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.

Nathan Lyon: Nightwatchman

The concept of the nightwatchman is something peculiar to cricket. Fancy sending in a player that is not that good at batting, ahead of a player who is quite good at batting. In the case of Nathan Lyon, he was elevated above a man who has made 13,336 Test runs. Nathan Lyon has a grand total of 124 Test runs to his credit. The logic doesn’t quite add up to a sensible decision.

 

However, cricket is not always sensible and logical. Why do players stay seated in the same positions in the dressing room, when a game is going down to the wire. When Australia resumed at the MCG in 1982, requiring 25 runs to win against England, who only needed to knock over Jeff Thompson, Rod Marsh ordered the Australian players to resume the same activities that they were involved towards the end of the previous days play. For Marsh and a few others, this involved sitting at the back of the dressing room knocking back a few cans. This could be the first instance where drinking at 11am by a sportsman was viewed as being a positive contribution towards a team victory.

 

Cricket is very much a mental game. Why Ricky Ponting, or any top order batsman for that matter, would prefer to face Dale Steyn at 11am, rather than 5:50pm seems strange, however for anyone who has played cricket, it makes perfect sense. At 5:50pm, all that can happen is that you can either get out, or survive. Not much to be gained. At 11am, the day is young. Survive until 6pm that day, and you will have three figures to your name.

 

Enter Nathan Lyon. For the top order batsman, the nightwatchman who can succeed at their task is invaluable. Unfortunately for Lyon, has capacity to blunt the South African attack late on day one will ensure that this remains his role for the remainder of his career. Some players thrive on this. Most notably, Jason Gillespie made 201 in the nightwatchman role.

 

Well done Nathan Lyon, may your forward defence save many top order players for years to come.

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.

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.

 

Third Test: Australia v West Indies

Day Three

Windsor Park, Dominica

Australia 328 and 6 for 200 (Ponting 57, Cowan 55; Deonarine 2 for 28)

West Indies 218 (Chanderpaul 68, Powell 40; Lyon 4 for 69)

The West Indies are facing a substantial fourth innings chase to level the best of three series, despite showing some fight on the third day at Windsor Park.

In contrast with many of his team mates, Shivnarine Chanderpaul playing a typically determined innings in taking the West Indian total past 200. Ravi Rampual again reinforced the trend of strong tailend batting in this Test with a dogged 31. Nathan Lyon ended the innings with a four wicket haul, including the crucial wickets of Powell and Barath, which turned the match in Australia’s favour.

Ed Cowan strode to the wicket in what would be his final Test innings before a 6 month break. Cowan, who had not passed 34 in his previous 7 innings, had not looked out of his depth in Test match cricket. However he had failed to press on with promising starts. Today he anchored the innings as Warner and Watson fell in quick succession. Cowan batted serenly in collaboration with Ricky Ponting, who would have been thankful for an extended stay at the wicket. Cowan launched a cut shot to Deonarine, only to edge the ball to Sammy at slip, who held onto a lightning quick chance. This will have frustrated Cowan to no end. On the other hand, Sammy’s allround versatility as a cricketer is coming to the fore, after few gave him a chance of succeeding as West Indian captain.

Ponting played an assured innings, and for once in the series had an ounce of fortune, surviving a run out and a dropped catch. His nemesis Kemar Roach claimed his wicket with a lifting delivery, and thus ended Ponting’s batting career in the West Indies. Ponting was out to a ‘periscope’ shot as he ducked a bouncer, leaving his bat in the path of the ball and spooning a catch. Another bizarre dismissal for Australia’s former skipper, who appears to be batting quite well, though is just finding ways of getting himself out.

With Australia holding a lead in excess of 300, with 4 wickets in hand and two full days to play, only two results seem possible. A win would cap an excellent 6 months of Test cricket for Australia, while the West Indies will be feeling as though some good cricket in recent times has been somewhat unfulfilled. Then again, being ‘good’ isn’t necessarily good enough in Test match terms.

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.