In cricket, credit is often reserved for an elite group called top-order batsmen.

Should these guys fail regularly enough, the middle and lower order are scurried into action. Middle-order batters have their niche and are often all-rounders. South Africa's variable form in the top order may have been a blessing in disguise because the Proteas have developed a healthy 'wagging tail'.

The South African lower order is one of the best in the game. Unlike Australia, who don't often call on a big contribution from batsmen beyond number five, South Africa often call on their tail to save the day.

'This tail is worth plenty of runs and is often the sting which takes the wind out of opponents'


The performance of the Proteas' tail is a consistent feature of the team. Counting down from 11,  Makaya Ntini, Andre Nel and Dale Steyn can all make the best bowlers look like muppets.

This tail is often the sting which takes the wind out of opponents. With the middle order out of the way, an attacking team might believe they've wrapped it up when they find a 'rabbit' holding up an end.

I don't believe any other team in the world features a tail as consistent over 20 years - one that has saved a lot of Tests for South Africa.

Meanwhile, South Africa's cricketing schedule for 2008 presents an interesting opportunity to 'circumnavigate' the cricketing horizon. With a Test series victory against the West Indians in the bag, the South Africans hope to continue their conquests against the 'East' Indians and emerge as champions of these latitudes.

South Africa truly is a place where east meets west and in the cricketing world in 2008 the Proteas will be hoping to be the pinnacle of the two, and a perfect median. West Indian and ‘East’ Indian cricketers alike are the target of this all-Indian campaign launched by the Proteas in 2008.

The ‘Indians’ from the west have found the team from the South of Africa in rampant mood, while India (east) will have to recover from their tour Down Under to face the challengers' campaign beginning in March.

It’s aimed to be a march  where the Proteas will rely on their trusty backbone while bleeding some very special talent. Dale Steyn, the Morkel brothers, Paul Harris and Johan Botha are going to provide the fireworks in the second half of this ‘ Indian march’.

From East to West, the Proteas are clearing the cricketing horizon to ensure they are the best in 2008.