The Hindu : Sport : Panesar, Harmison rock Australia

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Panesar, Harmison rock Australia

Ted Corbett

Michael Hussey stands firm on a miserable day for the host

PERTH: Monty Panesar, spinning his left-arm magic as artfully as a reborn Bishan Singh Bedi, snatched five wickets and made sure that Australia was tumbled out for 244 on the first day of the third Test at the WACA. Better still he inspired fiery spells from Steve Harmison whose name has been a synonym for inept cricket since he began the series with the widest of wides.

Unabashed celebration

Although England lost two wickets for 51 there was such a happier feel to its performance that those who dream of a complete change of results which Australia leads 2-0 felt their optimism justified. Panesar can take credit for all this turnaround. He greets any success with leaping, slapping joy and these five stunning wickets — his first against Australia — were the cause for the sort of celebration that had him searching out every mate for high fives. It appeared at one time that he might even invite umpires Rudi Koertzen and Aleem Dar to his party.

Key innings

Australia had a miserable day but it may be when the match is reviewed in total that Michael Hussey's 74 is the key innings. He was promoted to No. 4 to take over from Damien Martyn and even in a series in which he has scored 86, 91 and 61 not out it was an outstanding innings, without intelligent support from batsmen who seemed to think runs would come easily.

Perhaps they got the wrong impression from the openers who blazed away merrily until 47 came in 11 overs. Matthew Hayden, who averages only 22 in this series, went first, Ricky Ponting made only two but Justin Langer was in control until off Panesar's seventh ball he played down the wrong line and was bowled. That set off a Panesar prance right into the dressing room and so to lunch.

Hussey and Michael Clarke put on 52 for the fourth wicket, Andrew Symonds hit two straight sixes off Panesar and Shane Warne played his boldest — some said his most foolish — strokes but only Hussey played the long innings demanded.

I believe the Australian selectors have not covered the departure of Martyn properly. Ponting has said that Symonds gives him more options, but there are better players around Australia, and in particular Phil Jacques who apparently cannot be considered because that means there are too many left-handers in the top order.

Lack of class

Once Langer and Ponting are gone there is a lack of batting class, particularly now that Adam Gilchrist's age is beginning to show. If you think that Clarke and Symonds are not Test class it is clear the Australian middle order creaks and there may be a big rebuilding job next season. Australia is much more vulnerable than the 2-0 lead suggests.

It would be mighty good for cricket at large and this series especially if England were to win this Test. It might also stop the sound of Australian crowing which has become harsh and incessant and, frankly, too childish even for a nation with growing pains. I know all England cheered when the Ashes were won last year but we did not allow our joy to include a massive denigration of everything Australian.

Australia is a great side and it will probably win back the Ashes; but does its supporters have to shower every England player with abuse each time an error occurs. So far in this Test England has answered all the criticisms levelled in the last few weeks but I doubt if that will get a mention among the massed media who will whoop like Panesar if Australia wins but not know where to hide if the results start to go England's way.

Australia — 1st innings: J. Langer b Panesar 37, M. Hayden c Jones b Hoggard 24, R. Ponting lbw b Harmison 2, M. Hussey (not out) 74, M. Clarke c & b Harmison 37, A. Symonds c Jones b Panesar 26, A. Gilchrist c Bell b Panesar 0, S. Warne c Jones b Panesar 25, B. Lee lbw b Panesar 10, S. Clark b Harmison 3, G. McGrath c Cook b Harmison 1; Extras (w-1, nb-4): 5. Total (in 71 overs): 244.

Fall of wickets: 1-47, 2-54, 3-69, 4-121, 5-172, 6-172, 7-214, 8-234, 9-242.

England bowling: Hoggard 12-2-40-1, Flintoff 9-2-36-0, Harmison 19-4-48-4, Panesar 24-3-92-5, Mahmood 7-2-28-0.

England — 1st innings: A. Strauss (batting) 24, A. Cook c Langer b McGrath 15, I. Bell c Gilchrist b Lee 0, P. Collingwood (batting) 10; Extras (nb-2) 2. Total (for two wkts. in 14 overs) 51.

Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-37.

Australia bowling: Lee 5-0-24-1, McGrath 5-1-18-1, Clark 2-1-1-0, Warne 2-0-8-0.

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