Revenge is sweet
South Africa are so up for the Australia challenge, it's frightening, says Bob Woolmer
Interview by Neil Manthorp
08-Nov-2005
South Africa are thirsting for revenge for three reasons, the latest of which was the World Cup semi-final in 1999. The Adelaide Test in 1998 still hurts: the South Africans dropped ten catches and then watched as Mark Waugh was adjudged not out after he knocked his stumps over. SA should have won that Test and drawn that series. Then there's Port Elizabeth in 1997 where Australia were on the ropes and should have been defeated, but weren't. It's time for SA to clear their final hurdle.
Warne alert
The most important factor is how they play Shane Warne. They've got to find a game plan that's a cross between having a go at him and taking him for singles - it's nothing new or revolutionary, but it's easier said than done. If Warne bowls like he did during the Ashes in England there'll be too many full tosses and long hops and they won't have to worry too much. In England Warne didn't bowl as well as he might have done, though he took a lot of wickets, which was more because England committed hara kiri against him.
The most important factor is how they play Shane Warne. They've got to find a game plan that's a cross between having a go at him and taking him for singles - it's nothing new or revolutionary, but it's easier said than done. If Warne bowls like he did during the Ashes in England there'll be too many full tosses and long hops and they won't have to worry too much. In England Warne didn't bowl as well as he might have done, though he took a lot of wickets, which was more because England committed hara kiri against him.
South Africa must put big totals on the board. If Australia score 500 then there's immediate pressure, but the reverse is also true. These days South Africa have also learned to make 450 in reply to big totals, which puts the game into stalemate until someone cracks the second time around, or the third. The mental toughness required in those situations is huge. The batting is strong enough to deal with Australia in terms of its upper order - McKenzie fits in well with the experience of Kirsten, Kallis and Gibbs. Dippenaar is technically sound and can deal with pace fairly comfortably. There aren't too many who are going to get bounced out or beaten by pace.
Demolition men: Kallis, Gibbs
Australia are supposed to be especially vulnerable to sustained attacks by brilliant individuals, but really, any side would be. Steve Waugh has done it against England about a dozen times over the last decade. Gilchrist is likely to do it too. The two South Africans that come to mind immediately as the ones most likely to take the game away from Australia are Gibbs and Kallis. But one of the youngsters is going to have to come to the party with the ball. I would have loved to see Ngam with Donald, that could have put the Aussies under real pressure, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. Ntini and Hayward might still do the job, though.
Australia are supposed to be especially vulnerable to sustained attacks by brilliant individuals, but really, any side would be. Steve Waugh has done it against England about a dozen times over the last decade. Gilchrist is likely to do it too. The two South Africans that come to mind immediately as the ones most likely to take the game away from Australia are Gibbs and Kallis. But one of the youngsters is going to have to come to the party with the ball. I would have loved to see Ngam with Donald, that could have put the Aussies under real pressure, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. Ntini and Hayward might still do the job, though.
Donald: last tango in Melbourne?
Unfortunately Donald doesn't seem to be able to stay on the field for any length of time at the moment. The problem is that he needs to bowl to get fit and the question is whether his body can cope with the training time rather than with the five days of a Test. Perhaps he should simply be trusted to put the ball in the right place and to have the mental strength to get through a series that would almost certainly be his last. That's a big risk, however. One Test match is a long time for someone who's not fit, never mind three - or six.
Unfortunately Donald doesn't seem to be able to stay on the field for any length of time at the moment. The problem is that he needs to bowl to get fit and the question is whether his body can cope with the training time rather than with the five days of a Test. Perhaps he should simply be trusted to put the ball in the right place and to have the mental strength to get through a series that would almost certainly be his last. That's a big risk, however. One Test match is a long time for someone who's not fit, never mind three - or six.
South Africa will miss Cullinan
I'll never forget the Melbourne Test in 1997. South Africa were 88 for 1. Then the second wicket fell and the whole bloody crowd went berserk, all 80,000 of them, not because of the wicket, but because Daryll was coming to the crease. You could literally see the Australian team lifted up the psychological ladder, not just a couple of rungs but to the bloody top. The game changed and they went for him. The Australian team formed a sort of tunnel that Daryll had to walk through to get to the crease, and Warne stood at the end of it so the confrontation was inevitable. It was very clever, very subtle. They all turned on him and gave him plenty of abuse, as did the crowd. But Daryll is still South Africa's finest player, technically, and it's unfortunate that he wouldn't be playing against Australia, because he is still good enough to take them to the cleaners - Warne included. But the South African selectors obviously want to invest in the youth.
I'll never forget the Melbourne Test in 1997. South Africa were 88 for 1. Then the second wicket fell and the whole bloody crowd went berserk, all 80,000 of them, not because of the wicket, but because Daryll was coming to the crease. You could literally see the Australian team lifted up the psychological ladder, not just a couple of rungs but to the bloody top. The game changed and they went for him. The Australian team formed a sort of tunnel that Daryll had to walk through to get to the crease, and Warne stood at the end of it so the confrontation was inevitable. It was very clever, very subtle. They all turned on him and gave him plenty of abuse, as did the crowd. But Daryll is still South Africa's finest player, technically, and it's unfortunate that he wouldn't be playing against Australia, because he is still good enough to take them to the cleaners - Warne included. But the South African selectors obviously want to invest in the youth.
Bring on the new boys
Jacques Rudolph isn't just scoring 110 or 120 in domestic cricket, he's scoring 180 or 190, and he also just happens to be a very tidy legspinner. It's for those two reasons that I'd have a serious look at him for this series. I like the idea of Gibbs at No. 3 and Kallis at No. 4; Kallis is going to have to bowl fast in this series, and not just for six or eight overs a day.
Jacques Rudolph isn't just scoring 110 or 120 in domestic cricket, he's scoring 180 or 190, and he also just happens to be a very tidy legspinner. It's for those two reasons that I'd have a serious look at him for this series. I like the idea of Gibbs at No. 3 and Kallis at No. 4; Kallis is going to have to bowl fast in this series, and not just for six or eight overs a day.
Captains: unstoppable force vs immovable object
Steve Waugh is the sort of player who wants Australia to get better every time they walk on the field. Australia just don't seem to lose with him on the field. His age does him no favours and he seems to have become injury prone but it is his character that is his greatest strength as captain. He also has the advantage of a high-powered think-tank at his disposal with the likes of his brother, Ponting, Gilchrist and Warne. There are, and always will be, times when Shaun Pollock is bowling and can't be a captain at the same time, so his back-up is vital.
Steve Waugh is the sort of player who wants Australia to get better every time they walk on the field. Australia just don't seem to lose with him on the field. His age does him no favours and he seems to have become injury prone but it is his character that is his greatest strength as captain. He also has the advantage of a high-powered think-tank at his disposal with the likes of his brother, Ponting, Gilchrist and Warne. There are, and always will be, times when Shaun Pollock is bowling and can't be a captain at the same time, so his back-up is vital.
Shaun's greatest strength is that he is like Steve Waugh - he hates losing with a passion and will drive himself to extreme lengths to win. I believe he has learned remarkably quickly as a captain and has become an astute tactician. A lot of people take the pressure too seriously. Shaun sees the game in a different light. It may involve a lot of money and national pride, but it is a game. Shaun doesn't feel pressure.
Getting Ozzed
Psychologically, in Australia you're under the cosh straight away. Australia have the most supportive media in the world, and they have an uncanny ability to make an issue out of virtually anything. You can be sure they'll be watching Gibbs like a hawk, reminding him of the dropped catch at Leeds on a regular basis. If you're recognised in a bar or restaurant then there's a chance someone will try and intimidate you into a fight. During practice there are always a few loudmouths yelling some not-very-nice things at you. On the `98 tour, during nets at the MCG, I was throwing balls to Cronje and some guy had a full go at him. Hansie was on the point of jumping over the wall and nailing the bloke. I said, "Listen mate, it's an Australian. He's pissed, he's arrogant and he's ignorant. Just leave it." Many Australians are many things, except gentlemen or respectful towards people who have a lot of talent. It's their nature; it's why they threw chickens at Pat Symcox on the boundary; it's why they handed me a warm can of beer which they'd urinated in when I toured as a player in the 70s. "D'ya wanna drink, mate?" I was asked. I wasn't so stupid so I said, "Yes, thanks very much," and I poured it all over his head. The next day they were back with a banner reading `The Bobby Woolmer Stand.'
Psychologically, in Australia you're under the cosh straight away. Australia have the most supportive media in the world, and they have an uncanny ability to make an issue out of virtually anything. You can be sure they'll be watching Gibbs like a hawk, reminding him of the dropped catch at Leeds on a regular basis. If you're recognised in a bar or restaurant then there's a chance someone will try and intimidate you into a fight. During practice there are always a few loudmouths yelling some not-very-nice things at you. On the `98 tour, during nets at the MCG, I was throwing balls to Cronje and some guy had a full go at him. Hansie was on the point of jumping over the wall and nailing the bloke. I said, "Listen mate, it's an Australian. He's pissed, he's arrogant and he's ignorant. Just leave it." Many Australians are many things, except gentlemen or respectful towards people who have a lot of talent. It's their nature; it's why they threw chickens at Pat Symcox on the boundary; it's why they handed me a warm can of beer which they'd urinated in when I toured as a player in the 70s. "D'ya wanna drink, mate?" I was asked. I wasn't so stupid so I said, "Yes, thanks very much," and I poured it all over his head. The next day they were back with a banner reading `The Bobby Woolmer Stand.'
Hard Men
You need a sharp man to handle the media, and a bright and clever manager. On the playing side I would suggest that Gibbs has become pretty hard: he won't take any shit. Kallis is rock hard; Kirsten just laughs in people's faces and Klusener will have a full go back at the sledgers. I don't think there'll be much verbal intimidation on the field. Both sides respect each other too much. Off the field is where the intimidating tactics may be at their hardest. Another key factor is that Australia know that South Africa can beat them but they're hiding that under the carpet. They may still be trying to convince themselves that South Africa don't have `bottle', but they only need to look at what happened in the three-match series in the Colonial Stadium last year. Crunch situations - who handled them best? South Africa, I do believe.
You need a sharp man to handle the media, and a bright and clever manager. On the playing side I would suggest that Gibbs has become pretty hard: he won't take any shit. Kallis is rock hard; Kirsten just laughs in people's faces and Klusener will have a full go back at the sledgers. I don't think there'll be much verbal intimidation on the field. Both sides respect each other too much. Off the field is where the intimidating tactics may be at their hardest. Another key factor is that Australia know that South Africa can beat them but they're hiding that under the carpet. They may still be trying to convince themselves that South Africa don't have `bottle', but they only need to look at what happened in the three-match series in the Colonial Stadium last year. Crunch situations - who handled them best? South Africa, I do believe.
The players are so `up' for the series it's frightening. Yes, India will be tough to beat beforehand but it's really just preparation for the Australians. They won't say that because it would be disrespectful but I can see it in their eyes and hear it in their voices when I talk to them. There is no fear, no trepidation, just a quiet sense of determination. I sense that South Africa are in the right mood and I can't wait for the action to begin. Can't wait. Revenge is sweet.
Neil Manthorp is a South African broadcaster and journalist, and head of the MWP Sport agency