Pressure Builds On Champs

Newcastle Herald

Saturday November 22, 2008

By ALEX BROWN SMH

THE summer of revival has become an exercise in survival.

The vulnerabilities of the Australian team were again exposed by a New Zealand side which, discounting contests with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, have not won a Test beyond their shores in more than six years.

Although Australia's seamers held up their end of the bargain on a helpful Gabba pitch that produced 15 wickets on the day, the hosts' top order again underwhelmed, providing a distinct "Rome is falling" feel to proceedings for portions of the afternoon.

By stumps on day two, Australia held a 189-run advantage with four second-innings wickets in hand, thanks largely to the bowling of Mitchell Johnson (4-30) and the steely batting of Simon Katich (67 not out).

Their efforts might eventually prove the winning difference in the match, but with South Africa looming on the horizon, the Australians will be well aware that rapid and extensive improvement is needed if they are to extend their tenancy agreement on Test cricket's throne.

On the positive side of the ledger, Australia's bowlers did appear a troupe revived after seven exasperating weeks in India.

Johnson's efforts, highlighted by a flirtation with a hat-trick, were particularly praiseworthy, as was Stuart Clark's removal of Aaron Redmond with the first delivery of the day, and Brett Lee's dismissal of Ross Taylor in the over after lunch.

While applause is deserved, a sizeable caveat must be taken into account. For this is a New Zealand side which counts Daniel Vettori, who slotted in at No.8 yesterday, as its top-ranked batsman (32nd).

A better side (say, South Africa) might not have committed the fundamental errors that contributed to the dismissals of Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum, and could have expected more from the lower order.

The cartwheels, for now, are on hold.

The same could be said for Australia's batting line-up.

Continued Page 84

Pressure building on world champions

From Page 88

Katich's innings served precisely the same purpose as Michael Clarke's first-innings 98, in that it gave the Australian innings an air of respectability it probably didn't deserve.

Ongoing difficulties in negating the moving ball and adapting from Indian wickets continued to dog most of Australia's batsmen, although, in the case of Michael Hussey, umpire error proved the major factor.

The most obvious area of concern for Australia is Matthew Hayden, who, approaching his 100th Test, appears a man conflicted.

Hayden's answers to retirement questions this week seemed vague and uncertain, and the veteran opener has appeared anything but the clear-minded, free-flowing batting Zeus of past seasons.

His dismissal from Chris Martin's first ball of the innings brought to three the number of ducks he has posted in his past five Tests. Australia will be hoping for a more redoubtable performance in Adelaide.

Martin menaced Australia's batsmen into the afternoon. The long, loping right-armer removed Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson in the final hour of play, providing the New Zealanders with a flicker of optimism that the victory in Australia that has eluded them since 1985 may finally be within reach.

Iain O'Brien also proved effective, albeit with a dollop of good fortune. A misjudged pull shot from Ricky Ponting provided him with his first wicket of the innings, and a poor decision from Rudi Koertzen, which ended Hussey's innings, his second.

Hussey's challenge of Koertzen's caught-behind ruling could yet land him in the cross-hairs of match referee Chris Broad, and hinted at a growing frustration within the Australian batting ranks.

While wickets tumbled about Katich, the recently restored opener appeared the embodiment of composure, offering the New Zealand bowlers no chances and driving with assurance.

The determination he has displayed to win back his place in the Test side, then lead a struggling top order, should serve as inspiration to Australia's underperforming batsmen.

And if not that, then perhaps the threat of a Test cricket dethroning could do the trick.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home