Aus vs South Africa: Amla-Kallis, Last Men Standing

The ongoing test series between Australia and South Africa has confirmed my belief that the SA team has a major advantage over other test-playing nations in having Amla and Kallis in their top, middle order. For nearly a decade, Kallis was anchoring the SA innings alone, time after time, often being the last man standing. With the arrival of Amla, Kallis has found an equally dependable, if not talented, partner. It seems that the Kallis-Amla equation is going to bother test bowlers of all sorts, no matter what kind of pitch or conditions is thrown to these two batting stalwarts. There are a lot of similarities in Amla & Kallis

and the inexperienced Aussie bowling realized that on the first day of the test match. Both of them are ideal, number three batsmen, equipped with a fool-proof technique and the patience to score big. Even Siddle couldn't bounce out this formidable pair and the Aussies don't have a world-class spinner to challenge such batting prowess. The South African team came close to scoring 500 runs in their first innings despite Duminy being sidelined with an injury. This story could unfold a number times during this test match series with the Australians not having any specific strategy or bowler to ensure that Kallis or Amla are sent packing, early in their innings.  

England-South Africa Test: Quality 'Test-match Bowling' on Display

The first test match between South Africa and England is underway and it would be fair to comment that it is turning out to be almost, an ‘ideal’ test match. I say that because it has nearly all the contents of a result-oriented, engaging test match. For starters, both of the teams have struggled to reach 400 in their respective first innings. Just like Geoffrey Boycott, I support the idea that best test matches are those wherein scoring in the region of 350-400 needs some serious application. Secondly, the bowling standards from both the sides have been impressive. Bowlers from both camps have combined penetrations and patience by bowling long, disciplined spells. Every batsman has had to invest a lot of time in reaching 30 runs or so, before feeling comfortable at the crease.
Now that the second innings of South Africa is underway, it would be even more interesting to see how many runs they can put-up on the board, considering that they have lost nearly half their side for just about 50 runs! Yes, that does create the impression that there is evil in the pitch but that is not the case. It is simple, sustained, pressure bowling by the English bowlers, who have created a remarkably young and effective bowling unit, presently being led by Swann. The South Africa seem susceptible against most types of spin bowling and they haven’t been able to digest what Swann has been dishing out to them. The contest is about to get even more engrossing once the final innings of England gets underway and Paul Harris and Ntini are pressed into action on a pitch that is steadily offering some exploitable uncertain bounce to bowlers who are patient enough to hold their off-stump line. It does seem strange that batsmen from both sides cannot comprehend straightish spin bowlers but that is making the battle more result-oriented. For a change, you find premium being put on boundaries and batsmen are ready to take a hit or two on their helmets.