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Australia batted South Africa out of the first Test at Centurion yesterday after flaying the Proteas’ much-vaunted attack.
The Aussie bowlers, led by a ruthless Mitchell Johnson, finished off South Africa quickly in the morning session, dismissing them for 206 to secure a 191-run lead.
A scintillating ton from David Warner, who was handed four lives in the field, and a classy knock of 89 from debutant Alex Doolan ensured Australia drove the Proteas into the dirt.
Australia look set to declare early in today’s first session with a lead of more than 500, leaving South Africa to pray for rain to avoid going 1-0 down in this heavyweight series.
Selection Quandary
For the first time in a long time, Australia have too many in-form batsmen and not enough spots in the side.
Shane Watson appears to be a lock to come straight back into the line-up after he recovers from injury given his vastly improved displays with the bat recently and ever-reliable bowling.
In his past seven Tests he has compiled 617 runs at 47.
Yet the two rookie batsmen given opportunities in this match have both flourished against South Africa’s supremely-talented attack.
Shaun Marsh stunned everyone bar the Australian selectors by taming and then caning the Proteas during a sensational ton in the first dig.
His innings, which set up the match for Australia, overshadowed what was a very heartening debut knock from Alex Doolan at first drop.
The Tasmanian yesterday provided more concrete evidence that he was cut out for Test cricket with a beautifully-paced innings of 89.
Doolan again entered the fray with the South Africans fired up following an early wicket.
Once more he displayed a sound temperament, looking completely unflustered even when he found himself bogged down on 10 from 49 balls.
The 28-year-old remained composed and waited until the South African bowlers offered him opportunities to break free.
He scored 79 from his following 105 deliveries as he unleashed a complete range of strokes.
Doolan’s method mirrored that used so successfully in the first innings by Marsh, who patiently played himself in before unfurling more expansive shots.
That is what Test cricket is all about, particularly when faced with this quality of opposition.
Only the rare few can impose themselves upon the likes of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander from the get go in the manner of David Warner or Michael Clarke.
Shane Watson, too, is capable of such commanding efforts.
The all-rounder also showed during the second half of the Ashes in England and throughout the home series that he was now prepared to be more circumspect.
Unfortunately for one of Marsh or Doolan, Watson will almost certainly force his way back into the side for the second Test at Port Elizabeth should he be fit (word is that he may well be).
Australia will be wary of the strain on their frontline bowlers from the back-to-back Tests, with the second match starting next Saturday after just a three-day break.
That concern alone will probably get Watson over the line.
The question then is who gets dropped?
I wanted Doolan in the side all along and did not believe Marsh had earned his spot.
But it is difficult to justify calling for the omission of a player who has just reeled off a hundred as pivotal as Marsh’s.
Unfortunately, Doolan looks set to be the victim. But what a lovely selection dilemma it is for Australia to have.
Debate of the Day
Consider this hypothetical: you can pick from between two opening batsmen who are both guaranteed to average 40 for your side.
One is more erratic but will score at a blistering strike rate of 71.
The other is more reliable but will tick along at the comparatively dawdling scoring rate of just 47.
David Warner is an example of the former player and Chris Rogers representative of the latter.
Which one is more valuable?
In bygone eras it seems likely the dependable opener would have been more prized.
Defend first and foremost, work the gaps, punish the bad ball and take the shine off the cherry.
That was the old-school theory to opening the batting.
Then Virender Sehwag crashed the party and offered up a compelling alternative.
He proved that by attacking the bowling from ball one it was possible to gain the ascendancy within a matter of overs rather than hours.
He allowed the quicks no time to find their rhythm and swiftly forced the opposition on to the back foot.
Attacking fields designed to make the most of the new ball were quickly dismantled in an effort to limit the carnage.
Warner has the same impact and to me is more influential than a Chris Rogers type.
Ideally you would have a combination of both, as Australia now boast.
But Warner-types are thin on the ground and as such are intrinsically of greater worth in my mind.
Alex Doolan will no doubt attest to the value of the cavalier opener.
As he battled to find fluency early in his innings, crawling to 10 from 49 balls, Warner’s free scoring prevented him from being burdened by heavy pressure to up the run rate.
Doolan was able to take his time because, thanks to Warner, the scoring rate was still very healthy.
A Warner or a Rogers…who would you pick Roarers?