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?

 

 

 

 

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.