Oz look for momentum swing
THEY may not have won the match, but Adam Gilchrist has likened the momentum Australia gained in the opening test against South Africa to that which set up England’s Ashes series victory two years ago.
The Proteas escaped Brisbane with a draw, with rain thwarting Australia’s chance of pressing home their advantage. The outcome reminded Gilchrist of the corresponding Gabba test from the 2010-11 Ashes opener, in which England finished with all the running after they declared their monstrous second innings total at 1-517. It was an advantage the visitors never relinquished and they went on to retain the urn with a 3-1 series victory.
Australia have named a 13-man squad for the second test in Adelaide, which starts on Thursday, with in-form fast bowler Mitchell Starc likely to replace Ben Hilfenhaus in the pace attack and allrounder Shane Watson hopeful of proving his fitness to bolster the batting at the expense of Rob Quiney.
‘‘My mind goes back a bit to the Ashes series two years ago when there was a similar result,’’ Gilchrist said. ‘‘Australia had the ascendancy and England turned around and got 1-500. Although it was a drawn game, the whole momentum shift was played out at great lengths over the rest of that series.
‘‘Hopefully, from an Australian point of view, that’s the way it goes in the next two test matches. I’m sure Graeme Smith and his team are feeling different about it but it was a very good batting surface. Even on the best wickets ever produced, at 3-40 you are a long, long way from 450.
‘‘The delicate time there was apparent to everyone and the way Michael [Clarke] and Ed [Cowan] nullified that and turned the game around – and with Mike Hussey doing what he did – was brilliant.
‘‘They are encouraging signs for the Australian team.
‘‘There was only one team that could win the game once South Africa started batting again and that was the Australians.
‘‘[It was] fantastic to see Australia get tested and not only come through all clear but with the ascendancy. The challenge now is to come to Adelaide and replicate that.’’
The Australian team will assemble in Adelaide today.