Australia is a far better side: Former South Africa captain Ali Bacher

As South Africa’s batters struggled to deal with the pace of Australia on Day 2 of the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, former Proteas skipper Dr Ali Bacher had no hesitation in admitting that the men from Down Under are the better side.

“Even if South Africa win the final by any chance, I will say Australia are the best team,” Bacher, who played 12 Tests for the Proteas, captaining the team to four successive  Test wins against Australia in 1970, told mid-day over the phone from Johannesburg on Thursday.

Having been put into bat first, Australia were bowled out for 212 — a score that felt below par at the time. 

However, the South African batters struggled too, and were shot out for just 138 in their first innings.

Reflecting on the bowler-friendly pitch, Bacher said, “I think the match would be over in three days. We have to accept that Australia is a far better side than South Africa. They know how to win under pressure.”

Bacher lavished praise on Australia’s batting stalwart Steve Smith, whose 112-ball 66 proved to be instrumental in helping his side acquire a hefty 74-run lead in the context of the low-scoring match.

“People talk about their bowling, but I must emphasise their batting also. The batting department is the best since 1960. Steve Smith is rock solid, he batted like a champion on Day One. 

Even after losing four wickets, Smith took guard for the team and took the team out of trouble,” Bacher concluded.

This article first appeared on Mid Day