http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 - 2nd Test - Australian Batsmen to Watch out
An appalling piece of batting display from the Australians saw them capitulate on a humiliating total of 47 in the first Test match against South Africa.
With the Proteas rejoicing on one of the greatest comebacks in recent times, it has left the tourists in a limbo where serious questions have been asked regarding their ageing crop of players.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 is the man at the centre of every debate and many have called on the veteran to retire before facing the wrath of getting axed permanently.
Certainly skipper, Michael Clarke, who is also on the selection panel will have to make a few important calls in order for cricket to prosper in the longer haul. For now, the team looks to bounce back after such disappointment with the onus remaining on
their batsman to deliver a final push.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558
In his first ever series in South Africa, the all-rounder failed to get anything substantial with the bat in as he could not handle the Proteas pace batteries and managed just 7 runs from his two outings on the crease.
However, his importance to the team is immense, which can be gauged by his impressive five-wicket haul in the first innings. He took full use of the conditions and dismantled his opponents for a meagre 96 and will look to do much the same when the teams
again face each other.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978
Captaining a cricket team is certainly one of the toughest jobs and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 did found out after just one defeat in which he stood out with an exemplary century in the first innings. However, all was forgotten when his team faltered on 47 in their second outing
leaving the skipper in a highly precarious situation.
Tough decisions are expected from him as he looks to motivate his team for the second Test and the biggest question mark lingers over the involvement of Ponting. If he opts to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adrian-Roger-Kirshaw-Pierson-c42135 with the veteran, it leaves him with another difficult choice to make –
playing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DA-Warner-c1301.
However, for now success is the only way out for the Kangaroos team and the skipper will be hoping to put the demons from the first test out of sight and conjure up a win in the deciding game at Johannesburg.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MEK-Hussey-c1942
The left-hander was surprisingly out of sorts in both innings of the first Test match and effectively was questioned over his premature dismissals. The defeat would have certainly hurt Hussey, who usually sets high standards for himself.
An average of 52.18 does not come easy in Test cricket and the veteran will be banking on himself to get his team back to winning ways.
Ricky Ponting
The former skipper has been in the headline for all the wrong reasons and the final Test match might be the most important in his illustrious career. Having shown considerable dip in form over the past 12 months, Punter first wish will be to get on the team
sheet in the second Test and from that, consequently play a match winning knock in order to spare his blushes.
The writing has been certainly on the walls for one of the cricketing greats, who might have played his last Test for the team. For his sake, one hopes he gets a last chance in order to bid farewell to the Australian cricket in the right manner.
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