Australia tour of SA 2014

[MUFC1987]

Have South Africa played this whole series a bowler short? Weird how they seem to be picking up so many injuries.

 

[Lebanna]

Have South Africa played this whole series a bowler short? Weird how they seem to be picking up so many injuries.

You have a point:

1st Test:
They played an extra bowler
Steyn has tummy trouble throughout most of it

Between 1st & 2nd
Philander an injury concern
Ryan McClaren had concussion

2nd Test:
Dropped a bowler
Parnell got injured in Aus 1st Innings and didn't bowl in the 2nd
Philander stayed an injury concern right up until the toss

3rd Test:
Replaced Injured Parnell with Abbott
Steyn was injured and probably won't bowl in the rest of the test.

So overall SA have used:
Steyn
Philander
Morkel
Petersen
McClaren
Parnell
Abbott
(Duminy)
(Elgar)

Out of the the 7 frontline bowlers, 3 of them have picked up an injury that prevented them from bowling and/or miss matches, and another was almost added to that list.

 

[mrzdt]

You have a point:

1st Test:
They played an extra bowler
Steyn has tummy trouble throughout most of it

Between 1st & 2nd
Philander an injury concern
Ryan McClaren had concussion

2nd Test:
Dropped a bowler
Parnell got injured in Aus 1st Innings and didn't bowl in the 2nd
Philander stayed an injury concern right up until the toss

3rd Test:
Replaced Injured Parnell with Abbott
Steyn was injured and probably won't bowl in the rest of the test.

So overall SA have used:
Steyn
Philander
Morkel
Petersen
McClaren
Parnell
Abbott
(Duminy)
(Elgar)

Out of the the 7 frontline bowlers, 3 of them have picked up an injury that prevented them from bowling and/or miss matches, and another was almost added to that list.

Not looking for excuses but does feel like we have battled more than the Aussies. Well done to Australia they are in a good position here. I would not enforce the follow on if I were Australia. I would give Warner free reign and try to put up a lead of 500+. Anything under that SA could still chase. Just look at the India game in December. SA came very close to chasing 450. Australia also want to give themselves as much time as possible to get Faf and the other 9 wickets. 4 sessions should be the least amount of time. 5 would be better.

 

[NathanScott45]

Graeme Smith, what a legend. On the face of it, this retirement seems far too early, he's a modern great! De Kock to take his spot? De Villiers to ascend to captaincy?

 

[SpitfiresKent]

Graeme Smith, what a legend. On the face of it, this retirement seems far too early

Is it just purely a coincidence that players seem to be retiring after a poor series against the Aussies?

 

[used2bcool]

I'm going to miss watching Graeme Smith. He was one of my favorite South African players. A modern goliath of the game and a gutsy fourth-innings specialist, just the kind of guy you want leading your team. South Africa were lucky to have him captain for so long, and it's no coincidence that they have achieved previously-unattainable heights under him.

Also, his awesome record in retiring English captains - got Hussain, Strauss, and Vaughan, I think!

 

[Aalay]

It's not a coincidence. I think many people saw it coming because he has been struggling a bit lately. He did not struggle against India but was not at his best as well and than his struggle against Johnson this series probably finished him off. He actually never looked comfortable after his double century against Pakistan in UAE. If Kalis had not retire, this would have been the perfect time for him to retire but because Kalis's retirement, he should have stayed there for a couple of years more. Anyways he was a brilliant player even though he did not have the best technique and an even better leader.

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South Africa news : Graeme Smith announces South Africa retirement | Cricket News | South Africa v Australia | ESPN Cricinfo

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The end had been coming for Smith | Cricket News | South Africa v Australia | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[asprin]

That was a shocker. Smith had at least 3 years more left in him. What's making these guys take such drastic decisions? It surely can't be the way the series is going at the moment.

 

[GlitchInTheMatrix]

Yes! We're in the winning position,

 

[Umair7]

Alex Doolan-All the saffers want him to stay at the crease

 

[Lebanna]

The Doolan Effect

Alex Doolan-All the saffers want him to stay at the crease

I make charts for cricket matches. For this match, look at the Run Rate chart in this image.

In the circle, the diamond is when Rogers was out and Doolan came in, look at the drop in the RR!

 

[Umair7]

Yeah that's why i said saffers want him to stay

 

[mrzdt]

Michael Clarke had a lot to say about Smith not declaring early in the last Test. But what is he doing now?

 

[stefan]

Graeme Smith, what a legend. On the face of it, this retirement seems far too early, he's a modern great! De Kock to take his spot? De Villiers to ascend to captaincy?

De Kock will replace him but personally think new captain will be and should be Faf. Think he is the better leader of the two.

 

[Frostyvegi]

Michael Clarke had a lot to say about Smith not declaring early in the last Test. But what is he doing now?

Bit of a difference in that SA have 150 odd overs to chase 510 and Australia had less than 90 (as it was a given that the 5th day was going to be a total loss due to the storm that was coming) to chase 450.