|
|
A good toss to win
Wisden CricInfo staff - February 21, 2002
South Africa have played 22 Tests at The Wanderers in Johannesburg, winning eight, losing four and drawing 10. Since returning to international cricket in 1992-93, they have won four out of 11 matches, losing two: to New Zealand in 1994-95, and by an innings and 196 runs to Australia when they were last here, in 1996-97.
In that match Greg Blewett, who made 214, and Steve Waugh (160), batted throughout the third day's play.
Australia made 628 for 8 declared on that occasion, one of only two instances of a touring team exceeding 450. England made 531 in 1964-65.
Largely as a result of that 160, Waugh averages 102.50 in Tests here. His other scores were 45* and 0, in 1993-94.
There have been nine positive results in 22 Tests here, with the margins of victory often spectacular: three by an innings, and three by over 200 runs.
The team winning the toss have won nine and lost only three of the 22 Tests on this ground. Of those 22 tosses, the captain who has called correctly has chosen to bat first on 17 occasions. But of the five who chose to field first, three came in the last four Tests here.
That included Hansie Cronje in 1999-2000, when England were reduced to 2 for 4 by Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock in the first three overs.
The team batting second has won only four of the 22 Tests here, but three of those victories have come in the last five matches.
Since Australia last played at The Wanderers, in 1996-97, overseas batsmen have managed only three scores of 50 or more in four Tests: Azhar Mahmood made 136 for Pakistan in 1997-98, Shivnarine Chanderpaul 74 for West Indies in 1998-99, and Alec Stewart 86 for England in 1999-2000.
In 11 Tests at Johannesburg since 1992, South African spinners have taken only 15 wickets, at a cost of 48 runs each. The list of toothless twirlers includes Nicky Boje, Clive Eksteen, Paul Adams, Pat Symcox and Gary Kirsten. The highlight was Eksteen's 3 for 12 – against England in 1995-96 – but order was restored in the second innings: Eksteen was ground down through 52 wicketless overs by the dead bats of Mike Atherton and Jack Russell.
Overseas spinners have been more successful in that time (although West Indian leggie Rawl Lewis is the only one to take a wicket here in the last three Tests). Shane Warne and Michael Bevan shared 14 wickets when Australia were last here; Anil Kumble took 6 for 53 in 1992-93; and even Mr Anodyne, New Zealand left-armer Matthew Hart (Test strike rate: 106) managed eight wickets in New Zealand's shock victory in 1994-95.
Of South Africa's current players, Neil McKenzie (37.33) has the highest batting average in matches between these sides. All of Australia's probable top six exceed that: Ricky Ponting (40.33), Mark Waugh (43.91), Matthew Hayden (46.73), Steve Waugh (58.44), Justin Langer (73.00) and Damien Martyn (74.40).
McKenzie is also the only member of South Africa's batsmen to have a higher average against Australia than in his whole Test career. The figures are (average v Aus/career average): Gary Kirsten (34.89/42.15); Herschelle Gibbs (24.67/39.72); Boeta Dippenaar (21.67/23.14); Jacques Kallis (31.31/47.94); McKenzie (37.33/36.50); Mark Boucher (28.17/29.44).
It's the same story with the bowlers. Only the statistical freak that is Nicky Boje (he has played only one Test against Australia) has a better record against the Aussies than he does in his career. (Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel have not taken a wicket in this fixture). The figures are: Allan Donald (30.29/22.10); Kallis (45.45/29.67); Boje (19.50/27.06).
Rob Smyth is on the staff of Wisden.com.
© Wisden CricInfo Ltd
|
|
|
