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| Corkhead Ian Bell keeps making runs |
Two losses in two games of the England sojourn is a fair
indication of the series so far. England have found ways to get out of trouble
with bat and ball, while Australia has been unable to dictate any part of the
two completed matches.
When Ricky Ponting was finally given the tap on the shoulder
to signal the end of his ODI playing days, it was the point where Australia
started to look forward to the 2015 World Cup. The line had been drawn in the
sand. Peter Forrest was given his chance, and despite some solid knocks was not
chosen for this tour to England, no doubt because it had been decided that the
one day format is not his strength. Mike Hussey's last minute drop out meant
that Forrest was given a reprieve, but the story hasn't changed.
Steve Smith was afforded the opportunity to bat at six in
the first game, but was not given a bowl. After one game he was sacrificed for
Forrest. On the surface it seems a tad unfair, and slightly strange that Wade
should be batting behind him in that line up. Smith and Forrest probably aren't
the answer the team is looking for, but it is no fault of either player that they
played. Tight and terrific England bowling in the second ODI kept Forrest almost
scoreless until his dismissal. Perhaps the bowling should be receiving more of
the credit for stifling his innings than immediately attacking the batsman's
performance. Certainly Warner was all at sea against Finn in the second ODI,
and George Bailey was very slow in the first half of his innings before
blossoming towards the end.
England have been playing constant cricket for two months in
all forms of the game against the West Indies. They are playing at home on
their pitches, and playing much better in the conditions. Australia has had a
break since its tour of the West Indies, and has had a couple of almost
pointless warm up games against inadequate opposition. England has their best
team on the paddock and is keen to exert its dominance. Australia has injury
concerns and is still trying to come up with a new combination that fits. The
2-2 result for the ODI team in the West Indies was a similar situation, where
the Australians were up against home opposition familiar with their conditions,
and a team that was in flux. The story remains the same.
The Australians came on tour a batsman short and have been
shown up because of it. That won't change in the last three games of this
series. Batting Wade at six and Smith at seven would alleviate it the best they
can with the squad available. Smith will make more runs that Doherty, and he
along with Clarke and Hussey can share the ten overs required of the fifth
bowler. Doherty has been ineffective with the ball and should be sacrificed to
help strengthen the batting.
Historically Australia like to attack with pace men, despite
the (regular) chance of them going for plenty of runs. Lee and McKay appear the
first choice seamers. No doubt all of those taken on tour will get a run in at
least one match, to at least justify taking them. In that case, it will be just
as harsh to judge efforts from guys like Hilfenhaus and Pattinson in one-off
games as it is to guys like Forrest and Smith in their one off appearances.
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| Johnson in front of Pattinson? Why?! |
Mitchell Johnson played his first International match in nine
months in the second ODI, and carried on from where he left off, with twenty
runs from his first two overs, including boundaries off 'free hit' balls
brought on by no-balls. It was revealed that when the new contracts for Cricket
Australia were being offered that Mitch Johnson was assured of getting one, as
he had signed a two year agreement the previous season. this begs the question
- was Johnson picked for this tour purely because he had been given a contract,
and it needed to be justified with selection? This would be denied by both the
NSP and CA, but it probably isn't very far from fact.
Australia's squad is under strength because Australian cricket
is under strength. Despite the pleasing results of the past twelve months under
Michael Clarke, there is still a big gap to transcend. Whatever the result of
the final three games here, the stage has been set for the home summer.
Australian spots are open for any batsmen who can show they can score
consistent big runs, and bowlers who can get wickets while maintaining line and
length.
Australia's line will be that, no matter the result of this
series, the introduction of the players to English conditions will be
invaluable in the lead up to next year's Ashes. If England win 4-1 or 5-0 they
will say they are the dominant force of the two teams and be dining out on it
for twelve months.
