Aussie batsmen flounder on fast WACA track

AUSTRALIAN cricket has a serious problem. The captain looks "gone" and the vice-captain is travelling even worse.

Australia's top order was a rudderless rabble at the WACA yesterday.

Ricky Ponting turns 36 this month and he appears to be morphing into Steve Waugh in the final few years of his Test career - jerky, nervous, uncertain.

That has never been his way.

Both Ponting and Michael Clarke played poor, timid, half-baked shots here today as Australia were rolled for 268 on a green deck.

It is sad to see Ponting in such decline. There is pressure on him at every turn.

If only Australia could hang in there and have one really powerful batting day instead of having to scramble all the time.

Australia picked four fast bowlers for a five-man pace attack, leaving out spinner Michael Beer.

Chairman Andrew Hilditch said week Beer was certain to play and there was an animated discussion between Ponting and the selectors before play.

The Ashes are on the line. Australia is becoming increasingly desperate.

In his past seven Tests, Clarke has made 269 runs at 22.42.

Hussey was typically stoic for his 61, pulling and driving with the confidence missing in most of his teammates.

Some free swinging from Mitchell Johnson (62) and Peter Siddle (35 not out) ensured Australia gave its bowlers something to work with.

Hauritz needs to rise from the canvas..THIS is Nathan Hauritz's chance.

Australia's beleaguered offspinner has a deteriorating fifth day pitch at M. Chinniswami Stadium to work with and the opportunity to bowl his nation to victory on their last day of Test cricket before the Ashes.

And now Hauritz's input will be similarly crucial if Australia are to snatch a series-levelling win. Victory is improbable, but possible

Meanwhile, Peter George revealed he was such a nervous wreck he could barely breathe or bowl during the early stages of his Test debut. It would be fair, and also flattering, to describe a few of his offerings as merely lacking "jadoo", the Hindi for magic. But George was exhaling again yesterday after grabbing two key wickets.

George's first Test wicket was one to remember, that of Tendulkar

"I was at mid-on and mid-off trying to help him through that, just trying to get a smile on his face.

"It's a pretty big occasion, a big crowd and very loud. He was bowling against Tendulkar but he really enjoyed it and I think he did a really good job. He stuck to the plans.

"Coming in for your first Test when you have to do something like that, full credit to how he performed."