Saturday, November 26, 2011

Powerade Chosen Column 4 - Makhaya Ntini


The second Test, while it was not as crazy as the first, it was still pretty exciting in the end and, for a while on Monday, the results could have gone either way. It could even have ended up as a draw.

For me, Australia’s win was not all that surprising and it showed that there is nothing quite as dangerous as a wounded animal, and that definitely also goes for Australian cricket teams!

The first Test, with both batting sides collapsing the way they did, was not a good reflection of the relative strengths of the two sides and although we won the first quite easily in the end, the second Test was a much better reflection of how strong the teams were and it showed that there was very little to choose between them.

If I was to analyze what happened, I would sum it up by saying that South Africa were unable to finish them off when we had them on the ropes, whereas a number of key players stepped up for Australia at the right time.

There are lessons to learn from that game which apply to all games. Unfortunately South Africa was unable to get those last few wickets. It’s been a common problem with the team and I remember a similar thing happening against England at Newlands not so long ago.

Imran Tahir did well to wrap up the Australian tail in the first innings, although they did manage to get another 20 runs at the end that proved crucial. The plan was obviously to get the leg spinner to do the same in the second innings, but unfortunately this plan did not come together.

To win a Test match, especially one between two teams that are as closely matched as Australia and South Africa have been in this series, you need your big guns to fire and I think that is what the Australians did in the second half of the Test match.  Ricky Ponting has been in terrible form, but he came right at exactly the right time, and his 62 in the second innings was the foundation for the win and it took an experienced player like him to produce the goods when it really counted.

Aussie wicket keeper, Brad Haddin, was another senior player who has not been producing the goods and, again, he turned it on when it really counted and his 55 was invaluable. Mitchell Johnson was another key player.  He has been under pressure and, although his bowling has not been good (I think he was injured early on in the game) he produced the goods with the bat, and was responsible for upping the scoring rate at a time when it looked like Australia were out of it.

And then there was Pat Cummins. The 18 year-old had a great game and showed that he was capable of taking that important step up to Test cricket in his stride. To take seven wickets, and be named man of the match in his debut Test, is fantastic and it shows he is one to watch in the future. He proved the Australian selectors’ decision to go with him, despite his lack of experience, was a good one. Australia has never been afraid to pick promising young players and this time was no different.

I’m hoping the South African selectors and the new coach take note and are not caught up in the conservative approach we have been following in recent series.

So it’s the Sri Lankans next and I am confident that we will be in with a great chance of beating them. Senior players like Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn have been great in this series and the signs are there that the others are getting into top form as well. And we also have Vernon Philander, a newcomer who performed like a veteran.  A debutant being named man of the series is not something you see every day.

THE POWERADE CHOSEN ONE:  For his performances with both bat and ball, in both Test matches, has to be Vernon Philander.

POWERADE HYDRATION TIP -   Drinking a sports drink, like Powerade, after the race helps your body to recover more quickly after strenuous physical activity.



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