When Australia beat SA in the second test at Durban yesterday to lead the test series 2-0, they not only won against SA but they also won a battle against a barrage of cricket writers who wrote them off, fans who ridiculed them and millions of opponents worldwide and especially in India who laughed loud at their plight.
They have played a blend of cricket in the last fortnight only they know how to play. Remember, cricket writers around the world questioned Australians about their supremacy after they lost series in India, lost series at home against SA and performed badly against NZ at home. No one was fancying a 2-0 result in the first two tests against SA before they set foot in SA for 3 tests, 2 T20's and 5 ODIs grueling tour after such a bad run and when the chips were down.
I did ask a question in one of my pieces last month on whether their supremacy is over. Ponting and Co didn’t take much time to answer me and whoever questioned them. They are back where they belong after clinching this test series against SA. Only champion side knows how to come back and that is exactly what the Aussies showed.
SA showed their inconsistency by disappointing cricket followers with such an awful performance, a performance which lacked skill, mental toughness and everything that is needed in playing good competitive cricket and challenging a side who were coming back hard at them with their wounds still afresh.
I am doubtless Ricky Ponting will cherish this win for the rest of his life and may be regard this series win as one of the hallmarks of his career as this win also made Aussies retain the number one ranking.
Punter and co, go enjoy and rest for some more time on the throne that belonged to you for a long time.
Its time to scream Go Aussie Go!
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