An Improbable Australian Win in South Africa: What Made The Difference?

Australia took sweet revenge against South Africa by winning both the Tests in the three match series by whopping margins of 162 and 175 runs so far. It was called ‘revenge’ as South Africa became a threat to Australia’s number one tag by defeating Australia in the Aussie’s home soil in December, 2008 with a margin of 2-1. After winning the first two Tests by 6 and 9 wickets respectively, South Africa lost the last one, only five minutes from time, despite a courageous and painful batting effort by their injured captain, Graeme Smith, who was bowled by Mitchell Johnson to mark Australia’s solitary win in that series.

After that, when Australia came to the African continent, nobody gave a chance to them. They had a new, inexperienced side and their bowling attack was led by a player who had only 18 Test match experience in his kitty. Other main bowlers like PM Siddle, BW Hilfenhaus and DE Bollinger did not have a total experience of ten Tests also. Their premier spinner was yet to make his debut at 36 and to make the matter worse, was also injured. They had to contend with the spin of debutant MJ North, MJ Clarke and Simon Katich who all are part timers. Coming to the batting, opener Phil Hughes was young and would make his debut in this high profile series. There was also a difference in opinion regarding his selection in the team as many believed that more experienced Phil Jacques should have been selected instead of Hughes. Another debutant, MJ North had to perform in the crucial no.6 slot which saw many great innings by Andrew Symonds. Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was also inexperienced in Test arena and there was enough doubt about the capabilities of all-rounder AB McDonald, who would only be playing his second Test. In brief, it was a fresh side missing the services of some of its legends’ [like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilcrist, Mathew Hayden, Stuart McGill, Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds, Stuart Clark and Shane Watson] due to either retirement or injury.

So, what really changed the direction of the wheel to 360 degree in just about two months time as now South Africa found themselves in the same place where Australia was in January, 2009? They are trailing the series by 0-2 and facing a whitewash! The main change was in the mentality of the new Australian players like Phil Hughes, MJ North, AB McDonald, PM Siddle, BW Hilfenhaus and above all, the dynamic Mitchell Johnson. In Australia, the top ranked team lacked the determination whereas it was most in South Africa this time and above all, it was seen the most in the new players itself. They fear none, leave alone staying in awe Apart from MJ Clarke [393 runs from 6 innings], Simon Katich [297 runs from 6 innings], Rickey Ponting [285 runs from 6 innings] and Mitchell Johnson [17 wickets and 97 runs from 3 innings], this strength of mind was missing in other players in 2008 series. Not many Aussies were featuring in the top5 of most run scorer and most wicket taker list at that time.

However, this time around, the whole scenario has revolutionized dramatically as the Australian debutants and relatively newcomers rise to the challenges. Till the second test, Phil Hughes claimed the top run getter spot with 350 runs from 4 innings with an average of 87.50 and another debutant MJ North captured the number five slot with 160 runs from 4 innings. Rickey Ponting continued to lead from the front, coming next to only Hughes through his blistering performance of 198 runs from 4 innings with an average of 49.50. Simon Katich [Avg. 37.75] and Brad Haddin [Avg. 35.00] completed the five Australian names in the Top8 list of most run scorers till now. Among the bowlers, Mitchell Johnson with 12 wickets and PM Siddle with 11 wickets emulated 2008 series’ highest wicket taker DW Steyn who came to third with barely 9 wickets from 2 Tests. Last year’s scenario of only two Aussie names in Top8 bowlers list in terms of wicket taking capability was totally changed this time as AB McDonald and BW Hilfenhaus reduced South Africans participation in the Top8 to four only till the second Test.

Last series performers like MJ Clarke and MEK Hussey are disappointments till now as a certain Mitchell Johnson also scored more runs and that too with a better average. Australian number one bowler Brett Lee was overshadowed by the pace of Johnson this time and certain BW Hilfenhaus carried the good work used to done by Stuart Clark. PM Siddle came as a surprise package though with an 18.45 bowling average which was better than even Johnson’s 21.00. The grit and attitude of new Australian players brought a fresh air and gave a new direction to the team. Proper team selection also contributed as Australia knew that they have to bat long in order to negate the mounting scare poised by three pronged fiery South African pace attack of Steyn, Ntini and Morne Morkel, excluding the accurate Jack Kallis. Therefore, they played all-rounder AB McDonald at number eight and the number nine was Johnson, who hit a devastating 96 not out, only to change the complexion of the game. The players did whatever was assigned to them efficiently and effectively enough to leave South Africa wondering.

Complacency on the part of South Africans can be another reason in the rise of Aussies and the downfall of Africans in the series so far. Neither their main bowlers like Steyn, Ntini or Morkel were effective enough nor the supporting bowlers like Jack Kallis, Paul Harris and JP Duminy in comparison with Hilfenhaus, McDonald, North or a certain Katich. Coming to batting, excluding AB de Villiers [Avg. 64.66], Kallis [46.75] and to certain extent JP Duminy [45.33], nobody came near to the Top8 list of highest run getters. GC Smith, ND McKenzie, HM Amla and MV Boucher had a disastrous series till now with average of 35.50, 33.88, 25.25 and 12.50 respectively. Smith was number two run scorer in Australia with 65.72 and Amla scored his 259 runs at 51.80. Even JP Duminy’s score of 246 runs at 61.50 was way above his relatively poor performance in home. McKenzie and Boucher were failures in the previous Australian series also which denotes selection failure on part of South Africans as a more deserving Ashwell Prince was ignored.

Therefore, one can say that complacency and failure in team selection on part of South Africa combined with new Aussie players’ grit, attitude, fearlessness and team selection led to an implausible Aussie victory over the Proteas.