Steve Smith led Australian team can be one of the best sides ever, says Brad Haddin

The four match Test series starts from March 1.

Smith's form with the bat will be key for Australia against South Africa. (Getty)

With Australia's tour to South Africa starting from March 1, former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has gone to the extent of saying that the current Australian cricket team under Smith's leadership can go on to become one of the greatest ever. 

On their last tour to South Africa, Australia won the series 2-1. Brad Haddin was a part of that squad which was led by Micheal Clarke. The key between Clarke's team and Smith's team is the age difference, which he cited can be one of the main reasons for the longevity of this current side. 

An analysis of the average age of the squad that won 2-1 in 2014 under skipper Michael Clarke and Smith's charges this time around reveals only a gap of 1.3 years, 28.2 in 2018 to 29.5 four years ago. 

"The team four years ago, we were all on the way out," Haddin said on Sunday after Australia had their first practice session on tour in Benoni. "This team, they're all really young.

While commentating on the side led by Smith, Haddin said that the group has stayed together for some time now can be a great help going forward. The core group of Smith (28), David Warner (31), Mitchell Starc (27), Josh Hazlewood (27), Nathan Lyon (30) and Pat Cummins (24) are in the prime of their careers.

"The team four years ago, we were all on the way out," This team, they're all really young" said Haddin. 

"They've got a long way to go and they could be together with each other for a long time. The age is the biggest thing here. This group can do some great things. They can be one of the great Australian teams with the ages they are" Haddin went on to add. 

While speaking on the conditions that will be presented to Australia on their upcoming tour to the rainbow nation Haddin said " I'm not too worried about that because (conditions) are so similar to home. They enjoy playing against us here and we enjoy coming here so it will be a good contest. We've got a great record over here … it's similar to our conditions." 

Hadding said the bowlers from both teams can well define the future of the series. "Both sides have got a great stock of fast bowlers that like to put their presence on the game." While he also said the importance of the batsmen on the series saying " "and both sides have got some batters that can move the game forward, so it's going to be a contest, no doubt". 

Australia's tour of South Africa schedule

Warm-up match v SA Invitational XI, Sahara Park, Benoni, Feb 22-24

 First Test Kingsmead, Durban, March 1-5

Second Test St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, March 9-13

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26

Fourth Test  Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3

Australian squad 

Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 19 Feb, 2018

    Share Via