South Africa Retain Number 1 Test Ranking

When Australia last made 632, Boonie made a big ton.

Australia were set the task of chasing down 632, which was always going to be about 309 runs too many. Especially against the likes of Steyn, Philander and Morkel. And Petersen for that matter, who managed to wrangle a couple of important wickets.

 

Philander struck early, removing Warner to a catch behind the wicket. I’m not sure if Philander is a really good bowler, or if Warner is just very prone to nicking deliveries outside off stump. Probably both. The face of Brut Deodorant, Shane ‘Watto’ Watson was next in. ‘Watto’ played some punchy drives on his way to 25, before he too edged a ball just outside off stump. I feel that Watson is at something of a crossroads. He is a very valuable cricketer for Australia, across the three forms of the game, however he has not been consistent in Test matches for some time now. Ricky Ponting came out to a rapturous reception, and a guard of honour from the South Africans. A very nice touch. He played a vintage pull shot, then an on drive, before edging the seemingly innocuous spin of Petersen to Kallis at slip. Ponting departed, waving to the appreciative crowd at the WACA. Well played, Punter.

 

The game was something of a procession from this point, if it wasn’t already. Cowan fell to a hook shot, Clarke drowned in honey against Petersen. To be fair, it was a great piece of bowling by the left arm tweaker. Hussey, caught behind to a seemingly rage-filled Steyn. The traditional ‘futile-though-entertaining’ lower order hitting display followed, with Starc posting a half century from just 32 balls. This added some respectability to the total, though also added Starc’s name to the list of potential top 4 batsmen for Australia. I jest, of course. Though these positions are becoming a headache for Australia, if they hadn’t already been a headache of chronic proportions.

 

South Africa stay at number 1, and deservedly so. Cricket is all about being the best team in the moments that matter, and South Africa were clearly the best when it mattered.

Chasing 632 (Six hundreds, Three tens, Two ones)

Punter

 

To wrest the number one world ranking from South Africa, Australia need to chase down 632 runs in the final two days of play in Perth. Looking at this total as a whole, it appears quite daunting. Broken down into targets of ten, as cricketers often do when chasing, the total still appears insurmountable. How are Australia going to approach this task? I wish I could say.

 

If there is a benefit to such a situation, it is that Australia may feel they have nothing to lose. No one expects them to get anywhere near this total. This could allow the players to relax. Ponting has nothing to lose. His last Test innings. There will be no threat of the selectors tapping him on the shoulder if he fails. Michael Clarke has nothing to lose. 4 double hundreds in a year as captain, that’s some change in the bank. Why not go down, while having a go? David Warner has nothing to lose. He is coming off a ton, while there is arguably more pressure on Cowan and Watson to make a score.

 

If Australia can make 400 plus, they will have done well. The keys from an Australian perspective will be getting runs into players who need them. The selectors will be concerned about the top 4 spots in the batting line up, ahead of The Ashes. Where does Shane Watson bat? Do they persist with Ed Cowan and David Warner at the top? Who replaces Ricky Ponting? Some answers may arrive in this innings.

 

For South Africa, a quick kill would be desirable. These big run chases do have a tendency to last and last, well after the conclusion to the match appears foregone. Dale Steyn will want wickets. Of course, all bowlers do. However when you are the undisputed number one bowler in the game, you want to be able to prove it. If Ponting makes it to 96, just make sure you give him a half volley on leg stump, OK Dale?

 

 

 

 

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.

Amla and Smith Dominate Australia

South Africa v Australia

Third Test, Day 2

My mother always said, “If you don’t have anything positive to say, then don’t say anything at all.” In that vein, I should probably conclude this entry. However, I was never one to take advice, so I shall press on. The day began well. I turned on the television, and the cricket was about to start. Usually a precursor to a great day. Unfortunately, as a supporter of the Australian cricket team, things went downhill from there.

 

Warner played a dreadful shot, edging a wide ball through to de Villiers. Lyon got a beauty from Steyn. Ponting played for outswing, though ended up using his pad to block an inswinger from Philander. Clarke (see Lyon). Hussey hung around for a while, before Morkel roughed him up. Wade played a positive, counter-attacking innings and saved Australia from embarrassment in the process. After lunch, the previously fluent Wade was bogged down and then bowled trying to sweep Peterson. Johnson and Hastings followed, to shots that could have been left in the kit bag.

 

Australia all out, 62 runs behind. Nevertheless, the pitch seemed to be doing a bit, so there was still hope. Johnson showed his athleticism in dismissing Alviro Petersen early, to a running, then diving catch. This brought Amla to the wicket. With Smith in solid support, Amla blasted the Australian attack, with a series of beautifully timed, and occasionally improvised, cricket shots. The punishment dished out was unbelievable. At one stage, Amla and Smith held the record for the fastest ever partnership in Test cricket that had exceeded 100 runs. Against an inexperienced attack that just couldn’t put the ball in the right spot, the South Africans pounced in sensational fashion. Passing 200 with 1 wicket down, the South African lead had extended past 260 and the game appeared out of reach for Australia. Lyon took a great outfield catch to finally remove Smith, then dropped a regulation chance to remove Kallis. It was one of those days.

 

With three days to go, Australia literally need a miracle to either win or save this game.

South Africa v Australia: Third Test

Day 1

 

Australia entered the game with an unprecedented number of changes to the bowling department, with Pattinson, Siddle and Hilfenhaus making way for Starc, Johnson and Hastings. A bold move from the selection panel indeed. South Africa opted for a more cautious selection, with de Villiers retaining the gloves, and Robin Petersen coming in for the much malinged Imran Tahir.

 

South Africa won the toss and batted. The curator had assured all that the pitch would have some bounce and pace; not unusual for a WACA wicket. Smith and Alviro Petersen were looking comfortable, until Watson wobbled a ball which deflected off the edge of Smith’s bat to Clarke at first slip. 1 for 38 – no major problems. Johnson came into the attack and immediately looked threatening. He unsettled the batsmen and appeared the most likely to break through. This is why the selectors love him. He can take wickets. He can spray the ball as well, but when he is good, he is very hard to play.

 

Starc was reintroduced to the attack, and produced a brace of searing, inswinging balls on a full length which removed Petersen and then Kallis before lunch. Big wickets. After lunch, the trend continued. Amla, dropped by Ed Cowan, was then run out by David Warner shortly after. AB de Villiers went hard at a full ball from Hastings and edged through to a waiting slips courdon. Johnson had new man Edgar pulling at a short ball aimed at his throat, which he gloved through to Wade. 6 for 75. South Africa reeling. Enter Faf du Plessis, inexdplicably at number 7.

 

Du Plessis played another masterful innings, chaperoning the tail towards a semi-respectable total of 224, contributing an unbeaten 78. He really is a good looking player. Calm, composed and clear-headed, when his more experienced team mates fell around him.

 

Australia’s openers were asked to endured a tricky session prior to stumps. Ed Cowan went first ball, edging Steyn to Kallis at second slip. Shane Watson entered at number 3, though departed soon after to another LBW decision. The DRS has worked for South Africa, however Watson has an uncanny knack of letting the ball hit his pad right in front of the stumps. Not good for a number 3. This raised the prospect of Ricky Ponting hbeing required to face out the remaining overs. Great cheers greeted Nathan Lyon, as he strode purposely to the wicket. He played the nightwatchman role to perfection though, blunting all South Africa could throw at him. Australia will resume tomorrow at 2 for 33, just ahead after an entertaining first day.

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.

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.