Proteas vs Aus: Tests in SA

[disco]

I think the aussies did really well considering how much swing & seam movement there was early on. Ponting had a lot of luck but Clarke, North & Haddin were class.

5-250 at stumps is a good effort considering they lost 22 overs to bad light.

North & Haddin would want to see us to 350 if we want send the Saffas in for the last session tonight, chasing a good total.

Average 1st innings score at the Wanderes is 320.

 

[PaarlBok]

Average 1st innings score at the Wanderes is 320.

Think a bit misleading. The Wanderers had some green mambas in the past.

 

[disco]

Think a bit misleading. The Wanderers had some green mambas in the past.

That pitch was perfect for seam & swing bowling regardless, that 1st session the bowl was moving a cutting a mile.

I hope it is the same for us when Hilfenhaus & Siddle open.

 

[cyclopath]

Superb effort from Marcus North. Well done that man.
Please remind me what Ranga McDonald brings to the table?
Mitchell Johnson - I like the way he goes about his cricket.

 

[Cutter]

Hopefully McDonald brings wickets. I also hope Mitchell remembers he is there as a bowler first and foremost. This is a pretty defensive team I reckon. A long tail and one or more of the bowlers is really going to have to step up to be able to bowl the Saffers out twice.

 

[cyclopath]

Johnson just hits 26 off a Harris over!! 3 x 6, 2 x 4 and he left one!
Go for the ton son.

 

[RugbyReg]

466 and saffers 2 for 2. Handy situation. Who's this Johnson chap?

 

[PaarlBok]

Groot akkies hier. The pressure mounts. Great day for the Aussies and we'll pray for rain over the weekend. Just glad the Aussie posters start posting again, I was home alone on this thread and thought you guys was finish with the red ball. :thumb

 

[mark_s]

320 is long gone now PB, we'll take 460 thank you very much. What an innings by North and Johnson, should be no surprise though as this Aus team is long on batting with Johnson at 9! The question will be is our team too short on bowling to take 20 wickets.

Anyway its early days yet, Aus was in similar positions in the tests here in Aus and went on to lose them.

BTW PB, the crowds for this test are diabolical in my view for such high quality cricket and given your team has just returned from beating us over here. Also, the reports here are still contradicting your pitch assessments with most predicting it will be a tricky deck right through to day 5.

 

[cyclopath]

Anyone else watching some cricket - SA getting pantsed at the moment.

 

[Ash]

Yeah, 8 down. Poor decision for that LBW, but they'd used up their referrals.

 

[Ash]

Watching the highlights from what I've missed while watching rugby. These highlights suck, so hard to tell how people are batting / bowling.

That cancelled referral was interesting. Hopefully they iron out those kinks for next time.

Gees, that was a sitter that Ponting dropped off Johnson, who looks to have bowled well. Wonder if NTA was watching...

Interesting that Boucher thinks he didn't hit that ball. It looks like he may have, but it's so hard to tell. Is it possible to feather it and not feel it?

These tests with Aus and SA are so up and down. SA will sure come back in this test, if the past ones are anything to go by.

 

[Ash]

Haddin is such a shit gloveman. Good egde straight to the outer side of 1st slip, and Haddin dives across to drop the ball. Haddin would have to be one of the worst glovemen for a while out of of all the keepers from the top test teams over the last 10 years. Haddin is a good batsmen, though.

Costs Siddle a wicket.

 

[Ash]

Siddle with 3 bouncers in a row to Steyn and it gets a bit firey.

What I love about watching cricket in SAffaland is the unbelievable hordes of stunning women in the crowd, and the ability of the cameramen to scour them all out.

 

[Scotty]

I feel Australia should have taken the more positive and aggressive option and enforced the follow on.

I also feel that Ponting would rather Bollinger or McGain in his side than Ronnie.

 

[cyclopath]

Agreed, McDonald looks to be about the least talented Test debutante in recent memory. Not quite a batsman or a bowler.

 

[RugbyReg]

Johnson covers for him batting-wise so we would be better off with another specialist bowler.

 

[formeropenside]

Siddle with 3 bouncers in a row to Steyn and it gets a bit firey.

What I love about watching cricket in SAffaland is the unbelievable hordes of stunning women in the crowd, and the ability of the cameramen to scour them all out.

Channel 9 used to do that back in the 80's. Bloody PC crap.

 

[Scotty]

While Hopes would never been an fantastic Test cricketer, you have to wonder why he is deemed good enough for the ODIs and then McDonald is picked ahead of him in the Test squad. Of course Hopes then comes out and destroys the top order of NSW with figures of 5-15 yesterday. If the selectors need an extra batsmen that bowls, he is surely the man.

However, I wouldn't have him. As Noddy says, with Johnsons ability with the bat we don't need him. I would consider Bollinger for this game, but normally have gone McGain. If the selectors want a bowler that can bat, then they should have stuck with Krejza.

 

[barbarian]

SA take 4/5 when Aus seemed to be cruising. Hussey a first baller (another disappointing test), Clarke a second baller, North just 5.

Hughes just out for 75, Haddin not out on 15. Australia currently lead by 384, so you would think they only need another 40 to put the game out of reach.