Observations from the 2014 Brisbane Test

Josh Hazlewood celebrates taking his fifth wicket in the first innings

Source: www.sports.ndtv.com

In what would be described as somewhat of a surprise.... well not really, the Australian's have won the Brisbane Test by six wickets with more than a day to spare. This is actually quite remarkable given that India scored 408 in their first innings and had Australia on the ropes at 6-247 and staring a 70-100 run deficit on the first innings. The Australian tail wagged and Australia went on to make 505 to lead by 97 and be in a very good position.

India's task was simple bat out Day 4 to establish a lead of between 300 and 350 runs, then declare and ask the Aussies to either chase the runs or bat out Day 5 for the draw. Instead the Indian top order collapsed in the first session of Day 4 as 1-76 became 5-87 and all was lost. India eventually made 224 which was never enough and Australia was set a target of 128 which was easily achieved even though six wickets were lost in the process. Australia is improving at chasing small targets of late, however there is some room for improvement.

So, what were the takeaways from this test:

• A fine debut - Josh Hazlewood made his test debut by coming into the side for the injured Ryan Harris and bowled admirably taking 5 for 68 in the first innings. This was backed up with 2-74 in India's second innings and a handy 32 with the bat in Australia's first innings. Hazlewood hits the pitch hard and has improved his ecomony rate recently which is what is required from a fast bowler. He is another one of the young generation of Australian quicks that will emerge in the next few years.
• Smith shows leadership qualities - Steve Smith was appointed captain for the remainder of the series after Michael Clarke became unavailable with a hamstring injury. Smith did not miss a beat with his field settings and lead the Australian fightback in the first innings with a much needed 133 runs. Leadership seems to come natural to Smith which bodes well for Australia's cricketing future. If there was one blemish it was his unnecessary run out in the second innings.
• The Australian tail wags... again - In what is becoming a familiar sight for the Australian's, the tail-enders contributed significantly towards the first innings total at a time when a deficit of 70-100 runs was looking very likely. This time the last four wickets contributed 258 runs to the total. In fact ten players out of eleven made double figures with only Brad Haddin missing out.
• An inspired bowling spell - Just when the game was in the balance Mitchell Johnson's first spell on Day 4 yielded 3-10 and wrecked through the Indian top and middle order. Johnson took advantage of a calamitous morning for the visitors where Dhawan was unable to bat due to a slight wrist injury he received in the nets whilst warming up pre-match. India were in disarray and then complained about the facilities... just get on with it folks it's better for the game.
• Indian collapso - The Indians have had a batting collapse in three out of their four innings this summer and continually have this problem when playing away from home. They lost 4 for 11 during the second innings in Brisbane coupled with 5 for 45 and 8 for 73 in Adelaide, which is not a great record. Unfortunately it appears as though the Brisbane collapse may have been of their own making with the problems they had in preparing for the fourth day.

Yours truly may have over estimated India's batting capabilities away from home in predicting a 2-0 series win to the Australians and now India are in real trouble of a 4-0 series whitewash. It is worth noting that Australia have not lost a test match in Brisbane since 1988 (against the West Indies) and have won 19 and drawn 7 in that time.

Observations from the 2014 Adelaide Test

Tribute to Phil Hughes at the Adelaide Test

Source: www.cricket.com.au

Well it looks like that my earlier prediction of an Australian 2-0 series victory is in doubt after only one test. The Australians won the Adelaide Test by 48 runs, but not after a spirited fight-back on the last day by India who looked like possibly snatching an unlikely victory during the day. Chasing 364 to win the match, India lost 8/73 in the final session and the test was over. It was an emotional week for cricket and especially the Australians, who I suspect will never be the same again after the death of teammate Phil Hughes.

The memory of Phil Hughes was everywhere to be seen, his baggy green number of 408 painted on the ground and every time an Australian cricketer made a milestone or took a wicket the celebration was near that number. The Australians wore shirts with No.408 embroidered on the front to respect the memory of Hughes. This victory meant everything to the team and it is possible that they may win the series 4-0 based on the emotions evident in this test. 

So what did we learn from this test?

• Batsman's Paradise - There were six hundreds made in Adelaide with Warner and Kohli making centuries in both innings which is outstanding. This suggests that the pitch was a road. But even with both sides making over 400 in the first innings a result was still produced and the game went into the last session of the fifth day.
• Emergence of the Lyon King.... (well perhaps) - Lyon's 12 wickets was a match winning effort and also resulted in his maiden 10 wicket match haul. Lyon bowled very well his 5/134 in the first innings complemented his 7/152 in the second. There were questions over his ability to close out matches which he has gone some way in answering. Lyon now has the belief that he can produce this type of effort, now he needs to do it consistently.
• Welcome to the captaincy - India's stand-in captain Virat Kohli performed outstandingly in the test, he scored centuries in both innings (115 and 141) and almost masterminded a surprise victory for India. Kohli comes across as a fighter and when he does take over the captaincy full time, he should win more than he loses with this desire to win.
• Australia's future looks good - Australia may have found three young stars in its batting order in Warner, Smith and to a lesser extent Mitchell Marsh. Warner has scored 1061 runs at 75.78 so far in 2014, but what is more impressive is his strike rate or 81.67 runs per 100 balls faced. So when Warner makes runs he makes them quickly which gives Australia a good start. Smith has scored 779 at 77.90 so far this year and shows maturity beyond his years every time he bats. Mitchell Marsh is only just starting his career but shows plenty of promise and as shown in the second innings will put the team first ahead of individual glory (Shane Watson take note !!!) 

Lastly given that the test started three days earlier than originally scheduled, it was great to see that over 113,000 people attended the match over the five days. India have some work to do in Brisbane next week and it might be difficult for them to recover from this loss. Although this might be easier with the expected absence of Michael Clarke for the rest of the series with a hamstring injury.

How will the Australian Test team fair this summer?

Phil Hughes - How will his death impact team performance?

Source:www.9news.com.au

The Australian Cricket Team would have had to do some soul searching after their tour against Pakistan in the UAE in October & November. They were outplayed by the Pakistanis in all areas of the game and were comprehensively beaten 2-0 as a result. The poor performance was highlighted by the efforts of New Zealand just a few weeks later against Pakistan where the three match series was tied 1-1 and New Zealand finished the better of the two teams. (However there could be an argument for suggesting that Pakistan may have slightly taken the foot of the pedal against the Kiwis.)

This is now insignificant given the unfortunate incident in a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG on November 25, 2014. In this match, Phil Hughes was felled by a Sean Abbott bouncer and never regained consciousness before passing away two days later. Hughes would have turned 26 three days after his death and it is always saddening to see someone pass away at a young age.

Hughes death has resulted in the Australian Test summer being changed around, the Brisbane test was moved back to December 17, the Adelaide test was brought forward to December 9 and now becomes the first test. This test will be tough for the Aussies as they come to grips with Hughes’ death. Cricket Australia have given the players the choice of playing or not and I believe that it will be more beneficial for them to play.

Australia's opponents this summer are India, who has a poor track record away from home. However this time around it may be closer than people think. For me, playing the first test in Adelaide provides India with an opportunity to grab a draw and set them up for the remainder of the series. The players have had a long preparation time in Adelaide and this will put them in good stead for that test and consequently the rest of the summer.

Normally the first test is in Brisbane and the Australians are able to take advantage of a pitch with good bounce when bowling and it is a place that once you are set at the crease then runs will flow. Australia has not lost at the Gabba since 1988 and this usually provides a good psychological advantage for the rest of the summer. But will that change if the Australians lose the first test in Adelaide especially in the wake of the tragic events of recent times?

The Adelaide pitch is more docile, but offers good reward to those who are willing to put in the effort. Players are able to score runs quickly with the short square boundaries. However the pitch will turn on the fourth and fifth days and games in Adelaide generally last the full five days. Therefore India will be more confident going into a first test in Adelaide rather than a first test in Brisbane.

The third and fourth tests are in Melbourne and Sydney respectively. Australia has won 13 out of the last 15 in Melbourne and 17 out of the last 20 in Sydney which are both imposing records. Given India’s poor form away it would appear that these tests should go in Australia’s favour. However Australia played poorly in the UAE and we are unsure how the death of Phil Hughes will impact on team performance this summer.

Essentially, I think the four test series will be 2-0 in favour of Australia with wins in Brisbane and Melbourne and draws in Adelaide and Sydney. This will be a good result for Australia in what is expected to be a tough summer for the national side.



The Call of the Wallaby – Is it a big call ?

www.greenandgold.com

Admittedly it has been several months since I have contributed to this blog. Without going in depth behind the reasons, one reason is writer’s block. However recently I watched a TV show titled “The Call of the Wallaby” and it provided some much needed inspiration.

As I see it, “The Call of the Wallaby” is a journey of gathering a group of like-minded people to rediscover the missing Wallabies supporters (barrackers) and encourage them to return to the game of Rugby Union in Australia.

While the aim of the program is honourable, the show’s primary focus appears to be in Sydney, NSW which is considered to be the rugby capital in Australia for both Union and League. This would appear prudent, however as many people would attest Australia is a vast land and has a varying sports demographic.

So this is where it becomes tricky for the program as Rugby Union is most likely the fourth football code in Australia behind Australian Rules Football, Rugby League and Association Football. Therefore in order to grow the sport in this country and to retain its current supporters the Wallabies need to be consistently successful and promote the game in non-rugby States such as Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

This is further complicated in that Sydneysiders are traditionally fickle sports watchers and will stay away from matches if the team is not successful. This is exemplified by the Sydney Swans AFL team that had relocated from South Melbourne to Sydney in the early 1980’s and struggled to make an impact in Sydney. This is partially because Sydney was a new market for the AFL and because the Swans struggled on the field during the 1980’s and early 1990’s. The GWS Giants will undergo a similar fate while they struggle for on field success.

The show did a survey of people in Martin Place, Sydney and were asked are Australian Rugby supporters fickle. Approximately 75% or the respondents said yes (Mind you it wasn’t that scientific). Once again the Sydney focus presents a conclusion that may not be correct. For instance a Rugby Union fan living in Victoria may see this differently because the attitude to sport in Melbourne is much more robust than in Sydney.

Alternatively if a rallying cry was needed then the focus should be nationally than just NSW or Sydney. All the participants within the focus group resided in Sydney which further emphasises the narrow focus. This seems perplexing as currently there are five Australian Super Rugby teams that are all regionalised with franchises in QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC and WA. Rugby Union tests are usually held each year in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

The ACT Brumbies are a powerhouse in Super Rugby, meanwhile the QLD Reds are reasonably competitive and won the competition in 2011. The NSW Waratahs in comparison tend to be somewhat hit and miss from season to season. For instance in 2014 the Waratahs are currently in the semi-finals and were second in 2008. However the Waratahs finished thirteenth in 2007 and they were eleventh in 2012.

The ARU has recognised that a test needs to be held in Melbourne each year in order to maximise exposure and revenue. However it seems that the producers (and cast) of this show seem reluctant to embrace the nation in a call to arms in supporting the Wallabies. This is something that I consider to be very short sighted indeed.

The focus then shifts to how well the Wallabies perform in relation to other nations. The main competing nations to the Wallabies are England, New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland. In recent years have performed so-so against the All Blacks and Springboks and marginally better against England and Ireland. Given this current form and the fact that Sydneysiders are fickle supporters it is hardly unexpected that there will be a drop off in crowds at Wallabies games in Sydney.

Therefore, it is prudent to suggest that the long term success of the program requires an improvement in the form of the Wallabies over the next few years. This needs to be complimented by consistent semi-final finishes in future Rugby World Cups. Also unless the show changes to a more national focus, it will find it difficult to engage the wider Australian audience. This could further damage the very profile that rugby union is trying to restore.

Observations from the Port Elizabeth Test

Play during the Second Test at Port Elizabeth

image: www.cricket.geek.nz 

A historical moment has occurred as this is the first time I have written one of these pieces where Australia has lost the test. The Australians managed to lose the Port Elizabeth test by 281 runs in four days against a South African side that was stung by a poor performance at Centurion. Was it a case of the Australians playing poorly or did South Africa play more to their capabilities than at Centurion?

The result would suggest that the Australians played poorly, although with a day and a half to play the Australians were 1/126 chasing 448 and right in the test match. Then along came Steyn with a great spell of reverse swing bowling that turned the match in South Africa’s favour.

What was revealed at Port Elizabeth?

• Batting form of both captains is disappointing – Both Michael Clarke and Graeme Smith have been struggling with the bat this series. The bowling attacks have been especially targeting the captains knowing that their dismissal is key to providing early in-roads towards a small total. Smith looks vulnerable to Johnson’s short ball, although he could be forgiven for that considering the ball is travelling towards his head at around 150km/h. Both Clarke and Smith would not be pleased with their efforts in this series as they are averaging 20.00 and 9.25 respectively.

• Highway to runs?? – there were four centurions in this test with AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Hashim Amla from South Africa along with Chris Rogers from Australia. De Villiers maintained his current good form and has now notched up a score of at least 50 in his last twelve consecutive matches (including the Port Elizabeth test and setting a new record in the process). Amla recovered from a first innings duck to score 127 second time around. Duminy looked in control in his first innings 123 until Lyon had him plumb. Rogers, like Amla, recovered from a poor first innings to score 107 in the second innings before running himself out.

• South Africa’s bowling in the second innings – South Africa has the best two bowlers in the world in Steyn and Philander and consequently opposition batting sides struggle on most days. In the second innings South Aftrica were able to get the ball to reverse swing which resulted in Australia losing 10/90 after being 0/126. Steyn and Philander took 6/94 between them in that innings to grab victory for the South Africans late on the fourth day. In contrast the Australian bowling attack was not as effective on a pitch that may have been prepared to suit the South Africans.

The win by the South Africans has set up a very interesting Third Test in Cape Town that starts on Saturday in what now looms as the series decider. Hopefully it is a close contest although I anticipate a victory for the home team.

Observations from the Centurion Test

Australia celebrates the win at Centurion

image: www.abc.net.au

Have to admit to a bout of laziness after the Boxing Day Test that stopped me writing an article for the Sydney Ashes Test. However after winning that test and victory in the One Day series the Australians have headed to South Africa for a three test series against the number one test nation.

The Centurion test was over in four days with the Australians victorious by 281 runs. That’s right you are reading this correctly…281 runs. After Graeme Smith won the toss and bowled first he was probably thinking that he was ahead in the game with Australia at 4-98 and Clarke dismissed. It is amazing how fortunes can turn in the wonderful game of test cricket.

Here are some observations from the First Test:

·        Australia’s fielding continues to impress – Australia fielded really well throughout the Australian Summer and continued this at Centurion. The fielding quality is so good that it backs up the Captain's and bowlers plans almost to perfection. The catches by Marsh and Johnson in the first innings were a treat to watch and Doolan’s catch in the second innings was sublime.

·        Mitchell Johnson’s breathtaking bowling – The juggernaut continues as Mitchell Johnson’s match figures of 12-127 ended up being the difference between the two teams. The bowling was fast, intimidating and on target. Hashim Amla was thankful he was wearing a helmet as the first ball he faced in the second innings was a real brute. Ryan McLaren will now miss the Second Test in Port Elizabeth with concussion after being hit on the head from a Johnson bouncer.

·        Graeme Smith's captaincy was debateable – History will show that Smith made the wrong decision to bowl first at Centurion. Although he probably thought it was the right choice at the time, especially as Australia were 4/98 in the first innings. However he might choose differently if he was given the choice again. In context Smith’s decision was not quite as catastrophic as Nasser Hussain’s decision in Brisbane, but it is close.

·        Debutant Doolan looks a real find – Alex Doolan debuted at number 3 for Australia in this test. His scores of 27 and 89 may not invoke adulation from everyone, however Doolan looked self-assured in the position. His timing and his choice of shot were impressive (including his dismissal stroke in the first innings). If Doolan takes the opportunity to consolidate number 3 this series then the spot may be his for many years to come. His fielding was equally outstanding, especially the catch to dismiss Graeme Smith in the second innings.

·        AB de Villiers deserves his No.1 ranking – de Villiers top scored with scores of 91 and 48 in both innings for South Africa. The most notable aspect of these innings was the amount of time that de Villiers appeared to have whenever he played a stroke. AB de Villiers should pass 7,000 test runs in the Port Elizabeth test which is a remarkable achievement for a player with his talent.

In the lead up to the series, most people would have thought that South Africa would win the series based on the strength of their bowling attack and their reasonable batting depth. For this to happen, South Africa has plenty of work to do. The Australian’s are playing very good cricket at the moment and have the added bonus of confidence. The next two Tests in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town should be interesting to watch.

Were the Adelaide Crows wrong in wanting to use the State Jumper?

SA celebrates a win over WA in 1996

image: www.afl.com.au

In a move that was controversial as well as surprising the Adelaide Crows unveiled that they were going to wear the SA State Jumper for their Round 2 clash against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. This significance of this is that it will be the first match for these clubs at the revamped Adelaide Oval, which was the home of Australian Rules football in South Australia until 1974 when all operations moved to Football Park in suburban West Lakes.

Furthermore, the Crows were going to sell naming spots on the jumper for supporters and/or members. That is, your name would be on the jumper that was worn by the players on match day. In all fairness the idea is good, but NOT for the state jumper. The state jumper is after all a representative jumper and the players who have worn that jumper with pride are the ones that should be aggrieved the most by this decision.

Fortunately commonsense prevailed and the AFL stepped in to disallow the Crows from using the jumper in their clash. But it should never have progressed this far and it shows that the Crows still have much to learn as a football club. Of course their opponents, Port Power, also have a large involvement in South Australian Football history so this move by Adelaide was seen by many to alienate or even disassociate Port Adelaide from that history.

Then there was the other point raised that the jumper will never be used again at the highest level in a State of Origin format so we should use here to celebrate our rich football history. It has been 15 years since the jumper was used in a competitive match at AFL level so this had some weight amongst some fans.

Here are my thoughts as to why the SA State jumper should not be used by any club to wear in this situation or any club game and the state jumper needs to be earned and worn by South Australians.

Firstly I believe (rightly or wrongly) that State of Origin will be played at the highest level again. The players are often quoted as wanting to play SOO and I think that it will happen in the future. The jumper is sacred and to be picked in the best 22 players for your state should be something that is special. It also infers that the players hold earning a state jumper in very high regard.

Secondly, there are instances when non South Australian’s have worn the state jumper in State League matches (eg SANFL vs VFL) I have thought this practice to be wrong in the same way that I think Victoria cheated when Dunstall (a Queenslander) played for the Big V against SA at the MCG.

Thirdly, because of my second point I think it is inappropriate for the non-SA players within the Crows (i.e Dangerfield) to wear the state jumper when there is no allegiance to the state jumper. There are often issues with “qualifying” for a particular state, my answer is simple it is the place that is listed on a birth certificate.

Fourthly, I believe that if football was never going to return to Adelaide Oval then the jumper would not have been used. Yes I understand the sense of occasion, and the reasons why the Crows were created. If Football Park was the venue this year, would the Crows try to wheel out the State jumper to “Honour 150 years of SA Footy” as stated in their advertising e-mail? ... I don’t think so.

Lastly, selling places on the State jumper was outright wrong and indicates to me it was a marketing exercise rather than a opportunity to celebrating a rich football history that includes their opponents. Perhaps it would have been better to include all the names of players who have represented South Australia. The jumper could still be sold to the public as everything is for sale these days.

As mentioned earlier commonsense has prevailed, but it has encouraged healthy (and some not so healthy) debate across the Australian Rules football world. Perhaps this may be an indication to the AFL that State of Origin could be brought back into the football program as the public want to see the best players from one state play against the best players from another state.

Then again, it may take a change in CEO at the AFL before this comes to fruition.