Australia in South Africa Oct-Nov 2011/12

[aus_maestro]

How did Clarke let him review that

 

[SciD]

Till now it has been Clarke and Steyn show. At this moment Aussies camp will be more happy than Saffers.

Not seen Aussies in test action for long time, Clarke is looking really good and flashes of his younger days are evident in this innings.

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And just like that two wickets tilt balance in Saffers favor.

 

[AngryPixel]

Wow... Steyn is on fire...

 

[Haarithan]

Steyn and Morkel are an absolute treat to watch! Waiting for the day (if there's one) when these two along with Anderson and Swann form the Test World XI's bowling attack.

 

[Sedition]

Stupid shot by Johnson. Clarke could get a double here if someone hangs around.

 

[MUFC1987]

Philander just looks like one of those old fashioned pace bowlers, who will pitch it full and straight and just keep running in all day long. Looks to be a good addition for me. The only question is how he'll fare with conditions that aren't as responsive. But he's done enough to earn a chance at proving himself.

 

[Sedition]

At least this "bad light" gives Clarke a chance to break Johnson and Harris' legs for those ridiculous shots.

 

[Paki007]

if it's gonna happen through out the match may it'll be handy for OZs

 

[shravi]

Ugh, these matches start at 12:30am for me. Oh well, I'll just catch foxtel highlights. They're pretty long.

 

[aussie1st]

Well played Pup just too bad no one apart from the new boy Marsh stuck around.

 

[stefan]

Overall happy with the days plays. Steyn was superb as almost always and philander was good. Morkel and Kallis were disappointing. Won't read too much into tahir as yet, will only really judge him come second innings.

Hopefully we can knock aus over for under 250.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

At least this "bad light" gives Clarke a chance to break Johnson and Harris' legs for those ridiculous shots.

I hope he gets to them after having first beaten Haddin to a pulp. You'd think with your captain looking at a ton, you'd not come out and just have a lash like he did.

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Overall happy with the days plays. Steyn was superb as almost always and philander was good. Morkel and Kallis were disappointing. Won't read too much into tahir as yet, will only really judge him come second innings.

Hopefully we can knock aus over for under 250.

Steyn is always worth watching. Great bowler.

 

[angryangy]

The game's afoot! This is cricket you can not undervalue. There is often clamour to see more in the pitch for bowlers, but that's just one facet. It seems to be a very kind surface for the ball, still swinging around after 50 overs. The batsmen needed to play with judgement and sense right down the order, which is really something considering the times when it seems like nobody has to do that. But it wasn't all one way. If the batsman could get into a position to play shots, the pace and bounce were in his favour. It was particularly hard for the bowlers if they dropped short, so they needed to bowl test quality areas.

However it can't be the same every day. Therein lies the challenge of building a 5 day wicket. As the pitch ages, it will get much harder for the seamers. One might expect something in the wicket tomorrow because its hardly spent any time uncovered, but while that prevents wearing, it doesn't quite stop natural processes. If it is still lively, or better yet, if it's a little quicker, then Australia are still in the game with 250, as it gives them a chance to bowl last, even with a first innings deficit. If it's an absolute belter tomorrow, then it will offer a chance for South Africa to amass a huge lead and maybe not need to bat again. Even if it's a mad spinning paradise by day 4, it might overall be a bowler's wicket, but it does the game no good.

 

[aussie1st]

I hope he gets to them after having first beaten Haddin to a pulp. You'd think with your captain looking at a ton, you'd not come out and just have a lash like he did.

He never learns and probably won't. If Wade can get a few more 100s then he'll really put his name in the frame.

If it's an absolute belter tomorrow

I got a bad feeling it will be, so often you see a bowling side dominate one day and once the opposition are in, it looks like a road. Actually happened last time we toured here when SA were following one of Johnson's magical spells.

 

[puddleduck]

Yeah when the weather is good a pitch with some first day life normally dies down a bit for the 2nd and 3rd days. Always especially frustratng when batsman get themselves out on the first day. Normally a solid first day can really be pressed home on the 2nd against a tiring bowling attack.

Surely SA to wrap things up early? Looking like it could be a good test match though