By Adrian CrawfordUpdated November 14, 2012 12:18:01
Neither skipper believed his side will carry an advantage or much momentum into the second Test in Adelaide, after the opening match in the series that will decide the world's top ranking ended in a fifth-day draw at the Gabba on Wednesday.
South Africa's second innings came to an end at 5 for 166, a lead of 51, with under an hour left on day five when Australian captain Michael Clarke and Proteas counterpart Graeme Smith agreed to call it a day.
It marked an anti-climactic end to a rollercoaster Test that lost day two to rain and saw mammoth first-innings batting efforts from both countries, including an incredible five centuries.
Clarke, fresh off his unbeaten knock of 259 that set a new individual record for the venue, said it was execution rather than preparedness that was lacking in his side's approach.
But he denied that the hosts will go into the second Test with a psychological edge after clawing back from a woeful 3 for 40 and appearing to be staring down the barrel of defeat on day three.
"At the end of the day there's no result in this Test match," Clarke told reporters.
"We have to win this series to get back to being the number one Test team in the world, so we have to do our best to push for a win at every opportunity.
"We just need to make sure we were as well-prepared as we were for this Test - we just have to execute better."
Smith concurred, saying the draw was the deserved outcome for both combatants and denying that Australia's impressive batting turn-around gave the hosts "moral high ground".
"Not really," he told Grandstand.
"I think our bowlers are a mature group and honestly there are a few things to improve on, but our guys have proven time and time again that they have the skills to prove that.
"We got the first one out of the way and I think we'll definitely improve for the next one."
Michael Hussey - who was in as good a position as Clarke to judge, given he spent 129 balls in the middle amassing his own ton - agreed with his captain's sentiments.
"It was a pretty good Test match," he told Grandstand.
"Both teams had to fight pretty hard throughout stages of the game - and it's 0-0 going into Adelaide.
"No team can take any more momentum or positives than the other team.
"I think a lot of credit has to go to Michael Clarke and Eddie Cowan, the way they played under enormous pressure was just fantastic.
"They were really positive; their defence was outstanding and had to stand up to a sustained South African attack of good pressure.
"They did a lot of hard yards for the boys, for the rest of us coming in anyway."
Clarke declared his side's innings closed at drinks on Tuesday morning at 5 for 565, a lead of 115 over South Africa (450) shortly after Hussey (100) reached his ton.
The onus was then on the Australian bowling attack to take the required nine scalps, minus of course the injured JP Duminy, to either skittle the Proteas and win outright or to set up a small run chase.
Neither outcome eventuated but Hussey said that was not a reflection on how the Aussies' bowlers performed on the day, amid speculation that Mitchell Starc or even Test discard Mitchell Johnson could be recalled for Adelaide.
"I thought the bowlers did a great job to be honest," he said.
"It's not up to me obviously but I thought all of them bowled very well, particularly in the second innings when the pitch - had flattened out a bit.
"There wasn't too much for them but I thought they bowled with a lot of discipline and you never know, with a bit of luck going our way they could have picked up a couple of wickets each so hopefully there isn't too many changes (in Adelaide)."
Luck was not the only factor working against bowlers from both sides; the length of their final strides seemed to cause strife as well with four wickets taken on no-balls throughout the game - including one that benefitted the Australian skipper.
Clarke saw the humorous side of the situation, but admitted it was also a serious issue for his pace stocks to quickly eliminate their overstepping before play begins at Adelaide Oval on November 22.
"We think there should be a hefty fine for every time you bowl a no-ball front foot in our team," he laughed, but the grin quickly disappeared.
"For there to be so many there must have been reasons.
"I know all the bowlers had difficulty with their rhythms. The pitch is actually quite high compared to where you run in so if you start your jump on top of the pitch generally you're over the front line for those guys with long delivery strides.
"But if you start your jump off the pitch they seem to fall a long way short and their rhythm doesn't feel great.
"I'm making excuses for all of them but I haven't seen that before in a Test match that's for sure.
"It's an area that we can certainly look at, we've been quite disciplined with our no-ball front foots, we work hard at training [on them] - and we'll continue to do them in Adelaide's preparation."
He said that despite the frustration of having a handful of appeals denied by umpires Asad Rauf and Billy Bowden on Tuesday, the third-umpire reviews for front-foot no balls in the event of a wicket was the right approach, regardless of the time it takes to have a second look.
"I think it makes sense, I think any time you bowl a no-ball front foot it should be picked up," he said.
"The umpires on the ground are doing their best, that's for sure.
"They're probably just making extra sure when a wicket falls.
"I'd rather see them picked up than guys bowling the no-balls and still getting away with a wicket, especially being a batsman."
While his pace battery fell short of taking the 18 wickets required for what would have been a remarkable turnaround for victory, Clarke said he was not sure what the line-up would look like in Adelaide.
"I haven't even been in the change-rooms yet," he admitted.
"I have absolutely no idea. I'll firstly have a shower then organise to talk to selectors tonight, tomorrow or over the next few days."
Tags: cricket,
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south-africa First posted November 13, 2012 19:59:02
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