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Around the Wicket - Over Rated South Africans?
Wow. Is there pressure on Dale Steyn or what? I mean, here we are, a week or so out from his first ever test match on Australian soil, and the cricket world is already going into hysterics about how he will decimate the Aussies.Far be it for me to criticise the “experts” out there who have labelled him “The Next Big Thing” (Apologies to Brock Lesnar) but I just don’t buy it. What is it about this guy that people are falling over themselves about? Because he bowled Michael Vaughan a couple of times? Well, that’s hardly a rare thing now, is it? Is it because he decimated Zimbabwe and Bangladesh? I hope not. That would be stupid. Jason Gillespie made a double ton against the Bangers, but nobody was claiming Dizzy was some sort of batting legend.
I get that he bowls fast. I get that he swings it while bowling fast. But there’s one thing everybody seems to be forgetting. Australia is no longer a good place for a swing bowler. Mark my words, Steyn will bowl far too full in Australia, looking for swing. And whilst he might get it for the first few overs while the rock is new, after that I would be expecting him to just be another in the long line of “fast” bowlers who get routinely slaughtered by the likes of Ponting, Clarke and Hussey.
The other thing counting against Steyn (and the other South African quicks) is that 2 out of the 3 tests the South Africans will play in Australia will be played on pitches that give zero assistance to fast bowlers. The first test is the exception. It’s in Perth – where it has been reasonably quick and bouncy in domestic matches this year, however the test matches there in recent times have been mostly dominated by the bat. So who knows what Perth will serve up? We do know that Melbourne is low and slow, and Sydney will be a slow turner – so if Steyn doesn’t take a bag in Perth, he could find his first Australian test tour to be an absolute horror trip, and one to forget.
There’s also talk that big Dale is a little bit mentally soft, not as fit as he could be, and doesn’t like doing the hard yards if he doesn’t take wickets early on. The rumours were that at the back end of the England tour, he was not enjoying being there, and was making a lot of noise about wanting to get home. (Steve Harmison comparisons anyone?) Mind you – who would want to spend too much time in England?
Anyway – speaking of big Harmy comparisons, I think Australia’s batting line up should be more worried about Morne Morkel. He’s big, he’s quick, and he’s unpredictable. Sort of like Steve Harmison – but better. Morkel is the type of bowler who will do well in Australia if he gets his length right, and may actually be the bowler who does the most damage for the South Africans.
As for the rest of the South African bowlers, well Makhaya Ntini is past his best, and is just barely hanging on, despite his figures against the Bangers and the Zimboks, and apparently there’s a left arm straight breaker named Paul Harris who will be trying to bowl 6 balls at the batsmen’s pads and bowl maidens. I wouldn’t be concerned about him at all. I wonder if Mark Boucher will keep down the leg side like Brendon McCullum did?
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Dave – Good article. I think there is a lot of unknown for us as to how the South African bowlers are going to perform. Don’t forget that Mr Kallis may have a serious contribution to make with the ball as well and may cover over some deficiencies that exist. It may depend on how well South Africa bat as to how well they bowl, that is if they can put Australia under pressure by scoring heavily I think their bowlers will be a lot more dangerous.
Can I also make the point that it seems fashionable to criticize any slow left arm bowler whose surname is not Vettori. I find this hard to understand based on the facts.
Anyway – speaking of big Harmy comparisons, I think Australia’s batting line up should be more worried about Morne Morkel. He’s big, he’s quick, and he’s unpredictable. Sort of like Steve Harmison – but better
love the digs at england brem, especially this one
I don't know how that slipped in there... tut tut. Must have words with my proof reader... :D
Test slow left armers since the 80s (near 100 wkts up):
Aust: Bright(53)
BD: Mohammad Rafique (suspect action)
Eng: Panesar, Giles, Tufnell, Edmonds, Underwood
Ind: Raju, Maninder Singh, Shastri, Doshi, Bedi
NZ: Vettori, Boock(74), H.Howarth(66)
Pak: Iqbal Qasim
SA: Boje
SL: Jayasuriya(98)
WI: Sobers (also LFM)
Zim: Price(69)
Those averaging less than 30:
Underwood, Iqbal Qasim, Bedi
Vettori's only present competition is: Panesar (good when attacking) & Shakib alHasan (starting)
What about Paul Harris Gill ? I'll be interested to see how he goes. I have not seen much of him, but his record is comparable to Vettori's so far in his career.
Harris - 18 Tests, 47 wkts at 32.62, one 5wi, subcontinent: 20 wkts at 32.8 (v Pak (2): 12 wkts at 20, bb: 5/73; v Ind (3): 8 wkts at 51, bb: 3/101)
Vettori - after first 19 Tests, 61 wkts at 34.61, two 5wi, subcontinent - v SL (3): 17 wkts at 21.24, bb: 6/64.
Age-wise (at that stage): More experienced Harris v very young Vettori
I am yet to be convinced that Harris is anything more than the variety bowler amongst the pace attack. Slow left armers have done little damage in Australia.
Fair commentary Gill, or should I refer to you as Mr Mcclelland? Please let me know. I can’t argue with what you have said. Your golden boy Vettori did capture 6/56 againt the WI today, so that adds to his supporters. Well done.