Australia v South Africa, second Test, Melbourne, 2008-09

From hopelessness to neverland

South Africa's epochal series win in Australia had everything international sport should

Sports history and tradition "dictate" that older is better - most of the time, anyway. After 20 years of watching cricket for a living, and a few more before that in real life, there is a peculiar reluctance to acknowledge that the best might be very recent.

Having devoured every delivery of South Africa's December 2008 Test match against Australia in Perth, which resulted in the tourists chasing down 414 for victory, I fully expected to wait another 20 years to see something so special.

Instead, it came a week later.

Ricky Ponting's century on Boxing Day set Australia up for a total of 394, and by the close of play on day two South Africa were 198 for 7, a deficit of 196 with just three wickets intact. The situation was hopeless enough to be pathetic.

On the third morning JP Duminy, in his second Test, and Paul Harris added 67 for the eighth wicket to lighten the gloom but raise no hopes, let alone expectations. And then Duminy added 180 for the ninth wicket with Dale Steyn, who made a shudderingly impossible 76. It was like a never-ending journey into JM Barrie and Peter Pan's Never Land. Duminy scored 166, one of the greatest debut centuries.

South Africa won by nine wickets shortly after lunch on the fifth day. Completely and unarguably silly. Impossible. Graeme Smith's team had become the first South Africans to win a series on Australian soil, and the first from anywhere for 16 years.

Four hours later, when they thought nobody was watching, they lurched around trying to catch seagulls on the outfield and never stopped hugging each other.

From beginning to end, it represented the drama, surprise and emotion that international sport is supposed to be all about. But only Test cricket can supply everything in such commodities. It took days for the hair to lie down again.

Neil Manthorp is a South African broadcaster and journalist, and head of the MWP Sport agency

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Age factor in Cricket, Simon Katich hopes to perform in the Ashes

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Posted By: Michelle BeckettPosted In: 

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15 hours, 47 minute(s) ago

Age factor in Cricket, Simon Katich hopes to perform in the Ashes

Does the age factor affect the performance of cricket players? Can the age factor contribute towards deterioration of senses that may lead to impatience, anger and nervousness? Nowadays teams are filled with experienced players and the important factor is experience in terms of age. Pakistan Cricket Board recalled 36-year old Muhammad Yousuf. He announced to retire from international cricket after developing differences with the PCB, however was convinced to resume his career after Pakistan faced a humiliating defeat against England. Similarly Australian team led by Ricky Ponting, who has himself crossed 35 is also an experienced cricket player.

Simon Katich is another important player, who celebrated his 35^th birthday this Saturday. His consistent performance in recent matches defies all speculations about the age factor playing any role in Simon Katich’s case. The fact, however, remains the same that he would be now counted in the old category. The Ashes series is approaching and the experience of Simon Katich would strengthen the Australia’s side. Simon Katich expressed his ambitions to play the finest blend of cricket for Australia and vowed that the age factor would not hamper but benefit his performance. There is no doubt that Katich has been displaying his dexterity, prowess and mastery in the batting department. Katich considered the age factor to be a matter of mind set. If you feel young and energetic the age factor won’t be able to undermine the performance.

Hence, a right attitude and a winning mind is the vital element in the cricket game like any other profession that produces results. Cricket is a sport that demands pressure and the ability to sustain pressure in critical times depicts a true cricketer. Katich has accumulated 2721 runs with an average of 54.42 in 29 Tests matches. This includes his outstanding eight centuries that contributed a lot to his team. Similarly, he scored at least fifty runs in nine matches prior to the Leeds match against Pakistan. Katich would prove an asset for Australians in the Ashes, the most important Test battle against England. The matches against India before the Ashes would give him further preparations for the Ashes series. Katich is very optimistic about his performance on Australian grounds against England in the Ashes. According to him the home ground would be an added edge for the Australians as a whole and particularly for him it’s a golden opportunity to prove his dexterity with the bat once again.

He seconds his team captain’s dreams to white wash England in the Ashes series with the usual prowess of Australian professionalism in the cricket field. Whether or not Australia wins against England, the Ashes would determine the future course of action for many of the experienced players like Katich, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey. The future cricket career of Katich depends on his performance in the Ashes. He may claim to be ambitious, young and dexterous, but the management would not be convinced in case Australians don’t fulfill the dreams of winning the Ashes in Australia. Cricket Australia has already included Greg Chappell on the selection committee and has been entrusted with the responsibility to search for new talents that could maintain Australian mastery over the game.

While the Australian team benefits from the huge experience of Katich, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey would be determined very soon in the coming series. The age factor and its impact on humans remains a natural phenomenon and mere rhetoric can never mitigate the negative consequences of old age. It is always better to proactively realize the requirements of age than to exert undue pressure on oneself just for the sake of ambitions or passion for sports. Hence, Katich must think rationally after the Ashes about change of mode. He may assume a coaching role or provide his services for any other nation. However, it is premature to say anything because an astounding victory may rejuvenate Katich to play another Ashes series in the future.

Tagged in: England, Australia, Ashes, 2010, ponting, Simon Katich, Katich, Mohammad Yousaf