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Test cricket’s changing balance

South Africa, led magnificently by Graeme Smith, couldn’t quite complete the coup: it fell a Test win short of officially displacing Australia as the world’s best cricket team. But there’s little doubt that the sun has set on a world-conquering reign lasting 13 years. Australia’s dominance has been under threat ever since Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne — two of the sport’s greatest bowling acts — retired. When Ricky Ponting’s men were outplayed in India in October-November 2008, experts proclaimed that the decline, which was inevitable considering the cyclical nature of team sport, had begun. Australia’s first defeat in a series at home since 1992-93 — when the then incumbent monarch, the West Indies, prevailed 2-1 in the evening of its reign — confirms that its days of unmitigated authority are over. While South Africa must not be denied acclaim for raising its level, it is clear that Australia has slipped. Far from being the multi-skilled, cold-blooded unit that routinely strong-armed its opponents, Australia appeared flaccid and clueless. Ponting’s captaincy, hamstrung by injury-enforced absences, the lack of a quality spinner, and the poor form of Mathew Hayden and Michael Hussey, was exposed for its lack of imagination. Australia’s decline was most evident in its fielding, the pillar on which its superb competitiveness had been built under Bob Simpson.

Smith deserves immense credit for helping South Africa finally relieve itself of the burden of a painful history. He assumed the captaincy during a time of troubles, when his country was desperate to rid itself of the stigma of the match-fixing scandal. South Africa’s reputation for ‘choking’ under pressure also needed remedying. Through personal example, the captain infused in his young, talented teammates the belief that they could be the world’s best side. The left-hander excelled under duress, inspiring stirring performances from A.B. de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Hashim Amla, and Dale Steyn. Smith’s raw courage and commitment were evident when he came out to bat with a fractured hand in the third Test at Sydney even though the series had been secured. The 2-1 win establishes South Africa as the side best positioned to ascend the vacant throne, although for the first time in over three decades it seems unlikely that any monopoly will ensue. South Africa will become the world’s top-ranked team if it conquers Australia at home in February-March. But India – which has the best balance in bowling and batting among the three top Test teams — has shown that its designs on the top spot are sound. Test cricket couldn’t ask for a better scenario than a constant shift in the balance of power. Now it’s up to the game’s administrators to ensure that the riveting theatre isn’t compromised by feckless scheduling.

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