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Formidable Australia was just too much for `barbecued' Windies: Roebuck | Noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck has said Australia was just too formidable a side to be outplayed by the West Indies in the first Test played at the Gabba in Brisbane last week. In an article for the Sydney Morning Herald,
Roebuck claims the virility that was missing from their cricket during the Ashes
series in England is back. "It's hard enough to beat the Australians at the best
of times. It's been 21 years since the Aussies lost the Gabba Test. It's a challenging
pitch in a confronting country. Touring sides need to give themselves time to
adjust to the light, bounce and local psychology. Australia is an ''in your face''
land. Tourists need to arrive a fortnight earlier and insist on playing the warm-up
on the Test ground," Roebuck writes. He, however, says that the Australians deserve
credit for a powerful performance. "For a team containing only one player of uncontested
greatness, the hosts were formidable. Considering the heavy winter program and
question marks raised before the match, it was a fine effort. Australia sustained
their aggression from the first ball to the last," Roebuck says. "The West Indies
were barbecued," he adds. He also says that left-hand batters Simon Katich and
Marcus North were the sturdiest of Australia's batsmen during the Test, cruising
until they reached the 80s, and then while shifting gear, crashed. "Both lefties
were superb off the back foot - a charge that cannot be laid on their opponents.
Katich punished short deliveries as well as anyone and his stocks continue to
rise. North has contributed consistently. He is not a typical No.6," says Roebuck.
Roebuck found that none of the other batsmen were in complete control. Ponting
scored 50 without ever sorting out his front-foot game. Michael Hussey was not
entirely convincing. Michael Clarke presented a wide blade, but was sketchy during
his stay at the crease. Haddin contributed handily with the willow and was impressive
behind the timbers. As far as the Australian bowling was concerned, the pace trio
of Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle, were rusty and frustrated,
but delivered when it mattered. They also did not come up short on aggression.
He says that spinner Nathan Haurtiz had a good match with both bat and ball. The
strong Australian performance at the Gabba showed all concerned, including the
bulging backroom staff, in a favourable light, he concludes. |
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