Aussies, SA are on different pedestals

In the end, Australia won handsomely, by a whopping 83 runs, but when South Africa were 159 for no loss, and scoring at more than seven runs per over, Ricky Ponting would have had his heart in his mouth. What marked this match out as special for me, however, was not so much the result, but the energy levels at which players from both teams performed.

The Aussies and South Africans have clearly raised the limited overs game to a different plane altogether. The others have a lot of catching up to do. The New Zealnders, if they get everything going, can match them on a given day, and that is largely because of their fielding. So too, I believe, the Sri Lankans, because of their well-rounded batting and bowling. The others teams may lag just too far behind on a consistent basis.

Saturday’s match was exhilarating for its pace, energy, tension and the high quality of skills displayed by almost all 22 players. The batting was frenetic without it being a mindless slog, the fielding electric. If the bowlers from both sides appeared to be vulnerable and part role players in the high drama, it is not only because the pitch played true, but also because this is the one department in which technology and fitness does not appear to have had a huge influence as yet.

I imagine that new techniques are being worked out in Australia and South Africa already to make bowlers equally important, whatever the conditions. Given the supreme quality of the modern willow (the entire bat is now a ‘sweet spot’, so to speak) even mishits can go long distances. Batsmen are also stronger these days, which means that the economy rate is going to suffer in the future, so bowlers will have to concentrate even more on taking wickets, and showing off their strike rates.

Of the myriad wonderful events in the game, some stand out. For many, Matthew Hayden’s clean hitting — especially off Shaun Pollock — would be the highlight of the match, but that is only because batsmen still command the most attention in this game. But the running between the wickets was outstanding too, and Shane Watson running out AB Devilliers with a stupendous dive, rapid pick-up and accurate throw from the deep was no less thrilling. In many ways, this was the turning point of the match.

The most significant aspect of the match for me, however, was not about individual efforts, but the collective mind-set of the two teams. Call it work ethic if you like. It was focused, unrelenting and above everything else, unselfish.

Hayden’s destruction of Pollock, one of the mangiest bowlers in the business, was well thought out. Ever since South Africa chased down 434 runs last year, the Australians have been smarting. At one level, they have been seeking revenge, at another setting up a new, unapproachable benchmark. This was power batting at its awesome best.

It is the ‘unselfish’ aspect, however, that made Australia reach an unassailable position. Ponting and Clarke got out in their 90s going for risks and runs. It could have been so easy for them to play for hundreds, more so since both were going at better than a run-a-ball. But that would have meant slowing down the tempo, even if briefly, and allowing South Africa the leeway to gather their breath, as it were.

I know of a good number of players who would have played for their personal landmarks in a similar situation, often at the cost of a win for the team. It is this splendid work ethic, this ‘play-ton-win’ culture, this ability to improve and improvise consistently which has made Australia the best cricket nation in the world

Sure, they have some extraordinary players backed up by superb training methods. But what they do on the field follows how the mind is conditioned to think. Competing and winning at sport is  an attitude, which other teams, even with gifted players, have yet to learn.