Sydney turns back the clock with classic green-top

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By Brett McKay, 5 Jan 2010 Brett McKay is a Roar Expert

Tagged:: Australian Cricket, Cricket, Pakistan cricket, Ricky Ponting, Test cricket

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Australia's Peter Siddle (centre) celebrates the wicket of Pakistan's Faisal Iqbal caught by Shane Watson during day 2 of the New Year's Test at the SCG, Sydney, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010. AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Australians all, let us rejoice, for we have a good old-fashioned Test Match in progress at the SCG. What we’re currently seeing is possibly the biggest test of the mettle of both Ricky Ponting’s captaincy, and his side’s ability to dig in when it’s most needed.

The ninth consecutive pilgrimage to the Sydney Test for me and a couple of mates has been run and won for another year, and once again, we’ve walked away from the SCG content that we’ve seen yet another cracking day of Test cricket.

Sure, we didn’t quite get the Stumps Day 1 scenario we’d have preferred. We’re Australians, after all.

But because we’re cricket lovers first and foremost, we know that this match is set up to for a truly enthralling conclusion over the remaining days.

What we’ve seen has been a real throw-back to the Tests played in our youth. None of us can ever recall seeing the SCG pitch, or indeed the entire wicket square, looking so green. Of course, a week or so of on-and-off rain will do that, I suppose.

Early on Day 1, our hopes of seeing any cricket at all were not all that flash, due mainly to the persistent and annoying misty rain that seemed to be hovering around the ground and Sydney’s eastern suburbs to spite us.

Despite this being our ninth annual attendance, this would be the first time we’ve had to watch the covers and ground-staff for any extended period.

But when play did eventually start, well …

From the first few deliveries from Mohammad Sami, we knew this was going to be interesting. The ball swinging in the air was quite apparent, decking around off the pitch less so, but straight away the Pakistani quicks bowled what soon became the perfect length for the conditions.

Phillip Hughes batted as if he was both a deer in the headlights and a cat on a hot tin roof. Unfortunately, because I was testing the limits of my camera focus on his um, “footwork”, I didn’t realise he slashed one of his first few balls straight to Umar Akmal at gully, who then grassed a pretty straight-forward catch.

Pakistan didn’t have to wait long to get Hughes again, and nor did they miss the second chance.

There’s no doubt Hughes has a big future ahead of him, and yes, his preparation for this Test was far from ideal, being a day-before standby for Simon Katich, but seriously Phillip, you will need to control those nerves.

Cashing in on this great start, Pakistan then produced their trump card when no-one expected it – especially Ricky Ponting.

Straight away fine leg came around squarer, but also in closer, and backward square-leg went into place too, as it tends to when Ponting walks to the crease.

While we could see what was being set up here, it would be another thing entirely to make the trap work, and for this full credit goes to Sami who promptly delivered the ball in precisely the right spot so that Ponting really couldn’t do anything other than hit it straight down Umar Gul’s throat.

A great catch, a great piece of bowling, and in the end, something near faultless execution of a very well-concocted plan.

This wicket was the perfect illustration of the two teams on Day 1.

Pakistan were superb in everything they did, highlighted no better that the performances with the ball from Sami and Mohammad Asif.

Australia, on the other hand, batted poorly on the whole. The best seven batsmen in the country shouldn’t be back in the shed with the score on 62 on any type of pitch, and of any quality. Ever. Messrs Haddin and Ponting, and Mr Hussey to a degree, would and certainly should be disappointed about their shot selection on Sunday.

Ponting’s decision to bat first was both surprising and predictable, if that makes any sense. Given that Nathan Hauritz is in career-best form, having him doing his stuff with the ball in the fourth innings is obviously a preference, rather than Australia having to bat last themselves.

That all said, I do think all this hoo-ha about what Ponting should have done first is all pointless, and even worse, doesn’t give any due credit to how well Pakistan bowled on Day 1.

Only Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, and Hauritz were brought undone by seaming deliveries off the wicket.

The bounce was consistent and true; Australia simply didn’t cope with the length that Sami and Asif kept hitting all day with McGrath-like regularity. Well bowled indeed.

At the end of Day 2 now, this match is far from over.

Australia have clawed back very well, taking nine wickets after lunch, and that’s despite Salman Butt and Imran Farhat lasting all morning intact, even bringing up their hundred partnership five or six overs into the second session.

At 7/62 on Day 1, Australia would have been very happy if you told them they would trail by a tick over two hundred by the end of Day 2, and with only one wicket to take to bat again. It will certainly be an absorbing contest over the last three days.

Without a doubt, the highlight of this year’s trek to Moore Park was being able to meet and share a beer with the very distinguished Kersi Meher-Homji and my sometime Roar sparring partner, Vinay Verma.

It was great to meet these two very knowledgeable characters on all things cricket, and I’m very grateful to them both for coming down from the lofty air-conditioned heights of the SCG Press box to share a beverage with a couple of commoners in the outer.

(Vinay and I have resolved to start disagreeing again in 2010, so maybe this might start things off on the front foot.)

And so what of a Tenth Anniversary Sydney Test in 2011? Well hopefully, planet alignments and budgets allowing, the Fifth Ashes Test will be the final leg of a journey that takes in the entire Ashes series.

Perhaps it’s time to start lobbying The Roar editors for a permanent gig next summer…

Follow Brett McKay on Twitter: @BMcSport

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The Crowd Says (7) | Page 1 of Comments

Kersi Meher-Homji said | January 5th 2010 @ 6:27am | Report comment

What an astute summing up of the first two days of the sensational Sydney Test, Brett. And I’m not just saying this because you described me as distinguished!! The view from Trumper Stand is superior to the view from the Press Box where we are not allowed to clap or show emotions of any kind.

It was terrific meeting you and Coops and of course Vinay; the Big Four of Roar cricket. Pity Ponting did not consult us after winning the toss!

See you in the Ashes Test next January, Brett, if not earlier.

Reply
vinay verma said | January 5th 2010 @ 7:02am | Report comment

Brett,I agreed with Ponting’s decision to bat. This was in the fine tradition of a Captain brave enough to back his instinct.And this is the beauty of Australian Cricket. Forget the sanctimonious posturing of other countries..they would kill for Australia’s record.They are the only Test playing country with more wins then losses against any other country. That is the big picture. Australia’s batsmen,including Punter,did not deliver on the day. This happens and I for one am not going to put the boot in to Hughes and North. For heaven’s sake we have all been clamouring for Hughes to be reinstated and now that he has failed people are saying he should go and learn his craft. I say keep him even if he fails another half a dozen innings. Poor North is under pressure.A dropped catch and a limp hanging bat outside offstump will have dented his confidence. It is upto him to show his steel in the second dig. He has the talent.
As for Pakistan they bowled well and generally their fielding was a marked improvement from Melbourne. On the second day the openers hung around,playing and missing,but still remaining postive. Umar Akram is a revelation,a latterday Hooksey and more strength to him. Rather see a good 40 than a stodgy hundred.
Not all Australia’s way but good Test cricket. I have tried to disagree with you,Brett,in many ways we are in agreement.And yes,it was a pleasure meeting you and Coops and sharing the enthusiasm you have for the traditions and values of the longer form of the game.

Reply
- Lindommer said | January 5th 2010 @ 9:28am | Report comment
  
  Vinay, yer right about other countries envying Australia’s test performances. Not only does Australia have a positive win/loss record against every other test-playing nation but we can also claim the same record while playing away, no mean feat. However, I fear our proud history will take a bit of a pummelling over the next few decades.
  
  Reply
Brett McKay said | January 5th 2010 @ 8:59am | Report comment

Vinay, we’re obviously going to have to put off disagreeing for another day then, because I’m with you there completely. Australia now have it all to do, they’ve knocked Kaneria over in the first over of this morning, and so start the second dig 204 behind. We’re in for a great few days of Test cricket..

Kersi, Vinay, again thanks for meeting Coops and I on Sunday, it was a real pleasure. Not just to put a real-life loving face to names, but to share all our thoughts on the day. A real privilege..

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eballs said | January 5th 2010 @ 9:36am | Report comment

Alright… enough of this love-in. Just because I missed out on the beer (minding your seat), doesn’t mean I don’t get a say.
If Vinay won’t disagree with you Brett, I will – & on a couple of points;
1st – you say “Ponting really couldn’t do anything other than hit it straight down Umar Gul’s throat.” You know my thoughts on this. For your other (4) readers, I think that’s RUBBISH. He’s the number 3 & Captain of Australia’s Test side. Possibly the most important person in Australia, and up there in the top 5 most important people in the world (behind Stevie G of course). HE chose to bat (which I won’t say was a bad decision). HE watched poor Phil jump around and get out. HE came out to justify his decision to bat. HE saw (I presume??) the field moving for him. HE saw the ball coming, and HE decided to play the most utterly ridiculous shot he could possibly summon. How about a defensive shot? How about wearing one on the body? How about being a little bit smarter about it?? On the telly, Slater said “He wasn’t switched on. He wasn’t concentrating on that first ball.” Both fine batsmen, but I have to agree with Slater, and disagree with the B Mc. Although we’re far from out of the running in this match, Ponting’s brainless dismissal was the crack in the dam wall which led to Australia’s collapse. He should be disgusted with himself.
2nd – how can you possibly say “the highlight of this year’s trek to Moore Park was being able to meet and share a beer…” etc. etc. How about the annual Big Breakfast? How about the chicken sandwiches?? How about the enlightening debate about sleep pods???
I’m running out of space (& patience) to write any more. Some of us have to work!
But on a final note…. Todd Carney’s an idiot.
Looking forward to your columns (except for the NRL ones) this year. Keep up the good work.

Reply
- Brett McKay said | January 5th 2010 @ 1:58pm | Report comment
  
  right Eballs, if that is your real name…
  
  Ponting, Steven Gerrard, and three others in the top 5 most important people in the world?? Enlighten us with the remaining three…
  
  And I don’t know that we are that much disagreement about Ponting’s shot you know. I did say that Ponting couldn’t really do anything other than drop it down Gul’s throat, but later on I said “..Ponting … would and certainly should be disappointed about their shot selection on Sunday.”
  
  How could I say the highlight was meeting with Kersi and Vinay? Pretty easily actually… Breakfast was big, bigger than previous years, the chicken sandwiches were incredibly well-buttered (could have done with some lettuce), and I don’t recall any enlightening debate about a ridiculous idea that you’ll never see or hear me mention.
  
  But I appreciate that you left a comment here
  
  Oh, and there’s never been any doubt about Todd Carney’s mental capacity. And that was before this new episode…
  
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Brett McKay said | January 5th 2010 @ 11:50am | Report comment

Aust 0/86 at Lunch, and trail by 120. I think the batting or bowling first thing will be soon forgotten, becuase this match just continues to set itself up for a great finish..

Eballs, I’ll come back to you…

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