Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
‘Jimmy’ downplays the hype and takes the fight to Khawaja
Third Test, Day 2, Stumps South Africa 259/9 declared (Du Plessis 118*) Australia 307/6 (Khawaja 138*, Abbott 3/38) NOT for the first time in this series, the Proteas found their inner mongrel to launch a late fightback in an engrossing final Test at the Adelaide Oval.
The South African seamers have had matters almost entirely their own way Down Under. But on another glorious day of Test cricket, they were forced to not only rely on skill but also grit and determination to stay in the contest.
It was almost as if they could hear the Eye of the Tiger – synonymous with Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky movie series – playing through the loudspeakers, as they climbed up off the canvas to strike a few late hefty blows under the Adelaide night sky.
It was required as Australia’s batsmen slowly and skilfully restored the craft of Test- match batting. After all the pre- match talk of the exaggerated swing of the pink ball, the Proteas bowling unit found it all to be hogwash as the Kookaburra was well behaved all day.
“We did expect it to do a lot more. Even in the warm- up game that we had and the net sessions, it certainly did do a bit,” Kyle Abbott said.
“To be fair, there are periods of the game where it does a bit. I think it’s more ‘ nip off the seam’ than actual swing. I don’t think it’s lived up to its hype and expectation.”
This should take nothing away from a magnificent and hard-nosed century compiled by Usman Khawaja,
Thrust unwillingly into the opener’s role after David Warner was unable to bat the previous evening, the stylish left- hander played the sort of innings the Baggy Greens have craved all series.
Khawaja defended well, left well, drove well and pulled well. It was simply good Test- match batting.
“He played very well. He was really in his bubble today and didn’t let us penetrate it,” Abbott said. “Guys of high quality aren’t going to give you chances. He didn’t give us any chances. All credit to him. It’s tough, but we beat the bat on enough occasions, some days those find the edges and some days they don’t. “We’re going to have another crack at him again tomorrow for the third time.” Khawaja’s running between the wickets wasn’t that flash, though. There was a mix- up with captain Steve Smith ( 59 off 113 balls) after the pair put on 137 for the third wicket. It was the second- highest partnership the Aussies have registered all series after Warner and Shaun Marsh’s 158- run opening stand at the Wcaa in the first Test. A distinct lack of partnerships has been the hosts’ undoing in the series and Smith would’ve been pleased that Khawaja and debutant Peter Handscomb ( 54 of 78 balls) were able to compile another 99- run partnership after his dismissal. Handscomb was very impressive in his maiden Test innings, as he played with plenty of intent and looked to keep the scoreboard ticking.
A pull- shot off Vernon Philander that raced to the midwicket boundary, to bring up his half- century, was indicative of the renewed energy he brought to an ailing Australian team.
“There’s definitely a bit of a hunger factor in there. It was noticeable. Handscomb came in and played very nicely on debut,” Abbott said.
“When it comes to guys fighting for their places and coming in, it is going to cause a bit of resistance. It’s still new in terms of how to bowl to them too.”
But just when the home side had taken the lead with seven wickets in hand, the visitors clawed back into the contest with three wickets under floodlights.
Abbott, who was the Proteas’ most penetrative bowler throughout, engineered the much- needed breakthrough – and his third wicket of the day – when he sent a full delivery clattering into Handscomb’s off- stump.
Nic Maddinson didn’t enjoy as fruitful a debut when Kagiso Rabada rifled in a yorker to send him packing for a duck, while Matthew Wade couldn’t resist nibbling at a Philander away- swinger.
To Australia’s credit, they didn’t collapse like they have done for most of the series and battled away to the close with the cushion of a 48- run lead.