Andrew Symonds has surpassed himself. On a hot afternoon in Johannesburg he found strengths that had not previously been detected even by his nearest and dearest. He had always been such a physical player, belting sixes, throwing himself around in the field and bowling in various styles, none of them subtle. At times he looked out of place in the international arena, a lump of coal in a pile of diamonds. Australia had a powerful team and plenty of fine players in reserve. Symonds lacked technique and temperament, or so we thought sitting in the stands and watching as cricketers came and went.
Not that cricket is a sophisticated game or anything of that sort. Teams must score runs and take wickets. At the highest levels, though, the pressure is intense and a man must be able to think his way out of trouble. Repeatedly Symonds stumbled and often seemed clumsy. After showing early signs of promise he had not developed and many were puzzled by the faith shown in him by the selectors and the limited-overs captain alike. Frankly, he looked out of his depth. Many of us questioned his inclusion in the squad. The figures did not stack up. He'd been given plenty of chances and had not taken them. He was not good enough. Ah, but those who laugh last laugh longest.
Australian supporters were not reassured by the sight of Symonds walking to the crease in the hour of need. Would those wretched selectors never learn? Most yearned for that cranky fellow from Bankstown, the grizzly bloke who had rescued more lost causes than 'The Horse Whisperer'. Moreover, the Pakistanis were running around like men possessed, trying to convince themselves that a team can tighten its game simply by deciding the time is ripe. Of course, it did not last. Bad habits are not so easily overcome. Bad captaincy does not help either, with fieldsmen drifting around and the underdogs failing to ram home its advantage. Australia had the superior captain, and it showed.
Symonds did not take long to find his bearings. Nor did he seem intimidated by the challenge. Rather, he had the air of a man who somehow sensed his time had come. All his career had been building towards this moment, or so he seemed to think, and he believed he could meet the occasion. At first no one took much notice of Symonds, assuming his stay would be brief. Apart from anything else reporters had much to occupy their minds. Fortunately, Ricky Ponting was batting well, pushing the score along.
After an hour, surprised watchers began to realise that Symonds was still at the crease, and did not look much like getting out. Indeed, he was hitting the ball uncommonly well, and appeared more settled than usual. Symonds has always hit the ball hard and soon the fieldsmen were hopping about as drives thundered towards them. Nor did the Queenslander seem uncomfortable on the back foot. Certainly, this was the most measured innings played by a batsman whose previous work had been haphazard. Perhaps it helped that he had a long time to bat. Tempo is important in batting and normally Symonds is obliged to attack from the beginning. When he tried to defend he would appear awkward. He seemed to have only two gears, first and fifth.
Of course, it helped that his opponents obligingly omitted to recall the faster bowlers despite their powerful position. Instead, Pakistan sent down over upon over of second rate spin and Waqar seemed more concerned about the overrate than his loss of control. The Maginot line did not fall as swiftly as this lacklustre outfit. Ponting's departure put even more pressure upon Symonds and he relished it, choosing his shots intelligently and playing them with conviction. Before long, the mood of the game had changed, decisively as it turned out. Before long, Symonds reached three figures and even then did not cut loose, continuing to attack with calculation, running hard and hitting cleanly but without taking unnecessary risks.
Before this competition began, Symonds seemed the weak point of the party. Australia could not find a man to score runs down the order. Brad Hogg's effort in Melbourne stood out amidst a mass of failures. Symonds carried the innings upon his shoulders and by doing so rewarded those who had been supporting him for so long. Now he is entitled to his place in the side. Australia's recovery told of spirit in the camp and resolute leadership. Happily the fightback came from the most unlikely source, a turn of events that will delight Australians and disconcert opponents in about equal measure.
