Aus v SA Test 1 Day 1

Well Clarke has finally managed to score a hundred when his team really needed it but will it be enough.  Losing the toss was not a good start when the game is already rain affected but to say you would have batted first anyway does not look good when at the end of the days play your team is struggling at 8-214.

For too long now Australia has not fought out good tough cricket in a test match and today was no different.  Clarke must be given credit for his almost run a ball century but his team can not hold their heads high.  The openers fell with the ball zipping around, surely patience was required.  Ponting came and went but Marsh and Clarke were starting to show that it could be done and headed for a good partnership.  With Steyn bowling well it is always going to be the case that openers get out early but it is the middle order that are Australia's problem.  Ponting is good but it has been a long time since his last hundred and if the he keeps failing surely he can not be kept in the team.  His form was poor enough to remove his captaincy, maybe this might be his last summer if he fails to get runs, would like to see him back getting big scores though.  Hussey has been in great form of late so he might be excused for the odd failure, not sure if he will be around if he does not keep performing this summer though.

At the moment I might seem critical and maybe I am but I am very passionate about Australian cricket, I am prepared to stick with the batting line up to here but it is the next batsmen I am tired of seeing continually do too little for all the talent that he gets picked for.  Haddin too often gets out cheap, throws his wicket away and generally seems like there surely is a better player for his position and I have not even had to comment on his keeping yet.  Don't want to see an Australian fail in sport but see more failures then triumphs from this guy at the crease.

But all credit for Michael Clarke and an unbeaten century at the end of the innings will be well deserved.

All being said hopefully the tail can stick around for a bit and Australia can push the score up to near 300.  If Australia can get a few early wickets South Africa will start doubting the pitch and then anything can happen.  Our bowlers really need to be on song on day 2.