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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

With the Australian cricket summer barely over, a new test series in South Africa is almost upon us. While much was made of the series loss earlier this year, what hasn’t been mentioned is that Australia are also protecting an impressive record against the Proteas in their own country. The Aussies have not lost a test series there since South Africa emerged from the sporting wilderness and rejoined test cricket over 15 years ago.

So while the South Africans were obviously overjoyed at their tour victories in Australia, you can be sure that they will be fighting even harder to change the record books in their home country in front of a sport loving nation who have bought tickets for this series in record numbers. Expectations have been raised high and the team will be striving hard to ensure their fans are not disappointed. Add to this the fact that only two of the current Australian squad (Ponting and Hussey) have played test cricket in South Africa and on paper you have the makings of a very lopsided contest.

So where does this leave Australia? Well…in a very tough battle to be honest. I’m not going to talk about generational change, it’s all been said many times before. For me the interest in this series lies in the performance of the current players, not the statistics of the ones who have retired. The focus of most of the attention will be on our bowling attack, who between them have taken less than 100 test wickets. With the exception of Johnson you have players untried in test cricket, let alone tough series’ away in South Africa and England. Some sportspeople raise their performances when the level of competition lifts. Others are unaable to adapt their game to differing conditions and opponents.

Hopefully one, and maybe two of the rookie bowling squad of Bollinger, Siddle, Hilfenhaus and McGain can step forward as the man with the desire to play above themselves in the top flight of cricket. South African pitches are generally favourable to pace, so the quicks will have plenty of opportunities. Mcgain may have to wait until the second test, depending on the make up of the Australian middle order.

The other worry for the series is Michael Clarke who is nursing a back injury. His consistent performances would be sorely missed, and if he succumbs we will probably see Marcus North making his debut alongside Phillip Hughes. Hughes in particular has generated more interest in a young player than has been seen in this country since his test captain was carting Sheffield Shield attacks in his teens.

This test team is without a doubt the least experienced in twenty years and for me that is exciting. We may not come through the series with a win but we should get a glimpse into the fight within the team as well as more of an idea about our prospects for the ashes tour later this year.