Pups Review of The South African Summer

[Pup]

What an amazing 4 months of Test Cricket we have had and it has been a pleasure to watch. 1 Series each, Three Tests each and some fascinating cricket in between. So who is really the bteer side? That is a question that i dont think can be answered.. Both teams won away from home convincingly and yet struggled on their home soil. Australia have maintained there number one ranking and all going well should continue to hold that even though they are in a small rebuilding phase. They have shown they still have what it takes to be the number one side in the world albeit with probably more up and downs than we are used too.

South Africa in Australia
Runs
Michael Clarke 383 @ 76.60
Simon Katich 297 @ 49.50
Graeme Smith 326 @ 65.20
Hashim Amla 259 @ 51.80

Wickets
Dale Steyn 18 @ 26.16
Paul Harris 10 @ 38.70
Mitchell Johnson 17 @ 25.88
Peter Siddle 13 @ 27.38

Soth Africa won series 2-1

My Top 5 Performances
* Mitchell Johnson seemingly turning the first test on its head with an amazing spell where he finished with 8/64 in perth
* AB Devilliers match winning unbeaten hundred and six in the same match in a record chase off 414 to set the scene for the series.
* JP Duminys brilliant 166 which included 180 ninth wicket partnership with tailender Dale Steyn (76).
* Dale Steyns 10 wicket haul and 76 to change the match and series and put it well in favour of the South Africans.
* Michael Clarkes 138 in Sydney. A brilliant way to finish off a excellent series.
(Graeme Smith was unlucky, his effort to bat in Sydney to try and see a draw was inspirational. As was Ntini and Steyn in that same match.)

Australia in South Africa
Runs
Phillip Hughes 415 @ 69.16
Simon Katich 260 @ 43.33
AB DeVilliers 357 @ 89.25
Jaques Kallis 289 @ 57.80

Wickets
Mitchell Johnson 16 @ 25
Peter Siddle 12 @ 22.5
Dale Steyn 16 @ 29.62
Paul Harris 14 @ 28.21

Australia won series 2-1

My Top 5 Performances
* Marcus North making his very important Debut Hundred in the 1st test. (117) Played really well and showed why he is the ideal number 6.
* Phillip Hughes recovering from his shocking first dismissal to be the hero in the second test making back to back hundreds.
* Ashwell prince and AB Devilliers centuries in the third test to bat Australia out of the game. AB continued to prove a thorn in Australias side and Prices comeback was nothing short of brilliant.
* Mitchell Johnsons maiden test century, was left stranded on 96 in the second test but not this time, breathtaking innings and has shown why Ponting rates him so highly with the bat.
* Paul Harris's 9 wicket haul in the third test, it may have been a dead rubber but he bowled very very well and continues to defy his critics.

Positives From Both Series
Australia

1. Mitchell Johnsons rise has been amazing to watch. Gone from a bowler who i really did not rate to Australians front line pace bowler even with Lee and Clark back in the side, and how now has taken his batting to another level and has quite possibly emerged as a possible answer to our all rounder fascination. Brilliant Summer.

2. Peter Siddle has developed from fringe player to certain starter IMO. Was in the top 2 wicket takers for Australia along with MJ both home and abroad but the thing that would have impressed the selectors was his economy rate which was excellent, really piled on the pressure up one end. Has a huge heart and is the future of Australian fast bowling at only 24.

3. The younger generation (and new) of Australian batting came through in South Africa and shows why everyone raves on about our depth. Brilliant opener Phillip Hughes recovered from a horror first up dismissal to lead the series aggregate and then become the youngest player to score a century in both innings of a test match. Was excellent and coped with some pretty vicious spells from Steyn well. Marcus North was also another new edition to the side and showed why he is rated so highly by scoring a crucial century on debut. Both had good series and will be crucial components in the upcoming Ashes.

South Africa

1. AB Devillers continued to enhance his reputation as a world class batsman with 3 centuries in 6 tests as well as a gritty 84 including a match winning unbeaten hundred in the record chase in Perth. His fielding is also a class above anyone i have seen since Mark Waugh. Is the future of this side and is only 25 so expect to see his name a lot in years to come.

2. Dale Steyn also proved to everyone he is the number 1 pace bowler in the world. Some fast bowlers seem to come to Australia and lose some of their Aura but not this man. Was the leading wicket taker in both series even without as much zip and pace in Sth Africa. Chimed in with a brilliant 10 for and match turning innings of 76 at the G in Australia.

3. JP Duminy and Paul Harris emergence as a quality test players. Jp's tour of Australia was incredible and at times seemed near impossible to dismiss, made a brilliant 166 in Melbourne and continued his form into the ODI's. Made it impossible to drop him which led to the Prince omission. He did not have as good a time of it in Sth Africa and seems a little bit susceptable to the short ball but once he irons that out look out. Harris continues to have his critics yet he seems to continue to defy them. Took 24 wickets for the summer and continued to trouble the Australians top order, it is debatable whether that is from poor shot selection or good bowling or a mixture of both but that is really not important as he is doing what he is payed for and that is take wickets.

Negatives and Worries
Australia

1. The lack of a quality spinner is a real worry, it is clear at times we needed one but we just did not have a good one. McGain got his chance in the third test and pretty much blew it, Hauritz is economical but not potent enough at test level and Jason Krejza is expensive and seems to have no plan once the batsmen get on top. What the selectors do next will be interesting but i would say Hauritz is in the box seat for the Ashes. Makes you realise just how good Australia have had it for the last 15 years.

2. One thing that worries me but is not really pivotal to losing games at the moment is Brad Haddin's Keeping, it is ok without being great in fact at times it is downright sloppy. He is a good player and a very good batsman but he better hope he keeps making runs because if he finds his keeping staying at this level and his batting drops off then his spot in the side will certainly be up for grabs.

3. Michael Hussey has had a remarkable career but of late his form has been a real worry, People on this site have made some very valid points (Hondo) but i still think he deserves another chance. I dont know if he is losing it or he is trying so hard to battle out of the slump or what but it is a real concern and he will get another chance IMO but time is running out.

South Africa

1. Hashim Amla is a pleasure to watch bat but something that would be infuriating the South African staff as well as himself would be his continuing scores 40-50 and then losing his wicket, while it is not a huge concern the amount of times he has been out in the 40's is a slight worry. Needs to convert 40's to hundreds especially for the South Africans to post big totals.

2. The Bowling Attack is a little bit of a worry. Steyn is a terrific bowler but Ntini is a workhorse and is getting on , Kallis seems to be getting injured frequently during bowling. Morne is talented but erratic and Albie is a 4th and 5th bowler rather than a first change IMO. They have some solid foundations to work from and some talented players yet to play but it will interesting to see how they come along in the next 12 months.

3. After the ground breaking win against Australia in Australia the Hoodoo was broken apparently, South Africa were now the best team in the world and were going to decimate Australia at home but again they could not finish the job, they lost a series were they had nearly pencilled in already, while they won in Australia i get the feeling they think they threw that away with their performances back at home. I think this will be an amazing rivalry for the next 3-4 years but whether they can ever really get on top of Australia we will wait and see.

It has been a great summer, one of the best i have seen for a while and with a busy busy schedule this year there is plenty more cricket to come and i for one am looking forward to it.

[Gozu]

In the just completed series in South Africa, Kallis scored 289 runs @ 57.80.

[Pup]

In the just completed series in South Africa, Kallis scored 289 runs @ 57.80.

Corrected.

Accidently put Katich's down twice instead of looking in the right column. Thanks

[The Jack]

Peter Siddle Has a huge heart and is the future of Australian fast bowling at only 24.

Loved Damien Fleming's call during the South African tour! "If Phar Lap had Peter Siddle's heart he would have won 3 Melbourne Cups!" Very funny man Flemo, worth seeing at a Sportsman's night or the like if you get the chance. Hates talking about his hat-trick on debut!

[brod]

Haddin and the consistent quality of his keeping is the biggest worry for me.
As stated before, we dont have the bowling line up that is creating the chances like in previous series. ALL chances must be taken and runs not conceeded as a keeper in the current Aussie side.
We MUST have the best keeper, sure they may average 15 runs less with the bat, but they are very chance to make that and more up with their glove work....bring on MANOU