Australia tour of South Africa, 2008/09

[aussie1st]

Well positive is Johnson will have all the time in the world to bat and not have to worry about smashing it from ball one. Also a good chance for Hopes to cement the number 7 spot and Ferguson biggest test so far.

 

[manee]

That's very much the talking point here in SA, he's far too inexperience to have just been awareded a national contract with just one ODI under hs belt....but he is a great talent, and ex SA international Boeta Dippenaar said that even though he thinks Parnell is too young, he has faced him out in the middle and in one spell said you could've thought Wasim Akram was bowling, with inswing and outswing at pace.

I recall reading that, fascinating stuff. It'll be interesting to know whether he has a mastery of swing or whether it is just natural variation. My money is on the latter, he tends to bowl with a straightish seam that can angle very slightly either way.

Spoke too soon.

Not really. I don't think anyone doubts his ability to put on a superb exhibition of bowling as he is now, but as the commentators pointed out, South Africa have a habit of burning out players too quickly.

This being said, this is a great spell. Mike Hussey was outclassed by late swing and Ponting and Clarke got classical dismissals.

 

[piriyanth]

20/5 this is so embarrassing

No more Clarke opening please:

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Another blunt way of getting out : Hopes gone

 

[venom2011]

I recall reading that, fascinating stuff. It'll be interesting to know whether he has a mastery of swing or whether it is just natural variation. My money is on the latter, he tends to bowl with a straightish seam that can angle very slightly either way.

Yep. He's nowhere near mastering that art yet, but whether it's natural or skill, it can work for him either way. He has a natural inswinging action and wrist position, so his natural variation is the one that leaves the right hander. Will be interesting to see how he goes with the older ball.

 

[aussie1st]

We have no other openers Hopes won't improve on Clarke.

At last we get to see Johnson with a heap of time to bat. If he can't produce a knock today then I don't have much more hope for his ODI batting.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

We have no other openers Hopes won't improve on Clarke.

At last we get to see Johnson with a heap of time to bat. If he can't produce a knock today then I don't have much more hope for his ODI batting.

Same here

 

[manee]

Yep. He's nowhere near mastering that art yet, but whether it's natural or skill, it can work for him either way. He has a natural inswinging action and wrist position, so his natural variation is the one that leaves the right hander. Will be interesting to see how he goes with the older ball.

Yeh, definitely has everything shaped for the one which comes in to the right hander. I can probably see him utilising contrast swing (which, if my limited knowledge serves me, is the ball swinging towards the shiny side when delivered with an upright seam) with the old ball, which can be extremely useful, if perfected.

 

[ajdude]

Brilliant job by Hopes and Ferguson, they more than doubled our score with that partnership. Just...unfortunately the partnership was only worth 21...:

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Brilliant job by Hopes and Ferguson, they more than doubled our score with that partnership. Just...unfortunately the partnership was only worth 21...:

Atlist they made sure we cross the 35 thanks to both of them

 

[venom2011]

Yeh, definitely has everything shaped for the one which comes in to the right hander. I can probably see him utilising contrast swing (which, if my limited knowledge serves me, is the ball swinging towards the shiny side when delivered with an upright seam) with the old ball, which can be extremely useful, if perfected.

Yeh shiny side is right. Duno if the pitch is abrasive enough for that to work though. And umps changing the ball at the 36 over mark certainly takes something away from that art form.

 

[aussie1st]

What a hit by Johnson that is more like the Johnson we have come to love in Test cricket.

 

[piriyanth]

Amazing six by Johnson.:hpraise

 

[IloveGilly]

Ponting really should've taken the powerplay... let Johnson have a license to slog.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Ponting really should've taken the powerplay... let Johnson have a license to slog.

Punter is waiting when will bracken and co will arrive : he never takes the powerplay in time. Never