Australia win 3rd Test and clean sweep Frank Worrell trophy
Australia comfortably chased down the runs to win the 3rd Test against the West Indies and clean sweep the series. The only question of interest in the morning was whether Matt Hayden would score 100 to make it 5 centuries in consecutive Tests (only the Don has gone further). At one stage, I had visions of Hayden on 96 with 1 run to win, going for another slog and skying it to cover (a guy can dream). In the end, he missed out as Hussey scored quite freely and frankly, I'm not shedding any crocodile tears. The other point of interest was the West Indians overly boisterous cheering each other on in reaction to Billy Bowden telling the players to tone it down. It was a fairly harmless form of dissent, more amusing than disruptive and embarrassing for Billy Bowden. It reminded me of students razzing an unliked teacher.
Michael Hussey looked solid in the middle order and hit the winning runs for the second game running. I can see him batting in the middle order or opening for Australia for years to come... or at least till he hits a lean patch halfway through the next series against South Africa. I've done some maths and worked out he's hit the winning runs in 2 out of his 3 Tests. Now statistics never lie (at least that's what that nerd says in Numbers) so it follows that if he plays the Ashes series next year, he will hit the winning runs in 3.33 games which is enough to win us the Ashes. So the little urn is in the bag! Conversely, Brad Hodge had a disappointing game. The selectors are likely to persist with him for at least another game or two but Michael Clarke is breathing down his neck, having just scored a career high 201 not out against Queensland. You have to give it to Pup, bouncing back after being dropped.
So overall, it was a disappointing series (as Channel 9 will attest). The West Indies showed sparks of promise here and there but couldn't put it all together, dogged throughout by bad umpiring decisions. Australia performed well but the middle order is still shockingly frail and questions about a 3rd quick and an allrounder are yet to be answered. At the end of each series, Cricinfo always publish interesting reviews of the series including a rating out of 10 for each Australian and West Indian player. Hussey was the revelation for Australia (well, not a huge surprise considering he's been playing in our one day side for years). Everyone assumed he would only play 1 Test in Brisbane with Justin Langer outing him in Hobart. Langer's injury kept him out for one extra game and Hussey took full advantage, scoring his maiden century and earning a middle order spot at Clarke's expense. The 3rd Test saw him cement his spot with another century. Good on him, he had a tiny opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. Dwayne Bravo was the revelation for the West Indies, threatening Australia with bat and ball. One wonders why Bennett King left him out of the team in Brisbane. The expectations of the Carribbean will be heaped upon this guy now and I hope he handles it well.
The next question is what will be the make up of the Australian squad against South Africa. Stuart MacGill will make way for Nathan Bracken in Perth which heavily favours the quicks. But will the selectors retain Brad Hodge and Andrew Symonds? I think Hodge will get at least a few more Tests to prove himself. Andrew Symonds is on the verge of being dropped. In fact, Ricky Ponting is backing Symonds to retain his spot which is almost a sure sign that he's going to be dropped (Ponting's endorsement is the cricket equivalent of the Godfather kiss of death). Problem is who do you replace him with? It'd have to be a fast bowler - that'd give us 4 quicks and a leg spinner which is fair enough at Perth. My thoughts are they'll retain Symonds, give him one more Test - the selectors have a real bee in their bonnet about all-rounders since England. But I'm open to ideas - anyone else have any thoughts on who should make up the Australian squad against South Africa?
| Posted by JC on Tue 29 Nov |  12 comments |
As long as Clark and Gillespie don't get recalled I'm happy. I'm finding the constant media attention of Gillespie's recent 7wkt innings and Clark's ton a little tedious. Is this a good thing? Not really - it just advertises the huge void between international and domestic playing. In fact, I'd go one step further than that and say their respective efforts have actually damaged their chances of being re-selected because they simply couldn't come up with the goods when the pressure was on.
Posted by Virtualgaz on 2005-11-30 00:17:38
Posted by Virtualgaz on 2005-11-30 00:17:38
I wouldn't say it damages their chances and I wouldn't say our domestic scene is that bad. Clarke scored his 200 against Bichel and Kasprowicz... Hmm, you may have a point.
Posted by JC on 2005-11-30 01:59:35
Posted by JC on 2005-11-30 01:59:35
The oneday and series between windies and Australia in w.indies in 1997 is exceptional, one of the most intense and bitterly fought battles i should say.Especially the crowd getting behind the windies team and some time becoming vioent.But the greatest feature of the whole series was Steve waugh, he was courage personified, he defied all the odds and changed the whole course of the series from an imminent Aussie defeat to the series draw. He was exceptional and words just fall short to appreciate the way he batted and bought the Ausies out of jail many a times. at the end of the series the agitated crowds also started throwing bottles at him and he almost got hurt. But a true hero he is he managed win the game and managed to draw the series.
Posted by Sun on 2008-02-02 04:13:54
Posted by Sun on 2008-02-02 04:13:54
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