Cricket: Selection headache for Australia

Smith seeks improved show from South Africa as 2nd Test starts today.

JOHANNESBURG: Australia faced a selection dilemma ahead of the second and final Test against South Africa starting today at the Wanderers Stadium.

After the team were bowled out for 47 in their second-innings in the first Test on the way to an eight-wicket defeat, critics called for the heads of Ricky Ponting, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson. However, only Johnson seems in danger of losing his place.

Ponting made eight and nought in the first Test but both captain Michael Clarke and batting coach Justin Langer have backed him regardless.

Clarke said that Usman Khawaja would bat at number three in a straight swap for Shaun Marsh, who returned home following a back injury, with Ponting continuing at number four.

Haddin has also been out of form and was dismissed for five and nought in Cape Town, but he is the only wicket-keeper in the squad. Meanwhile, Johnson conceded 87 runs in 16 overs in the first Test and claimed just one wicket.

Promising teenage fast-bowler Pat Cummins could replace Johnson, although fellow paceman Ryan Harris was a slight doubt after waking up ‘stiff and sore’, according to Clarke.

Smith hopes for improved show

Meanwhile, South Africa captain Graeme Smith said that his team wanted to improve on their performance in the first Test where they trailed by 188 runs on the first-innings.

“We are focused on how we can improve,” said Smith. “We already saw that in the second innings. I want to see the graph going up.”

“We have a lot of respect for Australia and we’re certainly not going to take our foot off the gas. We want to earn the right to win the series.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th,  2011.