South Africa lose sluggish openers
Friday, 10 April 2009
CAPE TOWN, Apr 09 (Cricinfo): Australia had the better of South Africa for the first 25 overs on a demanding Newlands track, dismissing the openers within the first 15 and keeping a grip on the run-rate. After losing every toss against Ricky Ponting over the summer, Graeme Smith finally won one and had no hesitation in batting on what appeared to be a slow, dry pitch under sunny skies. But within two overs, it was evident runs were not going to come easy and South Africa struggled to find the middle path between watchful accumulation and an outright bullish approach.
Australia's new-ball pair were committed and disciplined. Smith was uncomfortable batting on this track - with the ball not coming on easily - and was troubled by Nathan Bracken and Mitchell Johnson. Johnson was rewarded in the seventh over with the wicket of Smith, whose slow-moving innings ended when he hung his bat out limply.
"I think a big one's around the corner," Gibbs had said before the second ODI. He made a brisk 33 in Durban and failed to convert a start today. After a first-ball reprieve against Johnson - a lovely inswinger hit pad first but the umpire reckoned there was a bit of bat first - Gibbs struggled for timing. Jacques Kallis strived to tick singles over but Gibbs' irritation got the better of him after hard-handed drives and paddles failed, and he picked out deep midwicket for a 47-ball 26.
Kallis initially failed to time the ball even though he came out looking to dominate. He often drove too early; one bullet-straight hit off the middle only found the stumps at the other end. He then adopted a twitchy approach, shuffling back and forward to try and keep the bowlers guessing. It worked well, as evident by numerous steers past third man and two forceful boundaries, one on-driven with a venture across the stumps and the other punched past point on the rise after he made room.
South Africa 289 for 6 v Australia.
Australia's new-ball pair were committed and disciplined. Smith was uncomfortable batting on this track - with the ball not coming on easily - and was troubled by Nathan Bracken and Mitchell Johnson. Johnson was rewarded in the seventh over with the wicket of Smith, whose slow-moving innings ended when he hung his bat out limply.
"I think a big one's around the corner," Gibbs had said before the second ODI. He made a brisk 33 in Durban and failed to convert a start today. After a first-ball reprieve against Johnson - a lovely inswinger hit pad first but the umpire reckoned there was a bit of bat first - Gibbs struggled for timing. Jacques Kallis strived to tick singles over but Gibbs' irritation got the better of him after hard-handed drives and paddles failed, and he picked out deep midwicket for a 47-ball 26.
Kallis initially failed to time the ball even though he came out looking to dominate. He often drove too early; one bullet-straight hit off the middle only found the stumps at the other end. He then adopted a twitchy approach, shuffling back and forward to try and keep the bowlers guessing. It worked well, as evident by numerous steers past third man and two forceful boundaries, one on-driven with a venture across the stumps and the other punched past point on the rise after he made room.
South Africa 289 for 6 v Australia.