da lvbet： South Africa have done some fabulous impersonations of previous Australianteams while winning this series, but over the past four days they havealso copied the dead-rubber syndrome that afflicted sides led by SteveWaugh and Mark Taylor
da jogodeouro： Peter English at the SCG06-Jan-2009
Ricky Ponting’s young pace attack has been fresh and enthusiastic © AFP
South Africa have done some fabulous impersonations of previous Australianteams while winning this series, but over the past four days they havealso copied the dead-rubber syndrome that afflicted sides led by SteveWaugh and Mark Taylor. It’s a strange complaint, picking at an outfit forlosing intensity when the contest has been sealed, as if it diminisheswhat has already been achieved.Players are judged on what happens when the contest matters most andthroughout the first two games South Africa dominated the major moments.They have been the best team with an outstanding collection of performers,but with the prize sealed they have slackened slightly and have spent mostof the time in Sydney trying to catch up, hold on and dodgeunpredictably-bouncing balls.Like a game of rock-paper-scissors, both participants need to have achance of winning to retain the competitive edge. The loser is desperateto move closer, but the victor cares much less. The South Africanscelebrated reaching the peak and were worn down by their exertions.At the SCG they have had the worst of the pitch and the least energy.”Having the series already won was a big factor,” the coach Mickey Arthursaid. “You can feel in the dressing room the tension is probably not thesame.”The way they have fought with the bat has been impressive, especially withMark Boucher on the third day and Hashim Amla and Neil McKenzie late onthe fourth, but in the field they were just waiting for Australia’ssecond-innings declaration. There was a sloppiness and sluggishness thatwas not on display in previous matches. It has been a busy tour and maybethe visitors were being clever, saving their energy for saving the match.If they achieve a draw the result will be fulfilling and significant. Notlike winning a Test while chasing 414, or sealing a nine-wicket successafter being headed for defeat on the second day, but valuable in showingthe world they will not be beaten. Winning is not always the only thingand surviving through day five on this surface would be another statementto hopeful countries that consider themselves challengers for the topbilling.”We’re looking at saving the Test before we win it,” Arthur said. “Thereare a group of guys there who don’t want to give an inch. The guys havegiven their all and been absolutely amazing for the past 14 days, and noneof us want to lose the last Test in a dead rubber.” South Africa did thatin England and Arthur said the defeat took some gloss from the seriessuccess.The early exit of the replacement opener Morne Morkel was another obstacleto add to the absence of Graeme Smith, the injured captain who has aplaster cast creeping up his left arm. They were effectively 2 for 2 inthe second over chasing an improbable 376 for victory, but the importantfinal measure will be the number of wickets left. They have eightremaining – Smith will not walk out unless there is an over or two tonegotiate – and another three sessions to survive after McKenzie and Amlatook the score to 1 for 62.South Africa have been unchanged throughout the burst of three back-to-back Tests and this week have found the load heavy. Having brought in fresh additions, Australia will wish the series was still alive. It isn’t, so they are looking to the future and trying to win their first Test against a major nation since this time 12 months ago Australia’s intensity was much fiercer throughout the day, beginning withthe addictive last flails of Matthew Hayden and the less magnetic focus ofSimon Katich. Bright moments were provided by Ricky Ponting, MichaelHussey and Michael Clarke to set up the declaration and the home bowlersimmediately made the pitch look as tricky as it was when they operated theprevious day.The local selectors have got the quick side of the team right whilecontinuing their mistake at the top with Hayden. There will be times, maybe even on the final day, when the young attacks is unable to cover up its errors, but so far the bowlers have been fresh, enthusiastic and challenging.South Africa have been unchanged throughout the burst of threeback-to-back Tests and this week have found the load heavy. Having broughtin fresh additions, Australia will wish the series was still alive. Itisn’t, so they are looking to the future and trying to win their firstTest against a major nation since this time 12 months ago. A victory herewould convince them the direction is clearer after four months of clouds.If it happens it is a first step back, not a total recovery.