By Geoff Lawson
March 23rd 2009 @ 6:25am
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Next stop, the Ashes
You never know what might happen in the game of cricket. It’s like a box of chocolates, especially the longer form of the game (read: Test Cricket, the real cricket as the longer form).
All the talk in the Newlands press box on the fourth morning was about the possible relocation of the Twenty20 IPL circus.
Would it come to the delightful Republic of South Africa where this current absorbing contest between the ‘top two’ Test nations was being carried out, or would the carnival pull the caravan all the way to England?
How would the logistics work with so many people, and how would all their playing and broadcasting equipment be transported and arranged?
Security arrangements and venues would be prepared hastily. So many questions that had the locals’ interest piqued.
Yet when the real drama unfolded, when the crowd stood to their feet after biting nails for a couple of hours of Australian raucous resistance, when Paul Harris came back from a mauling from the flashing willow of Mitchell Johnson and the fine and previously undiscovered smooth stroke of “Ronnie” McDonald to challenge Bryce MacGoo McGain on a hat trick in his first Test – with Johnson 5 short of a maiden ton – there was NOTHING, absolutely nothing that any reduced form of the game could match in terms of heart wrenching real emotion.
The inevitable result had no relation to the drama.
The partisan crowd wanted both the hat trick and the century. They may have even wanted the game to go into the 5th day (with the home team winning of course) just so they could enjoy some more action, with tension. The sort of tension you just don’t get with the vacuumed sealed versions.
Sadly the Australian tail withered in the weak late afternoon Western Cape sun and the ‘Table Cloth‘ of mist that shrouds the looming Table Mountain made the gloom only relevant to the visitors in green and gold and not the Proteas in similar garb.
The game was lost a few minutes from close of play, not that the weather forecast gave any glimmer of hope on the next (fancy talking about Australia being saved by rain!!).
It’s hard to think of a comparable innings played by an Australian lower order batsmen as Johnson’s, certainly the methods remind me of Gary Gilmour “wielding his axe“, as the old World Series promo’ went.
If there was a silver lining to an innings defeat in Capetown for the Australian team then it would be Johnson’s batting.
The spin bowling question is further away from resolution and Andrew McDonald has only served to tease the selectors with his innings when his bowling is tight at best but lacks penetration for a number eight genuine bowler.
The six match series finished 3-3, a fair indication of South Africa’s rise and Australia’s decent on the world pecking order.
The next Test match is in Cardiff in July, first class cricket has finished in Australia so the candidates for the spin and pace spots must find a circus to perform in order to impress the wise men.
Stuart Clark and Chris Rogers must be certainties but the selectors’ option of bringing only 6 batsmen to Africa must be challenged especially as this series was touted as the contest to become number one.
Let’s hope the squad is well manned for the Ashes because England could deliver a repeat of 2005 if prudent decisions are not made.
Could a spin bowler please put up his hand.
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LeftArmSpinner said | March 23rd 2009 @ 2:00pm | Report comment
So, Henry, what with all the boxes of chocolates stuff, I’m not sure where to start.
Well, who would be McGain, even if it gets him a baggy green. It is going to cost him ridicule for the rest of his life.
Why do we even know his name? He has 64 1st class wickets in 23 games, in 37 years. Phew, hardly worth the effort. And no one said it before, let alone the selectors, he just doesn’t have it: a wrist spin Leggie who doesnt turn it? Like a batsman who can’t hit the ball.
Katich has 50% more 1st class wickets, at about the same average, 36ish. The problem is that Simon is only just put up with by the Ponting and Clark club, known as the Aust cricket team. So, Katich doesnt get a bowl until the opposition pass 450 or more.
The next agenda item, has Ronald done enough to go to England?
Well, we know that he can bat, and that he can score 50 at test level. So that is good. He also seems to be a really good bloke, so the no dickhead rule wont apply. A 1st class batting average of 37 and bowling at 29 means he is in surplus, something unusual in these tough economic times. But, these stats also talk about the relative levels of ability. Both are mid range and so dont rule him out.
The reality is that, if he makes the trip, it will be as a fill in rather than his own performances winning the day. This doesnt mean that he wont make a contribution in the tests. He is just unlikely to win one or more test on his own. For me, he is well worth continuing to invest in. He is 28 and has many years ahead of him, unlike Symonds. Injury riddled Watson is almost the identical age of Ronald, but he wont be able to bowl. Ronnie might move the ball around in the English conditions, Dougie Walters style.
Brad Hodge, all is forgiven. you must tour. Jaques, take your time to get well again. This ashes tour is out of reach, unless medical history is able to be rewritten. Binga, it has been fun, but I think it is over. You will have much to offer the world post cricket. have confidence to go there.
Brian said | March 23rd 2009 @ 4:14pm | Report comment
Overall I think we were lucky to get 3-3. Ponting won every toss, Johnson was brilliant and Hughes surprised them. The good news is England aren’t half as good as South Africa. Personal 2 cents worth Ashes XI:- Katich, Hughes, Ponting, Hussey/North, Clarke, Watson, Haddin, Lee, Johnson, Krejza/Clark, Siddle. I prefer Lee to McDonald cause they bat about the same and Lee should still be a better bowler. Likewise Watson at 6 showed a lot of potential in India and in case of trouble I would like 5 bowlers. Finally I would pick Hussey/North depending on who showed better form or Krejza/Clark depending on whether the pitch demands a spinner, also remembering that England play spin poorly. I probably need a few more for a touring party so how about Hilfenhaus, Bollinger, Klinger and Manou. Overall I would prefer players who maybe up to it than those who are definately not – McDonald, White & Hauritz. I have not considered Hodge as the selectors will not pick him!
ONSIDE said | March 23rd 2009 @ 7:10pm | Report comment
Australia will go to England and beat up todays cricketing midgets.
TV ratings demand illusions that require feigned balanced contests.
Geoffs box of chocolates will in reality be a few chocolates amongst
the boiled lollies.
Follow the money.Bookmakers will confirm above
But hey, its live theatre, so bring it on.
drewster said | March 23rd 2009 @ 7:27pm | Report comment
The 6 Batsmen from the S.A. tour all look to have booked their tickets, Wicket Keeping is fine, Johnson & Siddle are there, Hilfenhaus and Mc Donald should go due to English conditions but may not play every test. Stuart Clarke and Brett Lee will probably make the squad and the 2 back up batsmen should be Klinger (1203 @ 70.73) and Rogers (1195 @ 74.68). The spin bowlers spot may be filled by the 3 part timers (North, Katch & M. Clarke if fit) as no spinner has shown much to deserve a spot. Bollinger and Callum Ferguson are my dark horses but who can tell what the selectors think?
Kenny said | March 23rd 2009 @ 9:46pm | Report comment
The Ashes team is a pretty straight forward selection I reckon. Stuart Clark in for McDonald. We don’t have a spinner.
1. Hughes 2. Katich 3. Ponting 4. Hussey 5. Clarke 6. North 7. Haddin 8. Johnson 9. Clark 10. Siddle 11. Hilfenhaus
Can’t wait to see Johnson against England. He’s everything they’re not – Head strong, tough, athletic, lethal and Australian. He’s the bowler we wanted Brett Lee to be. But I’m picking Siddle will be the one that will surprise them and do a lot of damage.
FIsher Price said | April 4th 2009 @ 10:05am | Report comment
Kenny: I gather that you’re a Johnson fan, but listing his nationality as a strength does you little credit.