Aussies triumph in series opener

No one can doubt the Australian’s ability to entertain in 2011. Their Test performances have been as exhilarating as they have been inconsistent with drawn series’ against South Africa and New Zealand producing some of the most enthralling Test cricket for years.

The 122 run victory over India in Melbourne will come as welcome relief from this X Factor style entertainment. The face behind the cushion moments of being skittled for 47 in South Africa and losing to New Zealand at home have been replaced by a familiar Australian competitive streak.

James Pattinson led an impressive seam attack which obliterated the dangerous Indian batting line up in the fourth innings, leaving the tourists 122 runs short of their 290 target.

Throughout the series opener, the Australian seamers served up a moving ball, one which the master batsmen of India were unable to cope with. Pattinson was in good company with club mate Peter Siddle and the recalled Ben Hilfenhaus all impressing and sending the Indians into a relapse of their tour of England.

Cheered on by his home crowd, Pattinson looked assured in what was only his third Test. He finished with match figures of 6/108, which underlines his ample ability and promise. It appears that Clarke has been able (in this Test at least) to harness the raw pace and movement of his younger bowlers and get them to bowl effectively to a plan: in this case full and straight.

The emergence of Pattinson has been of great comfort to a nation trying to replace the legends of yester year. Alongside the 18 year old Patrick Cummins, Pattinson tops the long list of emerging international bowlers in 2011, returning 5fors as well as signalling a return to the chirpy nature of the Australian frontline.

It is still clear that this Australian side isn’t a great one. But what is clear is the potential they hold and with such a prestigious recent history to aspire to, a comfortable win over India may just give them the confidence to kick on in this series and into 2012.

Solid batting displays from Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey point to the fact that Australia are still reliant on facets of this fading golden generation. Without their contributions, it may well have been a different story. Although debutant Ed Cowan scratched around for 68 in the first innings, his dismissal in the second innings reeked of inexperience at this level. Moreover, Twenty20 specialist David Warner looks like he needs more time to adjust to the challenge of batting time that a Test match demands.

Despite these misgivings this victory at the MCG is a huge improvement on the performance in last year’s Boxing Day Test. The Santa’s were back in place of the empty seats which decorated this venue last year against England, a sign indicative of public support for this bullish, busy frontline attack.

Australia will take a lot from this performance, not least a 1-0 lead in what promises to be a keenly contested series. They finish 2011 a million miles from where they started, but will need to demonstrate more of the same confidence and will to win in Sydney if this upturn in form is to continue.

It is not like Australia haven’t played well this year in places. Patrick Cummins’ inspired performance in Johannesburg led them to victory over what the second best Test nation in the world. However, this was surrounded by much less noteworthy team performances and remains the exception in 2011, rather than the rule.

As the circus moves onto Sydney, Clarke will know that he needs a repeat showing to convince a sceptical Australian public that this performance signals the new dawn, not another false one.