While we laugh at (or cry about) Australia's downfall, let's give South Africa some credit

If one had predicted that the ongoing three-Test series between Australia and South Africa would have effectively finished early on the fourth day (the second day had been washed out) of the second Test, not many would have believed it. And if the prediction had been that of the visitors emerging victorious, the one doing the predicting would have been considered either an ardent fan of South Africa or a critic of Australia.

But that was what happened. South Africa blew Australia away on the morning of November 15 at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart to clinch the series with one Test still to go. The South Africans have outplayed the Australians in every aspect in both Tests so far.

At the moment, almost all of Australia and many parts of the cricketing world are analysing the recent failings of the Aussies. And rightly so. Australia’s batting in Tests seems to be at its lowest ebb. They are losing wickets in clusters and hence are getting bowled out far too cheaply. Many of their innings totals will be high scores by batsmen in a typical Twenty20 innings. Such is their plight.

Three in three Down Under

But while the focus on Australia’s downfall from grace remains, South Africa’s achievements must be given credit. They are the first team to win three consecutive Test series Down Under since the all-conquering West Indians from between 1984 and 1992. But this victory is different from the previous two triumphs.

In 2008-‘09, South Africa won 2-1 but they could have easily lost all three Tests. Australia were on top for large periods in the first two Tests, but some extraordinary individual batting and one or two good spells with the ball got South Africa over the line. In 2011-‘12, the Proteas won 1-0, but this could have been 1-1, if not 2-1 to Australia.

The first Test in that series had an entire day washed out due to rain but the visitors seemed capable of getting a draw even if play had taken place on all days. In the second Test, the South Africans were under the cosh and only survived thanks to a herculean batting efforts from current captain Faf du Plessis, who had made his debut in that match.

But the situation is different now. Both teams had better line-ups in the previous two series and provided the best of what Test cricket has to offer. This series is on the verge of becoming a farce. South Africa have a largely inexperienced side with key players missing. Yet, the Proteas have won the series far easily than before.

No Dale Steyn? No problem

South Africa have been without arguably their greatest batsman AB de Villiers due to injury. They have also been without Morne Morkel – one of their fast bowling stalwarts – also due to injury. The Proteas lost the services of Dale Steyn, arguably their greatest bowler, on the second day of the first Test – again to injury.

Any side in any sport would struggle without three of their best players. But the South Africans seemed to get together and took up the challenge of taking that extra responsibility. Vernon Philander came to the fore with four wickets in the first innings of the first Test in Perth. Debutant spinner Keshav Maharaj took three important wickets as well.

Dean Elgar, whose previous visit to Australia resulted in two ducks in the same Test, scored 127 in South Africa’s second innings while a regular thorn in Australia’s side, JP Duminy notched up a fluent 141. Lower-order contributions from Quinton de Kock, Philander and Maharaj set Australia an improbable 539 to win. Here is where the 21-year-old Kagiso Rabada took the limelight. He took five wickets as South Africa won just before tea on the last day at the WACA. And who can forget Temba Bavuma’s brilliant run-out of David Warner in the first Test.

This victory was achieved with effectively only three specialist bowlers after Steyn’s early injury. Fifth-choice seamer Kyle Abbott replaced Steyn for the second Test. Along with Philander, Abbott ran through Australia’s batting order as they collapsed for 85 before tea on the first day. In difficult conditions, Bavuma scored a patient 74 while de Kock hit a quick-fire 104.

Australia had a better start in their second innings, but early on the fourth day, lost eight wickets for only 40 runs and thus lost the match and series. Abbott took six wickets and Rabada took four. This could have been over on the third day if not for rain to wash out play on the second day. If one checks the key contributions, many have lifted their hands and stood up when it mattered. This has been a total team performance from the Proteas.

What a rise

With this being a relatively inexperienced squad, the future looks bright for South Africa. But it is easy to forget that not even a year ago, they lost to India 0-3 away and 1-2 to England at home. The current triumph has to be taken with a pinch of salt, no doubt, as Australia are going through their own issues.

But it does seem that South Africa have turned the corner from those two losses. Many countries like India and Sri Lanka struggle to have three good fast bowlers ready for Tests. South Africa have five. And in Rabada, they have the emerging fast-bowling talent in world cricket.

In the batting department, they will only get stronger with de Villiers’s return. They also have the likes of Rilee Rossouw in the squad who would bolster any batting line-up. Tougher challenges will come, but for now South Africa seem set in Test cricket.