And at just a tick under 1:50pm, the first test match is finished. Australia wins, Sri Lanka loses, and a few questions have been answered.
Are Warne and McGrath missed? Yes, but we will manage. I said that when the Sri Lankans were able to bat for the full day yesterday, and in the end have batted for over two days straight, Warne and McGrath would have made sure that that didn’t happen. Warne proved invaluable when you have a so-so batting line-up chasing something big – he bowled a tight end and put the pressure on as well as took wickets. McGrath the same again.
This match showed that our bowling line-up needs a bit of refinement. There was some loose bowling, a lot of boundaries, and some handy wickets. Brett Lee has come leaps and bounds, but needs to take a few more steps to be the rock of the attack. Stuart Clark was Stuart Clark – and if the pitch was better suited to bowlers, he would have been more impressive. Which is a key point to remember – this was a batter’s pitch. Bowling statistics will reflect that. Mitchell Johnson was good – but you can’t expect much from a man’s first test. If they stick with him (which I doubt they will – Shawn Tait will be better soon) then he has the potential to become very good. He need the experience to teach him how to get better and tighten up. Stuart MacGill had a hard time with the pitch, and I would hope that come a N.S.W. match, he has a chance to really shine.
Australia’s batting showed that there was nothing to worry about. Phil Jaques continued his domestic form, Michael Clarke stepped up to solidify his position, and Michael Hussey re-found his magic touch. Hayden was Hayden, and Ponting was unlucky to a good piece of bowling. There were three centuries scored – no mean feat. And, at the end of the day, there was a massive score totaled – one identical to former innings.
Other than those two aspects of the match, there wasn’t really a test for the team. India will put up more of a fight when they tour – but it’s India on tour: not so impressive. Our first overseas tour will be when the whole team is put to test.
The big question I have is why wasn’t Lasith Malinga put in the team? If he isn’t playing in Hobart, then the selectors really are muppets.
Thomas.
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