There is certainly some feeling creeping into the South Africa v Australia series. It all started in Australia where it is believed that some ex-pat South Africans used Afrikaans (a language used only in S.A.) to abuse some of the South African players. Personally I think the abuse was wrong but reacting fuels the situation and anonymity in a big crowd along with alcohol leads to more of the same.

Sportsmen these days are high profile and through television they enjoy fame and fortune. Unfortunately the down side is the lack of privacy whereby you become fair game in pubs, restaurants, at the movies and virtually every public place. Not everyone will like you but at a young age these situations are not easy to deal with. More education is needed by all cricket boards.

We have tremendous support in all coaching and playing aspects but off-field has often been sadly lacking. Now is the time, otherwise words, however well intended as in Mark Boucher’s case, can be misconstrued by a lunatic fringe and used to incite some ugly incidents. Let's hope that South Africa fans do not react although there have already been signs of retaliation in poor taste, which some fringe media think is funny. The media have a responsibility and let’s hope editors and more specifically radio don’t go for one-upmanship that is so prevalent amongst “shock” radio.

The series itself could turn out to be one of the best, following the Ashes and Pakistan against India. At last we are having some real series that invoke passion and interest. Why, I hear you ask? Maybe Zimbabwe’s self destruct has done the ICC a favour. They dithered while Zimbabwe burned and self-exile has turned out a blessing for the ICC.

Bangladesh should be next and perhaps a two-tier system will follow soon. Let’s hope so, for there is nothing worse than uncompetitive cricket where the result is a foregone conclusion and lesser players and even the great ones gorge themselves on players that have no right to Test status.

South Africa have a real chance against Australia and even though Graeme Smith copped a real hiding in Oz he is strong-willed enough to bounce back and he has made it his mission to give Australia a “dose of the ashes”. Already Australia without McGrath (and inexplicably Gillespie) have been found wanting.

Their back up bowling is not high-class and South Africa has been quick to seize on that from the Twenty20 and the first ODI. In fact, Australia is starting to look just a little vulnerable in all facets of the game. No young batsmen are putting their hands up (save Michael Clarke) and the bowling stocks look worse.

McGrath is on the ‘back nine’ of his career and Warne is still a mighty force but South Africa played him better on the last tour than at any other stage, so there are high hopes in S.A. at the moment.

Saying that, South Africa have problems with their bowling attack. Shaun Pollock has been a machine over so many years but sheer volume of cricket (a real issue these days) is taking its toll and a recurring knee injury might mean that he will have to be rested more often than previously. Jacques Kallis, too, is feeling the effects and his elbow injury has been slow to heal. It is a similar injury to Sachin Tendulkar’s, whose form has not been back to its best since. S.A. will be hoping the same doesn’t apply to Kallis.

All in all, South Africa are a much better proposition at home and with Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel back, the battle for cricket supremacy is hotting up. England, on a high since the Ashes, have been brought back to earth by the sub-continent and if S.A. can unlock Australia’s supremacy maybe cricket is in for a period where three or four teams can vie for the title of best team in the world. The Aussies have it at the moment but the pack is moving in. Roll on 2006.