India v England: Third Test

Gambhir will again be testing out his forward defence on the first morning of the third Test in India.

 

 

This has turned out to be a very interesting Test series. India handed England a trouncing in the first Test, winning by 9 wickets. Although, the disastrous first innings from England potentially skewed this result as the tourists showed some grit in the second, scoring heavily with Alistair Cook leading the way with 176. England carried this form into the second Test, where they were bowled to victory by Monty Panesar’s 11 wickets. Panesar was used in tandem with Graeme Swann, who claimed 8 wickets. Alistair Cook made another century, while Kevin Pietersen scored a big hundred. For the home side, Cheteshwar Pujara has been phenomenal. In this series, Pujara has accumulated scores of 206 not out, 41 not out, 135 and 6. Demonstrating the absolute dominance of the slow bowlers in this series, Pragyan Ojha has claimed 14 wickets in what has essentially been 3 innings.

 

As a result of the significant momentum shift throughout the first couple of Tests, picking a winner in Kolkata will be a difficult prospect. It is difficult to imagine that India can be dismissed within 45 overs for a second consecutive Test, so if England are to win, they will surely have to fight harder than in Mumbai. Steve Finn has been included in place of Stuart Broad, which is likely to add to the England team, given Broad’s recent struggles. Ishant Sharma returns for India, with Harbhajan Singh the omission. Despite Dhoni’s calls for a slow turner, the wicket has been predicted to offer bounce, which will favour both Sharma and Finn, with their similarly long-limbed frames.

 

India have won the toss and elected to bat. This could prove to be a significant advantage. England will have to bowl well in the first two sessions and make some inroads, given the best two batsmen for the series thus far have been the openers, Pujara and Sehwag.

 

This should be a cracking test match.

How To Get Hashim Amla Out

Australia v South Africa: Third Test, Day 3

 

When I was 7, dad bought me a book of cricket cartoons. The front cover posed the question: “How to get Viv Richards out”, with a picture of a blindfolded Viv taking guard in front of about 5 sets of stumps. The 2012 version could feature Hashim Amla. He is just a nightmare to bowl to. Against Australia in Perth, he punished anything outside off stump, however if the bowlers even strayed within 5 inches of his off peg, he whipped them through midwicket. Then again, the Australian bowlers could have showed a little more consistency of line and length today. Though when you are bowling to a person in that form, line and length is easier than it sounds.

 

After Kallis was well caught by Johnson at fine leg, AB de Villiers strode out to the wicket with a few question marks over his head. Could he keep wicket and continue his stellar batting form of the past 4 years? OK, that was just one question, but a fair one at that. By the time AB had reverse-swept his third successive boundary with that audacious shot to bring up a scintillating hundred, the question had just about been answered. From that point, he really opened up the shoulders and raced to 169. By the way,Hashim Amla was relatively pedestrian today in making 196 off 220-odd deliveries. His innings ended by another fantastic Mitchell Johnson catch off his own bowling. This represented something of a purple patch for Johnson, who had Elgar out leg before in the same over. The unfortunate debutant registered a pair on debut.

 

From there, the innings fell in something of a heap. South Africa lost their last 5 wickets for 31, though the damage had well and truly been done. Mitchell Starc finished with 6 wickets in a good display of perseverance, though he conceded nearly 6 an over. Johnson took 4, and was the standout bowler. Australia were set 632 to win, or forced to bat for 14 hours to save the match. Despite intereference from a few flys that seemed to enjoy Ed Cowans helmet, the Australian openers went to stumps with their wickets intact. Two more days to go. Good news for Australia – Hashim Amla will not have to bat again this series.

Ricky Ponting Retires

 

Ricky Ponting has announced that the third Test of the home series against South Africa will be his last. This may not be a great surprise, though it is a sad occasion for cricket fans around the world. Ricky Ponting has represented Australia with distinction since he made his Test debut at the WACA, late in 1995. He has played in more Test wins than any other player (100) and has scored the second highest number of Test runs, behind Sachin Tendulkar.

The man known as ‘Punter’, who might just be the most high profile owner of greyhounds on the planet, has not had a blemish free career by any stretch. He fronted the media with a black eye after getting in a fight at Kings Cross, admitting to a problem with alcohol. He has lead Australia to three series defeats against England – unthinkable in the era of his predecessors, Taylor and Waugh. In 2008, late journalist Peter Roebuck argued that Ponting should be sacked as Australian captain, after an acrimonious Test victory against India, which nearly saw India cancel their Australian tour.

However, Ricky Ponting never stopped fighting for Australia. He was exceptionally gifted, however he was hard as nails. Like Allan Border and Steve Waugh before him, Ponting was an Australian captain that put a very high price on his wicket. He turned games for Australia, with the bat and in the field. His batting record in Test matches throughout the early 2000s was exceptional, and only in the past couple of years has his form waned.

I was a young kid in Launceston when Ricky Ponting first played for Tasmania. I remember the hype around this budding superstar, who it seemed was destined for great things. I remember listening to his first Test innings, where was cruelly denied a ton on debut, when umpire Khizar Hayat ruled that an inswinging Chaminda Vaas delivery that struck Ponting high on the pads, was going to hit the stumps. Replays showed the ball would have cleared the stumps with ease.

A mate of mine who played cricket for Mowbray with Ponting once bowled to Ponting at training. My mate was the fastest bowler I ever faced, and even though he would have been 6 years younger than Ponting, he decided to bounce him. Ponting simply caught the ball with his left hand, in front of his eyes, and told the young firebrand to never bowl there again.

Ricky Ponting is widely regarded as a great of Australian cricket, and deservedly so. He is Australia’s best batsman since Bradman. He is a champion, and the game will be poorer without him in the middle.

 

South Africa v Australia: Second Test, Day 5

The day started with Australia needing 6 wickets to win the match, while South Africa needed to survive 540 balls to force an unlikely draw. In the visitors favor, was the fact that Australia’s form bowler, James Pattinson, was out of the attack with injury. This left the workload to Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Nathan Lyon, with support from Michael Clarke. There was the feeling that Australia may not have enough prongs to its attack to take the required wickets. The pitch was flat, the South Africans had shown the previous afternoon that they had put the cue in the rack, and would offer no chances that the Australians didn’t richly deserve.

 

This made for an absorbing day of cricket. AB de Villiers and du Plessis blunted the Australian attack in the first session, though this was not without drama. Twice, du Plessis was given out by Billy Bowden. Michael Clarke was the bowler on both occasions, and both times, the du Plessis successfully appealed LBW decisions that initially went against him. Shortly after the resumption, the tireless Peter Siddle crashed through the de Villiers defence with a searing delivery. De Villiers recorded the second lowest strike rate for a player scoring over 30 runs, scoring at a laborious 15 runs per hundred balls. The title holder, however, remains Chris Tavare. Of course.

 

The limping Kallis strode out, knowing that the Australians would throw the kitchen sink salvaged from the recently demolished Bradman stand at him. His was a stoic innings, underlining his sheer class. When Kallis and du Plessis went to tea with their wickets intact, the game appeared destined for a draw. Again, drama engulfed the game, as Wade, standing up to the stumps, drop an by du Plessis from the bowling of Hilfenhaus. This proved to be as costly as they come, as du Plessis went on to notch up a stirring debut hundred shortly after.

 

When Kallis was removed by a bouncing Nathan Lyon delivery, a flicker of hope was reignited amongst the Australians. Enter Peter Siddle. The fighting, big shouldered man from country Victoria summoned strength from somewhere and produced a run of searching overs, which first removed Steyn, then Kleinveldt with fast, swinging deliveries. It was a dramatic spell. The big man was on his knees, but he was still giving absolutely everything. Isn’t this why Test cricket is so engaging and rewarding?

 

In the end, Morne Morkel played out the final over from Peter Siddle, and the game was drawn. Du Plessis remained unbeaten on 110, in a stunning display of concentration. Siddle was slumped on the ground after his efforts, though he really has reinforced his title as the leader of Australia’s attack. Durable, hard working and fiery; Siddle is an absolute beauty in an age when Australia’s band of talented quicks are struggling to stay on the park.

 

The series heads to Perth, with the number 1 Test ranking on the line. Australia will feel as though they have had the better of the first two Tests, yet have not landed a knockout blow, while South Africa will know that if their bowlers can fire on the fast Perth wicket, they might just pull off a series win.

 

 

South Africa v Australia: Second Test, Day Three

The day was marked by rapidly changing fortunes with the bat, as quick flurries of wickets derailed both batting line ups. South Africa started the day with two wickets down and 217 runs on the board. This quickly turned to 7 for 250-odd, as the momentum swung sharply in Australia’s direction. Ben Hilfenhaus looked dangerous again, while Nathan Lyon was extracting significant bounce from the wicket and causing some concerns for the batsmen.

 

Enter Jacques Kallis, who shuffled out to the wicket with his damaged hamstring. Batting at 9, Kallis managed to stick around, supporting Faf du Plessis in his debut Test innings. The pair stemmed the flow of wickets and pushed the South African innings towards respectability. Nevertheless, when South Africa were finally dismissed for 388, they were still 162 runs in arrears and seemingly destined for defeat.

 

Edward Cowan and Davidward Warner strode out to bat in the afternoon sun, which was now beating down on the Adelaide Oval with some force. What a time to be batting, late on day three against a tired attack in hot conditions. The pair initially made the job look easy, rattling along at 5 runs an over. Cowan mistimed a push towards the legside from Tahir which popped up to mid wicket. Tahir celebrated quite extensively, after his effort of 0 for 159 off 21 overs in the first innings. Unfortunately for Tahir, the third umpire was brought into play and ruled that the delivery was indeed a no ball.

 

Not long after, Warner popped a catch up to cover and left with the score on 77. The manner of dismissal suggested that the wicket was becoming two-paced. Quiney entered, knowing that he needed runs. He edged the second delivery he faced through to de Villiers, and resignedly left the Adelaide Oval to raucous cheers. The cheers were for Ponting, who was entering as a batsmen for perhaps the final time. Ponting looked nervous, and his vastly expressive method of leaving seemed to demonstrate this. Cowan was bowled by a ball from Kleinveldt that snaked in off the wicket, before Ponting himself played on to a rapid delivery from Dale Steyn. This brought nightwatchman Peter Siddle to the crease, who managed to last for a few overs before edging Morne Morkel through to de Villiers.

 

The day ended with Australia on 5 for 111, 273 runs in front. Australia should win, particularly as the pitch appeared to be starting to play some tricks.

South Africa v Australia: Day 2

After the Michael Clarke run fest of day one, where he became the first player ever to score 4 double hundreds in one calendar year, it could have been assumed that Australia would bat for two sessions, make 900, then try to bowl South Africa out twice.

 

It didn’t quite pan out that way. Clarke went early, adding 6 more to his overnight score to be dismissed for 230. His form since he has assumed the captaincy has been nothing short of remarkable. South Africa, largely thanks to the work of Morne Morkel, then ran through the remainder of the Australian batting lineup, save for a few lusty blows from James Pattinson.

 

Australia all out for 550. Still well in front, however they may have hoped for slightly more than this, given their overnight position of 5 for 482. There were suspicions that this pitch was favouring the batsmen. These suspicions were realised when South Africa started piling on the runs.

 

Things didn’t quite go to plan for the home side. Referrals were turned down, the much vaunted band of quicks didn’t tae a wicket. It was left to the part time slows from little David Warner, who somehow removed Amla. Petersen was run out by Hussey, and Smith racked up a century, leaving the tourists 2 down for 217 at the end of play.

Second Test: Australia v South Africa

Today marks the first Test at the Australian Football League’s Adelaide Oval. For international viewers, you may notice that the ground previously known as the Adelaide Oval is in a state of demolition. Essentially, this is because the Australian Football League (they administer a sport called ‘Australian Rules Football’, which is played in one nation of 20,000,000 people and think that they run Australia) wanted to play their game there. Funny thing is, that they no longer wanted to play at the ground called ‘Football Park’, which had previously been the home of the Adelaide Crows and Port Power. If you are not from Australia, you will never have heard of these teams.

 

As a result, the Adelaide Oval is being demolished and rebuilt as a first class sporting arena.

 

The problem is, that the Adelaide Oval ranked as one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world. The ground was unique. It really was beautiful. As a South Australian, I first saw a day of Test cricket at this ground. I first saw a day of Sheffield Shield cricket at this ground. The atmosphere was serene. You could go there to relax on the grassy banks, and just become immersed in the action. Now it will be plastic seats and towering stands to block out the view of the Adelaide hills and St Peters Cathedral. This is so sad. I will go to the Adelaide Oval again, but it just wont be the same.

 

The arena will hold 50,000 people in a town of 1 million. The two football teams couldn’t fill their own 50,000 seat arena at West Lakes. Port Power could barely get 20,000 along to their games. Why Adelaide needs another 50,000 seat arena is anybody’s guess. The Australian Football League wanted it, so they got it. They need to get some perspective. They are a big organisation within Australia, but Australia is a small country in a big world. Cricket is global, Australian Rules Football is not.
Anyway. The cricket starts today and it will be great. Shane Watson is not playing, but who really cares. I have never heard so much speculation about the possible availability of a guy who averages in the mid 30s and bowls medium pace. Look for the match to go the full 5 days.

Australia v South Africa: Day 5

The first Test between Australia and South Africa ended in a relatively tame draw, though not before Australia claimed some important wickets in the South African second innings. How much can be read into that is unclear at this stage, though Pattinson and company bowled with great fire and showed that the South African batting line up is penetrable.

 

Prior to this Michael Clarke made batting look rather easy. Possibly too easy, as Test cricket is meant to be hard and while Clarke is at the crease it appears as though I could stroll out and peel off a quick hundred. Hussey did his best to compound South African misery with a masterful hundred. Of the three 37 year olds in this match, two made tons. This clearly demonstrates that AB was shafted before his time was up. Well, maybe not. But I still have an axe to grind with Simmo.

 

Simmo’s leering mug aside, Australia set South Africa a chase of 116 to avoid an innings defeat. Not insurmountable, by any stretch. However, Australia landed some body blows. Smith failed to get above 22 in the Test, and Pattinson gave him a big old fashioned send off.

 

The series now heads to Adelaide, where all the stands have been pulled down because the head of the Australian Football League said they should be pulled down. The atmosphere will be different, however there will be a lot of tradies onsite, so if you need any concreting done at your place, then get down there.

Australia v South Africa: Day 4

One could be excused for thinking that the Gabba had been relocated to the Brisbane Motorway, as the usually green and viper-esque Brisbane wicket resembled a flat stretch of bitumen with white lines painted down the middle. However, this is not to detract from the efforts of Michael Clarke and Ed Cowan.

 

100 runs is a supreme effort, whether in the backyard at a mates place, or when you commence your innings in a Test match against the world’s best bowling attack against a new ball at 3 for 40 when everyone thinks that you will probably nudge the next ball to Jacques Kallis at second slip and Usman Khawaja will replace you in the second Test and you will return to Blundstone Arena to play in near freezing temperatures in mid January, only to open on a green seamer against a second rate shield attack to be dismissed in the first over and then slide further down the pecking order until your chances of a recall are as slim as those of Greg Matthews, who probably still thinks he is the best spinner outside the Australian roster. Well, that is what Ed Cowan was up against. A batting average of 29 from 7 Tests and few first class runs in the past months, his cards were marked in pencil as the selectors waited for a younger, more stylish opener to emerge. But, he made a fantastic hundred, displayed his Test credentials and showed that he can defend, attack and most importantly, choose the right ball to hit.

 

Michael Clarke has made three double hundreds in a calendar year, three double hundreds as Australian captain. The only other player to do this averaged 99.94 in Test cricket.

 

South Africa will be slightly disheartened by all this. They will have been confident of at least taking a first innings lead at 3 for 40. Now they are fully aware that there is some mettle to this batting line up, however they will still be fully aware that if they can get the wicket of Clarke cheaply in the next two Tests, they will be right in the hunt. Australia lead by 30 odd going into the last day. The game will end in a draw. Australia will set a target, however good sides don’t lose 10 wickets within two sessions on a wicket like this and South Africa is a very good side.

 

 

Day 3: Australia v South Africa

This day started with Kallis and Amla batting, continued for some time with Kallis and Amla batting. Then continued with Kallis batting with Rudolph. In short, South Africa did a lot of batting. Then, after appearing to tire of this, the South African innings went down in a flurry of wickets, sixes and Ben Hilfenhaus bouncers. Pattinson took the bowling honours with 3 wickets, while Kallis and Amla again proved that they are amongst the top few batsmen in the game with classy hundreds. The Australian innings started very shakily. Warner edged a delivery from Steyn that pitched outside off stump and moved fractionally towards the slip courdon.

 

Quiney came in for his debut Test innings and immediately went on the offensive, nearly pulling Steyn to the square leg boundary with the first delivery he faced in Test cricket. He then edged a ball through slips for four with his next ball faced. Six runs, two deliveries, one well executed stroke and one slice of luck. Quite a start. Unfortunately, Quiney’s luck ran out when he pulled Morkel in the air and picked out Steyn at fine leg. Unlucky, though if you hit the ball in the air…Ponting came to the crease with the side in trouble. Ponting walked into a defensive prod and subsequently exited with his side in greater trouble, after he edged a Morkley delivery to Kallis.

 

Clarke and Cowan, under pressure at 3 for 40, played with aggression and positivity. They executed a number of well chosen strokes on their way to an unbroken stand at the close of play. Cowan on 49, Clarke 34. Cowan’s game plan was simple. Defend the good, full ball; hit the bad, short ball. Simple, though very well executed. South African remain on top though, and early wickets on day 4 would put them under extreme pressure.