Jan 02 2009
Australia Made A Mess Of Their Game
Well things never seem to end regarding the recent series loss of Australia at the hands of South Africa. This has been the talk of the day for most of the cricket fans over the world, who have been sick of the Aussie dominance for almost a decade. However, some things does need a clarification as to what went wrong as far as the Aussie game planning went. In both the tests, the Aussies are themselves to blame, for ifs and buts do not come to one’s rescue what so ever. Both the matches had been dominated by Australia until there was a twist in the tale.
Confused! But that is what the fact is all about. Yes! South Africa did make every effort to have the match in their hands and did end up successful. This shouldn’t have meant that Australia start relaxing and then start beating their heels. I bet none of us had ever thought of the Proteas chasing down a mammoth 414 until that happened eventually. The same Australia that bowled South Africa for a score less than 300 with a run-rate below the Aussies should have had absolutely no reasons to have not bowled the same in the second innings and being a home team, things should have been different rather.
And in the second test at Melbourne, Australia, being aware of their situation in the series did everything to get back into the series by having South Africa reeling at 198/7 in the first innings, only to see them back in the game after Dale Steyn did the trick for South Africa. How come that is possible? 76 in addition to a 180 run partnership by a number 8 batsman! How? Now, I hope as to where Australia went wrong in their game plan. When a team cannot contain a number 8 batsman at home, do they really deserve to win matches?
This was also found on their recent tour to India, where tail end batsmen, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh shatterred the dreams of winning the first test in Bangalore. Had Australia been able to contain these batsmen, with a first innings lead, Australia would have indeed won the match. Ricky Ponting was however never found saying this. Now, I wish that one think over as to what sort of captain is Ponting and does he deserve to continue anymore? It was as though Australia never wanted to win the match. Else, what made its frontline bowlers in Brett Lee, Hauritz and Clarke to go for an average of over 4.0 on the fifth day of the test, when bowlers can call the shots?
I still remember Australia being able to grab as many as 7 English wickets in the fourth test of the Ashes 2005 which england won by chasing a mere target of 129. With all these factors in mind, I feel that it was Australia was never in the game and had lost before playing.
