110%, he is coming towards his last days. We need to be succession planning from now. I was a bit disappointed we let Johnson and McDonald get away, neither are that good with the bat, and Johnson should never have made a hundred. We sure struggle to bowl to him. But at least they were never going to win.

Looking forward the selectors have some brave decisions to make. I am not sure they have enough balls to make them. My ideal lineup would be:
Smith (c)
Prince
Amla
Kallis
De Villiers (w/k)
Duminy
Albie Morkel
Harris
Steyn
Ntini
Tsotsobe

Parnell may be one for the future to replace Ntini, and Kallis alays gives such all round value, although his batting could produce greater results. Amla needs to convert more of his opportunities, else he could be replaced by another youngster, or possibly Khan could come in to open. Whatever happens we need to hammer England when they arrive on our shores…

At the end of the week we start the Pro 20, and then on to the one dayers. We have much needed momentum, and now we have to inflict more pain on thses Aussies…

Finally South Africa delivered an almost flawless day of test cricket and hammered their advantage home. It shows the value of having a true grafter in the side in the form of Prince, someone who epitomises the character upon which SA cricket was built, namely determination, guts and character. I was pleased to see him do so well in a turbulent week, and really take the game away from the Aussies. Kallis also showed the same characteristics in overcoming some hostile bowling, having to wear a few on the body and 1 on the helmet. But once the bowlers tired, he was allowed to cash in and take full toll. Poor McGain found out how tough test cricket should be and has the worst figures ever for someone bowling 5 overs or more in test cricket.

We now have to make the Aussies pay and put them away. I’ll be looking for us to get 600+. To do that we need to bat as much of day 3 as possible, and hopefully a session into day 4. Kallis has always struggled to re-start his innings again and it’s the reason he hasn’t got a test double hundred. The opportunity is there for him and then De Villiers, Duminy, Boucher and Morkel can cash in.

Then we don’t need to worry about batting again. We use pressure and a deteriorating pitch to do the rest and finish with an emphatic victory over the Aussies. 3-3 from the summer would be a fair reflection and allow us to take heed of the lessons we need to learn. I’d be happy with that.

Although I didn’t get to watch much of the first day’s play, it was a pleasing one for South Africa. Finally we have started a test and been in a position to dominate from early on in the match. A bad start with too many easy runs, was quickly rectified with some high quality bowling from Styen, and some clever bowling from Harris. Although we were sloppy early on, and put down 2 chances, this time we weren’t made to pay by what is really a very average Australian side.

I think we have a very balanced team for a change. I like Albie in for brother Morne, Imraan Khan in for McKenzie, and Prince also. The determination that Prince brings to the team, is the exact quality needed to succeed in test cricket. It brings a nice balance when mixed in with the nature of De Villiers and Kallis. The only other change i’d ike to see is another batter, or possibly all rounder in for Boucher, with the keeping handed to De Villiers. Speaking of which, I would have opened with De Villiers seeing as he has done it before, and put Prince, a true middle order player, at number 5.

With the best of batting conditions now on offer during days 2 and 3, we have to put on a really big score of 500+. At least 2 people need to make hundreds and we should be able to win this game quite comfortably. But the way we play i’d never be certain. Here’s hoping they follow the plan!

After the Wanderers, things have gone from bad to very bad to unbelieveably bad!!!

There was a lot of talk before Kingsmead, but it has proved to be hot air. It frustrates me to see South Africa losing, because we have the talent to dominate at this level. Where we fall down is in the mindset. We have been labelled chokers since readmission, and now I believe this is a fair tag. Whenever we’ve had pressure on us, we’ve failed to deliver. The 1996 World cup – unbeaten in the pool stages, and knocked out in the quarter finals to the unfancied West Indies. ’99 World cup, dominant and quaified for the semis, we gifted Australia the cup. 2003 world cup, a shambles in front of our home crowd. 2007 world cup, we disappointed when we had the number 1 ranking. Numerous tours to Australia, always coming up short. Why is this?

I believe it’s because of our mindset. We have an attitude of not losing, whereas Australia have an attitude of aiming to win. It’s why they score at 3.5-4 runs an over and we score at 2.5. We try to occupy and not get out, they aim to take the game away from the opposition and attack.

It’s also why they can bring youngsters or rookies who can succeed immediately. eg Marcus North, Phillip Hughes, Hilfenhaus, Siddle etc. They aren’t afraid. We look for excuses.

I have never been a fan of Mickey Arthur. For him to say that Morne Morkel is a year away from the level of Steyn leaves me in bewilderment. He is a weak link. He can’t bowl a decent line and length. It’s why he never takes more than 2-3 wickets an innings. It doesn’t matter if he is playing schoolboy or test level, the principles stay the same. Make the batter play, bowl one side of the wicket, and get him out! You can’t bowl all over the shop and expect wickets and maidens. For all his “talent” he has delivered nothing. His batting is even worse. I’d demote him to number 11, and that is being kind!

Jacques Kallis, McKenzie, AB DeVilliers, Amla, Boucher haven’t performed. When the heat is turned up, none of them have come to the party bar AB’s innings in Perth. The only one to have taken responsibility and performed under pressure is JP Duminy. It is no coincidence he’s done it all series and the rest of his team haven’t. It’s no coincidence all these guys have great records, but against the Aussies they all have poor records. They can’t handle the heat.

It’s also extremely concerning to see that our batsmen are getting hit and injured. Smith (twice), DeVilliers, Kallis. Their bowlers aren’t that great, ours should be more lethal. In our conditions too we should be better prepared. It doesn’t say much about out courage and skill. And it makes us appear to be very soft!

Where to from here? I think we’ll get done in the one dayers too. At the end of the series, we need a better plan going forward. Sack Arthur. I thought Jennings was good. Get someone decent, who can run the show and give some discipline to these prima donnas. Drop Morne Morkel, McKenzie, and Boucher. Bring in some new blood, and reward performances. But above all show some heart like we use to have eg Gary Kirsten, Jonty Rhodes, Fanie DeVilliers etc. And then believe in our ability and go out and try to win games, even if we have to lose a few by trying to dominate. And above all…make sure the cricket is played when I can turn it off and watch the rugby instead!

After the disappointment at the Wanderers we move to Kingsmead. Historically a good ground for South Africa, but it should help the Aussies as much as it does our team. There has been a lot of soul searching and hard words from the Proteas, and i’m hoping that the effect of that and a bit more cricket have gotten rid of the cobwebs, switched us on and motivated to go for that number 1 spot once more. This test we must deliver on our promise.

Whilst the selectors and coach are unlikely to make any changes, I think on a seamer friendly deck it would have been a good idea to bring in Albie Morkel instead of Harris. It would give another pace bowling option, and strengthen the batting. I’d also drop McKenzie and bring in Prince, somehow. Maybe move De Villiers to open the batting, and slot Prince in the middle order.

The Aussies also have some injury concerns, and if Siddle and Hilfenhaus can’t play they are in big trouble. Here’s hoping anyway. Whatever happens when we bat, we need to see off the new ball and really cash in on the second fiddle bowlers, and the strike bowlers as they tire. If we keep losing early wickets they get their tails up and we face all the pressure.

Whilst the toss will be important with a fair covering of grass likely to be rolled into the wicket, the main thing is making whatever discipline you have to perform count. If we bowl as we usually do against the Aussies we must break them for around 200. If we bat, we must score 400+ and build a first innings lead. We must put them under pressure. Unfortunately in every test we have been on the back foot and fought back against the odds. This time we must lead and subject them to the pressure. Then we will see them suffer.

I’m expecting to see us come out firing and exert some pressure on them from the start. This is our most crucial game since the World Cup semi-final. Pressure can do some funny things, and we have choked too often before, but this time i’m predicting a South African win, and a level series! Come on…

A thoroughly disappointing result for the Proteas and South Africa. Whilst I hate losing, to lose to the Aussies is the worst thing possible! The biggest disappointment is the fact we were comprehensively outplayed in our own backyard. I was praying for rain…but it just didn’t come to the party!

This is not the first time we have suffered at the hands of the Aussies at the Wanderers. In 2002 we got beaten by an innings and a gizillion runs. And we have lost the first test at the Wanderers in our 2 previous home series against India and the West Indies. To go for 3-5 weeks without any cricket for some of our players has come back to look like the most idiotic planning. There is a lesson to be learnt here for we were clearly underdone.

After losing the toss and seeing Australia batting on a bowler friendly first day’s wicket, I was quite pleased and expected us to bowl the Aussies out for around 200, 250 max. To see them 50 for 3 was pleasing and we were right on top. The problem is we weren’t bowling well. We weren’t making them play the new ball often enough, we bowled too short and the consistency was non-existent. Graeme Smith dropping a straight forward chance to get rid of Ponting is simply inexcusable at this level, and could have been what cost us the game.

The way Katich, Hussey, Ponting and Clarke were out should have provided the lesson to pitch the ball up! But alas we are infatuated with the short ball. How often do we get Ponting out with a short ball? Use it as an element of surprise certainly, but don’t try and bounce him out! And don’t give him anything to pull!

It was interesting to hear Ponting say we lost the game on the 1st day, because I also thought we lost it there. to only get 2 more wickets in seaming/swinging conditions for the addition of 200 runs effectively made it hard for Australia to lose from there, unless we scored really big in the first innings. We did have a chance on the second day to come back strongly and possibly get them out for 350 which would have made it a lot more even, but once again we struggled to clean up their tail.

It’s a problem we have had for many years now, cleaning up the tail. Even Bangladesh did well against us. I’m not sure why. I can only suggest we play the wrong tactics. As i’ve always maintained, doesn’t matter who the batsmen is, bowl line and length and aim for the top of off stump. You give yourself maximum ways to get the batter out, and it is very hard to hit those deliveries for 4.

Australia scoring 450 meant we were then trying to save the game. Being bowled out for … realistically meant we needed a miracle to save the game as we gave them too much of a lead, and too much time to set a big target. All credit to Kallis for bowling well and allowing us to bowl the Aussies out for a respectable total (although once again the last wicket frustrated us).

A target of 456 was always too much barring a miracle and a long length of time to simply save the game. But we should have done better than that. Regardless of whether we were going for the win or saving the game, we simply batted poorly. Not enough conviction, and not enough skill. Our run rate for our two innngs was around 2.5-2.8. Australia were around 3.5-3.8.

All of the Aussies bar Hussey stood up to be counted. They all had a greater desire and passion to win the test match. They have now won their last 2 matches against us, and I have to say, other than the 4th innings in Perth, and Duminy and Steyn’s partnership in Melbourne; have probably outplayed us most of the summer. We simply won the 2 moments that really counted.

I am still not sure we have the balance of the side right. Morne Morkel is way to inconsistent, and concerningly, never going to get you more than 2-3 wickets an innings. He is certainly not going to bowl a side out like Johnson and Siddle have been doing. And I think those 2 are very average bowlers. The fact we are letting them dominate us is not on. Ntini is not the bowler he used to be either, although he will always give 100%.

As I have mentioned previously we should have played Tsotsobe for Morkel, but now he is injured. Do we bring in Albie Morkel for Morne and strengthen the batting? I would because Albie is not as quick a bowler, but he’ll bowl straighter and I think be more successful. I’d also get rid of Boucher. Let De Villiers keep wicket and bring back Prince. We have to start scoring 400 plus, consistently. They won’t do it, because they are too conservative, but I hope we can bounce back in Durban because the pressure is on us…

Australia 254/5 – play stopped by bad light

Once again we started with Ricky Ponting winning the toss and Australia batting. Once again we had some early wickets by South Africa and then an Australian fightback, as we have seen right through this summer of cricket.

South Africa could not have hoped for a better start, getting a wicket in the first over and then a second not much later to a pearler of a catch from McKenzie. At that stage we had them on the ropes. But full credit for Ponting, for as much as I really really dislike him, he is a man for the big occassions and is holding the Aussie batting lineup together. He is not faultless, he often gives chances (like on 40 when we should have had him caught. It was very unlike Smith to put him down). As a bowling team, you have to take those half chances. But what he does is disregard what is happening at the other end, plays aggressively and very quickly he can get his team out of trouble by scoring quickly and putting pressure on the opposition. If we can;t get him out we really have to shut him down and stop him scoring, because then he will try and make things happen and offer chances.

We had a bit of a stutter and then got Hussey to a good delivery. At that stage they were about 50/3 and we were in the box seat after an hour. Similiar to Perth, we needed to make it count. Similar to Perth we did not. Similiar to Perth we did not attack enough, and similar to Perth we lost the momentum.

I still feel we do not bowl the right line and length. It’s often to far outside off stump, and then we drift to far towards leg stump and get picked off, so the opposition score on both sides of the wicket. As i’ve mentioned, i’d like to see us attack the stumps more, make the batters play more and then bring in more modes of dismissal. At the end of the day you simply have to put 6 balls in the right spot and aim for the top of off stump. You can’t comofrtably drive or pull that length.

We had another brief glimmer when we got Ponting and Clarke to have them 184/5 but again we could not make it count. For Australia to end on 254/5, they will be very happy. For us to let them score 200 for the loss of 2 wickets on a first day pitch at the Wanderers, is very disappointing.

I’m sure we will come out firing tomorrow, but for me the horse has bolted. from this position, Australia are looking at 300+ which puts them in a great position. I think we are lucky there is plenty of rain about Joburg at the moment and I am certain this test will end in a draw, but then you never know…