Australia shaded South Africa in the pace stakes eight months ago in a thrilling Test series.
Now Australia’s next generation of fast bowlers are seeking to do the same in the ongoing one-day series on home soil.
If the hosts defeat the Proteas at the MCG on Friday, they will take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-game series.
It would be an impressive performance given the calibre of South African quicks Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.
The fearsome trio have already snatched one victory, Morkel claiming 5-21 on Sunday when the Proteas rolled Australia for 154 in Perth.
But Aaron Finch and Steve Smith fought back with the bat in Canberra, while Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Kane Richardson stepped up with the ball.
Hazlewood claimed the key scalp of Hashim Amla for 102, while Starc destroyed the tail as the visitors collapsed from 3-224 to be all out for 256.
“We’ve got a few young guys in at the moment, and their attack has been the same for a while and it’s world class,” Hazlewood replied when asked to compare the two pace batteries in the series.
“We’ve tried to match them in games, if not better them on some occasions.
“It’s been quite a tough ask, but I think we’ve done pretty well.”
Amla agreed.
“He bowled pretty well in Perth and he bowled pretty decently in Canberra,” he said of Hazlewood, who snared 5-31 in the same game that Morkel ran rampant in.
Amla suggested Hazlewood was an example of the fast-bowling depth that both nations boast.
“That’s probably one of the features of both of the South African and Australian attacks,” he said.
“When you rest somebody, generally someone will come in and fulfil that position admirably.”
Hazlewood is expected to play in Friday’s clash, but could be rested for the fifth and final contest at the SCG on Sunday.
The 23-year-old, the leading wicket-taker in the series with nine victims, has been studying his South African counterparts.
“Just the way they go about their preparation and their plans,” he said of what stood out.
“It’s been fantastic to watch all three of their (fast) bowlers, with Morne being taller and similar to me.”
Friday’s MCG clash starts at 2.20pm AEDT.
