Dawn of a new age

While Australia’s tale of woe has been well documented, few have credited the South Africans for their extraordinary performances in the opening two test matches of this series.

The finger of blame has turned to the Australian side and it’s selectors for these astonishing results but one might consider for a moment the enormity of the Proteas achievement.

No side had won a test series on Australian soil since 1992-3. Allan Border’s long reign as Australian captain had claimed all bar one scalp. The West Indies looked like they might finally fall as Australia edged its way to a final innings target of 186 in the fourth test in Adelaide of that epic summer.

Craig McDermott cut a forlorn figure as the West Indies conjured a miraculous escape to keep the series alive, before reaffirming their status as the world’s best of the time with a crushing victory in Perth.

They were humble beginnings from which Australia were rising, following their bleakest period in the mid 1980s. It took something extraordinary to beat them then, just as it has done now.

South Africa had just one test victory in Australia since readmission post-apartheid. That in itself was a Houdini act. A fresh faced Jonty Rhodes made a composed 76no in the third innings of the 1994 Sydney test match. It gave the Proteas a slim chance by setting a three-figure target. Fanie De Villiers and Allan Donald needed no further invitation to rip through a far more experienced Australian outfit to nudge them by 5 runs.

The manner in which they compiled this series victory has not been dissimilar. Whilst the Perth pitch was a belter that only got better as the days wore on, only one side in 131 years of Test cricket had chased down more than 414 runs to win in the fourth innings.

They did it with composure and assuredness. Their captain has led from the front. Graeme Smith has been much maligned for his record in Australia but his century in Perth was sublime. He has made a habit of producing when it has mattered most. His side was set 283 for victory in Edgbaston earlier this year with the series against England in the balance. He duly delivered with a magnificent 154no to guide his side home.

Also in Perth, two young men, one in the mould of Jonty Rhodes, showed the depth of talent in this Proteas side as well as the extent of belief in their ability to win test matches from any position. AB de Villiers has excited all and sundry with his phenomenal catching in this series but his batting should surprise no one. His 106no in Perth was arguably the best of his seven test centuries but this follows a year where he has scored a double century in India and 174 in England.

JP Duminy was a late replacement for Ashwell Prince following the fracture of the vice-captain’s left thumb. 50no in his second test innings during a run chase of such significance was outstanding but just the tip of the iceberg.

Chasing 414 successfully to go one nil up in any series anywhere is the sign of a great side, let alone against Australia in Perth.

Despite the inherent problems of this Australian side, that have been analysed ad nauseum, one mustn’t forget that essentially the same outfit, minus only Adam Gilchrist, Stuart Clarke, Phil Jacques, and Brad Hogg, were constructing wins 15 and 16 of a record equaling sequence just twelve months prior.

South Africa’s win in Melbourne, although far more emphatic in margin, was just as miraculous in resurrection. At stumps on day two South Africa trailed by 198 runs with just Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, and Makhaya Ntini left to support the rookie Duminy who was 33no.

It is normally here where Ponting’s men would step on the jugular. But instead the Australian’s uncharacteristically didn’t take their chances. Incredibly, Dale Steyn, a bowler without a first-class half-century, and second-gamer Duminy, were allowed to compile 180 for the ninth wicket. The momentum swung violently. The Australians crumbled under the pressure.

It is such a familiar story. However the antagonists are in such unfamiliar roles. Three years ago, South Africa led after the first innings of the first test of the 2005-6 series. Brad Hodge, on just 13, with the lead at 115 and seven wickets in-hand, edged to Justin Kemp who dropped his second catch of the match. Hodge made hay notching 203no and effectively batted South Africa out of the match. Although Australia could not take ten fourth innings wickets, South Africa were no chance of chasing the 491 required to win.

In Perth in this series Australia had the chance to bat South Africa into oblivion again. But the difference this time around was that the Proteas held the chances offered. De Villiers and Kallis have been particularly outstanding in the cordon and 414 was well within reach as opposed 500 or more.

Likewise in Melbourne three years ago it was Australia battling to set a first innings score at 9/248. Michael Hussey was just 27 when Glenn McGrath joined him. The pair added 107 for the last wicket to demoralise Graeme Smith’s side. At 6/260 in South Africa’s reply, Mark Boucher’s exit left Herschelle Gibbs to bat with Shaun Pollock, Nicky Boje, Andre Nel and Makhaya Ntini. Sound familiar? The difference was Gibbs unlike Duminy had 72 Tests experience and had reached three figures 14 times. Pollock unlike Harris had 3243 test runs with two centuries, and Boje unlike Steyn had passed 50 in test cricket four times. Unlike in 2008, Smith’s side of 2005/6 folded for 311. They were set 366 in the fourth innings to lead the series one nil. They got nowhere near it.

South Africa’s kryptonite on that occasion was Australia’s self-belief. It reared its head again and again that summer. Australia chased down 289 comfortably in Sydney and pinched two wins in Durban and Johannesburg from unlikely situations. These were four of Australia’s first five wins in their record-equaling sequence of 16 consecutive under Ricky Ponting. The self-belief became ingrained and laid the foundations for miraculous victories in Fatulla (Bangladesh first test 2006), Adelaide (England second test 2006/7), and Sydney (India second test 2007/8).

Now the shoe is on the other foot. Australia’s kryptonite is South Africa’s self-belief. It has been built over twelve months of outstanding cricket. They drew with India in India, and beat England in England. Two results Australia have not achieved in the last four years.

Graeme Smith has led his Proteas to the top of world cricket. They have a chance to stay there for some time. Their batting is full of talent and resolve, with depth to boot. Their bowling attack is exciting, well balanced, and can only improve. The leadership of Smith has become something to behold. He has been at the forefront of their success. Only two men have scored more runs than Smith in a test calendar year. He has achieved this in possibly South Africa’s greatest Test year of all-time.

It is the dawn of a new age. The South Africans are now the king’s of world cricket.