Khan and Kuhn make Australians toil
Australia's first day of cricket on their tour of South Africa didn't so much answer questions as raise more of them
Brydon Coverdale in Potchefstroom
20-Feb-2009
South African Board President's XI 393 for 5 (Khan 100, Kuhn
95*, van Jaarsveld 49, McGain 2-126) v Australia
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
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Australia's first day of cricket on their tour of South Africa didn't
so much answer questions as raise more of them. Their first-choice
spinner Bryce McGain was belted, their backup fast bowler Ben
Hilfenhaus was the most dangerous of the fast men and there was no
real chance for either Andrew McDonald or Marcus North to gain an
advantage in the battle for the No. 6 spot.
Ricky Ponting chose to field on a flat pitch but even he must
have been surprised by the lack of penetration from his bowlers.
Imraan Khan's fifth first-class century created the early problems
before the wicketkeeper Heino Kuhn, who had been so out of form that he was
recently dropped by the Titans, batted his way into touch with an
unbeaten 95.
At the close, the South African Board President's XI had
reached 393 for 5 with Kuhn and David Wiese (44 not out) at the crease
and Australia will be hoping that whenever their batsmen get an
opportunity they enjoy it as much as the locals. Khan's 100 from 111
balls was fluent and he drove a series of sweetly timed boundaries
down the ground when the fast bowlers overpitched.
He also took a liking to McGain, who was punished for dropping
uncharacteristically short and was also struck down the ground with
ease. McGain finished his first day of bowling for Australia with the
unflattering figures of 2 for 126 from 19 overs and he may have had a
glimpse of what Jason Krejza felt in the warm-up game ahead of the
Test series in India.
With Nathan Hauritz rested - along with Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke, who has battled back soreness - it was the perfect opportunity for McGain to confirm his
place in the side for next week's first Test in Johannesburg. Things
began well when he had Alviro Petersen caught at midwicket in his
first over but there was little joy for the rest of the day.
Kuhn and Vaughn van Jaarsveld both used their feet to McGain and
slammed him for sixes down the ground and his only other success came
when Gulam Bodi was adjudged caught behind for 48. Bodi was clearly
unhappy with the decision but McGain was thrilled; he had a second
wicket to go alongside the 18 fours and four sixes that were struck
off his bowling as he struggled to find much drift and turn on an
unhelpful surface.
The fast bowlers didn't have much more to celebrate, although
Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle were impressive and collected a wicket
each. Hilfenhaus entered the game as the fourth choice behind Siddle,
Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger, but his ability to swing the ball
and create opportunities will force the selectors to consider him for
the first Test.
He should have had the centurion Khan caught at first slip for 9 but
North, playing his first match for the senior team, put down
the simple chance. Hilfenhaus did manage to remove the other opener
Blake Snijman, who was caught behind off a superb outswinger, and he
moved the ball in to the left-hander Khan and drew a string of
inside-edges before Siddle reaped the reward.
Siddle had Khan caught at mid-on and Australia hoped that, with the
score at 192 for 3, it might be a turning point. They were especially
optimistic when McDonald's first over brought the wicket of van
Jaarsveld, who drove to cover and was well caught by the diving
Phillip Hughes. But then came a 107-run stand between Bodi and Kuhn,
who continued to attack McGain and added further pain for the
Australians.
Neither Johnson nor Bollinger picked up a wicket -
though Bollinger should have had an early one when Snijman hooked to
fine leg and was misjudged by Hilfenhaus - and the day ended with the
Australians pleased that they were playing in front of a couple of
hundred locals in Potchefstroom rather than thousands in Johannesburg.
They have two more days to answer the questions that remain hanging
over an inexperienced squad.
Brydon Coverdale is a staff writer at Cricinfo