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?

 

 

 

 

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.