HARARE // South Africa look to extract an advantage from their superior spin stocks when they take on a hard-hitting Australian side in the second match of a triangular series in Harare on Wednesday.
Top-ranked Australia issued a statement of intent on Monday when they crushed Zimbabwe by 198 runs in the series opener, exhibiting more ruthlessness than South Africa did in winning a three-match, one-day series against the hosts in Bulawayo last week.
Australia showed Zimbabwe no respect in hammering 147 runs in the final 10 overs to rack up 350 for six on a slow wicket, proving that their big-hitting middle order can be difficult to contain.
However, with the dry, late-winter pitches in Harare suiting the spinners more than the fast bowlers, the Proteas could have an advantage.
Leg-spinner Imran Tahir and left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso both picked up regular wickets against Zimbabwe while conceding fewer than four runs per over, and they have the support of JP Duminy, whose off-spin has become a regular feature for the Proteas.
By contrast, Australia brought one specialist spinner in Nathan Lyon, and though he picked up a couple of wickets on Monday, he was also hit for 42 runs in seven overs by a struggling Zimbabwe.
“The wicket in Harare is a lot slower, so it might be a strategy that we might try to use,” Duminy said of the spin factor.
However, fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel returned to the squad after they were rested for the bilateral series against Zimbabwe, setting up the spectacle of the world’s two fastest bowling attacks going head-to-head.
“The great thing about our seam attack is that they can adapt to all conditions, so it will be a good challenge for us,” Duminy said.
“This is the pinnacle of cricket. You want to play against the best in the world, so we are looking forward to it. They have a lot of match-winners and we will need to find a way to curb them.”
One of the Australians who found form on Monday was Mitchell Marsh, who was entrusted with the No 3 berth and paced his innings perfectly to score 89 from 83 deliveries.
The all-rounder also picked up one for 15 in five overs, and he said Australia’s seamers have adapted to the conditions sufficiently to make up for any deficiency they may have in the spin department.
“The way all the bowlers bowled [against Zimbabwe], they took pace off the ball at the right time and I think that’s going to be key on this wicket,” Marsh said.
“There’s a lot of experience in our changing room. They’ve played on these sorts of wickets all around the world, so I don’t think it’s anything too new.”
Australia captain Michael Clarke, out with a hamstring injury, may not be fit until the “back end” of the triangular one-day tournament, stand-in captain George Bailey said.
Clarke injured his hamstring at training in Harare and was scratched from Monday’s opener against Zimbabwe.
“It happens a little bit too often,” Bailey said, regarding replacing Clarke. “Hopefully ‘Pup’ will be right for the back end of this series. Rest up for the first couple and then get himself right.”
Australia are likely to be cautious about rushing Clarke back, with a two-Test series against Pakistan in the UAE to follow in October.
The team’s performance without their top batsman was impressive, with paceman Mitchell Johnson blasting a six into the television commentary box window. The shot showered Neil Manthorp and colleague Mpumelelo Mbangwa with shards of glass.
The pair were uninjured and Johnson, who bowled Australia to Test series wins over England and South Africa earlier this year, was not apologising beyond a sheepish smile and a raise of his hand when surveying the damage.
“I didn’t see it shatter. I just saw some of the commentators brushing away a bit of glass, so it was a good thing it didn’t shatter everywhere and the ball didn’t go through,” he told Cricket Australia’s website on Tuesday.
“It’s something I’ve been working on, trying to hit straighter. I’ve been trying to hit as straight as possible, instead of hitting across the line.
“So I’m not going to apologise, but hopefully I didn’t hurt anyone up there.”
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