The word epic carries many different connotations basis its usage.
When one uses to describe the natural wonders of a city like Cape Town, the venue of the third Test, different visual sets come to mind like the iconic Table Mountain, the alluring Cape Vineyards and the never-ending calmness of blue in the scenic Atlantic Ocean.
In a similar vein this four-letter word can also be used to describe the Test series this far between the two southern hemisphere powerhouses across Durban and Gqeberha, with the Aussies putting on a rather epic performance at Kingsmead to comfortably thrash an undercooked South Africa whilst the Proteas managing to bounce back at St. George’s courtesy their captain charismatic, Temba Bavuma’s epic show with the willow.
Well come the third test, the fervour of this word would possibly only soar with both teams hoping to be at their epic best hunting for the elusive series glory at Newlands, a ground nested amid an epic background of The Table Mountain and surrounded by the infinite sweep of the blue Atlantic Ocean.
Perhaps one of the most alluring venues to play the epic series decider, wouldn’t you agree?
So, amid such a poetic landscape of nature, what could one expect at Newlands?
Well, the pitch at this ground over the last 6 completed Test matches has favoured seam over spin with 90% of the scalps going to the lads with the longer run up and 10% to the ones bowling at a short distance from the stumps.
The scores have also been around the 271-mark batting first and the ratio of win-loss is at an even keel for the team that’s either batting first or chasing.
Not a very clear decision to bat or bowl first if one were to go by these statistics.
Having said this if I were to put the captain’s hat on for either of the teams, my decision would be to bowl first unleashing the pace battery as both the teams are equally adept with their fast bowling arsenal.
Just a glance through the ranks with the likes of Mitch Starc, Scotty Boland and Pat Cummins or Rabada, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder and one has their answer.
Unfortunately, would have also liked to mention Nortje here but a groin injury has him in its grasp which should give an opportunity to Corbin Bosch in the line-up, a like for like replacement to Anrich, hitting the deck back of length and adding the additional bonus of skilfully manging the willow also.
Early wickets can definitely put pressure on the opposition and days 2 and 3 could perhaps become the ones with the wonders of the willow to possibly inflict an innings defeat if the tale of the second test were to come through.
South Africa would most certainly want to stick to at least a one spinner strategy with Harmer being the man basis his fine display of holding an end up with his off-spin and attacking as the situation demands, needless to say his exploits with the bat would also be of prime significance in the lower order as we have been already exposed to.
Australia could also consider bringing in Nathan Lyon but that would be a tough decision at one of the seamer’s expense, with Scotty Boland certainly proving his mettle in the second Test and the famed trio of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood being rather unbreakable. Perhaps Beau Webster could be the unlucky one.
The batting line ups of both the teams look rather settled with a mountain of expectation being on Steve Smith’s shoulders to come to the party with the willow as he has been rather timid this far and what could be better than showing his massive class in the series decider.
For South Africa, the burden would be borne by their two talismans in Markram and Bavuma who thankfully have both come to the party which is a big boost of confidence if the Protea green and gold are your colours of choice.
All things considered, both teams look formidable with bat and ball, though Australia will be wary of the sheer intensity South Africa brought to the second Test, sealing victory in just two and a half days, with the rest washed away by the vagaries of Mother Nature.
At Newlands, however, the stage is set for one final showdown, where an epic performance could prove the difference between the two sides.
And against one of cricket’s most breathtaking backdrops, it would take something truly extraordinary to match the grandeur of the setting. For whichever side rises to the occasion, the final hurrah could be as epic as the beauty that surrounds it.
