The tour game

I followed, with some interest, the tour game between the Australians and the Jamaicans. And not because Ricky Ponting was in a good place and had had adequate practice against net bowlers in India ( he scored 17).

The reason I was interested in seeing how the match progressed was the Australian slip cordon and the catching.

Australia made a mess of the catching in the series against India ( both Tests and ODIs). And from the looks of it, there has not been much improvement in that regard ( 3-4 chances grassed including Haddin dropping Baugh on 7. Baugh went on to score 111).

And what makes it more interesting is the news that Matthew Hayden is iffy to start the first Test because of an Achilles heel injury.

So, Australia could well be without their regular first slipper,Ricky Ponting is no second slipper and with Clarke missing, the third slip option is also up for grabs.

And for all the talk of batting and bowling, how the slip cordon goes will determine the amount of success the Australians have in the Frank Worrell Trophy.