IND v SA: South Africa broken like a stump in thumping series defeat

Indian skipper Virat Kohli celebrates the win during day five of the 4th Paytm Freedom Trophy Series Test match between India and South Africa held at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi.
Photo by Ron Gaunt / BCCI / SPORTZPICS

An utterly enthralling yet inevitable 337-run defeat for South Africa at the hands of the India unfolded at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Monday, giving the hosts a 3-0 series win and the Proteas a serious dignity dent.

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Cricket: Australia v South Africa: time to test the mettle

Dale Steyn has to be a threat come November (picture: Google)

Raise your hand if you’re excited for the summer of cricket to hit the shores of Australia.

If you did, then the first visitors won’t disappoint; the ever talented South Africa.

Three Twenty20s and five One-Day matches means no long form test matches, but Dale Steyn will come prepared.  So will Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers.

Cricket: Twenty20 bowling “101”-is it really that hard?

Dale Steyn v Mitchell Starc (photos: Getty Images)

Recent performances in world Twenty20 cricket – especially with the ball – has got me thinking; is there anyone in a national side that still knows how to bowl a good yorker or land it on an uncertain length for a batsman consistently?

Mitchell Starc can hardly be forgiven for his penultimate over debacle against the West Indies in the World Twenty20. 

Cricket: Australia v South Africa: Tables turned, Proteas humiliate green and gold tourists

South Africa celebrates a crushing victory (Photo: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

One could be forgiven for doing a double take at reading the scoreboard.  After such a resounding victory in Centurion, the Australian batsmen meekly surrendered to the tune of a huge 231 runs at St. George’s Park on day four of the second test.

Cricket: 1st test, Australia v South Africa: Johnson’s 12 wicket haul stuns already shocked Proteas

Mitchell Johnson celebrates his second five wicket haul (Getty Images)

Confidence was never in doubt in the Australian camp as they began the first test at Centurion February 12^th.  On the other side of the coin, South Africa held the mantle of the top-ranked test team.

Inside of four days of test cricket, one team stumbled but recovered in spectacular and dominating fashion.  The other, so enamoured by what they saw from the visitors, fell and did so with little grace.

Cricket: Australian Domestic scene: Doug Bollinger and Ben Laughlin

Doug Bollinger in action during the 2013 Ryobi Cup (source: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

They both play for the same Big Bash League team, the Hobart Hurricanes.  When it comes to the two longer forms of the domestic game, the left-arm and right-arm quick respectively are on opposing sides.

Enter New South Welshman Doug Bollinger, and Tasmanian Ben Laughlin.  One steams in with sheer determination, the other bowls extremely well at the death of 20 over and 50 over matches.

Cricket: Mitchell Johnson: the man with the venom

Mitchell Johnson celebrates 9 wickets at the Gabba (source: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

(A focus on his test career)

The touring English fan base, the Barmy Army, have a saying for Australia’s left arm quick, Mitchell Johnson.  Here it is:

“He bowls to the left…
He bowls to the rightttttttt
That Mitchell Johnson
His bowling is shite!”

Cricket: Lehmann the right man for the job – can he turn it around?

Darren Lehmann (image from Fox Sports)

Australian cricket is getting a makeover.  No, the logo has not changed.  Instead, the coach has.

Darren Lehmann was last Monday instated as the new national coach, replacing Mickey Arthur.  A good choice as a new coach? Certainly.  Under controversial circumstances?  Yes.

Cricket: Players In Focus: Peter Siddle and Phil Hughes

Peter Siddle, Boxing Day 2012 (photo mine)

The Australian cricket summer took a series of unexpected twists and turns.  From the series loss to South Africa, to the Aussies losing several pace bowlers to injury, it was a long and toiling summer.

Two players who stood the test of summer were Phil Hughes and Peter Siddle.  The battler and the workhorse were prime indications of players who had worked hard to prepare themselves for the test (and in Hughes’ case, the one-day) series.

Cricket: Player In Focus: Matthew Wade

Matthew Wade v Melbourne Renegades, Dec 7, 2012 (photo mine)

Matthew Wade has copped more proverbial bouncers at the throat recently than you could poke a stick at.  All through it he’s pressed on, despite being rested for the first part of the one-day series this summer against Sri Lanka.

Since moving to Victoria from the island state of Tasmania, Wade’s career has blossomed beautifully.  Culminating in test and ODI debuts last year for the national squad, Wade is continuing to build on the criticism he is receiving and his experience.