In recent times South Africa has presented some of the toughest conditions for batsmen: the pitches usually have a fair covering of grass, and offer plenty of seam movement and bounce for fast bowlers. In ODIs, though, much of this changes: the grass is shaved off, but the pitches still retain true bounce, making them excellent batting surfaces on which you can hit through the line of the ball without worrying about seam movement or uneven bounce.That has been in evidence in the ongoing South Africa-Australia ODI series, with both teams, and especially the home side, making huge scores: Australias 294 in the first game was chased down with more than 13 overs to spare, while South Africa made 361 in the second, and successfully chased 371 in the third. In three matches the average run rate has been 6.99, the second highest so far in any ODI series of two or more matches. (The highest is 7.15, in the England-New Zealand series last year.) A part of the reason could be the absence of Australias top bowlers for this series, but that doesnt explain the economy rates of some of the top bowlers who are playing in this series - Dale Steyns is 7.33, Kagiso Rabadas 6.66, and Adam Zampas 7.52.In the last five years, the scoring rates in South Africa have gone up significantly, to 5.66. The only host country with a higher run rate - among countries that have hosted 25-plus ODIs since the start of 2012 - is India, where the rate is 5.70. During this period, there have been eight totals in excess of 350, which is the joint highest, along with India. Seven of those have come in the last couple of years, which indicates how batting-friendly conditions have been in South Africa recently.South Africa wasnt always such a great country for ODI batting, though. In the period between 2005 and 2011, the run rate here was 5.10, which was lower than those in India, New Zealand, Pakistan, England and Australia. In the last few years, though, batsmen have relished ODI conditions in South Africa as much as they have probably disliked them in Tests. That is most apparent in the opening partnerships: in Tests the average opening stand since the start of 2012 is 31.37, which is lower than the average in all countries except Sri Lanka; in ODIs, the average is 42.53, which is second highest among all countries, after Indias 44.01. The run rate in opening stands has been 5.42, which is higher than in all countries except Sri Lanka and New Zealand.In Tests the early overs with the new ball are usually a period when bowlers inflict plenty of damage in South Africa. That doesnt seem to be the case in ODIs, where the average runs per wicket in the first 15 overs is 39.19, which is better than the average in all countries except India. The run rate is only 4.83 - Sri Lanka, New Zealand and England have all done better - but that picks up in the middle overs, to 5.69, which is the highest among all teams.On the truer pitches of South Africa, these overs represent the best scoring opportunities for the batting teams, unlike in the subcontinent, where pitches often slow up and make it difficult for batsmen to force the pace. The last ten havent been as prolific, relatively, but the middle overs have ensured the overall run rate stays extremely high. In the ongoing South Africa-Australia series, the two teams have been going at 6.53 in the middle overs. These have been tough times for bowlers in South Africa, but some of them have risen to the challenge, taken wickets and kept the runs in check. South Africa have a 23-12 win-loss record at home during this period, and while the batsmen have scored a bucketful of runs, the bowlers have perhaps been the bigger heroes, restricting opposition line-ups in batsman-friendly conditions.Dale Steyn has had a wretched series against Australia so far, conceding 198 runs in 27 overs (economy rate 7.33), but he has a stellar record in home ODIs during this period, taking 36 wickets in 22 games at an economy rate of 4.51. In all but six of those matches he has gone at under 5.50 an over. Imran Tahir has been superb in the middle overs, going at 4.87 per over while taking 19 wickets at 28.63. All the eight top wicket-takers during this period have strike rates of fewer than 33 balls per wicket, and have gone at less than 5.50 per over. Those numbers have had a huge role to play in South Africas outstanding home record over the last five years. NHL Jerseys 2020 Store . 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HOOVER, Ala. -- Alabama is once again the favorite to win the Southeastern Conference, while LSU, Tennessee, Mississippi and the rest of the league try to figure out a way to derail the Tide.The Crimson Tides title defense is one of several things to watch next season that was discussed during SEC media days, along with Tennessees resurgence as the favorite in the leagues Eastern Division.Three new coaches were introduced at the meetings that ended Thursday -- South Carolinas Will Muschamp, Missouris Barry Odom and Georgias Kirby Smart -- while LSU running back Leonard Fournette, Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly and Tennessee signal-caller Joshua Dobbs were among the most sought-after player interviews.There was also the notable absence of veteran SEC coaches Steve Spurrier and Mark Richt.Spurrier -- known as much for his quick one-liners as his success on the field -- retired last season after 23 years in the league with Florida and most recently South Carolina. Richt was fired by Georgia after 15 seasons in November and is now at Miami.Heres a little more of what was discussed during SEC media days and what to look for next season:TENNESSEE ON THE RISE: Tennessee was voted by the leagues media as the overwhelming favorite to win the SECs Eastern Division. That might seem surprising since the Volunteers havent won their division since 2007, but they have amassed a lot of talent in Knoxville over the past few years. It also helps that the East is full of uncertainty with three new coaches at South Carolina, Georgia and Missouri.Said coach Butch Jones: Thats why you play, is to be in a program like the University of Tennessee where everybody is talking about you. Thats what you work for. Now its what you do with that opportunity.MISSOURIS CHALLENGES: Odom, Missouris first-year coach, stepped to the podium at SEC media days less than 24 hours after finding out that the man who hired him was no longer with the school. Mack Rhoades resigned as Missouris athletic director on Wednesday to take the same job at Baylor. Odom is under contract for five seasons with an annual salary of $2.35 million, but it is more uncertaintty next season for a school thats been the site of constant strife.ddddddddddddLAW & ORDER: Several Auburn and Alabama players arent expected to miss playing time next season despite their legal problems during the offseason. Tide coach Nick Saban said left tackle Cam Robinson and reserve defensive back Hootie Jones are doing community service and police ride-alongs after a drug and weapons arrest. The charges were eventually dropped.Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said four of his players who were arrested on misdemeanor drug charges, including defensive end Byron Cowart and starting cornerback Carlton Davis, wont miss any time either.OLE MISS INVESTIGATION: The Ole Miss football program has been under NCAA investigation for the better part of four years and the case looks like it could drag into 2017. Coach Hugh Freeze was peppered with NCAA questions during SEC media days, but couldnt provide many answers because the investigation is ongoing. The school has already self-imposed some penalties, including scholarship reductions and three years of probation.Freeze defended his program: I have zero interest in cutting corners to be successful, and our staff knows that very well. I have a lot of things that Im not very good at, but that is not a temptation.BIELEMA CHARM: The evolution of Arkansas Bret Bielema from angry new coach to one of the SECs class clowns has been interesting to watch. Bielema drew several laughs during his appearance on Wednesday thanks to self-depreciating humor and funny anecdotes. One likely reason the fourth-year coach is in a better mood: The Razorbacks are relevant again in the SEC Western Division. Arkansas finished with an 8-5 record in 2015, including a 5-3 mark in the league.Said Bielema: At Arkansas, were not built very sexy, were just kind of a work in progress. We need a lot of time in the bathroom to get ready and come out and look great.---Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP---AP College Football Website: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '