| The solemn Bryce McGain Debut. . . | | | | seamers. Yes, this has worked for Ponting in the first |
| Wow! What an introduction (and exit?) from | | | | two tests, but this time he had a legitimate reason |
| international cricket for Australia's new replacement | | | | to try out his spinner early on, and give him a fair go. |
| for Shane Warne. In case you missed it Victorian | | | | As I have written previously, this test presented a |
| leg-spinner Bryce McGain was ruthlessly murdered by | | | | great chance for the Aussies to try-out a few |
| some seriously vengeful South African batsmen in | | | | players for the upcoming Ashes series. |
| the third test. McGain's figures read: | | | | At the same time, I mentioned that the Australians |
| 18 OVERS 0 WICKETS FOR 149 RUNS | | | | didn't want to lose momentum. However, bowling |
| Now, on initial reading that may well look as if the | | | | McGain early, and giving him a chance to work his |
| spinner is solely to blame. An economy rate of 8.27 is | | | | way into an innings (a tactic that every spinner needs |
| pretty bad even for T20, but on the test arena, a | | | | employed) was the right way to go. Waiting until not |
| disgrace. However, all the blame cannot be placed at | | | | only the opposition batsmen were set, but also until |
| the debutants feet. As I have mentioned he was a | | | | the nerves and uncertainty had built up in McGain's |
| debutant, and therefore was inevitably going to be | | | | mind, was the wrong decision. Sure, the 18 overs |
| harbouring some serious nerves. Why then would the | | | | themselves are generally the problem of the bowler, |
| Australian captain feed him to the wolves rather than | | | | although some of the fielding positions were |
| protecting him, and giving him every chance to | | | | questionable. However, you have to give your |
| overcome those nerves by bowling him AT THE | | | | bowlers a chance to succeed, and Ponting must |
| RIGHT TIME?!? | | | | realize that he is going to have to help bring through |
| By the time McGain was brought on, Ashwell Prince | | | | a top class spinner at some point. |
| and Jacques Kallis, both batsmen who average over | | | | Sure, maybe McGain isn't the answer, but I don't |
| 45 in tests, were well set, and had a belter of a pitch | | | | think that any prospective spinner waiting for a |
| to feel comfortable on. Through the South African | | | | call-up will be very exited about the prospects of |
| innings Ponting stubbornly continued with his one | | | | such limited support that was afforded McGain. |
| winning formula, bowling out the opposition with his | | | | |