End Australia’s dominance
SOUTH AFRICA may be heading into autumn, but the Proteas’ biggest test of the cricket summer has begun, with the Australians in the country for a four-match Test series.
With the first Test already under way in Durban, the opening blows have been delivered and we have been given a taste of the gripping contest expected between two proud nations.
Australia certainly arrived in South Africa with plenty of confidence after bashing old-foes England 4-0 in the Ashes. Equally, the Proteas defeated World No 1 India 2-1 prior to this series.
However, it is the Aussies that have history on their side, with the visitors yet to be defeated in South Africa since the Proteas’ return to the international fold in 1991 after 27 years in isolation.
It is a proud record that Steve Smith’s team will look to maintain over the course of the next four matches.
This will no doubt fill Faf du Plessis’ team with the motivation to become the first South African side to break the Aussies’ run of series victories in the Republic.
The Proteas will be further inspired to send off big fast bowler Morne Morkel on a high. Morkel, only still 33 years old, shocked the nation this week when he announced his retirement from international cricket after the Australian series.
Morkel has been a long-standing member of the Proteas attack, and has especially come into his own over the last couple of years since injuries have befallen strike bowlers such as Dale Steyn.
The Aussies certainly respect Morkel’s contribution over the past decade, with former captain Steve Waugh saying: “He’s been terrorising batsmen for a long time. The thing I like about Morne is that he’s a fantastic bowler who is very respectful of the game. He’s a very humble person.
“He just tears in every ball and gives it everything. He’s one of the most underrated players in the world.”
Morkel is certainly one of the nicest guys in cricket, but he, along with rest of the Proteas, will need to find their mean streak to put one over Australia this month.