Around the Wicket - 4th Test Review

Okay, well I suppose I had better review the 4th test. Before I do, I might just say that I am glad this series is over. Australia/India series are starting to become remembered for all the wrong reasons, rather than for the cricket being played between number 1 and number 2 in the world.

With that said – let’s begin. The good for Australia was that they took 20 wickets. The debut of Jason Krezja was... well... it was... hard to put into words. That he took 12 wickets and was named man of the match is excellent for Krazy, but having said that, gee he got tonked around a bit! It was also good to see Matthew Hayden making runs again. At his age, it’s getting harder for him to recover from injuries, so hopefully he’s over the Achilles injury now. Shane Watson got amongst the wickets again, and proved that he’s probably handier as a bowler than a batsman. I’d be in favour of keeping him in the side against NZ when Symonds returns at Krezja’s expense. Bat him at 7 and Haddin at 8.

Speaking of Haddin – what was he thinking!? His application has been letting him down all series, and I wonder whether or not he has the motivation or mental application for a test level wicket keeper. He seems to have brain fades more than one would like from a wicket keeper. The way he threw his wicket away on the last day seemed to indicate softness about him mentally. Maybe I’m being too hard on him, because an Indian tour is hard work. Just ask Brett Lee. He once again struggled on the flat, unyielding wicket, and got smacked around a bit. I think Clark should have played before Lee.

All of that pales into insignificance though, when compared to the debacle that was Ricky Ponting’s captaincy. Once again, he managed to find himself miles behind the over rate – and this time, it was so bad, he could have been suspended. A lot has been made of whether he put himself before the team or not – but it’s irrelevant. He should not be that far behind. He should be hustling the team between overs, having them ready and waiting for new batsmen, his fields should be set quicker and less often, and he should stop arguing with umpires. That said – he’s not the only captain in world cricket who does it – but the above goes for the lot of them.

Now to India – and basically they did what they had to. They won the toss again, which helps immensely in India, and they batted Australia almost out of the game after the first innings. They will be disappointed in the lack of respect they showed Krezja, but I guess if you’re an Indian batsmen, you’re going to target a debutant spinner in your own country. Their bowlers were serviceable, although not as brilliant as the previous tests, and their batsmen made runs. Except for Dravid, who must be just about done as a test cricketer. He may get the series against the Poms, because Ganguly and Kumble have just retired, but he won’t be around much longer. Mark Waugh may keep the catches record yet.

So an Indian win, and a 2-0 series result. I think I predicted a 2-1 series, so I wasn’t far from it. I’ll do a series review next week some time, and maybe rate some players as well. Til next time!