Australia Win The Skirmishes

Clarke made 259x and was MOM

Michael Clarke did so much more than complete a double century on the final day of the First Test draw in Brisbane. He not only personally inspired his team to take the game back from the South Africans, but he has given his opponents a lot to think over in the ten days until Adelaide.

With day two abandoned because of rain, the South Africans silenced the Australian fast bowling threat, batting deep into the second session of the third day and then blasting out dapper Dave Warner and the confident newbie Rob Quiney, caught brilliantly on the fine leg boundary by Dale Steyn. Tellingly, it only took five balls at Rick Ponting's off stump before he surrendered an edge to Kallis at second slip. Australia were 3-40 and on the way to a flogging.

In walks Clarke, grabs the whip and starts lashing the bowlers so fiercely, that despite Morne Morkel's constant threat, Graeme Smith's bowlers took no wickets on the fourth day. The track was excellent but then South Africa have the best attack in world cricket. Cowan, Hussey and the aggressive Clarke didn't just shut them out, they sent them packing.

With everyone expecting a lunchtime declaration and a 180 run deficit, it was Clarke who again attacked and declared early, with a slimmer lead. In doing so, he challenged his bowlers to lift their game and didn't they.

Consider the facts. Australian bowlers took 14 wickets on a flat, true batting deck. South Africa's took 4. Australia averaged 113 per wicket, South Africa 41. South Africa were in the winning position after the winning the first five sessions of the Test (discounting the three lost on Saturday) but Australia won each of the remaining seven sessions. The last session started with only Australia a chance of winning and South Africa holding on.

Pattinson bowls Amla with a no ball

All of which gives Australia the upper hand as they leave Brisbane, their quicks still bristling after an aggressive last day. Clarke seems to have James Pattinson on just the right length of leash, spitting fire and expletives at the South African top order but still able to be pulled to heal. Clarke's chase to fine leg at the end of the over, a few words and a butt spank were all it took. At times, Clarke's management of Pattinson and Peter Siddle gave the appearance of a young boy taking the Rottweilers for a walk but the Pup never let the pig dogs get away from him.

Just the same, both quicks should be cautious.

The only negatives to come out of Brisbane for Australia were Ponting and the wickets lost to no balls. Ponting's  recent form makes any concerns over his future premature. The no ball issue can be argued all you like and some damned silly statements were made during the Test by former players who should know better. In the end, the rule exists and has done so for a very long time now. If the bowlers don't want to run twenty kilometres a day working for a precious edge or to break through the defences of the best in the world, only to see it negated, then they should keep their size 16's behind the line. It might start in practice where bowlers should be fined for bowling no balls. In a series this close, one no ball might decide the series and instead of blaming the umpires or the administrators, let's have the bloke breaking the law put his hand up.

Siddle - Australia best bowler

Off to Adelaide and already the ill informed are claiming a draw, citing Adelaide as a place that always produces draws. Its an interesting conclusion given the fact there have only been three draws in Adelaide in the last twenty years of Test cricket, the same number as Sydney and Melbourne. Perth (two) is the only ground with less draws and would you believe Brisbane tops the list with six.

The crucial difference will be the attitude of the groundsman to any directives which may/may not have been issued by way of suggestion as to how long the pitch should last. The Brisbane deck would have still played true well into next week!

Brisbane was an interesting hit out and one for those who like their cover drives and the bat in triumph over the ball but change is coming. Morne Morkel was the best bowler on display and could have easily had five or six wickets. Whilst all of the talk has been about the pace and pure outswinger of Steyn and the movement off the deck Vernon Philander has achieved in his ultra rapid rise at Test level, the quiet assassin is Morkel. He has my old mate Andrew McNeill's affliction, "a fair dash of mongrel" and if the Australians are to be broken, he'll be the man to do it.