Rain Ruins Party, but SOS Stands Up
Another Test, another excellent performance from a debutant. The Australian cricket team were denied the opportunity to clinch their Test series against Sri Lanka in Pallekele last week mainly due to a mixture of bad light and rain, but the big story was Shaun Marsh becoming the 19th Australian to score a century on his Test debut with an excellent innings of 141.
It represents the final stage of Marsh’s rise from fringe shield player party boy to bonefide Test cricketer in just over 2 years. Having been in and out of the WA side for the best part of a decade without ever really nailing domestic cricket, Marsh credits former state coach Tom Moody for pulling him into line which sparked his rapid rise. The fact that Moody was at the ground commentating when Marsh reached his century would have been particularly satisfying for both of them.
Mike Hussey once again proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the ultimate professional, chiefly with an innings of 142 which was typical Hussey style – keeping the good ones out and smashing the bad ones. However, it was his two wickets in the match which perhaps would have given him the most joy, especially as his victims were both top order batsmen.
The part-timer getting a wicket is exciting for the true cricket fan and Hussey’s dismissal of Kumar Sangakkara was up there with Ricky Ponting getting Michael Vaughan in the 2005 Ashes, or David Boon once bowling 10 overs first change in a one-dayer in the 90’s. Credit must be given to Michael Clarke for his shrewd captaincy in throwing the ball to ‘Mr Cricket’.
Ryan Harris showed his tremendous ability to bowl full, straight and fast with six wickets in the match and his delivery to dismiss Sangakkara in the second innings was an absolute peach. Unfortunately for Australia, he looks certain to miss the 3rd match starting Friday in Colombo with a hamstring injury, which was always going to be a concern given three back to back Tests. His place will be taken by either Peter Siddle or perhaps another debutant, Victorian James Pattinson.
There is also a selection dilemma with the batsmen, as Ricky Ponting returns following the birth of his second child. Will century maker Marsh make way for the former skipper, or will it be Usman Khawaja to miss out, with Marsh to drop down to number six? Khawaja has had five innings at Test level for 37, 21, 21, 26 and 13 not out – not terribly flattering numbers but not horrendous either. With the selectors looking for their best combination moving forward, this is an extremely tough decision. Thankfully, Andrew Hilditch has no part to play in making it.
The wicket in Colombo will be flat, make no mistake about it. Sri Lanka have put up terrible first innings scores of 105 and 174 thus far in the series, but with Harris missing a lot will fall on Mitchell Johnson as Australia’s pace strike weapon. Johnson has bowled fairly well in the first two matches, but has taken just 4 wickets for the series in 67 overs. He needs to be effective in short bursts in this match for the Aussies to take 20 wickets.
Of course, a draw will be enough to secure the Warne-Muralitharan trophy for Australia so it will be the batsmen who will need to put another big score on the board. Shane Watson has been fairly quiet thus far with 58 runs in three hits and you get the feeling he could be due for a big one this time around. Odds of $4.75 for him to top score in Australia's first innings could be worth the investment. Phil Hughes would also like to get amongst them to really nail down his spot, especially with Marsh’s likely omission looming large over the top order.
Punters in this one could be tempted by odds of $4.70 surrounding a Sri Lankan win, given the home side has lost just once in its last 17 Tests at the SSC ground in Colombo. That loss however, was against Australia in 2004 and with Ajantha Mendis again likely to miss for Sri Lanka, it’s hard to see either team being able to take 20 wickets in this one. The Draw is skinny at $1.75, but big punters would have their fingers on the trigger if the wicket looks benign.
It really has been a pleasure to watch the Aussies go about their work over the last two matches and they certainly deserve the series win. There were many questions about the new look side before the series began and these have started to be answered with some excellent cricket and contributions from every player. Another five days of sustained, consistent effort should seal the series and perhaps be the beginning of Australia’s comeback toward the top of the international tree, where they belong.
Thanks to Tom Shaw/Getty Images AsiaPac for use of the image.
