Marching to Africa
THE sound of Jimmy Anderson’s helmet cracking as if hit by a hammer will echo all the way to South Africa where Australia’s defining moment of a brilliant summer awaits them.
Just before Australia won the Ashes the game stopped for five minutes after a shocked Anderson regained his composure from a brutal bouncer from Pat Cummins which hit his helmet like hail stone landing on a roof.
For all of Australia’s dominance in this series, the true measure of their worth as an emerging cricket team will be how they measure up in the four Test series in South Africa in March.
If Australia win that series we can officially brand them one of the world’s best teams and not simply home-town bruisers.
The victorious Ashes campaign has confirmed a lot of the things suspected about this constantly remodelled Australian team.
That its fast bowling group truly is special. That Nathan Lyon is that rare breed of off-spinner who can win a match and not simply sandpaper away as most off-spinners do. That Steve Smith is a cut above the rest. It’s remarkable what one brilliant player is capable of.
For the England attack to take just 31 wickets in three Tests is harrowing evidence of a lack of penetration.
Jimmy Anderson’s 12 wickets at 25 represent solid fare for a bowler whose key weapon – swing – is not suited to the conditions. Craig Overton, with six wickets at 37, has toiled serviceably but the remainder of the averages are far too offensive to be printed in a family newspaper, particularly at Christmas time. WACA 3RD TEST, DAY 5