I just finished watching the third ODI between South Africa and Australia. These South Africans are really up to something and it was a display of pure prowess and power during this series! I can see the way they are turning out to be such a big fighting side having a good blend of experience and youth!
Despite Smith‘s absence Botha is doing an excellent job of leading the side and he’s setting examples every now and then with good catches, fielding, bowling and patient batting when he has to hold the side together. Albie Morkel, is turning out to be a major ODI all-rounder. If Gibbs is there to exploit the opening power-plays, Albie seems to be mastering how to power away to winning positions by leaving the opposition clueless during the batting team’s power play option.
If things continue the way it’s happening now for South Africa, they are sure to be at Number #1 at all forms of the game soon!
As for Australia, they need to really prove that their confidence is not fully lost!
Hello Ajith
Just watching the Protean performance in today’s match (5th ODI), it seems they’ve found some real stars. Hashim Amla has batted consistently, JP Duminy has been the flavour of the season (big bucks for him.. IPLs round the corner) and ofcourse the Morkel brothers have pitched in when needed. Reminds me of how the Aussies made a formidable unit not so long ago. Atlast some real good competition. Let’s not rule out the Aussies and ofcourse India.
Raghavendra, exactly! Hashim Amla has become a seasoned campaigner now and even his performance on the field was exceptional in the last few matches. Duminy, after grabbing the unexpected test opportunity, is now ready for any form of the game. Morkels reminds me of the all round performance of the Zimbabwean Flower brothers, though in a different flavour and size 🙂
Another forgotten aspect about this series is how well SA has adopted the batting powerplay. One thing I noticed is that whenever some rules change Australia takes sometime before they quite understand and react. They are kind of robot and programmed mode and when challenged they goof up.
Thanks for your comment!