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.

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.

 

 

Summer of Test Match Cricket Begins

It has been a long time between drinks, but after 5000 Twenty20 games, Australia is set to play some Test match cricket. The summer looks very promising. South Africa has played a solid warm up game and have largely showed that they are ready. Steyn is bowling with pace and fire, while the likes of Smith made runs. Australia appears less than settled at this stage. Ponting has a hamstring concern, Shane Watson is likely to miss the first Test with a calf injury, while Cowan and Warner are coming into the game without the luxury of having runs behind them.

For Australia, the bowling is the clear strength. Siddle and Pattinson have bowled convincingly in recent Sheffield Shield matches, as has Ben Hilfenhaus. Mitchell Starc has improved immensely, and could nudge out Nathan Lyon, who is having to battle a few demons of his own. This is unlikely however. Lyon will play, but his bowling has noticeably gone off the boil in the past few months. He will come under pressure if he is not able to take wickets, or at least tie up an end, while the quicks go to work.

South Africa defeated Australia in the previous series that these two fought out on Australian shores. Australia were better in that series than many remember. The Perth match featured a spectacular last innings chase by De Villiers, Duminy and company, while the Melbourne Test was won, following a lengthy stand where Daly Steyn made 76 runs, which turned the match in South Africa’s favour.

The memory of this defeat is tending to convince many that South Africa start this series as rampaging favourites, however the series will be very tight. Provided, of course, that Australia’s batting can stand up under pressure. That is the key to deciding this series. The best bowling attack in the world, up against an ageing batting line up that has shown a certain degree of fragility. Cowan, Warner, and now Quiney are likely to make up the top three. Neither is experienced, and with the exception of Quiney, neither is in great form. Ponting, Clarke and Hussey follow. Clarke was supreme last summer, as was Ponting. Ponting has made runs at shield level, though has an injury concern, while the ageless Hussey is facing his least favourite opposition, having a very poor record against Steyn, Morkel and Philander.

Partnerships are the key for Australia. Their collapses have been marked by an inability of any player to stem the flow of wickets. Granted, they were dominant with the bat last summer, however they will have to go up a gear this time around.

 

When $80 million isn’t quite what it seems

According to Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland, Australian players will be AUD$80 million richer, under the new deal offered to the Australian Cricket Association (ACA) by Cricket Australia.

It is not clear if Michael Clarke will be personally $80 million richer, or if this wealth is to be shared amongst the playing lists from each of the state based teams, as well as the Big Bash franchises. Whatever the case may be, it could appear that Australia’s cricketers can look forward to a boost in pay.

Paul Marsh, head of the ACA, argues that the money offered by Cricket Australia is not in accordance with the demands of the players, claiming that the players have already made significant concessions in the series of negotiations.

The matter appears to be over the percentage of revenue that will be granted to the players by Cricket Australia. Marsh, speaking with Cricinfo, stated that “The simple facts are that we currently have a deal with CA where players receive 26% of a defined pool of revenue.” Marsh continued, claiming the ACA “think CA’s current proposal is designed to see players receive less than their current 26% share and therefore it’s not fair, but in saying that I think with a bit more work we can find a model that can work for both parties.”

Interestingly, Sutherland’s claim that the players will be $80 million better, appears to be based on projections that revenue to Cricket Australia will continue to rise. This could be the case, however with a new major sponsor required, after the move from Vodafone away from sport, a fledgling Twenty20 competition and a new television rights deal likely to be forged in coming years, the $80 million pay rise projected by Sutherland is a little mischievous.

Australia Takes Series Two Nil

Third Test: Australia v West Indies

Windsor Park, Dominica

Australia 328 and 259

defeated

West Indies

228 and 294

Despite some late order hitting by West Indian captain Darren Sammy, Australia has defeated the West Indies by 65 runs, winning the series 2 Tests to nil.

The unlikely bowling hero in the final Test was Michael Clarke, who claimed his second 5 wicket haul in Tests. On a turning surface, Nathan Lyon was the other chief wicket taker, with 3 victims to go with his 4 in the first innings.

With Shivnarine Chanderpaul dismissed just prior to stumps on the penultimate day, the West Indian cause appeared defeated. However, the ever-underestimated Darren Sammy had other ideas. Sammy smashed 3 sixes and 4 fours, in 51 ball innings of 61. Despite his heroics, he couldn’t get his team over the line, in what would have been a remarkable victory.

The Australians bowled with discipline, and with the victory have leapfrogged India in the Test rankings. The West Indian team will be heartened by continued good performances, however they will be keen to start turning honourable losses into victories.

Chanderpaul claimed the man of the series award with a stunning batting performance for the series, in which he averaged 86; head and shoulders above any batsman from either side. Kemar Roach and Shane Shillingford both claimed 10 wickets in a match, with Roach taking the bowling honours with 19 wickets for the series.

The Australians had no standout performer with either bat or ball. Ben Hilfenhaus had another excellent series, while Ryan Harris excelled in the matches he participated in. The series was won with consistently good performances – when a wicket was required, someone chipped in. When a partnership was needed, the two batsmen at the wicket grafted tough runs. This is a good sign for an emerging team.

 

 

Next up…India

The Indian cricket team is not always predictable. The masters will be touring Australia one more time. Dravid, Laxman and Tendulkar have all made big runs in Australia before. Laxman’s 167 in Sydney a few years back was an innings of the highest calibre. Later on, he would cause Steve Waugh’s touring team nightmares, in an astonishing partnership with Rahul Dravid, after Australia enforced the follow on. Haunted by this occurrence, Australian captains have since been extremely hesitant to apply the same tactic.

I saw Rahul Dravid bat in Adelaide, where he also combined effectively with Laxman, in early 2003. India won by 4 wickets, in a rousing victory against the odds. Then there is Tendulkar. The man is clearly the best batsman to come from the subcontinent and is, most likely, the best batsman to play the game since Bradman. He is poised on 99 international hundreds. Fittingly, he may score his 100th century in Australia, where he first rose to prominence as a test player, in the 1991/1992 tour. Even more appropriate it would be, if he were to score his 100th century at the home of Sir Donald, the Adelaide Oval. I’m getting carried away by the romance of the situation, but it would be fitting.

Perhaps the most dangerous combatant is Virender Sehwag. His 195 in the Boxing Day test of 2003 was one of the greatest innings by a visiting player in recent memory. He is in some form, too. Having peeled off 219 against the West Indies in a one day match already this month, he will have Australia’s young bowling attack very concerned. The West Indies were no pushovers either – Kemar Roach and Andre Russell are young quicks but they are very handy – indeed it was a blow from Kemar Roach that arguably led to the demise of Ponting as a force, a few years ago in Perth.

The bowling is less knowable. Praveen Kumar is a man who could do significant damage to an Australian team susceptible to swing bowling. Unfortunately he is injured, which is a big loss for India. Ishant Sharma was a young colt when he last toured and roughed up the Australian batting line up with some quality fast bowling. His statistics don’t yet suggest that he has graduated to the level of world class strike bowler, however it must be said that he plays much of his cricket on pitches designed for run making.

The spinning stocls are very interesting for India. Ashwin performed very strongly against the West Indies, and has kept Harbajhan Singh out of the team as a result. Traditionally, finger spinners are less successful on the harder Australian wickets. Even Murali struggled to dominate in Australia. However, Ashwin is a classy performer, and his opposition are not as strong as when Murali toured.

The series will be compelling viewing. Australia have been on the ropes, while India are now a dominant power in world cricket.

What next for Australia?

After the calamitous defeat in Hobart, the much-pilloried Australian cricket team has received further criticism in the time since. The subjects of this criticism are the old warhorses, Haddin, Ponting and Hussey. Phil Hughes is already cast aside by the armchair critics, so he is feeling their pity, rather than their scorn at this point in time. Predictably, there have been calls for each of these players to bow out of the team; to make way for a fresh injection of youth. The youth that is apparently battering down the down to selection. However, a quick glance of the Sheffield Shield batting averages reveals that in terms of up-and-coming batsmen, there are very few viable options.

The most obvious is Ed Cowan, a New South Welshman playing for Tasmania. In his last three first class matches, he has made three hundreds. This is on the back of a couple of good seasons for Tasmania, suggesting that he has ability and is currently the form player in the competition. He isn’t a young colt – he will be 30 next year. Another batsman who has been making runs for a few seasons now is Michael Klinger. Unfortunately for Klinger, he is now on the wrong side of 30 and has not received much love from the selectors in recent times, despite big seasons with the South Australian Redbacks. The time may have passed for him, however there will be batting vacancies in the not-too-distant future, so he still has hope. An emerging player is Peter Forrest. He achieved modest success with New South Wales, though did have a good run with the bluebaggers in 2009/10. Having moved to Queensland this season, he has made three hundreds and a 94. Currently topping the runmaking list, he could be a dark horse. At 26, he is one of the younger batting talents in Australia. Interestingly, Dan Christian has made almost as many runs as anyone, with an average of close to 60. Batting at 6 or 7 for South Australia, he is another former New South Welshman making a name for himself in an adopted state. Despite his low position in the batting lineup, he regularly comes to the wicket in pressure situations; such is the diabolical nature of South Australia’s top order.

For now, the changes will not be sweeping. Clarke is a good leader of the team, and should be given time. His batting is top class, and at this stage is the most reliable Australian bat – by some distance. Hussey has a few credits due to a truckload of runs scored in Sri Lanka. Haddin is on very thin ice, due to lacklustre keeping and ill-disciplined batting. Ponting may struggle to survive the summer, however he was showing signs of promise prior to Hobart. Shaun Marsh is very doubtful with injury, and even still, is only a very recent addition to the Test team. He may be overtaken by Ed Cowan, who could come in for the beleagured Hughes. Watson is likely to return in his capacity as a batsman.

On the other hand, the bowling is remarkably secure. The only change that may occur is Ryan Harris coming in for Mitchell Starc. Outside of the squad, there are a number of bowlers who can be called upon, if need be. Hilfenhaus, Peter George, Jackson Bird, Josh Hazelwood, Trent Copeland, et al. What Australian cricket really needs now, is a couple of reliable batsmen, rady to graft and grind their way out of trouble. Less strokemakers, less entertainers, more backs-to-the-wall, doughty and pugnacious resistance fighters in the David Boon mould.