Confused Australia battle identity crisis
Australia’s batting deficiencies with the moving ball have not been erasedby their return home from India. While the swing and seam was expected andthe Gabba pitch was tricky, the batsmen’s thoughts were cluttered andtheir shot selection scrambled
Peter English at the Gabba20-Nov-2008
If Brad Haddin’s batting mindset doesn’t change his days as Australia’s gloveman could be limited © Getty Images
Australia’s batting deficiencies with the moving ball have not been erasedby their return home from India. While the swing and seam was anticipated andthe Gabba pitch was tricky, the batsmen’s thoughts were cluttered andtheir shot selection scrambled. Going from flat surfaces to springy onesin a week is much harder than the other way around, but Australia expectedmore than 214 in their first innings on a day that ended with New Zealandin control.In India it was reverse-swing that tricked the batsmen on placid wickets,but here it was the traditional method used by an attack that is modest onflat pitches and extremely dangerous with some moisture in the wicket. Itwas probing and controlled bowling against confused and ill-disciplinedbatting. Both teams have known since they arrived in Brisbane that theconditions would be like this – some players expected them to be worsefollowing the deluge since the weekend – but it did not stop some of thelocals flapping like the sails at the top of the eastern stand that hadbeen ripped by a wild overnight storm.So they played for the line of the ball and were surprised to feel edgesheading for, between or through the slips cordon. Feet stayed stuck to thecrease as the bat waved, and the movement was not covered. The errors werecopied through the order. Some balls popped, others swung and seamed, butnot many were left by the top order. The assignment was difficult bymodern Test standards, but Australia made it look harder.On spongy greentops it is important not to be caught between attack anddefence, but the first three batsmen were in the mixed zone and after 7.1overs Tim Southee had the hosts 3 for 23. Southee exploited thetentativeness to gain edges from Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich whileRicky Ponting turned his bat and was unable to deal with the extra bounceas a leading edge went to second slip.The evolving Australian team has an identity crisis, not being surewhether to rebuild from the bottom or continue with theattack-from-all-positions method of their predecessors. All of NewZealand’s players know their roles and capabilities, from the impressiveSouthee to the casual medium pace of Jesse Ryder. Ryder, who was calledfor an over before tea, watched Brad Haddin swing loosely and edge toJamie How at second slip, before he came back to end the innings bybowling Michael Clarke.Haddin was unable to control his aggressive urges in India and if hisbatting mindset doesn’t change his days as Australia’s gloveman will belimited. He was not the only one to fall victim to a mistimed shot. ShaneWatson was a fortunate inclusion for the offspinner Jason Krejza – adecision which makes attaining the required over-rate even harder – andhung his bat out to edge Iain O’Brien to Brendon McCullum for 1. Two oversearlier the wicketkeeper had closed Andrew Symonds’ eventful 26 when thebatsman found himself in an awkward position to a testing delivery fromO’Brien.”A few guys will be disappointed because they were starting to feelcomfortable and then got out,” Clarke said. “That’s the way it goes. Onthat wicket we’re going to see more of that tomorrow. Once you get astart, guys will feel pretty comfortable, but I think you’ll see plenty ofzeroes to fives and tens because there’s enough bounce and certainlyenough seam there.”Luck contributes on days like this, but it sits next to application. Noplayer was more fortunate than Clarke as he showed he could produce someugly and highly effective runs. Clarke is a batsman who always wants topurr but he was able to tone down and was successful at a crucial time. Hecould have departed three times early in his 98, when balls squirtedbetween fielders behind point, and there were other miscues, near missesand a painful blow in the groin.”I never really felt that comfortable throughout my whole innings,” hesaid. “I felt like I had to work really hard all the time. As soon as Ilooked at the scoreboard and saw I was on 30, 40, 50 and thought I’d playa few more shots, every single time I had to pull my head in because Ididn’t feel that comfortable.”Clarke was able to settle and benefit from the good fortune and grittyoutlook. Michael Hussey had used the strategy sensibly in his 35 untilpadding up to Chris Martin, but the rest of Clarke’s partners were notprepared for the graft. Clarke was unable to be moved until Ryderdelivered an inswinger that the batsman missed while trying to drive. Hehad stayed for 217 balls, hitting nine fours mostly behind point, andAustralia were desperate for the contribution.”If you had have told me I was going to get 98 this morning, I would havebeen rapt,” he said. “Getting that close, and the way Stuey Clark hung inthere, I’m disappointed I didn’t get there, but at the end of the day theteam’s total is way more important. With 214 on the board I think we didpretty well, we hung in there and did well on that wicket.”When the situation is tough the current Australian outfit finds it moredifficult to eliminate their flashes and regain focus. Clarke showed themhow to overcome an edgy start and give them hope on a day that ended ingloom above the ground and around the home side. New Zealand’sinexperienced collection has already out-thought their opponents and hasthe opportunity for an upset if it can avoid the same errors that cost thehosts.