Batting powerplay proved decisive for SA

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It was a decision that could have backfired big time and earned the South African captain Johan Botha a number of brickbats. But as things turned out, delaying the batting powerplay till the very end worked in South Africa’s favour. The chase of Australia’s challenging target was set up by some very sensible and high-class batting from JP Duminy and Neil McKenzie. However, when they fell in the midst of a middle-order collapse, it was big-hitting Albie Morkel who saw South Africa through to victory taking advantage of the fielding restrictions.




Duminy’s innings was special because he made 71 without hitting a boundary and yet maintained an acceptable strike rate. What Duminy and McKenzie did well was to keep the runs coming at a fair pace with minimal risks. It was a methodical partnership with balls being placed in the gaps and some quick running between the wickets. But both would be have been disappointed to have fallen to soft dismissals at a crucial juncture in the game. Nathan Bracken, who has almost unassumingly worked his way up to being the number bowler in one-day cricket, yet again proved his worth with his change of pace. He rolled his fingers over one and fooled Duminy into chipping on in the air the one side. McKenzie also fell to a similar shot.

South Africa nearly threw the game away when they lost four wickets for eight runs but Albie Morkel came up with an innings that brought back memories of Lance Klusener at his peak. South Africa need someone to replicate what Zulu did lower down the order and Morkel displayed he can be the man. There were all kinds of strokes in his match-winning cameo - a straight hit down the ground for six, a bludgeon through off side, a glide down to thirdman and a flick behind square leg. Skipper Johan Botha did not look comfortable out in the middle yet hung in admirably and hit the winning runs.

Despite the win, South Africa would consider themselves somewhat lucky. Their performance in the field was uncharacteristically slack. Debutante Vaughn van Jaarsveld had a torrid time in particular dropping two chances that ought to be held at this level. Further, the Proteas also missed some run-out opportunities and had themselves to blame for letting Australia cross 270 in spite of a reasonable bowling performance – an attack led by Dale Steyn in the absence of Makhaya Ntini.
Steyn was impressive and gave South Africa the early breakthrough but deserved better figures than he ended up with. Among the others Jacques Kallis was highly accurate and as a result very economical and Johan Botha too managed to keep it tight even as the Morkel brothers – Albie and Morne – went for a few. But Albie played the perfect brother and made up for both of them with his fantastic big hitting at the end.

While South Africa bowled pretty well, Australia too wouldn’t be disappointed with their batting performance. They would have been pleased to see Shaun Marsh back in form. Marsh batted with composure in an innings that was mainly built on singles and twos unlike his great IPL exploits. Of course there were the odd big shots to remind everyone of his capability that was never in doubt. This is a knock that will only help Marsh grow as a cricketer considering the struggles he went through recently. But there are still a few areas where Australia might have to rethink their tactics. Michael Hussey has been an opener in domestic cricket but has earned all his accolades as a middle-order batsman in international cricket. And hence the decision to have him opening the batting might be worth revisiting though one can bet on Hussey to succeed at any number. They had a great option in David Warner but he wasn’t drafted into the ODI side. Also they will have to look at options to stop the barrage of runs if South Africa continue with their tactic of delaying the batting powerplay ala this match.

From the visitors’ point of view, the top order needs to get its act right. They haven’t got off to a good start in the last three games in the absence of Grame Smith. Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis among themselves have to ensure that this changes in the future games. There is bound to come a time when Duminy fails and that could lead to disastrous consequences if the top three continue to falter. While Gibbs’ case is understandable as he hasn’t played much cricket owing to his rehab, Kallis and Amla have been guilty of getting out after getting starts throughout the tour.

Coming to the positives, it was great to see McKenzie back among the runs in the shorter format. He had lost his place in the side because he was not deemed fit for this version. But his partnership with Duminy demonstrated that he understands the game well. McKenzie ability to find the boundary just when the pressure was building aided Duminy since he did not need to take any further risks. He will have to stop getting overtly cheeky though. There were times in this match when he tried to get too clever and almost lost his wicket. If he plays with his head in the right place, McKenzie can still make a substantial contribution to South African cricket.
After the losses in the T20s, this win will reassure the South Africans that they can compete with Australia in any form of the game.

Warner special decimates South Africa

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It was a debut that David Warner would not have even dreamt of. The 22-year-old, who is yet to feature in a first class match, demonstrated why IPL’s Dehi Daredevils have already signed him on. Warner literally toyed with the South African bowling line-up, which troubled Australia in the Tests, and ended up smashing 89 from 43 balls. The knock encompassed seven fours and as many as six mighty sixes as the 60,000-plus MCG crowd were entertained to the hilt. In reply, South Africa’s JP Duminy continued to impress with a brilliant 78 made of 48 balls but it was not enough to overpower Warner’s magic.

Despite it being his first international experience, Warner looked at ease right from the word go although later he admitted that he was indeed nervous! He made a mockery of world class bowlers like Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini clubbing them for big sixes over midwicket. The most audacious of his strokes however was the one when he guided a fast short and fast Steyn delivering over fine-leg for another maximum. While most of his boundaries were on the on-side, there was cut off Jacques Kallis which beat two fielders within handshaking distance of each other and raced to the fence.

When not hitting boundaries, Warner ran hard between the wickets and ensured he took advantage of the big Melbourne ground. He brought up his half-century in 19 balls, the second fastest in the history of T20 internationals. But the misery for South Africa was far from over. Albie Morkel and skipper Johan Botha too couldn’t make much of an impression on Warner as he continued belting the bowling. But the Proteas did well to keep him off strike for a brief period in the 80 and he eventually holed out – caught by de Villiers off Ntini.

If one takes away the Warner knock, the South Africans did not do all that badly. Lonwabo Tsotsobe sent back the dangerous Shaun Marsh for 9. Ricky Ponting and David Hussey provided good support to Warner but South Africa got rid of them just when they were looking to open up. Morkel got the wicket of the Australian skipper for 21 while Ntini dismissed Hussey for 19. And once Warner fell at the score of 140, the South African bowling looked an altogether different outfit.

David’s more famous brother, Mike, continued to struggle even with the change in format. The otherwise good runner between the wickets fell prey to Herschelle Gibbs’ brilliance in the field. Steyn chipped in with three quick wickets towards the end as the Australian innings lost momentum. There weren’t too many big hits in the last few overs except for a Sachin Tendulkar-inspired late glide to deep thirdman by Luke Ronchi for six. Despite a good comeback by the Proteas, they were still faced with a daunting target of 183.

The South African innings got off to a dramatic start but not to their liking. Herschelle Gibbs was adjudged lbw to Nathan Bracken in the first over. At the other end, Shaun Tait – playing his first international game in well over a year - had the Proteas running for cover with his raw pace. He began with a snorter which Jacques Kallis somehow managed to duck under. But AB de Villiers wasn’t as lucky. He was hit in the ribs trying to pull and the pain was augmented when he hit the stumps with his bat on completing his follow-through. Kallis was soon done in by Ben Hilfenhaus, who cleaned him up for 4. At 12/3, it seemed all one-sided.

As always, South Africa fought back. And their newfound hero, JP Duminy, was the man yet again. Unlike Warner, he played more traditional cricket strokes but was equally impressive. There were some very good drives off the faster men. And even when he decided to be adventurous, he pulled it off with ease. The scoop to fine-leg off Tait was a fitting reply to Warner’s boldness against Steyn. Duminy raced to his 50 off 35 balls. Unfortunately, the early losses meant South Africa had to constantly take risks to keep up with the run-rate. Duminy perished in this effort, going for a reverse sweep. He missed the ball completely and was trapped in front by David Hussey.

Hussey earlier got the prize scalp of Mark Boucher for 5 and added Dale Steyn to his kitty to end with impressive figures of 3/25. Hilfenhaus came back and yorked Ntini first ball while Taut finished things knocking out Tsotsobe. Eventually, won Australia won comfortably by 52 runs. But South Africa shouldn’t be disheartened. It was just one of those special knocks by an exceptional talent. Tuesday will be a new day and hopefully a better one from South Africa’s point of view.