With one match, a series most expected as a walkover is now brimming with expectation after Australia escaped with a win in the first test against a resurgent West Indies.
No one saw it coming, when Australia posted 431 in their first innings, despite hostile bowling from Fidel Edwards, it was a case of ‘here we go again’. But the Windies knocked up 312 in response and then Edwards, Darren Powell and the mercurial Dwayne Bravo short circuited Australia’s 2nd innings setting up a thrilling finish.
Only the relentless accuracy and guile of Stuart Clark saved Australia this time, with good support from attack leader Brett Lee, to score first blood in the series. But Australia was suddenly proved flawed, something opposition teams have been waiting to pounce on for years.
The signs are positive for the Windies. Fidel Edwards was superb, bowling with great pace and good direction, which is a good step for a bowler usually considered too wayward. His bounce was awkward and he destroyed the confidence of openers Phil Jaques and Simon Katich.
He was backed well by the luckless Powell, as well as the steady medium pace of Bravo and Sammy. Sammy, the most accurate of the lot, was extremely hard to score off, and with a year or two to add to his repertoire he could be the next Courtney Walsh, although maybe without as much pace.
Their problem was the spinner, Jaggernauth, who looked out of his depth when suddenly faced by batsmen who can play spin bowling. This problem should be fixed by the return of Jerome Taylor, far and away the best fast bowler in the West Indies, who should cause some concern for the openers with his useful movement.
The batting is certainly a problem. Stand-in captain Sarwan threw his wicket away and he is a better player than that. Gayle should help solidify the top order over Parchment, making their top order look more fearsome. I personally still have doubts over Runako Morton’s ability, but there is still Shiv and the immensely talented Bravo.
While Chanderpaul is by far their best bat, Bravo is their most talented player. Still only 24, there is no doubt in my mind he could be one of the best all-rounders in the game if he puts his mind to it. His batting average does not reflect his skill, and the Australian team will have long memories of his century in Hobart in 2005, where he played Stuart MacGill and Shane Warne with ease.
Australia now has the massive problem of playing without Hayden. There is no doubt the dominant opener is in mighty form and could have been a huge stumbling block for the Windies. To put this into perspective, during the Indian series this summer, the only match Australia lost was the one match Hayden didn’t play, he made a century in each test he played.
There are doubts lingering also on Mitchell Johnson and Stuart MacGill. MacGill was extremely erratic, bowling plenty of long hops and full tosses that even I could have slammed for six. He is still turning the ball big, and should cause problems when he gets it right. He just has to get it right more often.
Johnson’s problem is mostly technical, and he isn’t fulfilling his potential as well as he should. He is highly capable of swinging the new ball at speed, which is why he has been opening the attack instead of the reliable Stuart Clark, but he has been unable to get the ball to swing, and he has been unable to get batsmen to play at the ball regularly. If he does not improve, a debut for Ashley Noffke or fellow dangerous left-armer Doug Bollinger could be on the cards.
The next test will be the big indication of where these teams sit. The West Indies are back to close to full strength, while Australia are hoping their depth will carry them through the series without Hayden. I will be glued to the TV tomorrow morning expecting the best Test Match cricket can offer.
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