Indian tour of South Africa, December-January 2010/11

[used2bcool]

The commentators raised a fair point about finding a global sponsor for the technology like hotspot and hawkeye, and to take it out of the hands of the broadcasters or the boards.

Graeme Smith keeps talking about having UDRS implemented with consistency. I see where he's coming from, and he must be frustrated at his board's inability to grow a pair and put their foot down and say, "right, this is our home series, our prerogative, we say we want UDRS, and if you don't like it, then tough."

About the decisions, yes South Africa had a couple going their way but arguably the ones that went for us had more weight. To be fair, though, I thought deVilliers looked out on first impression, only for Hawkeye to prove me wrong. Boucher's decision was pretty bad, though.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

I thought the same about ABDV, thought he was plumb on first sight.

Boucher's was horrid. Absolutely horrid. I wouldn't have even appealed for that.

Nah I would have, I appeal for anything. Still, bad decision.

And Zak's was a tight one, bat on ground at the time of impact, it only missed the bat by a whisker.

 

[relentless_rock]

Not quie pleased with flying in Rohit Sharma to replace Sehwag. Could have very well asked Pujara to stay behind. Seing the original side picked ( http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-india-2010/content/story/493663.htmlup ) for ODIs Sehwag is kinda replaced not by one but 2 batsmen, Vijay also makes into the ODI squad.

 

[Meet]

Damn!
I would have better like to see Pujara into the ODI side.He is way better than the likes of Rohit and Vijay.

 

[King Cricket]

It feels marvelous to taste a surreal victory after a sombre few days punctuated by atrocious comments about the efficiency of the Indian team and its players which would bubble up every now and then. I wish there were more such series against top international teams instead of bland games on flat subcontinental pitches against opponents like Sri Lanka, whom we've probably faced a hundred times over the past few years.

The biggest gain from this match has certainly been a revitalized bowling attack. Our beleaguered bowlers who come under massive criticism from cricketing 'pundits' every second day still haven't lost their venom and can blow even top batting lineups out of the water on friendly wickets. Perth showed it, and Durban proved it.

I hope the last game is as pulsating and nail biting as this one. More than anything else, it's great for the sport. In a country whose cricket board is infatuated with T-20s, this series will go a long way in injecting a fresh sense of admiration for the longest format of the game.

 

[SaiSrini]

SA players lodging a complaint on Steve Davis that he was drunk on the eve of the match? The players thought about it only now that Davis has given them two bad decisions? Couldnt they have done this during the test itself? HE HE HE!!!

And Darren Gough says England will beat India everyday of the week, and that this Durban performance is nothing much to write about. Another ROTFL comment!!!! We just beat the No.2 side on a much more spicier pitch where we had everything going against us (lost toss, green pitch where we had to bat first, ordinary bowling attack, great form opposition batters, etc). In contrast, England bowled at Australia when conditions were good for bowling and skittled them out for 98, and Australia are No.5 in world cricket, their game is at its worst low, etc. Gough is trying to make things spicier between England and India now. But seriously, THATS ANOTHER ROTFL!!!!

 

[War]

I thought Ashwell Prince was the only batsman in the second innings to show determination and grit. It'd be a bit unfair to drop him after that performance. Although if you plan on dropping Harris for de Wet/McLaren, then you can use the spinning option that Duminy provides, in order to keep the over rate going and if the pacers need a breather.

Didn't know Jacques Rudolph was an opener. I always thought he was a middle order bat. I remember at the beginning of his test career he was batting at 3 or 4.

Ye Rudolph started as a middle order bat. But when he came over to ENG to play for Yorkshire as a Kolpak player, he started opening & has continued that back home in SA domestic cricket, now that he has relinquished his Kolpak status & wants to play for SA again.

 

[mohit_dude10]

And Darren Gough says England will beat India everyday of the week, and that this Durban performance is nothing much to write about. Another ROTFL comment!!!! We just beat the No.2 side on a much more spicier pitch where we had everything going against us (lost toss, green pitch where we had to bat first, ordinary bowling attack, great form opposition batters, etc). In contrast, England bowled at Australia when conditions were good for bowling and skittled them out for 98, and Australia are No.5 in world cricket, their game is at its worst low, etc. Gough is trying to make things spicier between England and India now. But seriously, THATS ANOTHER ROTFL!!!!

Gough had also said before Perth Test that Australia wont win even 1 test.

 

[sami ullah khan]

I must say Gough was not speaking from his mouth. Stupid comments really. He is playing a Mcgrath for England.

 

[prarara]

I've read every page so far from 70 till now. It's interesting how the comments changed after India managed to fight back.

From all the posters, I definitely have to agree with Dare; Steyn is a potential all time great bowler. I think his strike rate, at least in Durban, was supposed to be the best ever at that arena. That's incredible.

Still saying that, it's great to see ZAK marshal the Indian attack so well. With him there is an amazing synergy with the players. They play better than the sum of their parts. Without, they're toothless and mediocre. He's got a few years left in him, but I really don't see a long-term replacement.

Also, I hope Ishant really double takes his action. I feel it's going to cause of lot of stress on him. It's not natural and smooth. Plus he really needs to sort out his no ball issue.

 

[stefan]

Ye Rudolph started as a middle order bat. But when he came over to ENG to play for Yorkshire as a Kolpak player, he started opening & has continued that back home in SA domestic cricket, now that he has relinquished his Kolpak status & wants to play for SA again.

Not when he started at the titans. He started as an opener and has batted most of his titans career either opening or number 3. He has batted mostly in the middle order for SA since that's where there was room in the side when he came through.

[/COLOR]

Firstly as we both know. If outside influenced weren't still affecting how SA pick their sides. SA could certainly have a 3rd real quick bowler in De Wet to support Steyn/Morkel.

Interesting point of A Peterson. He has had steady but unspectacular 1st year in international cricket. But again if the SA selectors had the freedom to always select their best possible sides, one wonder if a man like Jacques Rudolph couldn't be picked.

Mclaren would also be a good selection. SA tail looks a bit long indeed, Steyn batting a postion too high @ # 9.

Also what do you think about Boucher's position in the team. Is he still safe in your view. Or is someone like Heino Kuhn pretty close to taking over from him soon?

Based on this the best SA could probably be:

Smith
Rudolph
Amla
Kallis
De Villiers
Dumminy
Boucher
McLaren
Steyn
Morkel
De Wet

On a real greentop for the final test, this team would be lethal especially in the bowling.

On boucher it really depends whether you want the best keeper or the best batsman keeper. Both heino kuhn and morne van wyk are better batsmen/keepers but boucher is still the best gloveman in the country.

 

[AkshayS]

Well, that was like the christmas gift from India, a marvellous performance by the players to win this.
Amazing match, fingers crossed for Cape Town now.

 

[War]

South Africa v India, 3rd Test, Cape Town: Newlands track likely to favour batsmen, says curator | Cricket News | South Africa v India | ESPN Cricinfo

Chances of Sehwag scoring a hundred just went up.

 

[aditya123]

South Africa v India, 3rd Test, Cape Town: Newlands track likely to favour batsmen, says curator | Cricket News | South Africa v India | ESPN Cricinfo

Chances of Sehwag scoring a hundred just went up.

I still feel this would be South Africa`s best chance of a win if they bat first.

 

[SaiSrini]

I still feel this would be South Africa`s best chance of a win if they bat first.

Yes, but we wont perform as badly as Centurion. We are well used to the conditions now, and Zaheer will play at Newlands (Zaheer's presence gives a different edge to our attack). Also Harbhajan is back in form (he bowled really well in Durban) and this Newlands can assist him big time. Lets see. Will be an awesome decider.