Australia and South Africa don't do draws. But for a Saturday completely
lost to rain, that trend may well have continued at the Gabba. Instead,
the teams have headed to Adelaide still locked at 0-0, although
Australia took more positives from the Brisbane Test. After a
disappointing first day on which their bowlers took only two wickets,
they fought back to be in the prime position on the final day, but time
ran out for them to manufacture a result. All the same, they will head
in to the second Test knowing that Ed Cowan has proven himself a
Test-quality opener, Michael Clarke's monumental 2012 has shown no signs
of ending early, Michael Hussey has broken a seven-year century drought
against South Africa, and most of the bowlers found form as the Gabba
Test played out. David Warner remains a slight concern at the top of the
order but in the main things are simmering away nicely in the
Australian setup.
For South Africa, there wasn't much to like about the Gabba Test apart
from the continued brilliance of Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis. Alviro
Petersen showed why he should not be underestimated on the first day
with 64, but that was about it. Questions remain around whether Jacques
Rudolph offers enough value; since his return to the side last November
he has played 12 Tests for one century. But more than the batting it was
South Africa's bowling that left much to be desired at the Gabba.
Perhaps they expected the pitch, by reputation a seamer but in reality a
true surface, to do the work for them. Whatever the case, that they
allowed 487 runs to pass between bowlers' wickets - Cowan's run-out was
the only breakthrough on the fourth day - was a massive problem. Vernon
Philander lacked impact, Dale Steyn showed only glimpses of his best and
Morne Morkel needs to curb his habit of over-stepping on crucial
deliveries. Not that any of these issues concerned the coach Gary
Kirsten enough to encourage him to spend every day working with the
squad between Tests; instead he flew home for a whistle-stop trip to see
his wife and children.
At Adelaide Oval, the teams will again be greeted by a good batting
surface. Life won't be easy for the fast men early on but the pitch will
wear and provide some uneven bounce and help for the spinners later on.
During the 1980s the venue had the reputation of being a ground where
draws were almost inevitable but that is no longer a fair assessment,
and only three of the past 20 Adelaide Tests have failed to find a
winner. If that trend continues this year, whichever team comes out on
top cannot lose the series. And if it's South Africa, the No.1 ranking
will be out of Australia's reach.
Form guide
(Most recent first)Australia DWDWW
South Africa DWDWD
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