Sydney, Jan. 27 : Australia's cricketers have made a hash of their performances in both the Test and the one-day series against South Africa, believes cricket columnist Peter Roebuck.

In an article for the Sydney Morning Herald, Roebuck says Australia's 50-over batting is ripe for reconstruction.

"Apart from Shaun Marsh and his captain (Ricky Ponting), none of the incumbents have batted with conviction," he says.

"No such licence can be allowed to his (David Hussey's) comrades, none of whom have taken a match by the scruff if its neck. Every innings in this campaign has been the same - a bright start, a promising outlook and then a slow deterioration as overs pass and batsmen neglect to keep the total ticking along against the tweakers," he adds.

Of course, Michael Clarke''s spark and Andrew Symonds''s power have been missed but their replacements have been found wanting. Nor have the lower orders been sufficiently enterprising. It''s been unconvincing, Roebuck says.

As far as the South Africans are concerned, Roebuck is of the view that they were as tenacious as a spider.

"Before the match, the Australian captain had spoken of the need for batsmen to take charge of an innings by scoring hundreds. Previously, he could find several candidates capable of carrying out that task. Mostly it is a question of authority. Now he seems to be surrounded by colleagues able to contribute but not dictate," he says.

"To his chagrin, Ponting himself fell after reaching 50. His dismissal told the tale. He had been able to grab the initiative but not to retain it. Credit must be given to opponents who refuse to go into a holding pattern, keep trying to take wickets, keep believing," Roebuck adds.

He concludes by saying that balance is almost as important in batting as in bowling. (ANI)