by Grahaml » Sat Dec 13, 2014 3:45 pm
Huge worry that Clarke is getting hurt so regularly. Unless there's some sort of change to the way he's trying to handle this it's hard to trust his body. This test I've no issues with as he was more than worth his spot, but what happens if he just can't bat at all in Brisbane?
Lyon bowling well without luck. May well end up with 1/100+ and the critics will be lining up, but he couldn't do much more. Getting a lot of false shots, balls popping up, copping some rough decisions and edges falling wide. All you can do as a bowler is beat the batsmen as often as you can. Having said that, when you get an umpire who lacks the courage to make a correct decision it hurts. Erasmus has had a terrible game. At least one of those LBWs was an absolute howler. If the ball is hitting so clearly and the batsman is not offering a shot you should expect it given every time. Another was showing to be clipping. I think that's a bad decision when there's no shot offered. Either of those are given, this test looks remarkably different.
Still, 0-0 leaving the ground that probably suits India best is far from a disaster. Johnson seemed to have lacked his edge this game but with this out of the way I expect him to be fiery again in Brisbane. Siddle looks a little pop gun to me and I'd be seriously looking at his spot in the team now. I don't like Johnson with the brand new ball and I also don't like him bowling long spells. What we really need is a new ball bowler who can bowl decent length spells without feeling like it's a part timer.
Mitch Marsh gives me reason to ponder too. I'm don't think he's going to be good enough with the bat to hold #6. First class he averages under 30 through 40 games. If he keeps going at 40 then all good but unless he bats 7 that first class record is not going to cut it. Batting 7 means a wicketkeeper batting 6 and none seem good enough for that spot either at the moment. Bowling wise he has an excellent first class average, but only bowling 12 overs a game. If that batting doesn't come up to scratch then he's batting 7 or 8 and playing as one of the 4 front line bowlers, but not on 12 overs a game.