Aided by Damien Fleming's regular and often quirky injuries, Andy Bichel has occasionally been Australia's enforced first-change bowler during their recent period of Test success.
A lack of job security has heightened Bichel's awareness of the need to grab every chance, and it was no surprise to see him earning his keep at the MCG yesterday. When he doesn't click he can look mundane in the company of Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie; when he comes off, everything tends to happen in a blur.
One down in the three-Test series, South Africa escaped somewhat to a first-innings total of 277 as Bichel took three wickets, including a caught-and-bowled, took another catch and effected a direct-hit run-out from cover worthy of a position with a rich fielding history.
His summer had previously been spent on the subs' bench, a frustrating yet fruitful existence that produced an Australian Cricket Board contract and almost £50,000 sterling in November alone as he carried the drinks in all three Tests against New Zealand.
Bichel bowled in the image of his last Test, when he took five for 60 against the West Indies in last year's December 26th fixture.
He was fortunate to get the ball rolling, umpire Eddie Nicholls giving Jacques Kallis out, caught behind, in the mistaken belief the batsman had gloved a ball that reared and left him.
Adam Gilchrist did not appeal at all, and the bowler turned his head almost as an afterthought.Bichel later chuckled about the umpire always being right, but was straight enough to add: "Obviously everyone's seen the replay and I was very lucky."
Luck should not be wasted, and Bichel was soon on a hat-trick after Lance Klusener, whose total loss of form has become like watching a car crash, drove wildly at his first offering. Bat swivelled on impact, ball shot towards mid-on, and Bichel took a stunning return catch in his left hand.
South Africa were 233 for nine when Allan Donald departed at the end of a Brett Lee over in which he was almost yorked and caught behind, was hit in the head and body, and was finally dismissed edging to third slip.
Australia made life harder for themselves by scattering the field for Shaun Pollock, who had failed twice in Adelaide, and crowding Nantie Hayward. The captain duly recorded his Test-best against Australia, 42 not out. Bichel completed his hat-trick when number 11 Hayward, having recorded a Test-best score of 14, was caught by Mark Waugh.
Steve Waugh's frustration was eased when Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer wiped 126 off the arrears by stumps. Hayden began day three needing 77 more to pass Bob Simpson's return of 1,381 runs in 1964 that remains the most by an Australian in a calendar year.
Donald took the new ball without pace or penetration, Pollock bowled poorly and the left-handers were happy as larks for 32 overs before the rain returned. An appeal that the ball had become too wet to catch was upheld, a victory of sorts when not a single chance had been offered.
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