iafrica.com columnist and 5fm jock Sias du Plessis admits to having shed a few tears after the Proteas' record-breaking victory over the Aussies in Perth this weekend...

It is not very often that a sports event gives me a massive lump in my throat, but on Sunday morning when JP Duminy struck the winning runs in the historic six-wicket win over Australia in Perth, I shed a tear.

It was truly something incredible to witness — albeit several thousand kilometers away — but I was simply blown away by the guts and determination shown by the Proteas.

It certainly has quashed any speculation that the South Africans lack mental toughness. It has always been a bone of contention amongst cricket fans that the Proteas lacked what it takes to match the Aussies on the psychological front, there is certainly no problem on the skills and talent side (the Proteas might even just shade the Australians in that department) and this weekend showed that the national cricket team can match their fierce rivals mental blow for mental blow.

The confidence boost from the brilliant effort in Perth and the likely return of Ashwell Prince to the mix, could make the visitors very, very tough to beat in the remaining two Tests. I personally feel a historic series win is possible, but an Australian backlash can be expected in Melbourne. The Proteas need to take it session by session and not get carried away with their cracking win at the Waca. (Can I be as bold to say that the chokers tag has been thrown out of the window?)

There appears to be several chinks in what used to be a fortified Aussie line-up. The lack of a world-class spinner, an aging top order and journeymen back-up bowlers to the likes of Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson.

Let's be honest, the absence of Stuart Clark has proved to be a huge blow and I am sure that he would have made a difference, but he is likely to miss the rest of series in Oz, so Ricky Ponting will have to come up with more creative bowling changes in future. That is something that was lacking at the Waca, despite having the left-arm wrist-spinner Simon Katich at his disposal along with Andrew Symonds and even Michael Hussey who he could have used to mixed things up — instead he stuck to the tried and tested and it cost his side the test match.

I think the Australians will have to rethink their strategy for the Boxing Day Test and should look at including a Shane Watson or a Shaun Marsh in the starting line-up. I rate Matthew Hayden, but I am afraid he is no longer the player he was and should call it a day, the sympathy vote looks to have come into play for the Test at the MCG — after all, he has an awesome Boxing Day record.

Peter Siddle is quick and would be unlucky to miss out on the second Test, but does not strike fear into the hearts that a Mitchell 'Magic' Johnson or Brett 'Jet' Lee does. Another strange choice was that of Jason Krejza, who has already been dropped ahead of the second Test — the only player from the first Test to already face the chop ahead of the second clash.

The rookie off-spinner is not a world-class operator and concedes a ridiculous amount of runs — having conceded at least 100 runs in every innings he has bowled in his Test career thus far. There is enough cover in Michael Clarke, Symonds and Katich — all three can turn the ball and it will allow Shane Watson to come into the side — adding depth to their bowling and batting.

Swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz (the latter in for 'Crazy' Krejza) have been added to a 13-man squad for the second Test, which should make for a fascinating clash on Boxing Day. I, for one, can't wait!

Have a great Christmas.

Cheers,
Sias

  • Sias du Plessis is the sports anchor on the Gareth Cliff Breakfast show on 5fm and a SuperSport presenter. His column will appear every Monday on iafrica.com, but you can also join his facebook blog here!


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