Second Test: Aus vs South Africa – Day 3 review
Posted by auscrickfan on December 29, 2008
2nd Test Australia vs South Africa: Game ripped out of Aussies hands.
A disappointing third day has seen the dominance Australia worked hard to place on the South African Cricket team ripped from them with a brilliant batting display by JP Duminy and Dale Steyn. The last four wickets put on more then 200 runs to take South Africa from 6-198 at stumps on day 2 to a first innings lead. A task that not even the South African Coach thought would be possible at the end of Day 2.
Siddle, who impressed the cricketing world with his fast, dangerous and accurate spells on day 2 could only be described as pedestrian and lack luster by the end of day 3. However, Johnson could not get the break through either. The Australian pace attack, hindered by the loss of Lee, seemed to lose their attacking instincts and relied on defensive bowling from the outset of the day. It seemed from the strategies employed on the field that the Australian’s were just biding time till the new ball and not focusing taking wickets. A strategy that most definitely worked against them, because by the time the new ball was able to be taken the South African Batsmen had their eye in and were able to wave of the challenge without even a second thought. What’s worse is the pedestrian spells by Johnson and Siddle with new ball did not even worry Steyn or Duminy.
However, Duminy’s batting display is not to be discounted. The Australians were at a completed loss of how to bowl to him and it was obvious to see that this completely through off the bowlers radars. The only exception to this was Hauritz, who bowled an extremely tight line and was difficult for the batsmen to get away all day. The only issue for Hauritz was that there was no bowler putting their hands up at the other end and aiding in continuing to build the pressure.
Day 4 brings about a massive challenge for the Australian batting line up. They desperately need to get away to a good start and Hayden and Hussey have most definitely been struggling with the bat lately. If Australia wants to win this game – which should be there goal – they will need to score at a strong rate to put the game back on the South African’s on day 5. The only issue for the Aussies is that Brett Lee will not be back for the game (and will probably be out for 6 weeks), leaving the Australians a bowler short for the second innings. This gives Ricky Ponting an interesting declaration decision (if the batting line up get to that point), does he trust Siddle, Johnson and Hauritz backed up with Clarke, Hussey and another injured player in Symmonds to take 10 wickets in an economical fashion? Or will he play the game out to a draw?
We will see very soon.
