Sydney, Aug. 22 (ANI): Australia faces a long struggle to survive at The Oval, believes noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck.
According to Roebuck, an interesting few days awaits as skilful batsmen contend with fast bowlers bent on exploiting uneven bounce and modest spinners try to make the ball bite and turn.
"Far from playing hard and true, the strip was grudging and dusty from the opening hour. Evidently the curator overdid it. This match is likely to grip till the last afternoon," he writes in his column for The Age.
"At stumps, Australia's position was precarious. Hereafter it might need to rethink its bowling strategy by choosing horses for courses. Previously it was able to play the same blokes in all conditions. Great bowlers travel well. The current crop have varied skills. A ruthless approach may be required, with bowlers coming and going regardless," Roebuck says. (ANI)