Australia tour of SA 2014

[War]

S Africa shouldn't loose heart, even the great WI team at their peak were bowled out for 53 in a test match and still recovered in a series.

 

[Frostyvegi]

Someone posted this in a different forum.

Had to laugh.

Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis reject chances of Mitchell Johnson 'terrorising' South Africa in Tests | Latest News & Updates at DNAIndia.com

 

[sifter132]

Special shout out to the short leg work of Alex Doolan. Haven't seen a guy stay down in his crouch for so long! He's so still, even as the ball is hitting the bat. Top notch technique.

And David Warner's medium pace? Jury is definitely still out. He was mid 120kph, got a bit of shape, but I don't think he's threatening anyone. Mike Hussey was probably a better bowler. If Clarke has to turn to Warner regularly...it's not a good sign, put it that way. I think he just gave him some bowling with the new ball because that's about the only time he'll be potentially effective, with that extra swing.

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.

I think Mitchell Johnson would love to see Dean Elgar again Gave him a massive working over in Perth on his debut a couple of years back (Elgar a pair - both to Mitch), and it's only going to be worse in his current vein of form. Didn't realise Alviro Peterson had struggled so much recently, but I still think he would do better than Elgar.

Tough for SA with 3 Tests in 3 weeks...is that enough time to panic and make 2,3+ changes to your side? Or are you better off backing your troops and riding the wave? The only saviour I can see is de Kock, and they won't pick him for fear of scarring him (or some other stupid reason). I'd be backing that original XI I think and hope their experience and class comes through and masks the weaknesses.

 

[War]

I think Mitchell Johnson would love to see Dean Elgar again Gave him a massive working over in Perth on his debut a couple of years back (Elgar a pair - both to Mitch), and it's only going to be worse in his current vein of form. Didn't realise Alviro Peterson had struggled so much recently, but I still think he would do better than Elgar.

Tough for SA with 3 Tests in 3 weeks...is that enough time to panic and make 2,3+ changes to your side? Or are you better off backing your troops and riding the wave? The only saviour I can see is de Kock, and they won't pick him for fear of scarring him (or some other stupid reason). I'd be backing that original XI I think and hope their experience and class comes through and masks the weaknesses.

At the end of the day i'm supporting AUS to win & i don't think based on the strenghth's AUS have that the other squad members S Africa have is quota duo Klienvelt & Tsokeile, Parnell especially are good enough to hurt AUS.

That's why i think if they don't look outside their squad, AUS will be 2-0 quite easily.

Yes no doubt, the way how Elgar struggled vs Johnson will factor stronger in whether he is picked or not. So that's a tricky one. But Alviro is mess right now, he is probably the main player that has to be replaced.

In domestic cricket other openers they could look at are S Cook & A Puttick. However i don't know that their form is demanding selection.

In a small way too Duminy is under pressure, has sort of under-performed & certainly has taken his game to the next level since his famous hundred in AUS 2009. Much hyped young batsmen in S Van Zyl who is second highest run scorer in the current Proteas 4-day season or R Rossouw if was being drastic, would be picked as well.

 

[aussie1st]

And David Warner's medium pace? Jury is definitely still out. He was mid 120kph, got a bit of shape, but I don't think he's threatening anyone. Mike Hussey was probably a better bowler. If Clarke has to turn to Warner regularly...it's not a good sign, put it that way. I think he just gave him some bowling with the new ball because that's about the only time he'll be potentially effective, with that extra swing.

They really just want a few overs from some medium pacer, not really looking at the wicket taking ability. It is half the reason why Quiney was picked.

 

[Aislabie]

To be honest, I'm a little puzzled with all the talk of McLaren, Parnell and Kleinveldt. For me, it would have to be either Stiaan van Zyl or Albie Morkel who takes that number seven slot.

 

[CremerCurrans]

To be honest, I'm a little puzzled with all the talk of McLaren, Parnell and Kleinveldt. For me, it would have to be either Stiaan van Zyl or Albie Morkel who takes that number seven slot.

Albie Morkel shouldn't be anywhere near the test team. He needs to be playing a lot more first class cricket, and scoring runs and getting wickets to push for a spot. Wiese is a much better first class all-rounder, if that's what they decide they are looking for.

Stiaan van Zyl would be a good option to bat at number six, so Duminy could be moved down to seven again; but it sounds like Russell Domingo doesn't want to try any of the youngsters until after this series.

 

[Lebanna]

Albie Morkel shouldn't be anywhere near the test team. He needs to be playing a lot more first class cricket, and scoring runs and getting wickets to push for a spot. Wiese is a much better first class all-rounder, if that's what they decide they are looking for.

Stiaan van Zyl would be a good option to bat at number six, so Duminy could be moved down to seven again; but it sounds like Russell Domingo doesn't want to try any of the youngsters until after this series.

I wouldn't want to blood any youngsters against Johnson in this form either.

That said, I also think its too early to write off the SA team. They are an excellent team and there is a reason they are number 1, one bad game does not make a bad team.

If they are going to make any unforced changes then it will be from within the squad they picked originally, they picked them for a reason and (hopefully) will back them to win the next test.

Now that Ryan McClaren is injured however, it does open up that number 7 spot. My gut instinct is that Parnell will replace him but another option would be to drop Robin Petersen as well, bring in Tsolekele to take the gloves from Ab and have Duminy bat at 7 as the specialist spinner. But at the end of the day all I hope is that SA come out of the blocks firing on Thursday.

 

[Umair7]

Missed all 3 days and most probably wil miss the last 2 days too, so from where i can watch the highlights

I missed the whole test still no highlights

 

[shravi]

Duminy is a walking wicket. He is obscenely bad.

 

[stefan]

I wouldn't want to blood any youngsters against Johnson in this form either.

That said, I also think its too early to write off the SA team. They are an excellent team and there is a reason they are number 1, one bad game does not make a bad team.

If they are going to make any unforced changes then it will be from within the squad they picked originally, they picked them for a reason and (hopefully) will back them to win the next test.

Now that Ryan McClaren is injured however, it does open up that number 7 spot. My gut instinct is that Parnell will replace him but another option would be to drop Robin Petersen as well, bring in Tsolekele to take the gloves from Ab and have Duminy bat at 7 as the specialist spinner. But at the end of the day all I hope is that SA come out of the blocks firing on Thursday.

Playing Thami is playing with 10 players and handing Aus the test before it starts.

Duminy and Alviro are below average but they are nothing compared to Thami...

 

[sifter132]

So it's worth mentioning that Ryan McLaren is OUT of this Test with concussion symptoms - not surprised really, nasty stuff from Mitch.
South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Port Elizabeth : Ryan McLaren out of second Test | Cricket News | South Africa v Australia | ESPN Cricinfo

I think the best idea I heard to replace McLaren was to drop Robin Peterson as well, add Parnell and Elgar. That gives you extra batting with Elgar/Duminy at 7. Duminy can be the main spinner in a game where spin's not looking like a big factor.


Watson won't be in contention either as he's not bowling yet. Not that he was going to be picked anyway, hard for him to crack a succesful XI. The usual mixed messages regarding Watson coming out. Selectors apparently insist Watson must bowl to be picked, Clarke knows nothing about that...if selectors don't back Watson THE BATSMAN there is a problem. Either you think he is a top 6 quality batter or not - stop messing with the guy's head! His bowling is a bonus, not a requirement.

 

[War]

Hearing the Alviro is out with a flu and De Kock has been brought into the squad.

 

[used2bcool]

Hearing the Alviro is out with a flu and De Kock has been brought into the squad.

Yeah, cricinfo's preview has him with a viral infection. Probably a blessing in disguise for SA if it allows them to try De Kock at the opening spot.

Another interesting thing from that preview is that it has the #7 spot for SA listed as "Parnell/Elgar." I know about Parnell but I didn't know he could bat. When did he become a viable Test number 7? I don't know much about Elgar at all, but I thought he was a pure batsman. Can he bowl? And if not, is he not a total waste down at 7?

 

[War]

Yeah, cricinfo's preview has him with a viral infection. Probably a blessing in disguise for SA if it allows them to try De Kock at the opening spot.

Another interesting thing from that preview is that it has the #7 spot for SA listed as "Parnell/Elgar." I know about Parnell but I didn't know he could bat. When did he become a viable Test number 7? I don't know much about Elgar at all, but I thought he was a pure batsman. Can he bowl? And if not, is he not a total waste down at 7?

I think Parnell can bat @ 7 against certain teams, but vs this AUS attack i think its a level too high for him.

Elgar bowls left-arm spin, could be useful part-timer like Duminy is with his off spin.

IMO, they should certainly drop Robbie P, play 4 fast bowlers.