South Africa take initiative as Australia's middle-order crumbles
Australia's innings today had a ring of familiarity that showed our successful 2nd innings in Perth was an aberration, not the norm. Our top order set a useful platform, taking us to 154 runs for the loss of 1 wicket. Once the second wicket fell, our middle order fell over in a heap, leaving us 8 down for a paltry 239 at stumps.
The commentators questioned Ponting's decision to bat first. But honestly, after selecting two spinners, what do you expect him to do? Indeed it comes as no surprise that since Edgbaston, Ricky Ponting has never sent the opposition in after winning the toss - even in ODI's. It was disappointing to see Phil Jacques fall cheaply in his debut but it was pleasing to see Matt Hayden put away the pull shot after his brain explosion in Perth. Surprisingly, South Africa didn't bowl too many short ones to him. I thought Ntini would offer a few tempters at him - risk a few boundaries to claim his wicket. Their strategy instead was to choke the runs (a typically Australian approach) and it seemed a wrong strategy after Australia dominated the first 2 sessions. Ricky Ponting was dropped by Andrew Nel at 13 to continue South Africa's poor record of dropped catches this series. You'd understand if it was a diving half-chance but the ball was hit right into the bread basket and Nel dropped a sitter. It cost South Africa 104 runs as Ponting went on to score a graceful century. But Nel went from villain to hero (or vica versa from our point of view) when he took 4 wickets in the last session. And Graeme Smith's strategy of run choking was vindicated as even when Australia dominated, their batsmen did little damage.
Brad Hodge was unconvincing, playing a lot of shots away from his body. Andrew Symonds came out looking like a circus clown and batted like one with a first ball duck. Gilchrist got out softly, bunting some catching practice to gully with a casualness that would make Mark Waugh proud. And Warnie tried to slog a ball over cover only to sky it to a fielder. Just like the 1st innings in Perth, the middle-order batted with ill discipline. At least Hussey looked solid and very comfortable at Test level. Hodge is still yet to convince and well, my feelings on the Symonds matter have been clearly stated. Conversely, South Africa showed great mental toughness - at one stage, they looked on the verge of being batted out of the game on the 1st day. Instead, they wrested back the initiative and Australia may be playing catch up for much of this game.
| Posted by JC on Sun 25 Dec |  15 comments |
Nice summary John. It will be interesting to see how SA bat on this surface, it looks to have a bit of bounce and should assist Warne and MacGill.
Posted by Zainub - http://www.bloxster.n on 2005-12-26 00:18:33
Posted by Zainub - http://www.bloxster.n on 2005-12-26 00:18:33
Indeed, the 2nd test is progressing just as the 1st test did. Australia batted like fools in the 1st innings but SA let them off the hook by not playing much better in their 1st innings. I doubt they'll make the same mistake this time (although we did) but I wonder how they'll fare against McGill and Warne. And who knows, maybe McGrath will come good again. There's also hope of Australia's tail wagging with Hussey still in so should be another engrossing day.
Posted by JC on 2005-12-26 02:01:41
Posted by JC on 2005-12-26 02:01:41
Everyone is shouting Warnie home at Melbourne, what people are not seeing is that he has done very well here a long time ago, in fact against South Africa at Melbourne hae has only taken 10 Wickets in 3 Matches, hardley something to shout about, in fact it appears with that statistic, McGraths poor form, I reckon Australia will battle to bowl South Africa out twice. Interestingly, in the last 8 yeasr only the West Indies have managed to score less than 200 in any innings in Melbourne, so if Australia can only manage slightly more than that they are effectively in deep trouble, the only consilation is that South Africa have to bat on this strip too, however since this is South Africa's strongest team since who knows when, I find it hard to believe that so many pounters are backing Australia after this dismal 1st innings...
Posted by Gavin Cohen (Bookmaker South A on 2005-12-26 02:32:48
Posted by Gavin Cohen (Bookmaker South A on 2005-12-26 02:32:48
Carbon copy almost of day one at the WACA, but this wicket had a bit in it. If that continues today, and if our quicks are on song, we might have an interesting and close tussle yet. Interesting to see whether anything arises following the late altercation with Nel/Warne/Smith/Hussey. While the Aussies are generally seen as the villain,these Proteas are NOT as pure as the driven snow and Nel needs to
pull his head in and at least get some sort of reprimand for his antics.
Posted by Dan Darwin on 2005-12-26 15:29:12
pull his head in and at least get some sort of reprimand for his antics.
Posted by Dan Darwin on 2005-12-26 15:29:12
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