First Day World Test championships/Australia v. South Africa
I was in two minds whether to use my ticket for the ICC WORLD TEST FINAL contested between South Africa and Australia. I have had a recent run of bereavements and I thought the event might conflict with a funeral. In such situations (of losing a close friend) I follow the advice of the American film director John Frankenheimer, namely: “Put one foot in front of the other ..” (i.e. “Keep going”).
As it happened, I was rewarded by a most enjoyable day’s play with pace bowling at its very best.
South Africa won the toss and their skipper Bavuma elected to bowl – a crucial toss to win as the cloud and moisture in the air could only benefit the speedsters.
Robada beat the bat of Kwaraja with the very first ball of the day and this set the pattern.
Steve Smith played a typically gritty innings of 66, whilst 31 year old Beau Webster – in only his third Test – top scored with 71. He is a tall elegant batter in a middle order (with Manes Labuschagne opening) that looks like the one department that England might have the edge with Joe Root Harry Brook and Jamie Smith.
Australia were dismissed with an hour’s play left for 210.
Australia have a fearsome pace attack, though Pat Cummins (32), Mitchell Starc (35) and Hosh Hazelwood (34) are all the wrong side of 30.
Nathan Lyon, who has taken 583 wickets, is 37. There is no doubting their superiority in the forthcoming Ashes in this department unless England can somehow get Wood and Archer fit.
So, on the day, we saw 14 wickets tumble as at stumps the Proteans were 40-4.
The only certainty is that we won’t need a fifth day. It may not be “Bazball”, but it was a most entertaining day. Normally I leave the ground at tea time as I don’t like the loud, drunken, merriment that sets in the Upper Mound about that time, but it was so engrossing that I stayed till 6,00 pm.
I am amazed how many are more interested in drinking than watching the cricket, the absence of etiquette e.g. moving in the middle of an over and the expensive but poor standard of corporate hospitality.
