Australia in South Africa

[ZexyZahid]

It looks like it is going to be a ten wickets win for Australia. Only 57 runs needed now.

 

[James_W]

Ntini has dismissed both openers in quick time, but just 24 needed to win, so nothing to be excited about.

Ntini has not get Ponting LBW, might have been missing leg, but now hussey in with Martyn, these 2 should get the 19 runs needed.

 

[icyman]

Unless there is a dramatic collapse...which i doubt is going to happen without Pollock.

 

[Cricket_60]

Great win for the Aussies. Well done to Stuart Clark who claimed 9 wickets on his debut :happy

 

[icyman]

M.O.M = Stuart Clark ?
It has to be him.
He's played well in his First test.
Great for the Aussies bouncing back from last Sunday's defeat.

 

[vizard]

Fantastic win .. great performance all around except the late order collapse. Clark has had a fantastic start, but it was equally impressive spell of fast hostile bowling from lee late yesterday, the kind of spell he is capable of but hasnt produced since the VB Series group games. Ponting must be happy that Warne didnt have a great amount of work..he's been depending upon him far too much and even wants him coming out of ODI retirement, which isnt necessarily a good thing.

Why was Hayden not given out or atleast the catch not referred to 3rd umpire..strange one that.

 

[varunvgiri]

SA really missed Pollock in this game. With him in the side they could have used the seaming conditions more. It should be a much tighter contest in the second test...

 

[aussie1st]

I knew Clark would be the key factor in the end, Hayden said he pitch was still seaming so obviously Warne wasn't needed as he usually would. Finally our selectors got something right. Lets see how Clark goes in future matches.

 

[Sureshot]

Gillys catch was brilliant, simply outstanding.

 

[IloveGilly]

Simply superb work from Clark, He really did deserve 10 wickets with a debut like that. Hopefully he has enough form to get him to the Ashes without being dropped.

 

[aussie1st]

I wonder what the selectors will do if McGrath is fit for the Ashes. I guess they may as well take him cause McGrath may not be back at his best. No point in taking Tait cause if McGrath isn't right we're in trouble.

 

[James219]

To be honest, a few Pura Cup matches should be enough for McGrath to find his feet again. He's an experienced player who's been around the Australian team environment and has communicated well with his teammates for a long time, so a few tests throughout 2006 won't really have an impact on how he'll perform in the Ashes. He knows what to do, and has proved his intelligence as a bowler, so if he gets his rhythm right in domestic cricket, he's played enough international cricket to transfer that into the test scene.
But yes, if Clark backs up his recent form, he'll be the back up to McGrath I would think.

 

[aussie1st]

Also Clark has been the 1st change bowler which means he will be suited to that role for when McGrath comes back to take the new ball with Lee. Lets see how Clark goes through this series but he should go fine given McGrath could perform on most pitches.

 

[genghis_khan]

yes well done Clarky...cant ask for much more really.

McGrath will be ready come ashes dont you worry...and he will have the champions trophy to find his groove, even though its not test cricket, its still a competitive hit out.

That Newlands pitch ended up surprising everyone...imagine if McGrath and Pollock hadve played

 

[Sman-21]

According to commentators a catch can only be referred to 3rd umpire if both umpires were clearly unsighted.
Both umpires had a clear view of the catch,they couldnt be completely sure that it was caught so they had to give benefit of the doubt to the batsmen.

I only saw one replay of the catch and it didnt show anything did they show any other views at all and was it a catch or did it just bounce.?

Great win by Australia after Sundays humiliation i didnt give them much chhance of winning the first test.
Still had them ppicked to win test series though.