Sunday, January 2, 2011

Australia- time to ‘urn’ some pride!


With the fifth and final test starting on Monday, Michael Clarke led Australian team would be looking forward to salvage some pride in this series. Though the ‘Ashes’ is retained by the visitors, a good performance by the Aussies will be a huge morale booster. They would attempt to level the series with England with a win at the SCG. This would surely ensure a good start to New Year.

Michael Beer and Pakistan-born Usman Khwaja are all set to make their Test debuts. Beer has been performing well as an orthodox spinner in the ‘few’ first class games played by him at the start of the summer. He was due for a call for the third Test at Perth. But Ponting’s decision to go ahead with four seamers on the bouncy track delayed his debut. But in this Test, he would be expected to contribute well with the given conditions there. 


Tom Parker, the curator at the SCG suggested that it will be a traditional track; spin will play a key role in this game. Weather will be another vital aspect to be considered. It is expected to rain on the first day with high possibility of showers in the days to follow.

Another significant moment in Australian cricketing history will be the inclusion of Usman Khwaja as a replacement to the injured Ricky Ponting. Ponting had injured his finger earlier in the series, but continued to play with it. Things got worse for him in the Boxing Day Test which has forced him to sit out for the next match. The Blues batsman has delivered exceedingly well in the first class matches with some match winning knocks. He would be the first Muslim cricketer to represent his national side at Sydney.



England would be looking to continue their dazzling performance at SCG too. Ex- cricketers like Michael Vaughan and Darren Gough from England claim that this would be the best time for England to go for the kill and be the number one Test team. Gough created a stir couple of days back when he claimed that the current team is capable enough to beat India ‘every day of the week’. He added that India performs remarkably well in home conditions but fails to carry that overseas. Graeme Swann hopes to do well as the conditions would ideally favour his bowling. Andy Flower wants the team to seal it 3-1 and then rejoice the feeling of having retained the Ashes.

Australian cricket declined miserably this year; they suffered their worst defeat in India and followed by this defeat. Such a phase has never been witnessed in the past 98 years. Speculations have surrounded that Ponting might have played his last Test as a captain when Clarke was chosen as the captain for this one. But Clarke came out strong at such speculations that Punter would make a comeback ASAP to lead the side.


But, with the momentum in favour of England, Aussies would go all guns blazing to win the test and ‘urn’ respect. 

2 comments:

  1. not 1 but 2 posts?thts a gr8 start!the build up for the 5th ashes test is quite nyc but frankly..the description for ur blog name takes the cake!too good!

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  2. use of word 'urn' is very apt..
    its like bang on target!!
    i loved it! :D :D
    keep it up!

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