Australian tour of SA
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Train Without a Station
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I'd argue the fact that we couldn't stay in the middle was what killed us. Much like almost every loss we've had in the last couple of years.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
The temptation will be there to change the batting line up, given the series is on the line in Cape Town. If Watson is fit I'd be surprised if he doesn't play, though I don't rate him. We'll need to be considerably better with the bat if we're to be any chance. The lower order can't keep bailing us out, neither can we rely on our pace attack to keep us ahead in the game. The Saffers are made of sterner stuff than the Poms.
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Train Without a Station
Guest
This was the perfect time for the middle order to stand up. Rogers and Warner had laid out decent platforms and seen off the fresh attack with the new ball.
Personally it reinforced my opinion of Marsh. He is great in innings such as the first of the first test when there is zero expectation. Last night however when he could be reasonably expected to perform he did not. In his defence, neither did anybody beyond the openers though.
Personally it reinforced my opinion of Marsh. He is great in innings such as the first of the first test when there is zero expectation. Last night however when he could be reasonably expected to perform he did not. In his defence, neither did anybody beyond the openers though.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Yep. The perfect platform was laid and the middle order blew it. Again. Agree on Marsh too.
Shaun Marsh now has 6 ducks in 15 test innings. That's a fairly amazing strike rate of ducks!
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Jeez Paarl, haven't see you around these parts for a while. Might it have something to do with the Saffers winning? 
whatty
Bob Loudon (25)
Surprised he is not here constantly then.Jeez Paarl, haven't see you around these parts for a while. Might it have something to do with the Saffers winning?
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Nice one, good riposte.
It was awfully quiet from The Republic after the first test though.....
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tranquility
Guest
Gives us a decent wicket Newlands, and let the boy's play!
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
The track at Newlands usually does a bit, so there'll be life in it for the seamers. It's not usually impossible to bat on and will reward blokes who get themselves set.
T
tranquility
Guest
If Patto comes in, which of Harris or Siddle drops out? Suppose it depends on how Harris's body is going..
whatty
Bob Loudon (25)
I agree, we were awfull and out played. My excuse is that we were very underdone in not playing for over six weeks and you guys were battle hardend.Nice one, good riposte.
It was awfully quiet from The Republic after the first test though...
One thing I look for in selections is the foresight to put together a team for the next contest, not the last one. Stability is all well and good (and good performances MUST be rewarded) but asking Harris to play a test too far is fraught with danger. As is picking Watson for any test, mind you. I sincerely hope Lehmann consults the medical crew on tour and gets a brutally honest report on the physical wellbeing of Harris, Siddle and Watson. If they're carrying any sort of niggling injury it's off to the recovery lounge.
The batting? Hughes likes Saffer pitches and bowlers, surely he's next in line for either Doolan or Marsh, probably Marsh.
My team for Cape Town:
Rogers
Warner
Hughes
Doolan
Clarke
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Siddle/Bird
Pattinson
Lyon
The batting? Hughes likes Saffer pitches and bowlers, surely he's next in line for either Doolan or Marsh, probably Marsh.
My team for Cape Town:
Rogers
Warner
Hughes
Doolan
Clarke
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Siddle/Bird
Pattinson
Lyon
T
tranquility
Guest
Will be an incredibly interesting 11 this one, the most interesting in Lehmann's tenure I would have thought. Like Ewen McKenzie, he appears to be a superior selector and generally makes the right call.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
He's got some vexing questions to answer, that's for sure. Such as: is Rhino fit enough to bowl? Should Watson come back into the team? If so, at the expense of who?
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
A wise man (it was me) once said: Fuck Watson. I probably said it more times than once, too. Jagging the odd wicket and making a hundred when it isn't needed are skills that anyone possess. His only gift appears to be touring foreign countries and grabbing at his hamstring or calf whenever he decides to sook off.
The wicket will determine a lot - if its low and slow, Siddle stays as the workhorse, lock it in Eddie. If Harris is up to potentially two days in the field, then he stays too. Can we throw Hughes back in? Maybe, but will he bat three and do we keep Doolan?
The wicket will determine a lot - if its low and slow, Siddle stays as the workhorse, lock it in Eddie. If Harris is up to potentially two days in the field, then he stays too. Can we throw Hughes back in? Maybe, but will he bat three and do we keep Doolan?
No4918
John Hipwell (52)
If Watson is fit I expect him to return for Marsh or Doolan. If not fit then i think the same team will play with the possible exception of Harris.
Hughes won't be seen, I don't like it but after Doolan and Marshs first test they are probably entitled to another chance. If one or both of them fail to contribute again however there positions should be available in the next series
Hughes won't be seen, I don't like it but after Doolan and Marshs first test they are probably entitled to another chance. If one or both of them fail to contribute again however there positions should be available in the next series
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