Late last Friday night Jermaine Lawson had one West Indian commentator after another spluttering with excitement as he ripped into the mighty Australians. Lawson took 7/78 and four days later, the West Indies reached a record fourth innings target of 418 to win the fourth Test. You hardly need a magnifying glass to see the link between the two.
Subsequently, of course, Lawson strained his back and was able to bowl only six overs in the Australian second innings. Lawson’s effect on the game and West Indian cricket, however, was unmistakable. Simply put, there’s nothing like fast, aggressive bowling to get a team (not to mention a crowd) going.
Lawson offered the spark which reignited West Indian pride and self-belief, two qualities so obviously lacking in the previous three Tests. Even the Australians, who have spent the past two years sweeping all before them, don’t much like it when the ball is going up their noses. And this is a team that has the weaponry with which to return such aggression.
All of which brings us to the South African squad that will be touring England over the next few months. The touring party was to have been named this week, but the announcement was delayed for reasons that are not entirely clear. No matter, it’s difficult to believe that an extra few days would have been time enough for the South African selectors to unearth a Lawson, a Brett Lee or even an Mfuneko Ngam.
South Africa’s fast bowling in England will be carried by Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini. Pollock remains South Africa’s leading bowler; Ntini is sharp, aggressive and tireless. But what comes after these two is a matter of some concern and, try as you might, you cannot see a Lawson lurking unnoticed in the wings. Three years ago Ngam was the heir apparent to Donald, but his skeleton has shown itself to be distressingly fragile. By all accounts, a bulked-up Ngam has resumed bowling, albeit off a shortened run-up. The theory seems to be to strengthen Ngam’s muscles in order to relieve some of the stress on his bones.
The idea seems sound enough, but is he able to play at the highest level again? Will he have lost that searing pace which was his greatest asset and which South Africa so clearly lack at present?
Another young black hope, Monde Zondeki, was injured in a car crash shortly after the World Cup. Although he, too, has resumed bowling, he surely cannot be under serious consideration for England and he may have to wait until next summer before resuming his fledgling international career. So the back-up for Pollock and Ntini may have to come from Jacques Kallis. Players such as Allan Dawson and Charl Willoughby — and a clutch of bowlers that include the likes of Dewald Pretorius, André Nel and Quinton Friend — all have something to recommend them but nothing that jumps out at you.
The name missing here is Nantie Hayward. It’s not certain exactly who is to blame for Hayward’s exile in county cricket. He may have been daft to accept a contract without a get-out clause and he may have been remiss in not consulting with the United Cricket Board before signing his contract, but his fire and aggression will be missed in England.
South Africa is not so blessed with these qualities that someone like Hayward can be left in limbo. The Hayward issue needs to be resolved, sooner rather than later.
All of which leads us to Paul Adams, who seems to be re-establishing himself as South Africa’s leading Test spinner.
The 10 wickets he took against Bangladesh in the first Test may have come against weak opposition, but Adams is one who very much needs to believe in himself. He has bowled well against England in the past — he was probably in the best form of his life when he sprawled into the SuperSport Park advertising hoardings three years ago and broke a finger — and at 26 he is reaching the age when spinners start coming into their own.
Adams won’t block up an end for you, but he might be able to bounce and turn it in England and if, as seems likely, the South African seamers are better able to contain than break through, Adams could emerge as a valuable attacking weapon.
It’s an important tour for South Africa as the team rebuilds itself, but it might also prove a watershed for Adams.
It seems a little odd to speak of someone who has already taken over 100 Test wickets as having come of age, but this England tour could make or break Adams as a Test spinner.