Second Day, Third Test, Sydney, Australia vs South Africa 2008-09
Scorecard
After Australia's top order had frittered it away on the first day of the third test match, Michael Clarke and Mitch Johnson regained the initiative for Australia.
Michael Clarke's century in adversity continued the defiance he has exuded throughout the series. It wasn't pugnaciously belligerent nor was it resolutely persevering. Even though it contained both qualities, Clarke's hundred, to me, was clever and patient.
It was the innings of an outnumbered prey outwitting the party and turning the hunter instead.
Michael Clarke could not afford to be contentious. Not after he saw the top order and half the team evaporate after tremendous indecisiveness within 170 runs, not after he saw Hashim Amla bless him with another chance after a rash moment of nervy arrogance...no, the Pup quickly calculated that this game was to be played differently.
He did not, as a result, shrink into a stony camouflage - like an Athers or Boycs, blending into the background to allow the trial to pass while escaping detection - attritional intrepidity need not always be dourly immobile.
This was the thinker on his feet instead, who was willing to duck rather than take the blow on his chest, who was willing to smite just when you thought he hadn't any spunk or the imagination to find your chin.
The good balls were played back, the head balls were ducked, the channel balls were allowed to float by without succumbing to temptation, and the bad balls within range were sent spanking to the outreaches. This was a debate not a quarrel, this was audacity not irascibility...often the foe is left a panting second when it is this way.
South Africa suddenly looked worse for wear. Murmurs rose, whispering among themselves the motivational talents or otherwise of dead rubbers. Misleading all, while not completely undeniable.
You see, South Africa began as the champion test team they are yesterday. There were no concessions made to death of a rubber. So there is no reason to imagine that today such a suggestion is true...there is plenty at stake for them - a swifter and surer spot at the top of the heap with a self-declared Saffash.
On the other hand, there was nothing to support the argument yesterday that Australia would rise from the death of this rubber to play for that intangible thing called pride ( Australia doesn't believe any such sporting entity called "playing for pride" actually lives/exists, all they recognize is "play to win"), but that rumour too was laid to rest today.
Some men in the Australian team have plenty pride to play for. Mitch Johnson is one of them just as Pup Clarke is the other.
I have been looking forward to Mitch Johnson's promotion up the batting order for a long time now. About as long since he began to play internationaly and found that he could face up to the Indian bowling rather well indeed. Today he got the boot up. And what a way he celebrated it - with a perfect batsman's fifty.
I have held that Mitch Johnson is the true all rounder Australia possesses, not the various Andrews who must be fit in to either slot reserved for all-rounders (I wonder why australia has a rigid reservation system such as this) or a slot reserved under an unknown purpose.
This man, Johnson, obviates the need to have such a prefixed position and allows either a proper batsman or a full extra bowler to play instead. I guess Australia needs both in the state their game is these days but they continue to decalre they need neither! In fact they appear to prefer the mascotty presence of Roy, Shane or McDonald, and like ilk (Watson is a better bet though).
At 368/6, Australia are a far distance from the freezing temperatures of 162-5. Not yet a breeze or a summer for there is bowling to be done, but this certainly will add spring to the soles of their fielding feet.
- - -
As I completed the above article, Australia was Duminitized (not Dimunitized or Demonetized, though the first is almost a synonym) again when JPD had Clarke caught and bowled. However, for a team that has struggled to touch 400 this series, Michael leaves it within reach.
- - -
And as I typed the preceding short para, Australia are also Steyned yet again - Mitch Johnson gives up and Australia are 381-8. So the peril remains...the danger that they may yet again fail to touch the 400 mark.
Well, if they do not, they'll lose this one too.
Ah well, the Mitch and Pup show was good while it lasted. How about Mitch at six down and Watson after on the card?
17 comments:
going to 9/440 from 6/267 is superb. and this is wot makes Aussies champion team that they are.
i dont agree with test rankings when Aussies wud slip if they lose this test to SA....
Aussies have had years of domination as compared to Safs...
Hauritz, the batsman on fire :)
Mitch Johnson now assumes a greater role in the team with absence of Lee, Clarke.....
he should be preserved with care and baby gloves!!
9/445 is a good score with avg 1st inns score at SCG being 448!!
Johnson's resolve with bat is not a good sight for opposition captains. He is not the regular tail ender. He is shaping up as a good all rounder.
Hope Saffers don't lose this test.
I think it is too early to start singing Aussie Hosannahs!
All three tests, they have had pretty decent first innings and a 400 plus score is par for Sydney.
And if the cracks really act up and if South Africa can prolong their innings till the first session of the 4th day, it will be interesting to see how many Aussie batsmen escape bruised fingers ( and ribs)
Cheers,
Yes, Homer, the Oz team have stolen the Saffers choker tags well and truly this series and the Saffers won't take it back anytime soon I imagine.
Nice to hear about Johnson looking the goods. I could only follow on cricket info but whoever was writing the text commentary was singing his praises.
Beautifully written article, Soulberry. I'll be looking forward to your Ashes coverage next year.
Sam, Australia did well to reach the average score at Sydney. they are doing even better now it appears. However, the follow-on is past and another 100 runs from SA and this match could yet again turn into a humdinger.
The question is will SA chase a target in the absence of Smith?
Ha ha ha true bala....not a good sight for opps bowlers. But I have a soft spot for lower order batsmen or bowlers who can bat....they play with a free spirit...like Bhajji does for India and Mitch does for Australia.
If Broad can let his hair down a bit, he'll play more often with greater flair....he's just 21 or 22 isn't it? Why does he want to be a Little Lord Fauntleroy instead with the bat? Play with a free spirit and watch the game blossom...
Homer, highly prescient that. The cracks are acting up. Unless SA score another 100-110 runs, they can only hope they can land the ball in those cracks regularly when Australia try and set a target.
Do you think they'll be happy with a 400 target this time? No Smith you see...
He has a free swish of the bat I quite like Old Reg. I'll make you wince here, but Saurav was the last lefty I saw with one of the best and freest of bat swishes down the arc. Mitch has a bit of that.
I know it's all an optical illusion, but lefties are more aesthetic with the bat...and ball.
I'll be around for the Ashes...thanks for the nice words Old Reg :)
we will be able to judge who is champion only after ashes. There is nothing to do with England but if Aussies loose to England team then we can Aussies are not no. 1.
I believe Hitesh that Australia will eventually lose its place during this year. I am not certain about the point calculations system. However, theoretically speaking, if they have lost to nos. 2 and 3 in succession and if then they fail to overcome other ranked teams, then they are in some trouble.
I am keen to see how the new Australians shape up...their batsmen particularly. I expect a couple of changes this year.
No probs with comparing Mitch with Ganguly, I'd take that as a compliment if I was him. Mitch is an excellent all-round athlete, very good in the field as well, so there he might have one up on Ganguly.
I have a soft spot for lefties, I love watching Laxman bat. He is a dream. When I was a kid, I was a big fan of David Gower, I could never bring myself to be a committed one-eyed Oz supporter as I always liked the aesthetic side of the game so much.
That's really funny, I seem to have convinced myself that Laxman is a leftie.
He should be!
Gower...wasn't he good to watch when on song! He is in my five favorite cricket players of all time.
Right handers can be good to look at too, but there is something...some kind of visual illusion the lefties are able to create.
Have you tried batting southpaw? If you are a right hander, it'll surprise you how elegantly that bat comes down when you try your hand playing left.
I read somewhere, I wish I could remember where, that Mike Hussey batted right-handed as a kid, but changed to left because he admired Alan Border.
I wouldn't be surprised, he throws and bowls right-handed.
Gower was amazing. Effortlessly graceful when it was all going right.
I have tried bowling left-handed just for a lark., it is actually easier than throwing but still hopeless. I was never that much chop at cricket, no patience. I preferred hockey as sport to play.
Aussies proved today they are in for fight with the crumbling pitch :)
Hayden began confidently and i wish him all the best to come strong and revive his career :)
Happens....the first time I tried out my left hand ways, Old Reg, was when John Lever took all those wickets in the controversial "vaseline tour." I found I could bowl and throw...and batting was next.
Realized then that I was ambidextrous....that's a big help in my line of work.
Border...Lloyd, Lara...we haven't yet touched upon those greats!
There sure is something about southpaws.
Hockey was too active for me...I was the classical cricket player who liked to do things at his pace :)
Sam, Australia are in the game, but far from winning it yet. By tomorrow lunch we'll know...if Steyn strikes in the morning, Saffers could be right back in the match.
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