Without doubt the second test at Wanderers was one of the all time greats, right alongside Edgebaston in 2005 as a modern great. Day five began poorly, with Clarke and Ponting falling reasonably early and South Africa becoming the favourites again. It ended with Pat Cummins blasting his way into folklore, much as he did earlier in the match with the ball.
Rain loomed over day five early and the first session was completely written off, and like the rest of the 'series' the gameplay was all about momentum. After the loss of Clarke and Ponting, Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin were left to stop the bleeding. A 70 run stand was the result, with Hussey falling for 39 and South Africa again taking momentum. Haddin was met with Johnson, and the most important partnership of the match took place here. Both under clouds about their spots, and they played their own way. Flashy, risky but good enough. The partnership was worth 72, with Haddin falling with 23 to get. Siddle fell quickly, but it was Cummins, on debut, the man of the match, who hit the winning runs.
While it is time to look toward New Zealand in 9 days time, and speculate about the team for that match, perhaps we should just take a moment. Take a moment to think about the best test match in 6 years, about Australia bouncing back and returning to life.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
A Fourth Day of Thirds
Day Four at the Wanderers and we are no closer to knowing the result. The day was split in three however, two victories to Australia and one to South Africa. Whoever wins the splits tomorrow will walk away with victory, and neither team will be confident.
The first third began with Pat Cummins, who officially announced himself as a star by breaking the firm stand of abdevilliers.com and Amla, and following Amla's century, a run out and wicket to Lyon, South Africa were reeling at 7-266.
The second third belonged to Dale Steyn and Philander who combined for a frustrating partnership of 48, finally broken by the golden arm of Cummins. Cummins knocked over Dorkel's castle first ball to register his maiden five wicket haul. Steyn hit out and fell on his own sword for 42, however the damage he had a part in with Philander was huge, changing a possible chase of 250 into a looming target of 310.
The final third, Australia's innings belonged to us. Despite the shocking start, Watson leaving a straight ball in the second ball of the innings, and Phil Hughes edging a push outside off, we were stuck at 2-19. Khawaja and Ponting resurrected themselves and their country in a strong partnership, worth 122. Unfortunately Khawaja fell within 5 minutes of bad light, and we are left at 3-142 at stumps, 168 left for victory.
Ricky Ponting holds the key, unbeaten on 54, he can guide us to glory or start the collapse. Recent form has us left expecting the worst, but history has us backing him in. Which will prevail, the question is to be answered.
The first third began with Pat Cummins, who officially announced himself as a star by breaking the firm stand of abdevilliers.com and Amla, and following Amla's century, a run out and wicket to Lyon, South Africa were reeling at 7-266.
The second third belonged to Dale Steyn and Philander who combined for a frustrating partnership of 48, finally broken by the golden arm of Cummins. Cummins knocked over Dorkel's castle first ball to register his maiden five wicket haul. Steyn hit out and fell on his own sword for 42, however the damage he had a part in with Philander was huge, changing a possible chase of 250 into a looming target of 310.
The final third, Australia's innings belonged to us. Despite the shocking start, Watson leaving a straight ball in the second ball of the innings, and Phil Hughes edging a push outside off, we were stuck at 2-19. Khawaja and Ponting resurrected themselves and their country in a strong partnership, worth 122. Unfortunately Khawaja fell within 5 minutes of bad light, and we are left at 3-142 at stumps, 168 left for victory.
Ricky Ponting holds the key, unbeaten on 54, he can guide us to glory or start the collapse. Recent form has us left expecting the worst, but history has us backing him in. Which will prevail, the question is to be answered.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Day One, Test Two, Year One.
The rebirth of Australian cricket began at the Wanderers stadium. Well, sort of. Of course, we haven't died, but there was a near fatal heart attack at Cape Town. But, with all new life, it is time to move on. A new test match, Usman Kahwaja is in for Shaun Marsh, who has been our best batsman of late. Our best bowler, Ryan Harris was injured, replaced by the great young hope, Pat Cummins. As usual, Clarke lost the toss, South Africa batting.
Mitch Johnson took the first wicket, hoping to save his career, Shane Watson took another and then promptly suffered an injury. And Jacques Kallis went nuts, scoring a 50 faster than he scores in T20 matches. Quck wickets to Pete Siddle and Cummins and we were on top. As usual we surrendered the adjacency with perplexing bowling changes and a streaky partnership between Ashwell Princess and A.BDevilliers.com. Princess gave his wicket away to Lyon to start the third session, abdevilliers.com skied a poor pull shot, and Cummins took a beautiful diving catch. Lyon had Vernon Philly LBW, and Spud Boucher skied Siddle on a poor pull. The tail was cleaned up by Clarke, and South Africa lost 6 for 25 to be all out for 266.
Of course, our bowling has never been the issue, however weak it has been. Not putting teams away with big totals and good batting is the problem. From the look of the pitch, it was a 400 first innnings par, and it looks pretty flat. The question hangs over Phil Hughes and Watson at the top, Kahawaja at three and Ponting at four. Have we ever had such an unknown top four? They seem to be so heavily unreliable, and they need to put our doubts, and their own at ease with big scores. A lead of at least 100 is a must, and we should be aiming towards 200. But, batting has been our weakness. The second day of the new life will deliver more answers than the first. And the question is for how long this life will last.
We shall see tomorrow.
Mitch Johnson took the first wicket, hoping to save his career, Shane Watson took another and then promptly suffered an injury. And Jacques Kallis went nuts, scoring a 50 faster than he scores in T20 matches. Quck wickets to Pete Siddle and Cummins and we were on top. As usual we surrendered the adjacency with perplexing bowling changes and a streaky partnership between Ashwell Princess and A.BDevilliers.com. Princess gave his wicket away to Lyon to start the third session, abdevilliers.com skied a poor pull shot, and Cummins took a beautiful diving catch. Lyon had Vernon Philly LBW, and Spud Boucher skied Siddle on a poor pull. The tail was cleaned up by Clarke, and South Africa lost 6 for 25 to be all out for 266.
Of course, our bowling has never been the issue, however weak it has been. Not putting teams away with big totals and good batting is the problem. From the look of the pitch, it was a 400 first innnings par, and it looks pretty flat. The question hangs over Phil Hughes and Watson at the top, Kahawaja at three and Ponting at four. Have we ever had such an unknown top four? They seem to be so heavily unreliable, and they need to put our doubts, and their own at ease with big scores. A lead of at least 100 is a must, and we should be aiming towards 200. But, batting has been our weakness. The second day of the new life will deliver more answers than the first. And the question is for how long this life will last.
We shall see tomorrow.
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