SA vs Australia – the ultimate contest

Every South African cricket lover knows that the matches between South Africa and Australia are either the best or worst ones to watch. There is no middle ground, no run-in-the-mill "let me see what else is on TV because this is so boring" kind of match. Games between these proud, sports-obsessed nations are always exciting and memorable. 

You may remember watching for hours with eyes transfixed on the screen, ignoring your tummy moaning for food, as JP Duminy (166) and Dale Steyn (76) put on a ninth-wicket partnership of 180 to turn the fortunes of a Test match in Melbourne in 2008. Or you may remember the time Allan Donald dropped his bat and was run out in the 1999 Cricket World Cup semi-final. 

The contest between SA and Australia has always been heated. Here Proteas batsman Hashim Amla plays a ball from Australian bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile. Photo taken from www1.skysports.com

Yes I am bringing to attention the nightmare of how we tied with Australia but did not progress in the world cup because the Aussies finished higher in the Super Sixes stage, all because Donald dropped his bat and did not start running early enough to score us the winning run. Indeed, the ferocity of the contest between the nations goes back to the famous 1969-70 tour in SA, which SA won 4–0, through the likes of Barry Richards and Graeme Pollock.

With the current One Day International (ODI) series between the teams at 2–1 to Australia with two matches to go, we can expect the rest of the series to be exhilarating. The last two games will be played on 21 and 23 November. The current series includes mini-contests: Dale Steyn (SA) and Mitchell Johnson (AUS) will be gunning for the unofficial title of best bowler in the series, by taking the most wickets. 

AB de Villiers will look to score many runs against Australia in the current ODI series.

This while Glenn Maxwell (AUS) and David Miller (SA), who play together for Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL), will want to see who finishes with more runs and the highest strike rate. India are currently rated the best ODI team in the world by the International Cricket Council (ICC), with 117 points. SA are second with 115 points, and Australia are third with 114 points. A series win for either the Proteas or the Aussies could put the team at the top of the table.

What has happened to Australia?

The Proteas' next series is three weeks away (in SRI: 5 ODIs, 3 T20Is). Even more prevalent though is the question: what has happened to Australia?

It is in disarray. The cricket team of course, not the country.

George Bailey (30) was run out for 4 against SRI in this ICC Champions Trophy. Image taken from: http://www.cricket.com.au/images/australian-men

When I was growing up I watched Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden fiercely dominate any bowling attack they played against. Now there is only Shane Watson and Michael Clarke.

When I was young I admired the sheer brilliance of Glenn McGrath, the tenacity of Brett Lee and the wit of Shane Warne. Now there is only Mitchell Starc and the tired Mitchell Johnson.

What has happened?

Can you just blame poor succession planning?

Was it perhaps just a coincidence that the next generation of Australian cricketers could not live up to the past one? Was it is just life, just something that happens, that the Australian cricket team has lost quality over time?

I am sure they have not always been good. I think every country has its good periods and bad ones.

But the fact that Australia is going through one of its least successful periods now, that it has just sacked their coach Mickey Arthur and replaced him with Darren Lehmann and that it is facing discipline issues leaves me wondering if something is causing the country's cricket to deteriorate.

Don't get me wrong, Australia is still decent. But compared to how they used to be...

If there is something hurting Australian cricket it may go deeper than the players. Officials, bureaucracy, politics, the food they eat, I don't know. Something.

For the champions to get knocked out in the group stage, and not only that but be last in the group and leave with only one point in three games thanks to a no-result against NZ, something must have gone wrong.

Michael Hussey retired from international cricket last December, the last great Australian batsman I think, apart from Michael Clarke, at least as far as I can tell for a while.

As a rule in South Africa, that we can't support Australia and should even despise them, I grew up anti-Ausie. However it was a love-dislike relationship. I loved to dislike Australia. Things have changed now for two reasons: as a journalist I try to play down my personal preferences in everything and I just feel sorry for Australia. They were our arch-nemesis. A bit like Vageta was to Goku, so Australia was to us. The 'villain' was stronger than the 'hero' for ages until the villain joined the good guys. Then he became undoubtedly weaker than the 'hero'.

Why can't Australia get better again?

Mickey Arthur rightfully disciplines 4 Ausie cricketers

Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja were all suspended for one test match by Australian coach Mickey Arthur following their failure to do homework set out for them, and a history of "attitude" and "back-chat". Shane Watson returned to Australia to be with his pregnant wife and consider his future in the game.

During a break between the second and third test match between Australia and India, Arthur gave the AUS team the task of brainstorming how each player could improve their own game, and that of the team. They had a few days to do this. The above four players returned empty handed and received the axe. Captain Michael Clarke backed Arthur's decision saying the failure of the players was "unacceptable".

I think that Arthur did the right thing to make the team do this 'homework'. He said that working on their game was part of improving, otherwise they would stay number 3 or 4 in the world. The fact that some players did not show Arthur, and the team, the respect by doing it is not right. When I hear that there is a history of bad attitude that makes it even worse.

Arthur has been criticized by some for his decision. Others have criticized the players. For me it is simple: Success is achieved through hard work and sacrifice. Any student can tell you that. If the majority of the team and it's management want success they will work hard. If a few individuals refuse to adhere to the consensus, maybe they should find another team where they don't have to work.

Achieving greatness also means being humble and obeying your leaders. Jesus said that "...Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave" (Matt 20:26-27). What do you think about this issue?

Mickey Arthur (44) coached South Africa from 2005-2010. Picture taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk.

You can read the story here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/australia/9927135/Australia-coach-Mickey-Arthur-reveals-suspending-four-players-was-for-culmination-of-lots-of-small-minor-indiscretions.html