Ed Cowan eager to take on South Africa – Cricket News Update
Australian Test opener Ed Cowan has identified the upcoming extended-overs series against South Africa as the ideal opportunity for Australia to cement their status as a top Test team, in addition to providing him the chance to prove his worth and secure his place in the national Test XI.
“If you are proving yourself against the South Africans at the moment you are a high quality Test player,” said Cowan. “And it also makes it pretty clear cut if you are scoring runs against them as opposed to Bangladesh or Zimbabwe when everyone is still asking questions, saying ‘oh he wouldn't do it against the best team in the world’.
“Well here we are ... the best team in the world, let’s see how good we are.”
Currently at number three on the ICC’s Test team rankings, Australia will be hosting South Africa for a series of 3 Test matches, due to be played from November 9 to December 4, at the Gabba, the Adelaide Oval, and at Perth. The series provides the Aussies the perfect opportunity to claim the top Test team spot from the South African team.
However, in order to do that, they will need to work their way through the formidable Proteas line-up. Led by intimidating batsman Graeme Smith, South Africa boasts batsmen such as AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, alongside a fierce pace attack featuring Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Vernon Philander.
However, with in-form batsmen such as all-rounder Shane Watson in the team, and promising young pacers such as James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc available for selection, alongside seniors Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, Australia are looking in prime form, and bound to put up a tough fight.
Unlike some of his teammates, however, Cowan has not been in convincing form of late. Despite having impressed with a 68 against India on debut in December 2011, the left-hander has failed to pull off anything spectacular in the 7 Tests he has played for Australia so far.
His highest Test score as yet is a 74 against India, and he has three half-tons, and no centuries to his credit. Cowan also put in a mediocre performance during the tour of the Caribbean in April this year, during which he scored just one half-century in three Test matches.
Keeping his recent form in view, the batsman recognised the need to start putting solid performances on the board, in order to retain his place in the XI.
“No one is safe in the Australian cricket team, you have to be scoring runs to be consistently picked,” Cowan observed.
However, Cricket Australia have expressed the intent to persevere with the opening duo of Cowan and David Warner, which means the 30-year-old has a prime opportunity to cement his spot at the top of the Test XI by delivering against the South African giants.
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