Australia has been the top team of the world ever since they won the World Cup for the first time in 1987. In 1992, they fell to the curse of being the hosts, lost to a methodological http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 in 1996 whereas have been lifting the trophy ever since Herschelle
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 side in 1999, made mincemeat of the Indian bowling in the 2003 edition and had weather gods to thank for their triumph against Sri Lanka in 2007.
But Test cricket has not been a favourable format for the mighty Aussies. Ever since Steve Waugh left the arena, they have been having problems. Ricky Ponting may be an astute captain, but he has earned the distinction of being the first Australian captain
in 100 years to lose the Ashes twice.
With the current batting vows, the reign of the Australian side seems to be coming to an end. They began the second day of the first Ashes Test with Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 and Simon Katich but due to inconsistent forms of Captain Ricky Ponting, his deputy Michael
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 and Marcus North, they were reduced to 143 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. It needed a revival from the ever dependable Michael Hussey who anchored the hosts with a majestic knock of 81 not out and took the score past 200 runs which at one time seemed
distant.
One fails to understand why Marcus North is given a chance despite being a failure the whole year. His only big knock recently came against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 when he scored 128 runs but that had more to do with the quality of the wicket than with his own form. He needs
to lie low for sometime and make a comeback with a bang, rather than fade out without one.
On the other hand, Hussey dispelled doubts over his place in the side with another magical knock. Earlier this year, he had scored a match-winning century against Pakistan, and his innings against England was at par with that, if not better.
Australia failed to capitalise on the good work of the bowlers on the 1st day by losing four wickets in the post-lunch session. Only Simon Katich and Michael Hussey showed some kind of resistance to Steven Finn and James Anderson who managed to
take 2 wickets each. Ricky Ponting fell cheaply for 10 on the second ball after lunch, and the struggling Michael Clarke fell for 9. Marcus North managed 1 off just 8 balls while Shane Watson fell for a well-made 36.
The veteran left-hander benefited the most from his century in the lead up Sheffield Shield game last weekend. Although he earned a reprieve during his innings, he stabilised the innings with his gritty knock. When rain forced play to be abandoned on the
second day, the hosts had taken the score to 220 for the loss of five wickets. Michael Hussey was batting on 81 and was being supported by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin who had scored 22 not out.
What Australia needs to do in order to solidify their batting is ask Ricky Ponting to rest during Ashes. Although the idea seems improbable, it would be better of the Aussies because Ricky Ponting has been a shadow of his old self during 2010. Similarly,
Michael Clarke needs to rest as well because it would be better to give chance to a deserving candidate than to a half-fit middle-order batsman.
Watson has done well in recent past and he is the best batsman in the side. But if changes are not made in the middle order, his good work at the top of the order would go to waste. Marcus North should be axed since he has brought it on himself. Although
he has scored a couple of centuries this year and has a score of 90s, he is a misfit in the Australian XI. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 can do without him, but not with him in the line up.
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