Sunday 7 March 1999
Day 3: First Test, Queen's Park Oval, Port-of-Spain Trinidad
He is energetic, flamboyant, cocky, plays hook shots in the air, cover
drives on the up and kisses his helmet when he reaches the magical
century. He is Michael Slater and he is absolutely in the form of his
life.
According to the textbook, 'Slats' is not your stereotypical opening
batsman, but what the heck, is he good for cricket or what?
Today he scored his fifth century in nine Test matches; an awesome
achievement considering it was not that long ago that he was in Test
cricket wilderness playing Sheffield Shield cricket for NSW. During his
innings of 106 he drove, cut and pulled with the fierceness of an angry
hurricane. He is always exciting to watch and today was no exception.
Considering he was playing Ambrose, Walsh and co, on a pretty dodgy Test
match pitch, this must be one of his greatest knocks. Having 'Slats'
batting like this, it is no wonder we have had such tremendous success
over the last few years. When a player scores so quickly, the team is in
a perfect position to convert games into victories. It allows the
bowlers ample time to take 20 wickets for the match to set up regular
success.
As it is in this Test, we now have two days to bowl out the beleaguered
West Indies batting line-up. This is a perfect situation for Steve Waugh
and the bowlers. With the pitch looking as though it will keep low and
turn tomorrow, we are in a sensational position to take the first Test
of this series.
The talk in the changeroom was about 'Tugga' scoring a duck in this
second innings. Mark Taylor scored a 'pair' in his first Test as
Australian captain in Karachi, Pakistan, so 'Tugg' feels that his 14
runs for the match are at least a little better than 'Tubby's' first up
effort. He figures that if he can have as much success as Australia as
Mark Taylor did, then he will be happy to take a duck or two every now
and then.
The atmosphere in the team is unbelievable, with high expectation
surrounding day four tomorrow.
From Trinidad, JL
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