Credibility Boost

England have done it tough since the heady days of summer, when they reclaimed the Ashes after a cricketing eternity. At a time when England may have laid claims to being the unofficial champions of the world, they needed success in the series that followed the Ashes. An emphatic win against India, to square the series 1-1 ended a six Test streak without a win.

England could not have had it harder since the Ashes. Two three test series, both on the sub-continent. They lost 2-0 against a resurgent Pakistan. To say, that they have had injury problems severely understates the situation. For the match just ended, they had Vaughan, Trescothick, Jones and Harmison all in sick bay. Freddie Flintoff found him captain of England (and a fine candidate too, in my opinion). Flintoff bowled well all series and finished the series with four consecutive half centuries.

Yesterday, India were demolished on the final day to be all out for 100. Mumbai was the scene of Australia’s famous collapse in 2004 (all out for 90 something chasing 108 for victory). Yesterday, the boot was on the other foot as Shaun Udal, of all people cleaned the Indians up with 4-14. It was an excellent win by an English team with their backs against the wall and showed a lot of character.

Australia and South Africa are at it again tomorrow. The tip is for a fast, bouncy track – it doesn’t even look like South Africa are going to bother playing the old three card trick (Groundsman: “Ricky, I’d definitely play two spinners” (don’t pay any attention to the sprinkler that’s been running constantly for 48 hours)). Warne reckons it will be over in 3 days but I don’t know about that. Warne should be quiet and try and take some wickets. Pollock is back and that will level the equation somewhat.

Set the Pigeon free

Australia had rather a good on the first day of the first Test at Newlands, Cape Town. Having dismissed the home side, who elected to bat, they wiped off 30% of the target for the loss of just one wicket. And they have a 30 year old bolter to thank for it. Stuart Clark, the oldest pace bowling debutant for Australia wasn’t under much general discussion for the “last” pace bowling spot. I think it is fortunate that Clark bothered to bring his kit to the ground.

In the lead up, right until the final morning, until just before the game even, most were assuming that the spin twins would play. The speculation was over whether Kasper, Tait or possibly Clark were vying for the one spot. Wrong. And how fortunate for Australia. I was very pleased when I logged in to Cricinfo for the first over, so see the three seamers. Truly. But I would never have guessed that Clark would have such a dream debut. Five for 55 are great figures at any time but which “five” is very important.

If Clark had been bold enough to say to the skipper, “Tell me the three you’d most like out, and I’ll take care of it.”, surely Punter would have said “Smith, Gibbs and Kallis”. When Clark assured Ponting that would not take long, and asked “who would be next?”, Boucher, whose mouth and bat have been in hot form, would have been high on the list of “others”. Clark rapidly and almost single handedly destroyed the big names in the South African line up. That is what is really impressive. He also dismissed the troublesome top scoring number nine, Boje (31), before a significant recovery could be rallied.

The day also featured a remarkable catch by Adam Gilchrist. More properly, a joint effort by Messrs Warne and Gilchrist. While not the most skill laden effort you’ll see, it is one of the most incredible. Warne, apparently unsighted, spilled a straight forward catch unto his thigh. Falling backwards, he had no hope of grabbing the scraps but did manage to kick the ball into the waiting hands of Gilchrist. Quite reminiscent of the great Tubby Taylor, who in similar circumstances, though I recall, possibly more prostrate, performed a similar recovery. Although Tubby did not need the assistance of the ‘keeper.

It is obviously very premature to herald the replacement of the great McGrath, affectionately know as Pigeon. But Clark’s performance today, on what admittedly was a bowler friendly deck, does give Australians cause to hope. Australia, with the worlds best batsman on 20 and formerly the world’s best batsman on 22, are in a position to take the game away from the Boks on day two. Will they be good enough?