Thursday, March 19, 2009

SA bowlers dictate terms

Day 1, 3rd Test from Newlands in Cape Town. Aus 209 (Katich 55, Steyn 4-56, Harris 3-34) v South Africa 0 for 57 (Prince 37no, Khan 15no)

It only took three weeks, but finally South Africa’s bowlers woke from their slumber to stamp their authority on the opening day of the third test from Newlands in Cape Town.

Having been the difference during their historic win in Australia, the Proteas attack had been nothing short of disappointing during this series but today they were exceptional.

For the sixth time this summer the coin fell Ricky Ponting’s way and yet again he had no hesitation in electing to bat. But rather than wallow in Jacques Kallis’ disappointment they took to their task of bowling first with vigour. Undoubtedly shaken by the whoosh of the selector’s axe that claimed their mate Morne Morkel, each set about the task of proving their worth.

It began with Makhaya Ntini who’s first spell set the tone. He bowled with tremendous rhythm, found an ability to bring the odd ball back to the left-handers, which made his angles even more awkward from either over or around the wicket.

He was unlucky not to have Simon Katich twice. In Ntini’s first over Katich was struck in line by a ball that straightened. Ntini’s natural angle means that to hit the stumps he must pitch outside the line of leg. Jacques Kallis elected not to challenge the not out decision but technology proved this instinct incorrect.

The world’s second best side it seems are as bad at challenging decisions as the world’s number two tennis player Roger Federer. So often they refer decisions on emotion rather than logic. By mid-morning they had lost both challenges. Ntini struck Katich again and the frustration of the first miss prompted a look at the second, except this time it had obviously pitched outside leg stump, and looked very high. They later made another attempt to claim Katich’s scalp by challenging another not out decision. On this occasion Katich and Steve Bucknor were the only people on the ground to have noticed a thick inside edge. Like or lump the referral system it has most certainly curbed any dissent.

Ntini’s ill-fortune continued when Katich was dropped by debutant Imraan Khan on nine. It was a simple chance at backward point that haunted Khan throughout every run of Katich’s hard-fought half-century.

Despite the lack of inroads made by the quicks’ they reined in their line and length significantly from Durban. Phillip Hughes was never allowed to settle. He seldom got the width he yearned for and rode his luck as balls repeatedly danced around his stumps via his inside edge.

The tighter opening spell meant Paul Harris was called upon to bowl at two players who were hardly set despite a fifty-run stand. It made a major difference to Harris’ mindset, as he immediately placed two close catchers and insisted on an aggressive line. This quickly paid dividends. Hughes gifted a simple chance to JP Duminy at short cover who promptly grassed it. One feared for the South African’s at this point as the moment again seemed to pass them by. Both catches were spilt in identical fashion. Both players doing their best to impersonate an orchestral percussionist signifying the close of a major crescendo with a loud crash of the symbols.

Duminy’s pain, unlike Khan’s, lasted just one delivery. Hughes attempted an ill-advised sweep and was adjudicated leg-before. Had he not been a 20-year-old junior member of the side he may have referred the decision, which did look adjacent at first glance. If he had, he’d have been reprieved as he was struck outside line. The day could have been very different.

Instead the complexion of the match changed. Albie Morkel, who had cruelly replaced his brother in the side, was in the midst of a brilliant first spell in Test cricket. He summed up the conditions well and was not afraid to pitch the ball up. Late swerve left a scratch on Ricky Ponting’s outside edge and there are few better first test wickets than the Australian captain for a duck.

Australia spent lunch nervously placed at 2 for 66, Katich grafting hard and Mike Hussey feeling his way. Hussey fearlessly pulled Dale Steyn after lunch. His first attempt would’ve sent shudders through the dressing rooms as it ballooned out through a vacant square leg. But he would not be perturbed, crushing two throat ticklers into the backward square fence shortly after.

Hussey’s dismissal personified his tour. Australia’s new golden boy Hughes could not parry the ball onto his stumps even if he tried during his innings of 33. Hussey had hardly made a mistake a run-a-ball 20, but in rising to a sharp lifter from Steyn he defended from the middle of the bat only for it to bounce back towards the stumps. Similar strokes from Hughes had taken coats of varnish from the woodwork without dislodging the bails. This ball from Hussey’s blade breathed on the off bail and it duly fell to the ground.

Steyn’s spell was rapid. He blew Michael Clarke away to leave Australia reeling at 4 for 81.

But South Africa momentarily let Australia off the hook as Brad Haddin entered at six in absence of an ill Marcus North. Katich continued to fight his way to fifty as Haddin played with amazing fluency. He began by swatting a short ball from Morkel who’s second spell was pedestrian compared to his first. Haddin then repeatedly crunched straight drives back past the bowler at frightening speed.

Katich tossed his wicket away to Harris with a half-hearted slog sweep. Imraan Khan had his heart in his mouth as he stood under the towering skyer but with a nervous smile he clung to the chance.

Katich’s mistake forced Haddin back into his shell either side of tea. Harris then continued his terrific day deceiving the wicketkeeper-bat through the air and skipping one through his defence. Haddin was trapped leg-before on the crease for 42 and Australia had exhausted all six recognised batsman for just 158. Mitchell Johnson came in and continued his outstanding series with a brisk 35, but the fact that he thoroughly out played Andrew McDonald leaves question marks over the Victorian’s role.

Steyn and Ntini cleaned up the tail, Steyn leading the way with 4 for 56. Ntini bowled far better than his two wickets suggests but the pick was Harris with 3 for 34.

South Africa have a great chance to stamp their authority on this contest on day two when they begin at 0 for 57. A brand new opening combination they might be but Imraan Khan and Ashwell Prince proved the old adage of picking players in form. Both are coming off massive provincial hundreds and played crisply on a wicket that will only get better. Australia’s hopes of a clean sweep look dashed even at this early stage. Much hinges on the opening spells of Johnson of Peter Siddle tomorrow morning.

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