Focus turns to clean sweep

Luke Alfred in SYDNEY

SOUTH Africa‘s major enemy at the start of the third Test starting in Sydney this morning is not the men of the baggy green caps but something with a similarly green hue: babelas.

If the team celebrated well after their six-wicket win in Perth, then they celebrated even better after sewing things up in Melbourne. Then it was on to Sydney and the New Year‘s Eve celebrations. The boys have been partying hard and deservedly so.

However, they will need to step out of party mode pretty smartly today if they aren‘t to fall behind in what for them is still a crucial Test. Top spot in the ICC‘s world rankings is at stake (if South Africa win in Sydney they go top, while Australia fall into second place) and there is nothing quite as dangerous as an Australian side wounded by their media and the self-knowledge that they haven‘t played the big points in the series as they should have.

As Jacques Kallis said after the Proteas‘ net session at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday: “The big difference this time round (in a Test series in Australia) is that we‘ve played the big points really well.”

Counter this with the fact that Graeme Smith lost the toss in both Perth and Melbourne and he is due a win at the spin. Ricky Ponting, of course, might yet win again and decide that batting first doesn‘t work and put in the visitors. Whatever the outcome of the toss, South Africa need the security of a good early platform.

They are mentally exhausted after the first two Tests and a big first innings would allow the bowlers to put their feet up for a vital extra day-and-a-half. With an even more inexperienced attack than they had in Melbourne going into this Test – the Aussies have opted for local New South Wales left-arm quick Doug Bollinger, a choice Smith dubbed “curious” – they don‘t appear to have the firepower needed to take 20 Test wickets.

Taking Test wickets is not just about bowling quickly. It is about subtlety, variation and execution – exactly what inexperienced fast-bowlers tend to lack.

Andrew McDonald, the unheard-of Victorian called up to replace the injured Andrew Symonds, would certainly fall into this category. The Australian attack hasn‘t looked this depleted for a good long time.

Whether they are wearing a greenish tinge or not, seldom have the Proteas been as settled or as confident, and named an unchanged 12 on the eve of the Test meaning that once again Ashwell Prince sits out.

Confidence, as this tour has demonstrated, comes in strange forms, and it has been incredible to see the roles played, say, by Paul Harris and Neil McKenzie. Harris has got out Ponting twice in three innings, while McKenzie, with his sense of humour, camaraderie and capacity for odd field placings, is absolutely vital to the side.

Some of the older players are obviously slightly introverted and McKenzie keeps the levels of humour going. After coming good in the second innings in Melbourne, one hopes he can stitch together something memorable in Sydney.

And Harris? Seldom can a player with fewer obvious gifts have played a more compelling role in a series in Australia. Ponting has been Australia‘s dangerman with the bat since the second innings in Perth and Harris has always bowled to him phenomenally well.

Harris is confident, chirpy and very important. He exploited the Fremantle Doctor especially well in Perth, taking five wickets in the match. With the wicket in Sydney expected to turn, he might yet finish the series as well as he started it.

Smith said of the selection: “Ashwell Prince was not considered for selection. He had a net yesterday and is still feeling pain in his thumb.

“He is hugely frustrated. In sport you can‘t predict these things. He is extremely proud and happy about the way the team has performed. As vice- captain he has handled himself outstandingly in the environment and has been a great supporter of JP Duminy.

“As a senior player you can‘t ask more of a player except to get on the field and perform and, when we get home, Duminy knows the support he has got from us and the performances he has put in over a period of time and he will be right there to be in the reckoning to play in the Tests at home.”