What the Culture Review shines a light on

So I’ve read the report. Hindsight is also a wonderful thing to have, but this is what I get from it.

The gulf between CA and the players is enormous, and little is being done to actively narrow that gulf. As long as there is this much vitriol between the two parties then nothing good can happen to Australian cricket. The influx of business people onto the board of CA has brought with it a manner of looking to increase profits as its major focus, thus reducing the game to a ‘win-win-win’ culture at the expense of the glory of the game of cricket itself. It also put its own players offside by attempting to take even more profits for itself in the last collective bargaining agreement, a process that drove a wedge between board and players the likes of which hasn’t been seen since World Series Cricket. With such lack of trust or communication on both sides, it certainly allowed what happened in South Africa to occur without proper governance. The rapprochement of these two bodies must be the number one consideration and should be done with immediate effect, and both sides must be willing to do so without prejudice if they are both true to their word that they have the best interests of Australian cricket at heart.

Player behaviour not being stopped before it got out of control contributed highly. CA didn’t do enough to restrain the increasing poor behaviour of both individual and team on the field. The dressing room – including coach, support staff and senior players – also did little or nothing to reign in this behaviour, and by not doing so gave the impression that it was acceptable. This appeared as though it gave the group a feeling of independent superiority in the way they approached the game, on and off the field. Neither CA or the players seemed to understand how uncomfortable it became for their fans to watch what was going on during the game because of the sideline of sledging and errant behaviour, and this lack of connection with those that watch their games was a major oversight. There needs to be a better system and understanding in place as to what behaviour is accepted and not accepted on and off the cricket field.

Both sides talk about ‘grass roots’ cricket, but what is actually being actively done to keep kids in the game, and keep adults participating as well? Kids are dropping out of the game before reaching Grade level, and less players are actively playing every year. Anyone who has seen how fans have flocked to watch Smith in Grade cricket, and how they have reacted to him making himself available for autographs and photos, must understand that this is where the lost generations can be attracted once again. Getting all international players back to the roots of Grade cricket and have them mingle with kids and older fans alike is the best possible publicity for cricket. The same should occur in domestic one dayers and Shield games. It may be a pain for the players, but the end result is surely more important that some inconvenience for these players for a few times during the season.

It is inconceivable that David Peever can retain his position. The fact that he refused to release this report until he was confirmed for a second term of three years is abhorrent. That he can hold onto his position given the damning nature of what has been released in just not possible. Mark Taylor needs to be the leader. He no longer has TV commentary taking up his time, and he can take on the role he has been groomed for since his playing retirement. As a familiar face and voice trusted by the general public, he can surely hasten an agreement between the board and the players association. As a known commodity and leader throughout the cricket world he can also raise confidence in Australia’s governance by being its figurehead.

The selection Process as it stands is flawed. It is not necessarily performance based, which leads to disillusionment of both players and supporters. This is at all levels, not just international level. While everyone views cricket differently and has different points of view on what kind of player will succeed in different environments, surely performance should be rewarded with higher selection rather than a feeling that a particular player who has done less may succeed in a certain situation. In the past players missed out on international careers by the sheer brilliance of those in the Australian team at the time. Now players who are topping aggregates consistently can’t seem to get a chance in front of others who are seen as having the ‘talent’ to succeed without actually having those performances behind them to justify it.

While it has been seen that the length of penalty handed out to the three players in question may have been excessive, any change to that now after the release of this report would be damning. No matter how much CA may have been seen to have been a part of the surrounding story that led to the ball tampering in South Africa, the individuals involved are (as far as we know) the only ones who conceived, acted on or covered up the actual event. They may be contrite over their actions, but cutting the ban short only looks like a weak response to this release of this report. They should stand.

The Tragic Tale of an Old Man’s Return to Cricket

After one match in about four years, I agreed to a return to the cricket field for Kiama 2nd Grade on Saturday, one to see if I still had anything to offer the Club and game, and two to see if I still wanted it.

Turn up with my ten year old son Josh, who because of a late arriving team mate (cheers Hooky) gets to take the field for the first six overs with us. A great experience for him and me both.
He even gets to watch his father open the bowling, something I thought skipper Tom Murray was joking about pre-match when he said it to me, up until the time no one took the new ball out of my hands after the end of the first over.

Shook hands with new team mate Jade Skaife before the game. Jade bowled the first over, and third ball took the edge which flew comfortably to gully… where I shelled the sitter cold. Guessing he won’t be shaking my hand again any time soon.

I’m playing cricket once again with my great cricket friends Murphy and Brockman – it’s just that it’s their sons I’m playing with. They kindly don’t mention the age difference and the fact that their fathers are sensibly doing something that doesn’t involve playing cricket.
Bowled ok for an old bloke, until the new Sommers ball slipped and the full toss was deposited by the young left hand opening batsman well into the creek. A substitute ball is required, and the ‘only one available’ was a used Kookaburra ball. You beauty! A ball with a seam! Best six I’ve ever been hit for.

Bowled nine overs, about eight of them at left handers. It still hasn’t changed that they should be outlawed from the game. Still manage to out think one kid with five straight leggies outside off stump and then the top spinner straight, which he charged and missed and was well stumped by Brocky. It’s nice to still be able to think a batsman out. Finished with 1/38, would have liked better. Managed to be given catching practice as well to even up my catching to one caught, one dropped. Having been 2/96 we did well to bowl Lake out for 169.

Skipper shows admirable confidence in my batting to slot me in at number 10. Hopefully I won’t have to bat, but this is Kiama and I know that won’t be the case.
Plenty of starts but no big score hurts the Cavs. Brockman, Murray, Mackrell, Murphy and Skaife all bat well but get out after making a start. At ten to five I am asked to go to the crease, thus missing the Cox Plate and Winx’s fourth victory. Murphy Junior has timed his dismissal perfectly, a touch of his father there. We need 39 for victory. I tell myself that means I only need 20. Surely I can scrape that many together. Steve Piper picks his ball and finds the gaps, and takes most of the strike which is also convenient. I get 9 of the 20 runs I need off one over, and Steve and I get us within six runs of victory. Surely we can’t lose now.

Steve loses his battle with Biracovski, and birthday boy Michael Hook arrives at the crease. Pad on ball first delivery and we scamper a single. Lake are blowing up at each other. I tell myself all I have to do is get forward to these last three balls of the over, sneak a single off the last, and we still have 8 overs to get four runs. I’m on 11, I can finish with 16 and red inks and be a hero on my return to the cricket field…

Get forward… get forward…. Get forward…

Trapped on the crease as the ball cuts in from outside off and crashes into my back pad. I’ve never felt plumber. I take my time looking up. Matt Brockman is umpiring, and it’s obvious that he would like me to walk so he doesn’t have to make the decision. Finally his finger is raised, and once again I have failed to come through in the clutch moment to bring victory to the team.
As Blackadder would say, “I think the phrase rhymes with Clucking Bell”.

I apologise to my teammates, slam the car door, expel some expletives all in the hearing range of my ten year old son, and move on. Sort of.

Despite it all, I love cricket, and the whole day, from junior cricket in the morning to senior cricket in the afternoon, has been just fantastic. It’s days like today that remind me how much I have missed playing, and that no matter how much cricket you watch it is nothing compared to being out there with good people playing this great game.

Aaaaaaaaaaand now I can’t move….

Albion Park JCC Under 13’s: Match 3 vs Lake Illawarra at Morley Park

Another terrific performance from this young team was not quite enough to bring home the victory for the Albion Park Under 13’s team in their match against Lake Illawarra.

The Lake team batted first, and with importance of dropped catches from last week still in their minds the young Eagles had to ensure that they held every opportunity. Unfortunately it was not to be, and although they weren’t all easy they gave each of the better batsmen the opportunity to continue when they should have been back on the sidelines. Along with some misfields it gave the Lake team more runs than they should have, and is something to be worked on over the coming weeks if this team wants to improve and compete with the better teams.
As it stood, Lake Illawarra got away to a final total of 4/140 from their 30 overs. Two early wickets had the Park boys in a good position. Kane Rex opened up and bowled an excellent, keeping the ball full and straight and making the batsmen play every ball. He bowled a maiden to start with, and though he went fro a boundary with the first ball of his second over he then drew a top edge which was taken well by wicket-keeper Owen Pickering for the first wicket. Kane finished with 1/11 from 3 overs. Kasey Barton was firing the ball in at the batsmen, and drew their respect in looking to see him off. Neither batsmen looked comfortable. He finished with 0/14 from his 3 overs. Tom Denyer again bowled well and at good pace as well, and he forced a false shot from the other opening batsmen to be well caught by Jack Couley to have Lake at 2/30. Tom finished with figures of 1/14 from 3 overs. Rob Denny bowled well again without hitting the heights of the first round, his little shuffle in his run up perhaps hindering him. The batsmen still found him difficult to get away ad were beaten well on a couple of occasions. Rob took 0/10 from his three overs, a good economical return.
The tough Lake middle order did their best work here, with some help from a couple of chances going down. Once they had retired the Park kids were able to tighten the screws so that the score didn’t blow out to something extravagant.
I know I’m biased about Josh’s cricket, so if I just say he bowled the greatest spell of leg spin bowling ever by a ten year old that should suffice. He troubled all the batsmen and picked up a wicket which was well caught by Tom Denyer at mid wicket, and finished with 1/11 from 4 overs. Lucas Brown tried hard again, and just needs to be hypnotised into believing he is bowling in the nets, where he is unplayable. He finished with 0/23 from 4 overs. Jack Couley bowled two good overs for just three runs before taking the keeping gloves for the second half of the innings where he did a good job once again. Liam Cergovski was not well and in fact had to come off for the remainder of the game due to illness having bowled one over. Owen Pickering ripped in for three overs following his excellent keeping session, and was unfortunate to go for a couple of boundaries, but bowled a killer bouncer in Brett Lee fashion to the amusement of all but the batsman. He finished with 0/22 from his three overs. Kynan Barton bowled the second excellent spell of spin bowling for the day, keeping the batsmen tied down and eventually drawing the false shot which was taken by Owen at mid on. Kynan finished with excellent figures of 1/13 from four overs.

After some stirring words from coach Anthony Pickering, the Eagles bats headed out to try and chase down the formidable total. The Lake bowling was immediately excellent, everything that could be asked of young kids. They bowled full and straight, and asked questions of all of the batsmen. It paid dividends early, as first Kynan Barton received and excellent delivery to be bowled for 2, and then Jack Couley was also upended for 4. Rob Denny was also unfortunate to be caught out for a duck. It was a tough start with the Eagles at 3/16.
A great partnership then took place between Owen Pickering and Kasey Barton. Owen was just terrific. He hit the ball hard and generally along the ground, with the strong wrists and forearms bred from his hockey background. But he also showed poise and a good defence when needed, and chose his run-making deliveries wisely. He entertained the spectators and kept his team in the match. Alongside him Kasey played his usual determined innings, happy to work the ball through both sides of the wickets into the gaps and running hard between the wickets. He is a good model for these kids in he keeps the ball on the ground and doesn’t have to slog to make his runs. Both batsmen retired not out having faced their 35 balls and had made good roads into the recovery.
After the drinks break two quick wickets put that in jeopardy. The Peters/Brown running between the wickets chaos from last season continued, this time Josh leaving Lucas stone dead in calling him through for a run and then both almost standing beside each other in the middle of the wicket when the stumps were thrown down, this time Lucas being the unlucky one to be called out for just 2. Kane Rex then showed good purpose in getting bat to ball in defence, before unfortunately popping a catch up in close to be dismissed for a duck. This left the score at 5/72 and final batsman Tom Denyer joined Josh at the crease. From here another good partnership brought the Eagles crowd alive and left the Lake crowd in stunned silence. While Josh nicked and nudged the ball around, Tom looked to destroy from the outset. The pressure on the fielders meant there were some misfields that the batsmen took advantage of. Tom’s only problem came from swinging too hard sometimes and missing some opportunities for runs, while Josh occasionally forgot to call when he was running.
Still, it was an exciting finish. When Josh retired for 15 not out and the star Owen returned to the crease, the Eagles needed 19 from two overs and was a real chance. Owen sacrificed his wicket in the team cause running for a suicidal second and was dismissed for 35, a fantastic innings. Kasey returned for the final throes, but against Lake’s best bowlers could quite cut down the deficit. Kasey remined 12 not out and Tom and excellent 21 not out, and Park finished their 30 overs at 6/131, nine runs short.

The boys should be proud of their effort, and both sides got a great round of applause for a terrific game of cricket. With improvement in catching and fielding, the result could certainly have been different. With a big clash against Oak Flats next weekend, the boys will need to be at their best to help keep their improvement moving towards results on the field

The Case for Marnus Labuschagne

Of all the left field selections in recent times in the various Australian cricket teams, that of Marnus Labuschagne in the Test team in the recent Pakistan series is one of the most curious. By leaving out Matt Renshaw again based on ‘lack of time in the middle’, the selectors chose a youngster who had a growing yet not outstanding reputation and record, seemingly purely for the fact that he was a good field and could bowl some handy leg spin. The big question the selectors now face is what do they do with him now? Especially since he has shown signs that he could be a player Australia has been searching for, if he is given the time and space to develop.

I don’t think I was alone in being nonplussed when Labuschagne was selected instead of Renshaw in that 1st Test, but he has slowly won me over. Good short legs are in short supply (no pun intended) and he even appears enthusiastic about the task. He has already nabbed a couple of good catches there which is a helpful task. His legspin, which looks to be a tad better than part time but no more, has already snared seven Test wickets, and as a partnership breaker he could prove to be the perfect foil for Nathan Lyon. And although he made a nervous start with the bat in his first Test, he appeared calm under pressure in both innings of the 2nd Test and probably should have made more runs in both innings. Number six should be able to alternate between solidity and someone who will look to take the game on when it needs to, and Labuschagne looks like that’s the way he likes to bat. He played Yasir with confidence, which not many not many do. 

It hasn’t all been roses for Marnus, and perhaps that is what makes him so appealing. The dropped catch off Fakar in the first innings of the 2nd Test, when he was only on 30 and went on to make made 96 not only went some way towards costing Australia the game, but it killed off any confidence Jon Holland may have had and it did appear to hamper him from that point on. Also, his run out in bizarre circumstances in the first innings was supremely disappointing after he had made such a solid start to his innings and was only saved by a more idiotic run out by Pakistan in the following innings from being a more major talking point after the game. There have been flaws but he hasn’t let it affect him after the event which is a good sign, and at just 24 years old, has got a foot in the door and doesn’t appear overawed at what he is facing. 

Labuschagne is probably fighting for one place in the team with current vice-captain Mitch Marsh. There is no reason why Marsh should have the inside lane to the number six spot in the order, simply because he bowls seam up. The Test team only needs someone who can provide a few overs to give the four specialists a rest on tough days. That bowler certainly doesn’t have to be a medium pacer. Surely someone with a bit of variety would be more than handy than just another right arm seamer coming on that the batsmen have already seen. A wrist spinner provides so much more and is a perfect complement to a left arm speed bowler, two right arm pace bowlers and a right arm off spinner. 

More than anything else, Labuschagne has to make runs. Australia has spent too long picking a player in our top six who has averaged less than 30 with the bat, only because they can bowl some overs when needed. First it was Shane Watson, who for the second half of his career was persisted with despite averaging only 30.50 in his last 33 Tests between 2011 and 2015, and now it is Mitch Marsh who has received that benefit on potential, who currently has a Test batting average of just 26.08 after 30 Test matches. That’s over 60 Tests where the “all-rounder” averaged a touch under 27 with the bat. You can’t win Test matches with stats like that. 

If Labuschagne is to demand selection and hold his place in the team, he needs to average 40 in Tests as a minimum. If he can do this, then his other assets will prove to be extremely useful for the Australian cricket team. But without that kind of output with the bat his other assets cannot – or at least SHOULD not - sustain his place in the team. 

In today’s Sheffield Shield match against South Australia, he was dismissed for just 3 batting at first drop for Queensland. Not an ideal score in which to push his cause. But he has several matches ahead of him to do so, and he will know just how important it is for him to make good runs and at least one big score to try and shore up his place in the Test team for the upcoming series against India. I for one hope he succeeds.

Do the Marsh Brothers fit in?

Preliminary discussion about Australia’s XII for the upcoming Test tour by India will centre around the fitness of Australia’s pace bowlers and the ability of the top order to score runs. While the bowling attack of Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon should only be altered if injury precludes one of the four from playing, it is the batting that most of the debate rages around, and mostly from the general public. What the selectors have in mind is likely just the status quo.

Whether Khawaja is fit to play or not may well play a part in the overall selection process, but it seems extremely unlikely that either Marsh brother will miss out on Adelaide on December 6th despite the usual outcry over their average form. The selectors are missing three batsmen they no doubt believe are in their best top six, and if Khawaja is also laid low that would make four of their ideal top six are not available. Shaun Marsh has been given innumerable opportunities to make a spot his own in the Test team, and at the end of last summer it looked as though he may actually have done so. Unfortunately the same scenario worked its way out again as it has throughout Marsh’s career, when a couple of good scores are followed by a plethora of failures, and mostly single figure failures. To be fair, he has once again been thrown around the batting order to fill any gap that appears. He batted in the middle order with success last summer, but again found himself as the fill-in number three against Pakistan. It is the unrelenting series of low scores that tends to get the eastern states public offside with his selection, and the fact that he appears to get more chances than most. Brother Mitch was only recently chosen as one of two vice-captains of the Test team which suggested that the selectors were confident of him holding his place in the team for the foreseeable future. He too managed to enjoy a good summer at home, but despite scoring 96 in the 1st Test in Durban in March he has managed just 109 runs from his next eleven innings. In the last two years Australia has relied on Smith and Warner to find a way to score runs to cover over the cracks elsewhere. With these two not around Australia needed the Marsh brothers in particular to score good runs to cover their absence, and they have not. The fact that they haven’t is more pronounced because of the absence of those two batsmen, and the pressure on them to do more is heightened. 

While many around the country will be throwing any number of names out as solutions to Australia’s Marsh batting problems and suggesting they are the answer, there seems little chance the selectors will feel the same way. In their corner is coach and selector Justin Langer, who championed their selection last season in the media as Western Australian coach and now has the ultimate power in his hands. It seems unlikely he will turn on them at this stage having backed them so vociferously last season. 

Whatever the reasons for leaving out Glen Maxwell, Joe Burns and others from the Pakistan squad, the selectors decided that the players that were sent were the best we had for the conditions at hand. Little has changed in the Australian cricket landscape since then that promotes anyone above those selected. The Shield matches coming up will provide some cause for players to offer themselves up as candidates if they can score enough runs, but if recent history is any guide then it will take an enormous amount of runs to budge the selectors thinking. The tour by India for four Tests is an important one especially as India has never won a Test series in Australia. They will never have a better chance, and it will be up to the batsmen to put competitive totals on the board to allow the bowlers to have something to bowl at. It would be a tough ask to throw more debutants into the mix, and the suspicion is that the selectors will stick with a similar batting line up for Adelaide and Perth at the very least. The selectors will be in a holding pattern, knowing that after the six home Tests this summer they will have Smith, Warner and Bancroft all available again for the Ashes tour to England following the World Cup. It seems unlikely that they will try and burn through too many selections given they know those three will be able to come back into the squad if they so desire after this summer. 

If Khawaja is unfit then Matt Renshaw looks to be the ready-made replacement at the top of the order. If Khawaja does come up then the Renshaw question can be asked seriously, allowing him to come in to partner Aaron Finch and perhaps Khawaja to return to number three. This means one of the other four would miss out, which would pose a series of interesting questions. Would it be a straight swap for Shaun Marsh? Or is there really a need for two all-rounders in the team, meaning the choice of who to miss out would come between Marnus Labuschagne and Mitch Marsh? Is Travis Head’s position as secure as it may appear? 

It is a long time since Australia has entered a home Test series as the serious underdog, but surely that is the case this summer. The next month of cricket, both in the Sheffield Shield and the one day series against South Africa, should be fascinating, mostly to see what we as the cricket watching public see as important compared to what the selectors decide is the best way to go.

Albion Park JCC Under 13’s: Match 2 vs Shellharbour Blue at Des King Oval

While the result on paper may look like a pummelling – and to be fair it was – there were a lot of positives to take out of today’s game for the Albion Park Under 13 team, and an eye-opening look at where the differences may lie between the up and coming teams and the teams somewhere near the top. This Shellharbour team fell two runs short of making the final of the Under 12’s competition last season, and with all but one of those players in this team it was going to be a tough ask for the young Eagles to match it with them.

The Park batted first and lost three wickets in a clump. Josh Peters batted well for 20 deliveries, playing forward and taking on the best that their opening bowlers had to offer. He made 4 runs before a well-pitched delivery snuck under his defence to bowl him. Kasey Barton wanted to attack from the outset and top edged his second delivery to the keeper, while Kane Rex was unfortunate to pop up a ball to short cover early in his innings. At 3/9 the Shellharbour team appeared confident that victory was around the corner.
What followed was an exhibition of batting and partnerships from the young Eagles team. Blaike Ison and Will Schofield were the first two to combine. Both ran well and looked for singles, as well as dispatching any loose balls that came their way. Will was exceptional. He has a great technique and plays the ball early and is always in position to play the right shot. His leg glancing and strokes off his pads were a joy to watch. He retired after facing his 35 deliveries and was followed soon after by Blaike who had opened the innings and not been phased by the early wickets, or the fact he was dropped once and also caught off a no ball. He looked to play straight and though he was given very little loose to attack he still played the ball well around the field and picked up runs at ease. His was a good first innings for the season.
Next came Kynan Barton and Aiden Campion who also acquitted themselves superbly. Kynan was beaten by a couple of terrific deliveries and then decided to take things into his own hands by hitting over the top. He eventually retired for 18 runs. Aiden was excellent at picking the right ball to hit, keeping out the straight deliveries and whipping away those that strayed onto his pads. When he retired he had top scored with 20 and again his defensive technique was terrific.
With overs running out the last batsmen did the team thing and looked for quick runs. Lucas Brown played a great first innings for the season, not only making 7 runs himself but running hard for his partners and ensuring all byes were taken. His pull/sweep for four and then cover drive out of the middle for two were both exquisite. Tom Denyer threw his wicket away in the team cause in being caught in the last over, but his 12 runs again showed a cross between great timing and hard swinging of the bat. Both Will and Blaike returned to finish the innings, with Blaike on 14 and Will on 15 at the end of the innings.

From their 30 overs the Eagles had scored 5/137 with 47 of those extras.

There was a feeling of quiet confidence in the Eagles camp as the Shellharbour innings began, which was all but swiped away in the first couple of overs as the two opening batsmen played cracking innings. Young Lucas Kay in particular couldn’t seem to miss the middle of the bat, with a number of huge hits to and over the boundary. The Eagles opening bowlers copped the first serve of the onslaught, and perhaps suffered from just being a bit short. Lucas Thompson can at least take heart that he won’t bowl to a better opening pair this summer, and he will learn from this experience. He finished with 0/30 from his two overs. Opening partner Tom Denyer perhaps tried too hard and also dropped too short but did bowl some good deliveries in his 0/17. Kasey Barton and Lucas Brown came on to find two batsmen on absolute fire, and though both tried to do the right thing by getting the ball full and straight neither could get it quite right, with Kasey overcorrecting with full tosses and Lucas just short the ideal length, and as such both were dealt by some lovely strokes both straight and over the leg side. Kasey finished with 0/32 and Lucas 0/30.
Through all of this, four chances went up, but all four went down, one however by Lucas Brown is one only he could have gotten hands on. He saved four rather than a dropped catch. We’ll never know what may have happened if one or both batsmen had been dismissed, but one suspects it would have been a much closer match.
When young Kay had retired for 79 (yep – 79 off 35 balls), a good spell from Aiden brought about the first wicket, when he brought about a top edge that was taken by Tom at square leg. He finished with 1/7 from his two overs which was a good reward for his efforts on the day. Kynan Barton bowled some good spin alongside him and was a bit unfortunate when a couple of unruly hoicks managed to fall safely into gaps rather than to fieldsmen. He finished with 0/18 off his two overs.
The game was almost over when Josh came on, bowled a lovely first ball, then a wide second ball, and then produced the Peters Full Bunger which was top edged to Will at fine leg for the team’s second wicket. It’s great to see that ball still taking wickets in cricket. The winning runs came two balls later, with Josh finishing with 1/2.

Shellharbour Blue finished on 2/138 off just 12.3 overs with 19 extras.

Though it looks like a belting, the positives possibly outweigh the result. The excellent batting from Blaike, Will, Kynan and Aiden in particular, and the fact that the kids didn’t drop their heads in the field and fought it out until the end. Next time they meet, it they can pry out those openers, who knows what may happen.
More than anything, lets hope the weather improves and we can get to training this week, and be ready for next week’s big match against Lake Illawarra at Morley Park.

#PAKvAUS. 2018/19. 2nd Test. Day 2.

Come the end of Day 2 of this Test match, and as feared the game is as good as over as a contest. Australia’s batting capitulation and much more resolved effort by the Pakistan team in their second innings has already put so much ground between the two teams that only a second miracle in as many Test matches could possibly save the Australian team – and one suspects that Sarfraz will not allow that to occur on this occasion.

While Pakistan’s bowling was good and varied, it was the exposure of the cracks in the batting that was the most disappointing aspect of the Australian batting. While Aaron Finch looked composed again and was undone by a good delivery, all of Shaun Marsh, Travis Head and Mitch Marsh fell by pushing too hard at the ball, something that all reports told us that had been worked on before the series started. Tim Paine was unfortunate but was undone by a viciously spinning ball last ball before lunch, and yet it was Marnus Labuschagne who topped it all off. Having done all of the hard work in getting to 25 runs, he lazily left his bat in the air as a returning Mitch Starc straight drive flicked Yasir Khan’s fingers and crashed into the stumps to find him out of his ground. This kind of brain fade speaks volumes for the Aussies mind set on the second day. They just didn’t appear to be up for the day, while the Pakistan bowlers came to play hard.

The Marsh brothers are again posing serious problems for Australian supporters if not the selectors themselves. Shaun managed three before nicking off Abbas to first slip, while Mitch got to 13 before doing the same off Yasir. Their combined tally over six innings is a paltry 35 runs, and in a team where they now command senior status in the batting line up they just have to do better. No doubt the easy targets are the new boys, and with the heavy support of the Australian coach it seems unlikely the Marsh brothers will be under any selectorial pressure anytime soon. However, Australia cannot start to challenge in Test matches if they are not contributing, and this will be all the more problematic against India this home summer.

Having been given a wake up call in the first innings, the Pakistan batting looked much more secure in the second, and little opportunity was afforded to the Australian bowlers. At 2/144 at stumps, and a lead of 281 already, they could bat all day on Day Three and get to a lead of 600 and still have two days to bowl Australia out. Unlike the 1st Test that would be far too much time to have to survive on a much tougher surface for the Australians to combat. While the 1st Test draw was seen as a wonderful achievement under the circumstances – which it was – there appears little hope for a second act.

#PAKvAUS. 2018/19. 2nd Test. Day 1.

We won’t know for a few days just how much Australia will rue its missed opportunity in putting Pakistan to the sword in the 2nd Test when it had the perfect opportunity. Having lost the toss again, most Aussies would have happily taken the stumps scenario of Australia 2/20 (one of those wickets being the nightwatchman) chasing a Pakistan total of 282 all out. In fact, would have taken it when Pakistan was 1/57 in the first session. But having taken four wickets in six deliveries and also with a bombed easy chance off debutante Fakhar Zaman in the previous over, Pakistan’s final total was a disappointment and crucial, given the way this pitch was turning already in comparison to the 1st Test. 

Pakistan won’t be happy with the way the day progressed but given the last five wickets put on 225 runs and they were able to prise out the hero of the 1st Test Usman Khawaja before stumps to a strangle down the leg side, they have finished in the better position. Despite being dropped by Marnus Labuschagne off Jon Holland before the carnage began, debutant Zaman acquitted himself well, showing that he is not a one trick pony in regard to short form cricket. He showed a lot of promise and played a great hand before stumbling on 94. The skipper too was excellent. Sarfraz Ahmed came in at 5/57 and immediately took control, aggressively taking away the spell that Nathan Lyon had created, and brought the cricket back to a normal setting. His innings saved Pakistan when the innings could have capitulated, and he has now given his bowlers an opportunity to pull their team back into it on the second day. 

Nathan Lyon’s amazing period where he took four wickets in six deliveries to carve away the top and middle order was amazing bravado and came as he outwitted the Pakistan batsmen who were looking to be aggressive against him. The extra bounce and turn in the first day wicket allowed him to get through the defences of batsmen who are comfortable playing against spin bowling. It was probably surprising then when he allowed himself to become flustered when Sarfraz came in and took to him, to hit him off his line and length. And he succeeded, so well that Lyon failed to take another wicket for the innings. Bowling figures of 4/4 became 4/75, and while he could be pleased with his initial strikes he will be contemplating just how good it could, or should, have been. 

Apart from Starc’s opening three overs both he and Siddle looked tired, perhaps a reaction to the great amount of bowling they had to do in the heat of the 1st Test. Before play there had been rumours floating that Starc would be rested, but that would have exposed the lack of depth currently in the bowling attack. The Pakistan batsmen also looked to impose themselves early against Siddle, and not let him tie up an end like he did last week. It worked. Starc picked up the first and last wicket of the innings but did little else in between. He will be hoping his batsmen can give him at least a full day of rest before he must go out and do it all again. 

Jon Holland will wonder just when the luck is going to start running his way. He forced the false shot from Zaman in the first session, but the popped ball was out of Labuschagne’s hands at short cover as quickly as it went in. From that point he didn’t look like making a breakthrough, while both Lyon and then Labuschagne himself found the way to dismiss the batsmen. Not much has gone for him, but he has also been much less dangerous than both other two spinners. He will be hoping to do some major damage in the second innings to keep his name prominent in the future when Australia is looking for a second spinner. 

Apart from the spilled chance which may (or may not) have made a difference to the day’s end result, Labuschagne had a day out. Two catches, and three wickets with his leg spin, has him being spoken of as a Test all-rounder for years to come. Of course, he must make runs in order to fulfil this prophecy… though Mitch Marsh and Shane Watson have been exceptions to this rule at various times. His fielding is good, and his bowling shows promise. Hopefully on day two he will make a big score to help Australia do well, and in the process nail down his spot for the coming home series against India. He and Mitch Marsh look to be fighting for the one spot, so runs will count. 

Australia performed above par on Day One, and now must back in up with the bat on Day Two. With Khawaja already gone, the pressure lies with the Marsh brothers in particular to improve on their 1st Test efforts. It is quite possible the result of the Test will be known by the end of the day. If Australia can bat well they will have gone a long way towards being the team on top.

Albion Park Under 13's: Round 1 vs Kookas at King Memorial Oval

There’s a positive and hopeful feeling around the Albion Park Under 13 cricket team this season, perhaps more so from the parents and supporters on the sideline after a good opening match for the 2018/19 season. With a 14 player squad available, with only nine able to bat each match but 11 being able to bowl, it means that three kids will miss out each week on a rotational basis. What is already obvious is that a good bunch of kids under a good coach in Anthony Pickering are set for an excellent season.

The Kookas batted first with the Eagles flocking into the field. A delayed start due to a wet pitch and outfield meant a reduced match to 22 overs a side, with each of the Eagles kids getting a two over spell to showcase their wares. Blake Ison had the honour of opening the season up and while a bit scratchy in his first over bowled a particularly good second over and finished with 0/5. His partner Rob Denny was excellent, his left arm mediums looked good and he took out the off stump of the left-handed opener in the process of finishing with 1/9. The first change attack of Aiden Campion and Tom Denyer also impressed. Aiden was straight and miserly, finishing with 0/3, while Tom bowled with good pace and also managed to snare a wicket bowled, finishing with 1/10.
Josh Peters and Jack Couley followed and were the only two bowlers not to concede an extra. Josh’s leg spin was well flighted, and narrowly missed a wicket stumped as the batsman just got back before keeper Owen Pickering could remove the bails and all three stumps. He finished with 0/2. Jack bowled straight and full and reaped the reward for this, taking three wickets for just two runs. Two wickets were bowled while his third was a caught and bowled. Kane Rex bowled a good first spell for the season, and will improve from here with his 0/10, as will Will Schofield who was a little unfortunate with a couple of deliveries but snared a wicket when a top edge flew to Blake Ison at square leg for a comfortable catch. Will finished with 1/10.
Lucas Thompson started off his season well, and despite some waywardness finished with 0/6 from his two overs today. Liam Cergovski began his year on a good note, picking up the last wicket to fall for the day bowled, and should be happy with his figures of 1/5, while Owen Pickering bowled particularly well with a couple of deliveries unfortunate not to have picked up wickets, and he finished with 0/4.

At the end of their 22 overs, the Kookas had scored 7/72, 36 of those runs coming from extras. Something for the boys to work on next week.

Chasing the smallish total, the most accomplished batsmen headed to the crease and took care of business within 9 overs. Aiden Campion and Tom Denyer both finished retired not out when their allotted number of deliveries had expired. Aiden suffered a little from trying to hit the ball too hard but still made an excellent 4 runs, while Tom blazed away in the second half of his innings, and despite the square leg umpire saying to him “don’t get out!” as his last ball came up, he finished it with a massive six over mid-wicket to complete his innings on 27. Number three Owen Pickering and number four Will Schofield completed the routing, with Owen playing some heavy shots in his 20 not out, while Will showed an excellent technique and temperament in his 8 not out.

The Albion Park team finished on 0/78 in just the ninth over, to win the game handsomely in a match played in good spirit by both teams.

The result was comprehensive, and a good way to start the season. There were a lot of promising signs from everyone, and with three good players coming in next week after their week off the mood on the sideline was of a positive season coming up.
Today’s photo is the final wicket taken in the Kookas innings, with Liam celebrating having bowled the Kookas batsman.