Brisbane: Home ground advantage, even when it's your 'default' home, is proving to be a nigh insurmountable barrier in Test cricket. South Africa's outstanding away record notwithstanding, it is becoming increasingly difficult to win away from home, especially for teams playing on pitches alien to their style of play.


Michael Clarke walks back to the pavilion after being bowled by Pakistan's Imran Khan on Day Two of the Abu Dhabi Test on November 1. Pic/Getty Images 

Australia winning in South Africa (and vice versa) or India winning in Sri Lanka may not require a huge leap of faith because the conditions are broadly familiar to the touring side. Australia's capitulation to Pakistan should therefore come as no surprise, despite the bookmakers predicting otherwise, foolishly predicated on Australian form on bouncy pitches and the loss of Saeed Ajmal.