Blogs Advantage: South Africa
December 25th, 2008 by calypsoAs it is Ponting isn’t happy with the pitch that was laid for the now historic test match at Perth and now there are reports that the pitch at MCG too will present Australia with a selection dilemma as the Aussies try and regain their lost pride at the Boxing Day Test Match. Australia aren’t sure about their bowling combinations and a new pitch further complicates their problem. They don’t have too many spinning options. Krejza wasn’t impressive at Perth and his replacement Nathan Hauritz hasn’t been in the greatest of forms in the domestic circuit.
There is another problem if Ponting chooses the seam-bowling option as Shane Watson has picked up some sort of an injury. This leaves the team with yet another untested talent — Hilfenhaus. With either of these bowling options being chosen, it is definitely advantage for South Africa as they have a well-settled bowling attack and their batsmen have just secured a record-making run chase.
Even the much-admired Peter Siddle couldn’t work any wonders on a pretty decent track at Perth. Another factor that could play with the minds of the 30+ year-old squad members of the Australian team is the statement by CA’s James Sutherland. He made an indirect remark saying that the next three years would be a very challenging phase for the Australian cricket team.
On the other hand, the Proteas are high on confidence and seem intent on targeting a somewhat perplexed spearhead of the Australian bowling attack — Brett Lee. They believe that Lee is effective only during his initial burst as his workload has taken a toll on him rendering him ineffective for the consecutive spells. This Aussie predicament along with the absence of the very reliable Stuart Clark means that the Aussies are struggling to build sustained pressure on the batsmen at either ends.
The Aussies must have been hoping that the reports of the South African captain being injured and absent from the Boxing Day test match would come true but as things stand now, Graeme Smith is a certainty in the playing XI as he presses on by taking painkilling injections in his elbow. In fact, things could become a bit more difficult for Ponting if Prince returns in time for the test match. He would be a solid addition to the South African middle order.
