SA’s spark in the park, or Australia’s walk in the park?

Times Media - February 20, 2014

TELFORD VICE, Port Elizabeth

“Maybe we just don’t like to throw the first punch,” was the most telling thing Graeme Smith said yesterday ahead of today’s second test against Australia at St George’s Park.

SA threw precious few punches in the first test in Centurion. If the match had been a prize fight Australia would have won by TKO after two days, when SA were 257 runs behind with just four wickets standing.

For the Aussies, Ryan Harris snapped sniping jabs, Peter Siddle’s straight right was trusty and Nathan Lyon parried and held on effectively. But the vicious uppercuts and left hooks came from Mitchell Johnson, who took 12/127.

SA covered up and sagged on the ropes, and the rumble in the concrete jungle was won by Australia by 281 runs inside four days. Will the second test be SA’s spark in the park, or the visitors’ walk in the park?

Smith was trying not to think too hard about all that.

“I can go and watch video tapes of myself scoring hundreds against Mitchell, which I’ve done,” he said with reference to the two test centuries he has scored when Johnson has been among the Australian bowlers. Both times, Smith went to his century with runs off Johnson.

“Mitchell has bowled extremely well and aggressively, and we all know that that creates headlines, stories, and fanfare. But it’s important not to get caught up in that and to focus on performing well.”

SA have not won any of the six home series they have played against Australia, and the last time they lost consecutive tests was at the Wanderers and Kingsmead in 2008-09 - to Australia.

Today’s pitch will be a key indicator of their chances of avoiding that happening again. Groundsman Adrian Carter finally took his mower to the shaggy-piled, greenish brown strip yesterday, but it could still sport more grass than usual today.

“When you ask for things generally you don’t get them,” Smith said when questioned about his pitch preference. “But, obviously, we would like a result pitch.”

Less obvious is the effect Cricket SA’s (CSA) disingenuous decision to announce their list of contracted players on Tuesday could have on Smith’s men.

Dean Elgar and Thami Tsolekile were cut from last year’s group. Both are in the squad and the Aussies expect Elgar to replace the injured Ryan McLaren today.

What sledges might the Aussies be preparing for Elgar - “Better check your hospital insurance hasn’t been cancelled, mate” - and the recontracted Alviro Petersen and Robin Peterson in the wake of their unconvincing performances in Centurion - “Mate, how the hell did you hang onto your contract?”?

Even if Elgar does not play today - Wayne Parnell has at least as good a chance - the thoughtless timing of CSA’s announcement can’t help but sow division in the dressingroom.

Smith seemed to understand the potential of the suits’ blunder to do exactly that: “My role is to keep the players focused on what’s important and that’s tomorrow. If they get the opportunity to play then that’s a chance for them to put that right and to show people that they’re worthy. It’s another curve ball.”

Even Clarke showed empathy with the imminently unemployed: “There’s no good time to find out you don’t have a contract. I hope I get offered a contract when ours get renewed in April.”

The potential for ugliness exists in several senses, but in another that didn’t bother the aesthetically challenged Smith: “I’ve made a career out of looking ugly. If I can keep doing that I’ll be happy.”

Spoken like a pugilist. Now all Smith and his team need to do is come out swinging.