Australia vs South Africa, 1st Wanderers Test, Day 2
Day 1 delivered everything we've come to expect from Australia - South Africa Tests. Tough, competitive cricket where neither team were able to establish a dominant lead (until usually the 5th day when South Africa run away with it). South Africa were all over us in the first session. The turning point was when Graeme Smith dropped a sitter to reprieve Ponting just before lunch. Ponting and Clarke counter-attacked in the middle session, looking to wrest control of the game. But unexpected twists are now the expected norm in these games as both fell before the tea break.
But the middle-order showed some starch as Haddin and newbie Marcus North batted out till stumps. I like the look of Marcus North on debut. I tend to favour debuting younger players over older guys as a better long term choice. However, comparing the youngster Phillip Hughes with his hot-headed dismissal (h/t Moses) to the mature, meticulous batting from the older North is a big argument for giving the players a few more years to develop their game. On the other hand, look how Pup turned out.
But what really concerns me is going into this Test with only 3 front-line bowlers. Hasn't our inability to take 20 wickets in the last series taught us anything? Hasn't the last several years wasted on bits and pieces player like Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson taught us anything? We need 4 quality bowlers. Or if the selectors refuse to choose a 4th bowler (eg - look to save Tests rather than win them), at least choose a specialist batsman. But don't try to do both and end up doing neither. I'd tell that parable about the dog with a bone looking at its reflection in a pond but well, you get the idea.
Course McDonald could go on and take a 5-for to make a complete mug out of me. However, I'm not too worried about looking stupid.
| Posted by JC on Fri 27 Feb |  31 comments |
Posted by JC on 2009-02-27 20:11:56
Posted by JC on 2009-02-27 20:21:33
Firstly, he was more economical and took an extra wicket.
Secondly, he just seemed more comfortable even at the buisness end on the 5th day.
Thirldy, I happened to catch most of a cricket show special on Bollinger during that test. It mostly focussed on how "great" his hair looks since doing the advance hair yeh yeh thing. But the other parts of the special were REALLY annoying.
Posted by Trent Lane on 2009-02-27 22:43:49
I told you North would save us but what I didnt expect was Mitch destroying the saffers. One of the better innings i've seen in a long time, and thats not discounting North's brilliant knock.
The saffs commentators seem amazed that he has so much composure, but aussie cricket fans knew the deal long beforehand.
3 wickets in the last session was great. lets hope they keep up the consistency and dont let de villiers and mcantplay build.
Posted by offcutter on 2009-02-28 03:15:00
Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
North
Haddin
I reckon that's pretty solid. My only real concern is Katich. Last time in England, he struggled with the swing (wasn't the only one). Has he improved enough since then to be the senior opening batsman? We'll have to wait and see I guess.
Assuming we have a full squad to choose from, I would pick the following bowlers, in batting order:
Johnson
Lee
Clark
Hilfenhaus
To me, that's a pace attack with about as much variety and quality as you could possibly get, the obvious ommission is of course, no spin bowler. To restate the completely obvious, how we miss Shane Warne. But we don't have another Shane Warne and to choose a spinner who is not up to scratch, for the sake of having a spinner is a mistake in my opinion.
What do you guys think of that team for the Ashes? Do you reckon we need a spinner?
Posted by Marlin01 on 2009-02-28 12:40:11
And I'd much rather see fake hair bowling on day 3 than red hair. He'd be far more dangerous!
Posted by Hewy on 2009-02-28 15:07:24
Posted by Hewy on 2009-02-28 15:14:01
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