James McKeown
Australia v Pakistan: The aftermath
July 27th 2010 02:12
Australia were woeful during the two test match series against Pakistan in England. And they will be the first to admit it. But does this mean Australia's long regin at the top of world cricket is over? Well maybe.
This was the first Test match cricket some of them had played in a long time. With Johnson and Hillfenhaus coming back from injuries they were always going to be under done and they looked like it. The most imporant thing for Australia was not to lose this series and to warm up for the Ashes later this year.
It was shown once again in Australia's first innings in the second test that they have not learnt to play swing bowling well. Bowled out for 88 was very disappointing and many blame Ponting for sending his batsmen in on a deck like that. However, If they were able to negociate the swing for more than one and half sessions they would have enjoyed the batting conditions Pakistan had later in the day. So I don't blame Ponting, solely, I blame the batsmen.
Speaking of the batsmen Marcus north has surely played his last Test innings for Australia. He should not have been chosen for the second Test. Just because he took 6 wickets in the First game doesn't mean that his batting will improve as well. Usman Kuwaja would have been the better choice. Give the young guy some experience and blood youth into the team. After winning the first game Australia couldn't lose the series only draw it, which happened anyway but get Usman into the team to get to know other conditions than Australia.
This however, does not mean Australia can't come back from this. They now travel to India to play Test and one-day matches. A place they have enjoyed not much success, so again may not be a true test of thier main goal of winning the Ashes. The fact that Australia struggle against swing will not be of concern in Australia, It rarely swings and if it does, not a great deal. As well The Kookaburra balls don't swing as much as the Dukes the English are used to using. As well the Australian attack will have more yards under their belt and shold be hitting thier prime by the time November rolls around. And above all they love playing in their home conditions.
This was the first Test match cricket some of them had played in a long time. With Johnson and Hillfenhaus coming back from injuries they were always going to be under done and they looked like it. The most imporant thing for Australia was not to lose this series and to warm up for the Ashes later this year.
It was shown once again in Australia's first innings in the second test that they have not learnt to play swing bowling well. Bowled out for 88 was very disappointing and many blame Ponting for sending his batsmen in on a deck like that. However, If they were able to negociate the swing for more than one and half sessions they would have enjoyed the batting conditions Pakistan had later in the day. So I don't blame Ponting, solely, I blame the batsmen.
Speaking of the batsmen Marcus north has surely played his last Test innings for Australia. He should not have been chosen for the second Test. Just because he took 6 wickets in the First game doesn't mean that his batting will improve as well. Usman Kuwaja would have been the better choice. Give the young guy some experience and blood youth into the team. After winning the first game Australia couldn't lose the series only draw it, which happened anyway but get Usman into the team to get to know other conditions than Australia.
This however, does not mean Australia can't come back from this. They now travel to India to play Test and one-day matches. A place they have enjoyed not much success, so again may not be a true test of thier main goal of winning the Ashes. The fact that Australia struggle against swing will not be of concern in Australia, It rarely swings and if it does, not a great deal. As well The Kookaburra balls don't swing as much as the Dukes the English are used to using. As well the Australian attack will have more yards under their belt and shold be hitting thier prime by the time November rolls around. And above all they love playing in their home conditions.
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