Australia tour of South Africa, 2008/09

[mrtwisties]

Average score on this ground is 235, so Australia are already into "difficult chase" territory. Johnson's done really well today (he's cracking in the ODI format), but none of the other bowlers have stepped up. Geeves has been particularly horrifying, but both Bracken and Hauritz should be doing better.

 

[Gilly Fan]

Duminy's taking Geeves to the cleaners, ehh.. maybe he should take him to the barbers instead - to get rid of that hidious beard!

Better beard than yours will ever be.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Better beard than yours will ever be.

I don't have a beard? I think we should get you into the touring squad. Australia could really do with 3/4 of 3.3 overs and a highest score of 12.

 

[Gilly Fan]

That's the spirit. Take pot shots at people when you can't win the argument.

 

[angryangy]

Average score on this ground is 235, so Australia are already into "difficult chase" territory. Johnson's done really well today (he's cracking in the ODI format), but none of the other bowlers have stepped up. Geeves has been particularly horrifying, but both Bracken and Hauritz should be doing better.

It doesn't remotely look like a 235 pitch, so I'm not going to base too much on history. Around two thirds of first innings at Newlands since 2000 have exceeded 249. Teams do tend to get thumped in the chase, but in games since 2000, the proportion of teams that win or come within 10 runs of winning is close to half.

That said, chasing 290 to win surely suits few chasing teams. Less than 270 on today's pitch, however? I would back them to get it.

Hauritz bowled 8 overs for 37. The only disappointing thing about that is that he didn't bowl 10. Seems like there's been a lot of ripping on Geeves tonight, but he really wasn't a lot worse than Bracken, who is starting to look like a guy who will get 'rotated'.

 

[aus_maestro]

Piss taking decision for Hussey, grrr, grrr.

 

[ZexyZahid]

Australia are at 146-5 after 37 overs and this is going to be a certain loss for them. Especially since they need 11 runs an over from here on.

 

[mrtwisties]

Well, that turned into a nasty match for Australia. But it's not like South Africa played out of their skins or anything - Australia bowled poorly, fielded poorly and batted poorly at the top of the order. A thoroughly deserved loss.

 

[aussie1st]

Dam where did the pattern go! We have really been let down by our top order, Haddin seems to be continually run out and Ponting CBA staying at the crease. All I can say is I hope Marsh and Watson can score quick as I don't feel our current openers are doing that. I really don't know what is wrong with Dussey continues to get starts but then gets out we can't have a whole team that is doing that.

Bowling wise Hopes really have been poor against SA, Bracken has fallen big time lately and Geeves I don't think is up to this level.

 

[irottev]

Australia need Symonds and Lee back. I saw they're in the squad for vs Pakistan, but at the moment they just lack those guys with experience and an aura about them.

 

[stefan]

Well done to the boys. a Good all round team performance. Nobody really stood out but everyone did a good job. The spinners in the middle were excellent.

And Smith chose the right venue to finally win a toss.

 

[jordox]

Australia's batting line up is terrible at the moment.

Haddin - I'm a huge fan of his, and he is very talented but his running has been pretty bad and he seems like he could get out at any minute.

Clarke - He seems completely out of touch and run down. Not doing anything for the team at the moment

Ponting - You know, sometimes I can't believe Ponting has the record he does, because I stand by saying that he is the least intelligent number 3 batsman in the world. Seriously, how many times have we seen him nicking the ball trying to smash a drive that isn't even there to hit, or pulling the ball straight into the throats of deep square leg. Such immense talent, but he looks terrible at the moment.

D. Hussey - Once again, the talents there he just seems to get starts and throw it away.

M. Hussey - One good performance in about 20 games.

Now, at this point in time I can't see that top 5 posting a solid total. No one is willing to stand up and they all look like they could go at any minute when they are batting. The bowling isn't doing much at the moment either, Bracken hasn't looked himself, Geeves shouldn't even be there and Hopes has been getting the stick. That leaves Hauritz who is bowling ok, and of course Johnson who is just a freak at the moment. He is singlehandedly leading the bowling attack.

However, take nothing away from the South Afrikan's they have bowled better, fielded better and batted better than the Australian's in the last two games and deserve to be 2-1 up.

 

[IloveGilly]

No firepower in the batting really. Memories of the likes of Hayden, Gilchrist, Martyn and Bevan just have to be remembered and compared to what is Australia struggling to line-up to settle into.

Definitely think Watson and Lee may be for the better. Husseys seem to be wasting their time and the openers are really just wasting the opening 10 overs - especially Clarke.

 

[jordox]

- especially Clarke.

Uh huh, Clarke has been nothing short of rubbish during his time in South Afrika. He has looked flat and hasn't performed.

 

[karnog]

Solid effort from Hopes and Ferguson. Both need to bat higher up as the top order look formless. Take nothing away from SA though. Good victory.