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.
Australian Cricket News 