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Craig HillAustralia Has Edge Over South Africa In One Day Matches
January 15th 2009 07:53
South Africa has already claimed this summer's Test series against Australia, but knocking off the home team in the one-day series will prove a harder task.
Friday's opening match in Melbourne will be the first time the two sides have clashed in a 50-over match since the semi-final of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.
Australia crushed the Proteas on that occasion, winning by seven wickets with more than 18 overs to spare, but both teams have since changed significantly.
Gone from the Australian side are opening pair Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, spinner Brad Hogg and champion paceman Glenn McGrath.
Six of the 13 players in the current squad have played 21 matches or fewer.
With regular one-day players Andrew Symonds and Brett Lee sidelined, there are many spots in the Australian side up for grabs.
Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait and Ben Hilfenhaus will be Australia's first-choice pace attack but Queensland's Ryan Harris can expect to make his international debut sometime during the five-match series.
But that is the only area of the team which appears to pick itself.
Shaun Marsh appears to have one opener's berth secured after making a promising start to his international career in the Caribbean last year.
Other options include vice-captain Michael Clarke, who usually bats at No.4, and all-rounder James Hopes, who have both opened in the past.
Ponting, Clarke, should he not open, and Michael Hussey are all experienced batsmen in the middle order while the hard-hitting David Hussey has the weaponry and nerve to fill the spot left vacant by Symonds.
Hopes appears to be the premier one-day all-rounder but is at the mercy of pitch conditions and team balance.
Cameron White's ability to clear the pickets in the final overs will be invaluable but his inconsistent bowling will count against him.
As the only recognised spinner in the side, Nathan Hauritz can expect game time this series, especially on turning wickets.
The Proteas, who readily admit they are in a transitional period ahead of the 2011 World Cup, have lost experienced pacemen Shaun Pollock and Charl Langeveldt in the past year.
Test trio Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini will be rotated, the Proteas have already confirmed, giving opportunities to youngsters such as Wayne Parnell and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
Herschelle Gibbs returns to the set-up after losing his Test berth last year and, at nearly 35 years of age, his career is on the line should he not deliver.
One player who has already seized his opportunity is budding star Jean-Paul Duminy.
Excellent in the two Twenty20 matches after a superb Test series, Duminy will have no problem adjusting to 50-over cricket.
"We're probably nowhere near the finished article in one-day cricket," coach Mickey Arthur said.
"Obviously our goal in one-day cricket is to be that in two years' time when the World Cup comes about."
"I see it as a very exciting phase for us. I see it as an exciting challenge for our younger players."
Friday's opening match in Melbourne will be the first time the two sides have clashed in a 50-over match since the semi-final of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.
Australia crushed the Proteas on that occasion, winning by seven wickets with more than 18 overs to spare, but both teams have since changed significantly.
Gone from the Australian side are opening pair Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, spinner Brad Hogg and champion paceman Glenn McGrath.
Six of the 13 players in the current squad have played 21 matches or fewer.
With regular one-day players Andrew Symonds and Brett Lee sidelined, there are many spots in the Australian side up for grabs.
Nathen Bracken
Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait and Ben Hilfenhaus will be Australia's first-choice pace attack but Queensland's Ryan Harris can expect to make his international debut sometime during the five-match series.
But that is the only area of the team which appears to pick itself.
Shaun Marsh appears to have one opener's berth secured after making a promising start to his international career in the Caribbean last year.
Other options include vice-captain Michael Clarke, who usually bats at No.4, and all-rounder James Hopes, who have both opened in the past.
Ponting, Clarke, should he not open, and Michael Hussey are all experienced batsmen in the middle order while the hard-hitting David Hussey has the weaponry and nerve to fill the spot left vacant by Symonds.
Hopes appears to be the premier one-day all-rounder but is at the mercy of pitch conditions and team balance.
Cameron White's ability to clear the pickets in the final overs will be invaluable but his inconsistent bowling will count against him.
As the only recognised spinner in the side, Nathan Hauritz can expect game time this series, especially on turning wickets.
The Proteas, who readily admit they are in a transitional period ahead of the 2011 World Cup, have lost experienced pacemen Shaun Pollock and Charl Langeveldt in the past year.
Test trio Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini will be rotated, the Proteas have already confirmed, giving opportunities to youngsters such as Wayne Parnell and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
Herschelle Gibbs returns to the set-up after losing his Test berth last year and, at nearly 35 years of age, his career is on the line should he not deliver.
One player who has already seized his opportunity is budding star Jean-Paul Duminy.
Excellent in the two Twenty20 matches after a superb Test series, Duminy will have no problem adjusting to 50-over cricket.
"We're probably nowhere near the finished article in one-day cricket," coach Mickey Arthur said.
"Obviously our goal in one-day cricket is to be that in two years' time when the World Cup comes about."
"I see it as a very exciting phase for us. I see it as an exciting challenge for our younger players."
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