Sending the opposition in: It’s unAustralian

While it is lovely to see New Zealand making a fist of this Test so far (well, more than that, they are well on top as they continue to carve up the Aussies this morning), I have a few comments about the world champions.

I was, and am, amazed at Ponting’s decision to send New Zealand in. Sending the opposition in is usually reserved for really treacherous pitches – and while this pitch had some colour, it certainly did not come under the “sporting” label. Perhaps Ponting underestimated the Kiwis after their pathetic one-day series, and thought that the Kiwis could be easily rolled. I don’t think Tubby ever sent the opposition in. I recall one memorable occasion in 1997 when he batted on a real green top and we were rolled for 116. Steve Waugh occasionally dobbed the others in, but rarely. So Ponting’s decision seems odd.

On the Brett Lee issue, I have a few comments:

1. I don’t know if he would have made any difference yesterday. He certainly must have a psychological edge but we shall not know.
2. All good attacks need a work horse. Kasper has been a faithful and effective workhorse for the past 12 months and on form, and balance, should not be dropped.
3. Perhaps if Lee needs to come into the side, Gillespie or McGrath should make way. I’m a big Gillespie fan but his recent form is worth at least assessing.
4. Assessing Lee’s readiness to return to Test level has little to do with ODI form. While it is encouraging to see him bowling very well, he needs only to bowl 10 overs. In addition, he is bowling at the very beginning and end of the innings, when the batsmen are going flat trying to score runs, thus increasing Lee’s chance of taking wickets as risks are taken. Lee has always struggled in the longer form of the game, once the shine has gone from the ball.

So I’m not sure that Lee has done enough to force his way into the side. Apparently not enough for the selectors. That being said, I’m not sure what more Lee can do. He couldn’t really bowl much better than he has – he has been a stand out – and he hasn’t had the opportunity to play any first class cricket.

Once again, the Australian catching was terrible. You can almost count on McGrath to take two wickets with the new ball. Yesterday, that did not happen but it should be known that he did all that was required to get those two wickets. Langer and Warne both spilt simple chances in the slips. One off each opener. Australia’s catching in the slips in the past 12 months has been sub-standard. While it is true that there are no renowned slippers in the team such as Taylor or M Waugh, international batsmen should be making better grabs than that. While I’m not putting on my “Bring Back Simmo” cap (is he still alive?), I think that it could be a worrying symptom of a lack of application in the fielding drills (ie, read complacency).

And finally, congratulations to Hamish Marshall on a very fine century. He has already raced to 140 this morning.