The first cricket test against South Africa is under way in Johannesburg, and the rocky start to the Australian innings indicates that this is more than likely going to be match where we see a result.
Early Wickets Lost
Three Australian wickets were lost early on after Ponting won the toss and decided to bat, including that of test debutant Phillip Hughes who faced just four balls before being dismissed. He was soon followed by Katich and Mike Hussey. Ponting and Clarke are putting on a solid show and have steadied to see the Aussies get to 3-147.
There was plenty of swing early on for the South African quicks, but a worrying sign was the turn generated by spinner Paul Harris on a first session pitch. Australia have gone into this test without a spinner, and with part-timer Michael Clarke recovering from a back injury, options in this regard are limited to Marcus North’s little tweakers. Andrew Macdonald is also playing and he will probably be needed to do a good amount of bowling.
The Aussies are fiedling three debutant in this test, with Ben Hilfenhaus also being presented with his baggy green. The last time three players debuted in the same test for Australia was in 1985 when Merv Hughes, Geoff Marsh and Bruce Reid began their careers.
Where Australia Can Win This Series
A quick look at the stats from the tour played here last month will reveal exacly where Australia lost that series. Apart from Steyn no South African bowler averaged less than 38 runs a wicket, while four of their batsmen dominated the Aussie attack with an average of over 50.
So what does this mean
Well we couldn’t get them out basically. With those bowling numbers they should not really have beaten us, but our bowling didn’t couldn’t get the job done, and how we go over the next couple of weeks will largely depend on improvements we can make in this area.
At the start of play the betting had the South Africans at about $2.70, with Australia further out at around $4. The longest odds were for the draw at just under $5, and with the way this test has started you can see that the market has that about right.
The only questions now is whether the Aussies can prove the market, and pretty much the entire cricket public wrong and put in a strong showing at a ground on which traditionally the South Africans don’t fare as well as you’d think they should. Their last ten test matches at The Wanderers has seen them walk away with a win on only 5 occasions, with 4 losses and a draw making up the other results.
As I write this article Ponting and Clarke are at bat, with both players having reached their half centuries. If the two leaders of the team can take a stand early on in this series, it might be all the encouragement the younger players need to focus their enthusiasm into a winning performance.
At least that’s what Aussie cricket fans will be hoping for.
Crooksy
