The final Test appears evenly poised, which after losing the first three Tests is a pleasant surprise. Moreover, with Australia’s only consistent world class batsman out, the signs before the Test were ominous.
Of course the Test is far from over, and with three days of play still remaining any outcome is still possible.
There have been some positives thus far from the Australians.
Steve Smith and Phil Hughes, two batsmen whose places in the side are far from secure, managed to score some runs on a difficult pitch.
They may not have made half centuries but the highest score so far is only 57, highlighting how difficult the pitch is.
Peter Siddle also scored a much-deserved maiden half century.
However what has confused about this match is Australia’s choice to bowl Glenn Maxwell for only three overs and not use Steve Smith at all.
Nathan Lyon was far more threatening than any of the quick bowlers. So wouldn’t it have made sense to bowl the other right arm off-spinner?
I would have preferred to have seen Usman Khawaja playing instead of Maxwell. But Maxwell was chosen to strengthen the bowling, so it seems ridiculous to use him so sparingly.
It would be easy to just blame Shane Watson. But surely Mickey Arthur and Michael Clarke, two of the selectors who chose Maxwell, could have sent a message down to Watson to give Maxwell a bowl.
It would have been worth letting Smith bowl a few overs as well. He may bowl a lot of rubbish deliveries but he will occasionally take a wicket.
In the third Test he bowled ten overs and conceded 60 runs. He did however manage to take a wicket. I would much rather see a part timer who takes 1 for 60 rather than 0 for 30.
With three days of play remaining, it is vital Australia use the right tactics on a very difficult surface.
It would be fantastic if our batsmen could post a defendable total and our bowlers could finish the match.
The series maybe lost, but losing it 3 – 1 looks a lot more respectable than losing 4 – 0.
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