Australia tour of SA 2014

[Samuels]

Was impressed with Doolan leaving, showed a different side to his game this innings instead of getting a quickfire 20, he stuck it out showing patience and went on to make a near 100.

Who would have thought the selectors would have a problem finding space for batsmen only a few months ago.

Actually I am quite impressed with the Australian selectors taking bold decision and drafting in the players they see something special (I think it is their technique, temperament and basics) than good numbers beside their name and this is not that they have started doing only recently. They did it when they got Pup in the team and they did it again with Bailey and Forrest and now Doolan. Two of them have already led the national side which is fascinating because they have been given their chances over the players who had way better stats. As much Doolans and the Baileys get the credit, the selectors deserve their share of moment of recognition to for such moves. I think the selectors world over should try this out by drafting players with the basics right over those with handsome numbers.

 

[sifter132]

^Yah Warner had quite a few letoffs.

Sloppy stuff from SA, they'll be much better just by improving their fielding, so there is hope for them.

Was surprised at the general lack of bowling by the pace trio yesterday. I know Morkel and Steyn haven't been 100%, but the much vaunted trio of pacemen only bowled 35 of the 69 overs. They should be bowling 2/3rds of the overs you would think, maybe even more on a shortened bowling day like yesterday.

Looks like touring teams to Australia will now start coming with a prayer not to get ripped out by Johnson. This is the most stunning turnaround of a player I've probably ever seen! When did Johnson become such a deadly fast bowler?

I think when he came back into the Test team 12 months ago vs Sri Lanka with his tweaked run-up he looked much better, and I was annoyed he only played one Test in India and wasn't picked for the Ashes tour of England. He's been gradually building momentum for 12 months now, through white ball cricket mostly. Although in the past he's always had his moments - he had 200 Test wickets at 30 before this summer

I don't think Watson gets a look-in next Test. The two guys who played in place of the regulars this match, Doolan and Marsh, have both stamped their authority. There's no way Marsh gets dropped after his first-innings hundred. Doolan, after playing well in the second, would be unlucky to miss out. Plus, the way Australia are going, they will win this Test, and they would be loathe to change a winning combination.

Yes I think Watson will have to bide his time! Even I as a big Watson supporter would say that he shouldn't be playing in this series now. Pick the same top 7 for the series, keep that consistency and really back Doolan and Marsh to build on their success without looking over their shoulders. If Chris Rogers keeps failing and/or Australia find they flounder without a reliable 5th bowler, then he can come into consideration next series. After all, Watson had made runs recently too and doesn't deserve to be pushed aside so quickly - only Bell and Rogers scored more runs over the 10 Ashes Tests than Watto.

 

[cricket_icon]

ohh man, looks like the Aussies are gona wrap this up in Ashes fashion. It's impressive to see Johnson returning to the form he showed some 4 years ago. Not sure how much longer it will last but it'll be fun to watch none the less.

 

[NathanScott45]

Fantastic cricket =)

 

[War]

Johnson like a one man terraforming machine from the superman comics, just devouring batting lineups.

For the 1st time now for sure Watson place int he team is under serious threat. The 3 man pace attack + Lyon doesn't really need a 5th bowling help on current form. Doolan reminds of Michael Vaughan in a way & he could be a solid long term # 3 - its about time AUS young batsmen started stepping up.

Watson then might have to challenge old vet Rogers for a place.

For S Africa i would drop both Petersen/Peterson/McCClaren & bring in De Kock/Elegar/Hardus Viljeon.

A Peterson has been carried for a while as an opener mainly because S Africa has been successful - but he is a walking wicket. Time to give Dean Elgar a run.

Robin P is not good enough as a spinner & S Africa have none in domestic cricket that is gunning for a place. So drop him and play 4 seamers & strengthen the batting by picking De Kock and relieving De Villiers of the gloves.

Also i think S Africa might as well use fight fire with fire - bring in Hardus Viljeon who can provide that nasty, aggressive element to the proteas attack.

Smith, Elgar, Amla, Du Plessis, De Villiers, De Kock, Dumminy, Philander, Steyn, Viljeon, Morkel.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

didn't catch Doolan but what a difference coming into a confident winning team makes.

an impressive debut away to south africa is a great start, lets just hope he doesn't go on to make back to back 100s in the next match.

in serious Warner is becoming a legit world class player, something I doubt many people saw. yeah, he was dropped a few times but it's positive to see him actually make the scores. while Johnston is a man possessed right now.

 

[SaiSrini]

Sorry for the slight deviation in topic -

Can the BCCI use their money power to postpone India's tour of Australia this year to some other year? I don't want our batsmen to be trampolined by Johnson this year!

He is being purely superman'ish! I am enjoying it (won't when he faces India).

 

[used2bcool]

Looks like it's not just Indian batters who have trouble with the short stuff when it's being hurled at 140+.

On a side note, and I know War won't agree, but South Africa need to take some of the life out of the pitch. Back your batsmen, who (at least on paper) are better than the Australian batters, to come through in conditions that don't play to Mitchell Johnson's strengths. I haven't seen Mitch swing or seam the ball a whole lot. If his method of getting you out is to hammer the pitch as hard as he can, prepare a pitch that doesn't assist him. Then rely on the superior skill of your bowlers to bowl the opposition out in less friendly conditions.

 

[War]

Well its not as if Johnson can't still still get them out a slow pitch. See Adelaide vs England.

S Africa are better off fighting fire with fire - back their very talented pace reserves. Doolan & S Marsh can still fail, just one test match. Rogers had a bad 1st test & Watson if he plays still has issues vs quality pace.

 

[ferg512]

Without Kallis, the SA batting lineup is definitely looking a bit flimsy. I mean Duminy is at 6 and hes barely made many runs lately and averages 31. Maybe they need to play an extra batsman.

 

[aussie1st]

Geez Johnson form is on another planet. Scary thing is Harris hasn't really fired a shot in a while so we get him firing and that attack is even scarier than it is now.

I hope the selectors stick with this lineup for the 2nd match, Doolan has shown good signs, if he can get some consistency then he has Test match batsmen written all over him.

 

[angryangy]

It's the nature of bowling. You can't have three guys getting 12 wickets a game. I think Harris bowled quite well, it's just that the batsman errors didn't convert into wickets for him.

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Looks like it's not just Indian batters who have trouble with the short stuff when it's being hurled at 140+.

On a side note, and I know War won't agree, but South Africa need to take some of the life out of the pitch. Back your batsmen, who (at least on paper) are better than the Australian batters, to come through in conditions that don't play to Mitchell Johnson's strengths. I haven't seen Mitch swing or seam the ball a whole lot. If his method of getting you out is to hammer the pitch as hard as he can, prepare a pitch that doesn't assist him. Then rely on the superior skill of your bowlers to bowl the opposition out in less friendly conditions.

Trouble is, are South Africa's bowlers really of that much superior skill? Nathan Lyon is better than Robin Peterson. Harris and Siddle both bowled with precision. Harris does average 22 after all and it's not because he bounces everyone. And the Centurion wicket was hardly wild. There was a bit of uneven bounce here and there, but it was not overly quick, not seaming much and not turning. On a drier and flatter wicket, South Africa might still face a contest where Australia's bowling is tight and where Johnson is still the difference between the two sides.

 

[Spickery]

That was a great win by Australia. Our batting order is starting to look a lot more solid and the two previously vacant batting spots look to now have been filled by Alex Doolan and Shaun Marsh. They both had impressive performances with the bat. Shane Watson looks likely to stay out of the team, as I can't see the selectors changing a winning a team. Our bowling attack is also continuing the good work from the Australian summer and it is being well led by Mitchell Johnson. Johnson is in career best form at the moment and is proving a serious challenge for any batsman to handle.

The Australian players will be ready for South Africa to try and bounce back in the next test match. Australia has been very good this summer at stringing along multiple wins. Hopefully this continues so we can win the series.

 

[stefan]

Aus were very good so credit them. SA was poor, Johnson was good but a lot of batsman lacked courage...

 

[C Boomer]

Perhaps the poor old beleaguered, much maligned English side weren't altogether that totally inept, taking into consideration how Australia and particularly Mitchell Johnston have taken their all conquering form with them to South-Africa!

They have reduced the current number one test nation to mere cannon fodder !

Brilliant cricket indeed and fantastic to watch as a cricket fan!