Openers forging a partnership to savour
The Age
Thursday December 17, 2009
SHANE Watson and Simon Katich both know how it feels to see a bugbear lurking in the shadows when they approach a Test century.Watson was spooked on 96 in Adelaide last week, and again felt the mythical creature's hot breath on his neck on 89 in Perth yesterday.Katich stumbled on 99 for the second time in his career, reliving the agony of his dismissal in Nagpur five years ago.With the exception of their painful dismissals, Australia's new and increasingly productive opening pair produced contrasting innings at the WACA Ground.Watson had some luck, dropped in the slips on seven and surviving a couple of close calls between the wickets in the 80s, but was otherwise in command of the West Indies attack, showing the full blade of his bat on the drive and the full power of his cuts and pulls.Katich had to scrap harder for his runs as he pushed to become the first Australian batsman in the series to reach three figures.Both walked off without fulfilment, though Watson's dismissal at least was not as traumatic as the wild heave that left his middle stump exposed to Sulieman Benn at the Adelaide Oval. This time Kemar Roach gained a legitimate edge and Watson did not need to punish himself.Watson can take solace from the fact that in his first nine innings as a Test opener he has struck five half-centuries and a 48, and he can take inspiration from the bloke down the other end, who took eight innings (and more than three years) to post his maiden Test hundred, against India at the SCG in January 2004, and now has eight centuries against his name.Katich blew the chance to post his ninth in front of the WA crowd that used to abuse him for switching states, but which seems to have mellowed since he revived his Test career.The 34-year-old was tempted by Benn and played a loose sweep shot, which was caught at square leg by Roach. After nine days of cricket the Australians still cannot boast a century-maker, but they can boast an opening partnership that after nine innings together is starting to look like the real deal.Their opening stand of 132 in Perth was the second biggest since they were thrust together by the demotion of Phillip Hughes at Edgbaston, and it was the fifth time they have put on more than 70 for the first wicket. Watson may not have realised his consuming ambition for a Test century, but he has established himself as the aggressor while Katich has been the perfect foil.Now they just have to learn to slay bugbears.
© 2009 The Age