Australia have accused South Africa of being unimaginative and predictable, setting the scene for another explosive clash between the bitter rivals in Saturday’s one-day tri-series final in Harare.
There’s no love lost between the two teams after Australia clinched a heated Test series triumph earlier this year, and meeting again on neutral ground in Zimbabwe has done nothing to stop the sparks flying.
Word out of the Proteas camp suggests relations between the two proud cricketing nations has scarcely been more strained.
Fresh from breaking Proteas allrounder Ryan McLaren’s arm in Tuesday’s last ODI, fast bowling spearhead Mitchell Johnson has baited South Africa further by claiming Australia have their opponents worked out.
The likes of AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn are world class, but Johnson believes the Proteas are too “structured in their ways” – pointing to their decision to play two spinners in Tuesday’s 62-run bonus-point win to Australia.
“We know what they’re like and they’re pretty structured in their ways,” Johnson said.
“They like to play a certain way and they do it most times.
“It gets brought up in most meetings that we have, that they have that structure.
“We know when they’re going to bowl in their power plays. They are very structured in the way that they do everything so we’re trying to prepare ourselves as much as possible to how we want to perform.”
Johnson said the selection of two spinners was interesting.
“We’re ready to adapt to any conditions and we’ve done that in the past,” he said.
“We go out there and play our own game.”
Australian stand-in captain George Bailey agrees, but made it clear South Africa don’t beat themselves.
“They’ve been pretty consistent … for the most part it’s probably worked,” he said.
“If we play well hopefully that puts pressure on them to do something different.”
South African captain AB de Villiers has said Australia got “too personal” with their sledging in the Test series.
Before heading home injured, Michael Clarke responded by saying to his knowledge relationships were good off the field, but conceded if the Proteas were holding onto grudges, Australian players wouldn’t be losing any sleep.
Bailey says Australia will once again look to Johnson as the man to turn up the heat.
It won’t take much for South Africa to feel uncomfortable after the carnage he caused during the Test series and most recently the crushing blow he delivered to McLaren’s right forearm on what is meant to be a slow, two-paced wicket.
“It’s unfortunate when blokes get injured but it’s a great weapon up our sleeve,” he said.
“No doubt you can feel that on the field and it makes it easier as a fielding group to get energetic and buzz about when he’s got batsmen hopping about.”
Australia are adamant they’re peaking at the right time, however it was only a few days ago that they were embarrassed by lowly Zimbabwe.
“I think the guys are ready to go right now,” wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said.
Australia v South Africa in ODIs:
Played 82, won 42, lost 37, tied 3
This year:
Tests: Australia 2-1
T20s: Australia 2-0
ODIs: 1-1
