South Africa bowling unit the best - Analysis
With a 1-0 lead in the 3-match Test series, South Africa take on New Zealand in the final installment of their tour, scheduled to take place tomorrow, March 23, 2012 at Wellington.
The tourists arguably have been impressive in all departments of their game, sweeping the T20 and ODI series before showing strength to outplay their opponents in the opening two longer version bouts.
The Proteas were unfortunate to share the spoils in the first Test, after rain on the final day meant that they had to settle for the no.2 spot in the ICC Test team rankings, with England all set to pocket the ICC’s grand amount.
However, the final game will be important in terms of their own confidence as it will allow them to clean sweep the hosts in all formats of the game. In terms of balance, the South African certainly possess the best group of players.
It includes a power packed batting line-up, with the likes of Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers, all of whom are in top form. Their approach during the tour has been aggressive and all have complimented each other ably, whenever
the team has needed them to perform.
Above all is a bowling unit, which remains one of the best (if not the best) attacks in cricket at present. They have all facets covered and everyone seems to be in top form.
Assistant Coach, Russell Domingo earlier remarked on the quality at their disposal, which has made Graeme Smith a very satisfied Test captain. His comments were surprising to say the least, considering the past era of pacers having represented the country.
It includes the likes of former skipper Shaun Pollock, whose immaculate line and length made him one of the deadliest exponents of a cricket ball. His precision, ability to swing the ball both ways and above all, a unique action further allow him to exploit
his trade at the top level over a decade. With 108 Tests and 421 wickets to his names, he was arguably a class act.
Pollock’s teammate and now the bowling coach of the national team, Allan Donald was another prime example of the supreme talent produced by the South Africans in the past. His raw pace remained his chief asset, which instilled terror in his opponents. Donald's
career can be likened to the modern day fast bowler's - with flashes of brilliance but riddled with injuries. With over 300 Test wickets, his knowledge will surely help the current crop to get better equipped to fulfill their long term aspirations.
Comparing the existing crop with the likes of Donald and Pollock, it is fair to say that all possess the same ability and stature to match the career accolades of their former heroes, and considering their current form – all are peaking at the right time.
With the Proteas currently ranked second, the quality at their disposal surely makes Smith a content Test skipper, who ideally would want to see his team reach the summit in a not too distant future.
The start of the left-hander’s career came when Donald and Pollock were at the twilight of their tenures and despite having the luxury of the likes of Makhaya Ntini and Dale Styen, the rise of Vernon Philander, Marchant de Lange and Imran Tahir has animated
him to finally think of accomplishing much more with the national side.
Continued.……
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