It’s almost time again. The sound of leather on willow, the hot sun beating down on us, the long days and mind games of Tests, the One Day Internationals, and the thrilling Twenty20’s. It’s time for the Australian summer of cricket.
West Indies in Australia - Tests
To kick start the Australia’s 2009/10 season, the West Indians will be heading over. Hopefully the West Indies board can sort out the contract issues before the series begins, so the West Indies can play their strongest team. The thought of Edwards on a quick and bouncy WACA pitch against the likes of Ponting is mind blowing.
Australia are a team in transition, and undecided on a few positions in the team. The openers, middle order batsmen and bowlers aren’t sorted, as much as we would like them to be.
We start the summer at the Gabba, as per the usual, on the 26th of November, after the West Indies play their warm up game against Queensland at the Allan Border field, then they head to Adelaide and Perth to wrap up the 3 Test series.
The key:
Chanderpaul will be the key for the West Indies. If he fires with the bat, he’s almost unstoppable. He needs some decent support, and he can almost single handedly win games. For Australia, they need the bowling to perform. Once you get Gayle and Chanderpaul, Sarwan and co can still come and make you pay. If Johnson, Lee, Siddle and co can dismiss the West Indies top order quickly, then they will find it hard to recover. However, Taylor has a Test century, so the tail isn’t all that bad.
My prediction:
If the West Indies are playing a significantly weakened team, Australia should and probably will roll them 3-0. If the West Indies are full strength, I think they will steal one Test from Australia, but Australia will get victories in the other two games. 2-1 to Australia.
West Indies in Australia – One Day Internationals
After the Test series, the focus turns to the One Dayers. The first at the MCG at Melbourne, then we head to Adelaide for the second, SCG at Sydney for the third, the Gabba in Brisbane at the fourth before heading back to the MCG for the fifth and last ODI.
The key:
The West Indies, on their day, are as good as any in the shorter forms. Edwards has the potential to get 0/60 or 5/20, and the West Indian fans and players will be hoping that he achieves the latter against Australia. Gayle can get going easily, and destroy Australia’s line up. Chanderpaul is a solid One Day player, and the rest of the team are good at playing their supporting roles.
My prediction:
Seeing Australia’s poor form recently in the shorter form, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we went down to the West Indies full strength team at least once. They have a powerful one day team at their best, and will certainly give Australia a run for their money. 4-1, Australia’s way, I reckon.
West Indies in Australia – Twenty20s
The excitement of the tour. The thrills of Twenty20 are taking the world by storm, and despite not being new, it’s still the baby form of cricket. Many Australian fans have shown a particular disliking for Twenty20 cricket, seeing it as a joke, much like the Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, who recently retired from Twenty20 to become a Test and One Day specialist.
Australia’s captain is still undetermined. My tip is it will be Clarke, as the selectors will use it as an excuse to give him more international captaincy experience before he eventually takes the reins from Ponting in the Tests and One Dayers, assuming he does. The problem with this is, his position shouldn’t, and hopefully isn’t, safe in the team at the moment. Being captain, it makes him undroppable, which is a bad thing for Australian cricket, as he struggles to play the big shots and actually get going, rather just bumps the ball around and strikes at about 70-100, barely enough, unless your team is having a collapse.
The key:
For Australia, I think the fast bowlers need to control their bowling, or the West Indian batsmen will be able to take control, even if they aren’t the best quality batsmen they can still use the pace of the ball for runs. The West Indians defeated Australia at the Twenty20 World Cup, so Australia need to be keen for revenge. For the West Indians, again Gayle is the key. He has a Twenty20 century, the first man to do so, and is a dangerman all the time. Edwards on his day is a great bowler, and his toe crushing yorkers are almost impossible to play.
The prediction:
Assuming it’s the West Indies strongest outfit, I think they will lose the first game, before seeking, successfully, levelling the series up making it a draw. 1-1, I think.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Michael Hussey – Is his time up?
Michael Hussey started his international test career with a bang, in the Frank Worrell Trophy, 2005/06, against the West Indies, when they travelled to Australia. In 3 matches he compiled 361 runs at an average of 120.33, including 2 centuries. The West Indian’s failed to dismiss him on 3 occasions during the series, and Hussey announced to the world how great a batsman he is.
When South Africa toured Australia in late 2005, Hussey was consistent with the bat, scoring 279 runs at 55.80 in 3 outings, including a half century and a century. If he hadn’t proven himself against the West Indies, where there were doubters, he silenced critics against an attack including Pollock, Ntini, Nel, Langeveldt, Boje, Botha and part timers Kallis and Kemp.
Then in early 2006, Australia travelled to South Africa. Hussey again impressed, scoring 257 runs at an average of 64.25. Whilst he failed to make a century in the tests, he scored 3 fifty’s, including a top score of 89.
In mid 2006 Australia travelled to Bangladesh, where the sub standard bowlers were easy picking for Hussey. He averaged 80.66 and scored his career best to day 182 on his way to 242 runs in 2 games, scoring a touch under 70 runs per 100 balls.
Then Hussey achieved one of the biggest moments of an Australia cricketers life, being selected for an Ashes tour. He took the opportunity with both hands, and from late 2006 to early 2007 he destroyed the enemy, scoring 458 runs, averaging 91.60, pounding a century and 3 fifty’s in the 5 match series, helping Australia win the Adelaide test on the last day with a terrific knock of 61 of 66 deliveries proving vital. Australia needed to chase 168 from 36 over’s, which after his 91 in the first innings, didn’t seem to faze Hussey, as with Ponting he turn the match in Australia’s favour after England scored 5/551 in the first innings, helping in Australia’s reply of 513 and the final chase on the last day.
Then in late 2007 Hussey participated in the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy against Sri Lanka, in which the Australian’s denied Muralidaran of his 700th test wicket, with Hussey not only out doing Muralidaran, but also scoring a mammoth 299 runs at an average of 149.50 in only 2 tests, including 2 centuries, his top score for the series 133.
At this point, Hussey was on top of the world, averaging 86.18 after 18 test matches, including with 7 hundreds and 8 fifty’s. Then everything hit the decline.
He averaged 48.33 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, no mean feat, but way off his Bradmanesque figures leading up to then. It was against the West Indies in mid 2008 that cracks started to appear. He averaged a mere 22.83 against a relatively poor attack, scoring only a single fifty from 6 innings, and scoring only 37.43 runs per 100 balls.
He seemed to be picking himself up again when Australia toured India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scoring 394 runs at 56.28, with 1 century and 3 half centuries. His strike rate was again on the up, but it wasn’t long until everything went downhill.
Against New Zealand in late 2008, he scored 105 runs at 35, beginnings a major decline. He started to look out of sorts, but most people just though it was a bad patch of form that would wear off soon.
Then South Africa toured, and destroyed him, in his 6 innings he managed 85 runs, with a top score of 45* and an average of 17. He looked particularly poor and scratchy, playing at balls he should, getting edged more regularly and making generally poor decisions and shot selections. He said he felt good in the nets, but unfortunately it wasn’t working for him in the middle. By the conclusion of this tour, his average had declined to 59.36, but worse was in store.
He then toured South Africa, and didn’t do much better, scoring 132 in his 6 innings at an average of only 22. He scored a solitary 50, and calls to drop him started to emerge and have more force behind them.
Then, he geared up for the Ashes. After last Ashes, where he pummelled the Poms for an average of 91.60, people had high expectations that he could regain form. In the first test, he scored 3 in his only innings, and now there are strong rumours going around that all rounder Shane Watson, who missed the first test due to injury, will be replacing him. Before the series, I predicted that he will average 35-45, but also said if he fails again, he should be dropped.
So what lies next for Michael Hussey? His current test average of 54.35 is still up there with the best, but is a far cry from 120.33 after his first 3 tests, and 86.18 after 18. At 34, this Ashes series could be the end of his Test career, if he continues to perform poorly. He will struggle to come back into the side at his age if he does get dropped.
Personally, I would be moving him to number 5, with Clarke moving up to 4. Hussey has averaged 78.00 at 5 in 12 matches with 3 centuries, and 46.19 at 4 with 5 centuries in 13 more games, 25 in total.
So the question remains, where to next for Mr Cricket, Michael Hussey?
When South Africa toured Australia in late 2005, Hussey was consistent with the bat, scoring 279 runs at 55.80 in 3 outings, including a half century and a century. If he hadn’t proven himself against the West Indies, where there were doubters, he silenced critics against an attack including Pollock, Ntini, Nel, Langeveldt, Boje, Botha and part timers Kallis and Kemp.
Then in early 2006, Australia travelled to South Africa. Hussey again impressed, scoring 257 runs at an average of 64.25. Whilst he failed to make a century in the tests, he scored 3 fifty’s, including a top score of 89.
In mid 2006 Australia travelled to Bangladesh, where the sub standard bowlers were easy picking for Hussey. He averaged 80.66 and scored his career best to day 182 on his way to 242 runs in 2 games, scoring a touch under 70 runs per 100 balls.
Then Hussey achieved one of the biggest moments of an Australia cricketers life, being selected for an Ashes tour. He took the opportunity with both hands, and from late 2006 to early 2007 he destroyed the enemy, scoring 458 runs, averaging 91.60, pounding a century and 3 fifty’s in the 5 match series, helping Australia win the Adelaide test on the last day with a terrific knock of 61 of 66 deliveries proving vital. Australia needed to chase 168 from 36 over’s, which after his 91 in the first innings, didn’t seem to faze Hussey, as with Ponting he turn the match in Australia’s favour after England scored 5/551 in the first innings, helping in Australia’s reply of 513 and the final chase on the last day.
Then in late 2007 Hussey participated in the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy against Sri Lanka, in which the Australian’s denied Muralidaran of his 700th test wicket, with Hussey not only out doing Muralidaran, but also scoring a mammoth 299 runs at an average of 149.50 in only 2 tests, including 2 centuries, his top score for the series 133.
At this point, Hussey was on top of the world, averaging 86.18 after 18 test matches, including with 7 hundreds and 8 fifty’s. Then everything hit the decline.
He averaged 48.33 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, no mean feat, but way off his Bradmanesque figures leading up to then. It was against the West Indies in mid 2008 that cracks started to appear. He averaged a mere 22.83 against a relatively poor attack, scoring only a single fifty from 6 innings, and scoring only 37.43 runs per 100 balls.
He seemed to be picking himself up again when Australia toured India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scoring 394 runs at 56.28, with 1 century and 3 half centuries. His strike rate was again on the up, but it wasn’t long until everything went downhill.
Against New Zealand in late 2008, he scored 105 runs at 35, beginnings a major decline. He started to look out of sorts, but most people just though it was a bad patch of form that would wear off soon.
Then South Africa toured, and destroyed him, in his 6 innings he managed 85 runs, with a top score of 45* and an average of 17. He looked particularly poor and scratchy, playing at balls he should, getting edged more regularly and making generally poor decisions and shot selections. He said he felt good in the nets, but unfortunately it wasn’t working for him in the middle. By the conclusion of this tour, his average had declined to 59.36, but worse was in store.
He then toured South Africa, and didn’t do much better, scoring 132 in his 6 innings at an average of only 22. He scored a solitary 50, and calls to drop him started to emerge and have more force behind them.
Then, he geared up for the Ashes. After last Ashes, where he pummelled the Poms for an average of 91.60, people had high expectations that he could regain form. In the first test, he scored 3 in his only innings, and now there are strong rumours going around that all rounder Shane Watson, who missed the first test due to injury, will be replacing him. Before the series, I predicted that he will average 35-45, but also said if he fails again, he should be dropped.
So what lies next for Michael Hussey? His current test average of 54.35 is still up there with the best, but is a far cry from 120.33 after his first 3 tests, and 86.18 after 18. At 34, this Ashes series could be the end of his Test career, if he continues to perform poorly. He will struggle to come back into the side at his age if he does get dropped.
Personally, I would be moving him to number 5, with Clarke moving up to 4. Hussey has averaged 78.00 at 5 in 12 matches with 3 centuries, and 46.19 at 4 with 5 centuries in 13 more games, 25 in total.
So the question remains, where to next for Mr Cricket, Michael Hussey?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
I'm back!
Hopefully I should get this blog going...again. The school term just completely puts me off. Now it's holidays, I'm bored, I will probably get writing again. Been following the Ashes pretty closely, pretty disappointed in myself for not writing something about the first Test.
Hopefully I can get writing and you can get reading and commenting soon.
Thanks,
Jake.
Hopefully I can get writing and you can get reading and commenting soon.
Thanks,
Jake.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Ashes tour dates
For your convenience, if you are browsing my blog, and want to see the dates of perhaps when the next game is being played, or what time the next game is on, or when they are starting, who your team is playing next, etc, just look into this post, it's all here.
June 2009
Wed 24 - Sat 27
Sussex v Australians
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
County Ground, Hove
July 2009
Wed 1 - Sat 4
England Lions v Australians
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
County Ground, New Road, Worcester
Wed 8 - Sun 12
1st Test - England v Australia
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Thu 16 - Mon 20
2nd Test - England v Australia
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
Lord's, London
Fri 24 - Sun 26
Northamptonshire v Australians
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
County Ground, Northampton
Thu 30 - Mon 3
3rd Test - England v Australia
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
Edgbaston, Birmingham
August 2009
Fri 7 - Tue 11
4th Test - England v Australia
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
Headingley, Leeds
Sat 15 - Sun 16
Kent v Australians
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury
Thu 20 - Mon 24
5th Test - England v Australia
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
Kennington Oval, London
Fri 28
Only ODI - Scotland v Australia
10:45 local, 09:45 GMT
Grange Cricket Club Ground, Raeburn Place, Edinburgh
Sun 30
1st Twenty20 International - England v Australia
14:30 local, 13:30 GMT
Old Trafford, Manchester
September 2009
Tue 1 Floodlit Match
2nd Twenty20 International - England v Australia
19:00 local, 18:00 GMT
Old Trafford, Manchester
Fri 4 Floodlit Match
1st ODI - England v Australia
13:00 local, 12:00 GMT
Kennington Oval, London
Sun 6
2nd ODI - England v Australia
10:15 local, 09:15 GMT
Lord's, London
Wed 9 Floodlit Match
3rd ODI - England v Australia
14:30 local, 13:30 GMT
The Rose Bowl, Southampton
Sat 12
4th ODI - England v Australia
10:15 local, 09:15 GMT
Lord's, London
Tue 15 Floodlit Match
5th ODI - England v Australia
14:30 local, 13:30 GMT
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Thu 17 Floodlit Match
6th ODI - England v Australia
14:30 local, 13:30 GMT
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Sun 20
7th ODI - England v Australia
10:15 local, 09:15 GMT
Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
Lots of games to play, if we aren't going to well it could become a long tour.
June 2009
Wed 24 - Sat 27
Sussex v Australians
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
County Ground, Hove
July 2009
Wed 1 - Sat 4
England Lions v Australians
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
County Ground, New Road, Worcester
Wed 8 - Sun 12
1st Test - England v Australia
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Thu 16 - Mon 20
2nd Test - England v Australia
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
Lord's, London
Fri 24 - Sun 26
Northamptonshire v Australians
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
County Ground, Northampton
Thu 30 - Mon 3
3rd Test - England v Australia
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
Edgbaston, Birmingham
August 2009
Fri 7 - Tue 11
4th Test - England v Australia
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
Headingley, Leeds
Sat 15 - Sun 16
Kent v Australians
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury
Thu 20 - Mon 24
5th Test - England v Australia
11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
Kennington Oval, London
Fri 28
Only ODI - Scotland v Australia
10:45 local, 09:45 GMT
Grange Cricket Club Ground, Raeburn Place, Edinburgh
Sun 30
1st Twenty20 International - England v Australia
14:30 local, 13:30 GMT
Old Trafford, Manchester
September 2009
Tue 1 Floodlit Match
2nd Twenty20 International - England v Australia
19:00 local, 18:00 GMT
Old Trafford, Manchester
Fri 4 Floodlit Match
1st ODI - England v Australia
13:00 local, 12:00 GMT
Kennington Oval, London
Sun 6
2nd ODI - England v Australia
10:15 local, 09:15 GMT
Lord's, London
Wed 9 Floodlit Match
3rd ODI - England v Australia
14:30 local, 13:30 GMT
The Rose Bowl, Southampton
Sat 12
4th ODI - England v Australia
10:15 local, 09:15 GMT
Lord's, London
Tue 15 Floodlit Match
5th ODI - England v Australia
14:30 local, 13:30 GMT
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Thu 17 Floodlit Match
6th ODI - England v Australia
14:30 local, 13:30 GMT
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Sun 20
7th ODI - England v Australia
10:15 local, 09:15 GMT
Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
Lots of games to play, if we aren't going to well it could become a long tour.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Australian 2009 Ashes squad announced
Today Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel selected Australia’s 16 man touring squad for the 2009 VB Ashes tour of England.
The squad is:
Ricky Ponting (c)
Michael Clarke (vc)
Stuart Clark
Brad Haddin
Nathan Hauritz
Ben Hilfenhaus
Phillip Hughes
Michael Hussey
Mitchell Johnson
Simon Katich
Brett Lee
Graham Manou
Andrew McDonald
Marcus North
Peter Siddle
Shane Watson
The surprise selection is Graham Manou. After a standout season for South Australia, the South Australian captain has received the call up after 647 runs to go with 33 dismissals in the 2008-09 Australian domestic season. Whilst his career record of 3260 runs at a mere 24.51 doesn’t look great, his solid form for his state and timing has catapulted him into the squad as back up for Haddin.
Shane Watson is subject to fitness, if he recovers from a groin strain he will be fit to play and in the squad. The surprise dropping is Andrew Symonds. No one really expected it. It has been well documented how poorly he has been performing for both Queensland and Australia recently, but everybody still expected him to be selected.
Michael Hussey has been given yet another chance, despite his long trot of poor form. Surely sooner rather than later the selectors will run out of patience with him, but that time doesn’t appear soon. Who knows, perhaps he will make century after century and surprise us all.
From the squad, I would be looking for the following team.
1. Philip Hughes
2. Simon Katich
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Hussey
5. Michael Clarke
6. Shane Watson
7. Brad Haddin
8. Mitchell Johnson
9. Brett Lee
10. Peter Siddle
11. Stuart Clark
I am a big believer of picking your best side, except under some circumstances, and in this case, I’m all for it. Whilst problems lie in our lack of quality spin bowling, while we don’t have a spinner good enough to play at test level, Clarke, Katich and Symonds/North will have to do. The only problem there is Clarke and Katich are a bit injury prone, and Katich has come out himself and said he actually doesn’t like bowling. Not encouraging words from your joint-frontline spinner heading into an Ashes series.
If Watson is not fit to bowl, then he should be replaced by North. Whilst North is probably not good enough as a pure test batsmen, neither is Watson, and if North is bowling and Watson not, North offers more to the team. However if Watson is bowling, he should earn a position.
Hussey and Clarke’s position in the batting order is debatable, but I’m not going to worry about it, Clarke has been piling on the runs batting at 5, so there is no need to change. Also Johnson and Lee could be swapped, but that’s not much to worry about.
If we get a raging turner, perhaps Hauritz should be included, with Lee or Siddle’s omission. Whilst I don’t want either to be dropped, Johnson is in red hot form, and Clark is just too good to drop, one of them has to be the one to go.
Ricky Ponting (c)
Michael Clarke (vc)
Stuart Clark
Brad Haddin
Nathan Hauritz
Ben Hilfenhaus
Phillip Hughes
Michael Hussey
Mitchell Johnson
Simon Katich
Brett Lee
Graham Manou
Andrew McDonald
Marcus North
Peter Siddle
Shane Watson
The surprise selection is Graham Manou. After a standout season for South Australia, the South Australian captain has received the call up after 647 runs to go with 33 dismissals in the 2008-09 Australian domestic season. Whilst his career record of 3260 runs at a mere 24.51 doesn’t look great, his solid form for his state and timing has catapulted him into the squad as back up for Haddin.
Shane Watson is subject to fitness, if he recovers from a groin strain he will be fit to play and in the squad. The surprise dropping is Andrew Symonds. No one really expected it. It has been well documented how poorly he has been performing for both Queensland and Australia recently, but everybody still expected him to be selected.
Michael Hussey has been given yet another chance, despite his long trot of poor form. Surely sooner rather than later the selectors will run out of patience with him, but that time doesn’t appear soon. Who knows, perhaps he will make century after century and surprise us all.
From the squad, I would be looking for the following team.
2. Simon Katich
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Hussey
5. Michael Clarke
6. Shane Watson
7. Brad Haddin
8. Mitchell Johnson
9. Brett Lee
10. Peter Siddle
11. Stuart Clark
I am a big believer of picking your best side, except under some circumstances, and in this case, I’m all for it. Whilst problems lie in our lack of quality spin bowling, while we don’t have a spinner good enough to play at test level, Clarke, Katich and Symonds/North will have to do. The only problem there is Clarke and Katich are a bit injury prone, and Katich has come out himself and said he actually doesn’t like bowling. Not encouraging words from your joint-frontline spinner heading into an Ashes series.
If Watson is not fit to bowl, then he should be replaced by North. Whilst North is probably not good enough as a pure test batsmen, neither is Watson, and if North is bowling and Watson not, North offers more to the team. However if Watson is bowling, he should earn a position.
Hussey and Clarke’s position in the batting order is debatable, but I’m not going to worry about it, Clarke has been piling on the runs batting at 5, so there is no need to change. Also Johnson and Lee could be swapped, but that’s not much to worry about.
If we get a raging turner, perhaps Hauritz should be included, with Lee or Siddle’s omission. Whilst I don’t want either to be dropped, Johnson is in red hot form, and Clark is just too good to drop, one of them has to be the one to go.
Ashes coverage
Welcome to my Ashes coverage. I have decided that I am going to get working more and more on this blog, that has been practically ignored since my workload at school has increased. But my plan is when I knock off some school work, to get cracking on this and get it a blog with regular updates. I am going to cover the Ashes with regular articles, reviews, updates, opinions, thoughts, stats etc.
Enjoy.
I am also going to be writing about other games, series, tournaments etc, including the Twenty20 World Cup.
Enjoy.
I am also going to be writing about other games, series, tournaments etc, including the Twenty20 World Cup.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Preview of Australia's tour of UAE
With Australia’s tour of UAE coming up later this month, featuring 5 ODI’s, I have written this article to run through our side and put together what I think is our strongest team we can put on the park.
Australian squad:
Michael Clarke (c)
Brad Haddin (wk)
Nathan Bracken
Callum Ferguson
Brett Geeves
Nathan Hauritz
Ben Hilfenhaus
James Hopes
David Hussey
Ben Laughlin
Brett Lee
Shaun Marsh
Andrew Symonds
Shane Watson
It is a side with a lot of inexperience, and also some old members of the squad returning from injury, both mental and physical, in Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, Brett Lee and Shaun Marsh. All 4 are ODI regulars, and in Symonds and Lee’s case, test match regulars too. Australia will be welcoming them all back, particularly because next month is the Twenty20 World Cup, a competition all 4 are sure to take part in if their fitness allows them to.
Captain Ricky Ponting, out of sort’s batsmen Michael Hussey and the star of the Australian team in the recent past Mitchell Johnson have all been rested, because the Twenty20 World Cup is just around the corner, and all 3 are a part of Australia’s preliminary squad. Mike Hussey has played the most total days of cricket for Australia over the past 12 months, and perhaps a break is what he needs to get his game right. Mitchell Johnson has bowled hundreds and hundreds of over’s this summer, toiling away at times being the only Australian bowler looking like having a chance of taking a wicket. Ricky Ponting, as captain of his national team, an incredibly stressful job, needs a break once in a while.
Pakistani captain Younis Kahn is disappointed that Australia decided to rest a few of their star players, because Kahn and his team mates wanted to verse the best. However he still thinks they will be very difficult to beat.
The Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar is making his return in this series for Pakistan, and is almost certain to make headlines, whatever he does. Hopefully, for world cricket, he can bowl extremely fast and knock over a few batsmen (but not too many!).
Likely team:
1. Shaun Marsh
2. Brad Haddin
3. Michael Clarke
4. David Hussey
5. Andrew Symonds
6. Callum Ferguson
7. James Hopes
8. Brett Lee
9. Nathan Hauritz
10. Ben Laughlin/Ben Hilfenhaus/Brett Geeves
11. Nathan Bracken
NOTE: This is the team I think will be chosen, the only questionable things are
a) Will Watson be selected shuffling the order around?
b) Will Michael Clarke open the batting with himself?
c) Who will be selected as the 3rd seamer to bowl out of Laughlin, Hilfenhaus or Geeves?
Team I would like to see:
1. Shaun Marsh
2. Shane Watson
3. Brad Haddin
4. Michael Clarke
5. David Hussey
6. Callum Ferguson
7. James Hopes
8. Brett Lee
9. Nathan Hauritz
10. Ben Laughlin
11. Nathan Bracken
I wouldn’t be including Symonds for the first game at least, he has had his chances to prove himself in the Australian domestic summer, and you can’t omit Ferguson, who has been holding our team together recently, or Clarke, because he is captaining, so Symonds best chances are Marsh or Watson not being match fit, or the selectors not selecting Marsh, Watson or Hussey.
My prediction:
Australia 4-1.
NOTE: Shortly after the time of writing Geeves has been ruled out of the tour, with a replacement to be named.
Michael Clarke (c)
Brad Haddin (wk)
Nathan Bracken
Callum Ferguson
Brett Geeves
Nathan Hauritz
Ben Hilfenhaus
James Hopes
David Hussey
Ben Laughlin
Brett Lee
Shaun Marsh
Andrew Symonds
Shane Watson
It is a side with a lot of inexperience, and also some old members of the squad returning from injury, both mental and physical, in Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, Brett Lee and Shaun Marsh. All 4 are ODI regulars, and in Symonds and Lee’s case, test match regulars too. Australia will be welcoming them all back, particularly because next month is the Twenty20 World Cup, a competition all 4 are sure to take part in if their fitness allows them to.
Captain Ricky Ponting, out of sort’s batsmen Michael Hussey and the star of the Australian team in the recent past Mitchell Johnson have all been rested, because the Twenty20 World Cup is just around the corner, and all 3 are a part of Australia’s preliminary squad. Mike Hussey has played the most total days of cricket for Australia over the past 12 months, and perhaps a break is what he needs to get his game right. Mitchell Johnson has bowled hundreds and hundreds of over’s this summer, toiling away at times being the only Australian bowler looking like having a chance of taking a wicket. Ricky Ponting, as captain of his national team, an incredibly stressful job, needs a break once in a while.
Pakistani captain Younis Kahn is disappointed that Australia decided to rest a few of their star players, because Kahn and his team mates wanted to verse the best. However he still thinks they will be very difficult to beat.
The Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar is making his return in this series for Pakistan, and is almost certain to make headlines, whatever he does. Hopefully, for world cricket, he can bowl extremely fast and knock over a few batsmen (but not too many!).
1. Shaun Marsh
2. Brad Haddin
3. Michael Clarke
4. David Hussey
5. Andrew Symonds
6. Callum Ferguson
7. James Hopes
8. Brett Lee
9. Nathan Hauritz
10. Ben Laughlin/Ben Hilfenhaus/Brett Geeves
11. Nathan Bracken
NOTE: This is the team I think will be chosen, the only questionable things are
a) Will Watson be selected shuffling the order around?
b) Will Michael Clarke open the batting with himself?
c) Who will be selected as the 3rd seamer to bowl out of Laughlin, Hilfenhaus or Geeves?
1. Shaun Marsh
2. Shane Watson
3. Brad Haddin
4. Michael Clarke
5. David Hussey
6. Callum Ferguson
7. James Hopes
8. Brett Lee
9. Nathan Hauritz
10. Ben Laughlin
11. Nathan Bracken
I wouldn’t be including Symonds for the first game at least, he has had his chances to prove himself in the Australian domestic summer, and you can’t omit Ferguson, who has been holding our team together recently, or Clarke, because he is captaining, so Symonds best chances are Marsh or Watson not being match fit, or the selectors not selecting Marsh, Watson or Hussey.
Australia 4-1.
NOTE: Shortly after the time of writing Geeves has been ruled out of the tour, with a replacement to be named.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
A quick apology
I am sorry I have not been writing articles lately. I have been very busy lately, and haven't had the time to write the articles. All of the articles already posted were done in the school holidays, when I had ages of spare time to do whatever, and also wans't sleeping much at all (love the 3-4am nights), so I was writing heaps.
There has been plenty going on in the world, and I have been following, playing etc, but not writing. I will try to get writing when I have spare time, but until then, don't worry, I have not stopped writing because I am no longer interested.
There has been plenty going on in the world, and I have been following, playing etc, but not writing. I will try to get writing when I have spare time, but until then, don't worry, I have not stopped writing because I am no longer interested.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Proteas turn to youth
South Africa have rested Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini and selected all rounder Wayne Parnell and paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe for Friday nights clash with Australia despite if they win it will gain promote them to the number 1 ranking in ODI’s.
The youngsters, aged 19 and 24 respectively will be keen to impress selectors during the 5th ODI at the WACA and keep their position in the squad when Australia tour later this year in February-April.
Both Parnell and Tsotsobe played a Twenty20 against Australia before the One Day series commenced and had a taste of international cricket. Parnell’s 4 wicket less over’s went for 44 and Tsotsobe’s 2 over’s picked up a wicket and went for 16 runs.
Jacques Kallis will take a well earned break to rest his side strain if batsmen Vaughn van Jaarsveld pass a fitness test on his troublesome ankle. South African bowling coach Vinnie Barns did concede that if the series was 2 all Ntini and Steyn would have played. He also said that because they were not participating in this match didn’t mean that the Proteas were treating it as a practice match; rather they are blooding youngsters and looking to the future.
"It's just part of our rotation policy,'' Barnes said. “We are looking long-term. We have to rest players, we are committed to that.”
"We are not going to go into Friday's game thinking about losing or taking it as an ordinary game, there's a huge commitment from everybody,” he said. "We've got a couple of young players coming in who want to make an impact and secure their future so Friday night's game is as important as the game we've just played.''
He also mentioned that the South Africans didn’t want to give the Australians any ‘breathing space’ and not give Australia any momentum coming in to their tour next month.
Regular vice-captain Michael Clarke and left arm fast bowler Nathan Bracken return to the Australian side in place of Ryan Harris and Nathan Hauritz as Australia look to finish the series off on a positive note.
The youngsters, aged 19 and 24 respectively will be keen to impress selectors during the 5th ODI at the WACA and keep their position in the squad when Australia tour later this year in February-April.
Both Parnell and Tsotsobe played a Twenty20 against Australia before the One Day series commenced and had a taste of international cricket. Parnell’s 4 wicket less over’s went for 44 and Tsotsobe’s 2 over’s picked up a wicket and went for 16 runs.
Jacques Kallis will take a well earned break to rest his side strain if batsmen Vaughn van Jaarsveld pass a fitness test on his troublesome ankle. South African bowling coach Vinnie Barns did concede that if the series was 2 all Ntini and Steyn would have played. He also said that because they were not participating in this match didn’t mean that the Proteas were treating it as a practice match; rather they are blooding youngsters and looking to the future.
"It's just part of our rotation policy,'' Barnes said. “We are looking long-term. We have to rest players, we are committed to that.”
"We are not going to go into Friday's game thinking about losing or taking it as an ordinary game, there's a huge commitment from everybody,” he said. "We've got a couple of young players coming in who want to make an impact and secure their future so Friday night's game is as important as the game we've just played.''
He also mentioned that the South Africans didn’t want to give the Australians any ‘breathing space’ and not give Australia any momentum coming in to their tour next month.
Regular vice-captain Michael Clarke and left arm fast bowler Nathan Bracken return to the Australian side in place of Ryan Harris and Nathan Hauritz as Australia look to finish the series off on a positive note.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Jaques, Symonds, Clark eye comebacks
Australian trio Phil Jaques, Andrew Symonds and Stuart Clark are all set to make their domestic returns this week for their respective states. Jaques (back), Symonds (knee) and Clark (elbow) all made their grade comebacks for clubs in Sydney and Brisbane.
Jaques was trapped in front for 5 against former test spin bowler Greg Matthews, who has been talking himself up recently for the role of Australian spinner. The 49 year old retired off spinner is 20 years older than Jaques and is turning 50 later this year.
Symonds was dismissed for 7 which adds to his poor performances, scoring 5, 5, 26 and 0 for Queensland, despite this gaining a recall to the Australian team against New Zealand. He proceeded to score 26, 20 and 0 to go with his 1 wicket for 33 runs. He made 57 and 37 against South Africa in the first test playing with pain, and decided to go under the knife after the game.
Clark took 4-29 off 14 over’s against Jaques team, proving he is definitely ready to tour South Africa. He took 20 wickets in 3 tests, including match figures of 9/89 in his debut earning him the man of the match award. He went on to claim man of the series.
The 3 will be making their returns on the same day, the 30th of January, for New South Wales (Newcastle) and Queensland (Brisbane). Symonds will be batting at 4 and not bowling from reports, concentrating on becoming a specialist batsman. Queensland chief selector Ray Phillips identified Symonds has struggled up the order against a swinging ball, naming Lee Carseldine, who averaged 100 in the KFC Big Bash competition as an option to bat 4. But Phillips and Coach Trevor Barsby said he will remain at 4. He supposedly attended a net session today ahead of Friday’s game.
The Queensland squad is:
Chris Simpson (captain), Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, Ryan Harris, Chris Hartley, Nick Kruger, Martin Love, Ashley Noffke, Nathan Reardon, Chris Swan, Andrew Symonds, Scott Walter
Ryan Harris has been named pending on Nathan Bracken’s fitness for the 5th One Day International against South Africa. If he is not available 19 year old Scott Walter will be making his debut after impressing in his second XI debut taking 5 wickets against the Tasmanian second XI. Ashley Noffke is also returning from injury.
The New South Wales squad is:
Simon Katich (captain), Phil Jaques, Phillip Hughes, Dominic Thornely, Peter Forrest, Ben Rohrer, Daniel Smith (wk), Beau Casson, Nathan Hauritz, Stuart Clark, Mark Cameron, Doug Bollinger.
Phil Jaques and Hughes are both in contention for selection for the South African tour, and captain Simon Katich has moved himself down the order to let the two open in their ‘bat off’ for national selection. Off spinner Nathan Hauritz will also be keen for wickets because Bryce McGain, who was first choice spinner for the Indian tour before his injury needed surgery, is back in action and looking to regain his spot in the side as well.
Fans will be keeping a close eye on both games to see the stars returning and mixing it the best from around the country.
NOTE: This article was posted on Cricbuzz here.
Jaques was trapped in front for 5 against former test spin bowler Greg Matthews, who has been talking himself up recently for the role of Australian spinner. The 49 year old retired off spinner is 20 years older than Jaques and is turning 50 later this year.
Symonds was dismissed for 7 which adds to his poor performances, scoring 5, 5, 26 and 0 for Queensland, despite this gaining a recall to the Australian team against New Zealand. He proceeded to score 26, 20 and 0 to go with his 1 wicket for 33 runs. He made 57 and 37 against South Africa in the first test playing with pain, and decided to go under the knife after the game.
Clark took 4-29 off 14 over’s against Jaques team, proving he is definitely ready to tour South Africa. He took 20 wickets in 3 tests, including match figures of 9/89 in his debut earning him the man of the match award. He went on to claim man of the series.
The 3 will be making their returns on the same day, the 30th of January, for New South Wales (Newcastle) and Queensland (Brisbane). Symonds will be batting at 4 and not bowling from reports, concentrating on becoming a specialist batsman. Queensland chief selector Ray Phillips identified Symonds has struggled up the order against a swinging ball, naming Lee Carseldine, who averaged 100 in the KFC Big Bash competition as an option to bat 4. But Phillips and Coach Trevor Barsby said he will remain at 4. He supposedly attended a net session today ahead of Friday’s game.
The Queensland squad is:
Chris Simpson (captain), Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, Ryan Harris, Chris Hartley, Nick Kruger, Martin Love, Ashley Noffke, Nathan Reardon, Chris Swan, Andrew Symonds, Scott Walter
Ryan Harris has been named pending on Nathan Bracken’s fitness for the 5th One Day International against South Africa. If he is not available 19 year old Scott Walter will be making his debut after impressing in his second XI debut taking 5 wickets against the Tasmanian second XI. Ashley Noffke is also returning from injury.
The New South Wales squad is:
Simon Katich (captain), Phil Jaques, Phillip Hughes, Dominic Thornely, Peter Forrest, Ben Rohrer, Daniel Smith (wk), Beau Casson, Nathan Hauritz, Stuart Clark, Mark Cameron, Doug Bollinger.
Phil Jaques and Hughes are both in contention for selection for the South African tour, and captain Simon Katich has moved himself down the order to let the two open in their ‘bat off’ for national selection. Off spinner Nathan Hauritz will also be keen for wickets because Bryce McGain, who was first choice spinner for the Indian tour before his injury needed surgery, is back in action and looking to regain his spot in the side as well.
Fans will be keeping a close eye on both games to see the stars returning and mixing it the best from around the country.
NOTE: This article was posted on Cricbuzz here.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
See ya later Roy!
Andrew Symonds, we have had enough of your crap. I am a diehard Australian fan, no doubt about it. But I speak for hundreds of thousands when I say it’s time for Cricket Australia to give you up.
What is next in the rollercoaster life of Andrew Symonds? Will he be selected for South Africa or the Ashes? Or will he make headlines again for bad behaviour? Or will he turn his life around like he has promised before?
Let’s have a look at his history since making the 2005 Ashes:
2005: Is threatened to have his contract torn up after turning up to a game against Bangladesh drunk.
2006: Gets into a headed dispute with a South African Rugby player at a nightclub in Cape Town and has to be restrained by team-mate Michael Clarke.
2007 World Cup: Gets slapped in the face at a nightclub.
January 2008: The whole “Harbhajan called me a monkey!” incident explodes through a fiery, intense Test between Australia and India at the SCG.
May/April 2008: Michael Clarke spots Symonds at a bar late at night and tells him to go to bed. This starts a heated exchange between the two. Later Symonds is late to a training session and blames it on a faulty wake up call.
August 2008: “GONE FISHING” was plastered all over the country on shirts and the like after Symonds decides to try to catch some local fish instead of attending a team meeting.
September 17th 2008: Apologises to his team-mates and says his ‘irresponsible’ days are ‘behind him’.
September 21st 2008: Left out of the Australia squad to tour India for four Tests. Goes back to playing in the domestic competitions for Queensland.
October 13th 2008: Misses a Queensland recovery session.
November 9th 2008: Declares he is mentally fit enough to wear the Baggy Green again.
November 17th: Admits he has an excessive drinking problem.
November 23rd: A week after admitting he has a drinking problem Symonds gets into an altercation with a fan who tries to take his picture at Normandy Hotel in Brisbane.
January 23rd: Labels Kiwi wicketkeeper batsmen Brendon McCullum a “lump of sh*t” and taking a “side glance” at Matthew Haydens wife to make his meal go down ‘amply’.
I’m sorry Roy, but that’s the last straw. I can’t take any more of this. I want Cricket Australia to tear up your contract immediately and never come back to play for Australia again.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
New faces in Aussie Team
This season, much like season’s in the past, we see a host of new faces in the Australian One Day and Twenty20 teams, trialling them for the future. This season we have some new guys, old guys returning and regulars missing out.
The teams:
Twenty20 squad
- R. Ponting (c): TAS, 34
Captaining the side, Ricky Ponting will be looking to post a couple of good scores in the two matches.
- M. Hussey (vc): WA, 33
Out of form, taking the vice-captaincy from Michael Clarke as he rests to get his finger 100% right, Hussey will be looking to have a small hit out and get some time in the middle and get himself striking the ball well before the one dayer’s.
- D. Hussey: VIC, 31
Michael Hussey’s brother, David Hussey gets his chance after season after season of runs in all 3 forms of the game for Victoria. He recently hit a century in the domestic Twenty20 cricket, and he proves that number’s can’t be ignored for too long.
- B. Hilfenhaus: TAS, 25
Skillful bowler who has been taking plenty of wickets for Tasmania recently. He has had limited chances in Australian colours before, but he has impressed, taking 2/16 and 1/28 in his two Twenty20 internationals.
- J. Hopes: QLD, 30
Been around the Australian scene a while, whilst I would rather see McDonald or someone of the like in the side, Hopes is a solid allrounder, opening the batting or batting in the middle/lower order, making quick runs. His bowling is very hard to get away on a good length, and with the keeper up to the stumps, it adds that element of doubt in the batsmen’s mind about whether to advance down the wicket or not.
- N. Bracken: NSW, 31
Proven himself numerous times before, good line and length, changes of pace and variations.
- B. Haddin: NSW, 31
A hard hitting wicketkeeper-batsmen, expect him to come in late and bash some quick runs.
- S. Marsh: WA, 25
The young gun from Western Australia was the leading run scorer in the IPL tournament and has played some matches for Australia in 2008.
- S. Tait: SA, 25
Despite recently taking a break from Cricket and losing fitness, he has returned to the Australian side almost immediately. He is a Twenty20 regular and will not be feeling out of place.
- D. Warner: NSW, 22
Big hitting opening batsmen from NSW, Warner looks like a prospect for the Australian teams in the future. He has been in great form recently, scoring 65 off 35 balls in his last Twenty20 outing.
- R. Harris: QLD, 29
Much like James Hopes, Harris can bat anywhere in the order and score quick runs. Bowls at a decent pace and has the ability to swing the ball. Moved from South Australia to Queensland in the preseason, and his move has payed off.
- C. White: VIC, 25
The huge hitting Victorian captain has been given yet another chance off reputation rather than form, but still a good selection none the less.
- N. Hauritz: NSW, 27
NSW’s main one day and Twenty20 spinner, bowls tight and takes wickets in the shorter form of the game. Well and truly deserves his spot in the side.
Shocks and surprises:
No Matthew Hayden
Whilst most have called for his head, not many expected the leading run scorer in the Twenty20 World Cup to be dropped from both shorter forms of the game. He has the ability to get the innings off to a great start, and without him Australia will lack that dominate force at the top of the order, and force a youngster to try and impose himself on the opposition attacks. Expect Warner or Hopes to step up into this role.
No Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke has captained the Australian Twenty20 side, and I expected him to take the reins from Ricky Ponting again this year. Instead he is taking an extra 5 days off to try and get his finger 100% right, don’t worry Australia fans, he will be right for the Commonwealth Bank series.
David Warner and Ryan Harris’s inclusions
Not many picked David Warner and Ryan Harris to be selected for the Twenty20’s, some hinted and pondered, mentioned it, but not many come out and bluntly said these two should be in the side.
The One Day International squad:
- R. Ponting (c): TAS, 34
The Australian captain has 26 One Day International 100’s prior to this series, and will be looking to add a couple more to that long list. He has been in poor form of late, averaging only 21.38 in his 13 knocks in 2008 with 1 century and 1 half century.
- M. Clarke (vc): NSW, 27
The Australian vice-captain has proven himself in One Day cricket for Australia before with 3 100’s and 30 50’s, batting at 4, he is the rock in our innings. He averages over 40 and can be relied upon to steady the ship after early wickets.
- B. Haddin: NSW, 31
Has played a few games for Australia in this format before, primarily as a pure batsmen. Hopefully he gets a chance at 6, where he averages 42.14, but with Michael Hussey in the team as well, there will be some headaches for the selectors in the coming weeks.
- J. Hopes: QLD, 31
Very handy One Day Cricketer. Scores quick runs with the bat, and a good 4th/5th seamer. Ties up an end and frustrates batsmen into playing a rash shot.
- N. Bracken: NSW, 31
The best One Day bowler in the world at the moment, that speaks for itself. 31 wickets @ 18.16 in 2008, and 148 @ 21.87 overall proves how good a bowler he is. He has good changes of pace, an angle across the right hander, swing with the new ball and cutters with the old ball.
- S. Marsh: WA, 25
Burst onto the scene in 2008, making 333 runs @ 47.57 with a 3 half-centuries. Has a few shots as he has already shown the Australian public, he will be looking to cement a spot in the side.
- M. Hussey: WA, 33
In terrible form, under pressure and on the verge of being dropped, Mike Hussey will be looking to silence his new found critics over the coming few months.
- D. Hussey: VIC, 31
Michael’s brother, David Hussey has played 5 One Day games for Australia in the past, and in his 4 innings has scored 2 50’s, including one off 19 deliveries. He has won numerous awards for scoring thousands of runs for Victoria and Sussex.
- N. Hauritz: NSW, 27
Very good in this form of the game, no surprises he earns a spot in the side.
- B. Hilfenhaus: TAS, 25
Unlucky not to have represented Australia more, he has taken plenty of wickets in domestic competitions and deserves his spot in the side.
- C. White: VIC, 25
Has played various games for Australia before, and showed he is a big hitting batsmen and handy top spin bowler.
- S. Tait: SA, 25
A very important part of the Australian limited over’s side, he doesn’t have to hold back, and bowls fast and picks up wickets. He takes a wicket every 25 or so balls, for 23 runs. Has batsmen jumping at his 150+kph speeds.
- P. Siddle: VIC, 24
Has not played a limited over’s match for Australia before but his good lines and Yorker with his quick speeds capable of reaching 150kph will hold him in good stead.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Ponting declares in search of win
Australia has declared their innings closed at 4/257 shortly after tea in search of a win in the third and final test against South Africa.
Hayden and Katich started well for Australia, Hayden looking good in his 39 and Katich grinding out a slow 61. Ponting kept the runs flowing making a quick-fire 53 off only 57 deliveries and Hussey fought out a tough 45 not out. Clarke added 41 and when he was dismissed Ponting called the innings closed. Morne Morkel was the pick of the South African bowlers taking 2/38 off his 12 overs. In form quick Dale Steyn and spinner Paul Harris picked up a wicket each.
In Australia’s 26 over stint at the South African top order, they only picked up the wicket of regular tailender Morne Morkel who was opening the batting in Smith’s absence, giving left-arm quick Doug Bollinger his first test wicket. Stand in Captain McKenzie and Hashim Amla knocked off 60 of the required 376 runs before stumps, on scores of 25* and 30* respectively.
Despite recent worries about the pitch, the batsmen dominated today, with only 5 wickets falling, 1 a tail ender sent out to face the new ball. The Australian’s will be looking for early wickets tomorrow morning to rip through the heart and soul of the South African batting order, and the South African’s will be looking to knock off the runs losing the least amount of wickets possible.
On one last note, Captain Greame Smith will only bat if he absolutely needs to and can get South Africa to victory, eg, they lose 9 wickets with less than 50 odd runs to go.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sizzling Siddle stuns Saffa’s!
Victorian paceman Peter Siddle has stunned the South Africans and the fans by claiming his first 5-wicket-haul on day 3 of the New Years test to clean up the tail. On the day renamed ‘Jane McGrath day’ he recorded his best innings figures of 5/59 and kept Australia’s hopes of retaining the number 1 test side in the world strong, as he assisted in bowling out South Africa for 327, 118 in deficit to Aussies first innings total of 445.
At one stage the South African’s comeback was looking strong, as Boucher and Morkel had added 115, taking the visitors to 5/308 in reply to Australia’s first innings total. But then Siddle struck, and in 22 balls took 4/7 to bundle out the visitors quickly. Johnson (2/69 and a run out) and McDonald (1/41) took the remaining 3 wickets, keeping in mind that Australia only needed 9 wickets after captain Greame Smith’s decision to retire hurt after breaking his finger yesterday from a Mitchell Johnson delivery that reared up sharply.
Doug Bollinger failed to take a wicket but bowled excellent, and deserved a wicket. He had an LBW should that Hawkeye proved was hitting the stumps comfortably, and has many a edge fall short of a fieldsman or hit the gap between two fielders.
Australia made a successful start to their second innings, safely negotiating the 6 overs, only having the one shout against them. Hayden showed signs of his old form, ending the day on 18 off 23 deliveries. Australian fans will be hoping he can continue tomorrow and post a big score, helping Australia to a lead of 300+.
Kallis and Amla steady ship after Australia dominate
South Africa have started steadily with the bat and made inroads in their first innings at the SCG, finishing the second day at 1/125, 320 behind the hosts.
Australia started the day at 6/267, and by lunch they had added 101 valuable runs without losing a wicket. South Africa were receiving a taste of their own medicine from when Duminy and Steyn added a mammoth partnership at Melbourne. Both Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson were dismissed within 6 over’s after the break, Michael Clarke gifting JP Duminy his first test wicket, hitting him a catch off his own bowling.
The South Africans innings started well, with Smith and McKenzie adding 35 in fewer than 13 over’s before a sharp rising delivery from Johnson nailed Smith in the little finger. He couldn’t even put the glove back on, and retired hurt and went to hospital, where it was realised he will be out for 6 weeks. This comes as a major blow to the South Africans, as they have lost their captain for the one day series, which I am sure they were planning on winning. Their chances have been somewhat dinted by this misfortune.
Siddle struck getting McKenzie LBW for 23, effectively South Africa’s first wicket to fall. Amla and Kallis batted the rest of the day, finishing up on 30* and 36* respectively.
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