Transfers Window Legends At Battle XII | Pre-season - Late action is still better than no action at all

[VC the slogger]

OMG! We were outclassed! RSA were too good for us. Our bowlers didn't deliver in the second innings when we most needed them to.

We are out we will come back strongly in season 3

My goodness, how the Aussies have recovered since the Season 2 defeat in the hands of SA in the Elimination match. Players changed, managers changed, fortunes totally changed..

 

[sos]

Hutton is ahead of Merchant in runs isn`t he?

 

[VC the slogger]

Hutton is ahead of Merchant in runs isn`t he?

Merchant's ahead by 146 runs. I haven't yet updated the Top 5 run getters/wicket takers table yet. Will do it at the end of the playoffs.

 

[VC the slogger]

QUALIFYING MATCH 1(QM 1)

VS

AUSTRALIA vs SOUTH AFRICA
at Sydney Cricket Ground(SCG), Sydney

Pitch Condition: Normal

Toss: South Africa won the toss and chose to field

AUSTRALIA 1st innings

Player              Status                        Runs  Blls  4s   6s    S/R
Donald Bradman[B]*[/B]     c. Richards    b. Kallis      119   168   27    0   70.8%
Bill Ponsford       c. S Pollock   b. Kallis       27    33    5    0   81.8%
Victor Trumper      c. Kirsten     b. S Pollock     5     5    1    0  100.0%
Clem Hill                          b. S Pollock   162   222   32    0   73.0%
Ricky Ponting                      b. Donald        1     2    0    0   50.0%
Warwick Armstrong   lbw            b. Adcock       85   116   17    1   73.3%
Adam Gilchrist[B]?[/B]                c & b. Adcock       13    19    3    0   68.4%
Charlie Turner      lbw            b. Procter       4     6    1    0   66.7%
Frederick Spofforth not out                         9    23    1    0   39.1%
Bill O'Reilly       c. Richards    b. Adcock        4     7    1    0   57.1%
Dennis Lillee                      b. Procter       3    24    0    0   12.5%
 
 Total:  441/10       Overs:  103.5        Run Rate:  4.25     Extras:  9 
   
                             Day 2  10:57 AM
   
  
                                     -X-
 
AUSTRALIA Partnerships

Batsmen                                                            Runs (Balls)
D Bradman     B Ponsford   ?????????                                 49 (77)
D Bradman     V Trumper    ?                                          5 (5)
D Bradman     C Hill       ???????????????????????????????????      176 (217)
R Ponting     C Hill       ?                                          1 (2)
Armstrong     C Hill       ??????????????????????????????????       172 (225)
Gilchrist     C Hill       ???                                       18 (34)
C Turner      C Hill       ?                                          4 (7)
C Turner      Spofforth                                               0 (5)
B O'Reilly    Spofforth    ?                                          5 (8)
D Lillee      Spofforth    ??                                        11 (43)


     Fall of Wickets    49/1      54/2      230/3     231/4     403/5
                        421/6     425/7     425/8     430/9     441/10    

 Total:  441/10      Overs:  103.5         Run Rate:  4.25    Extras:  9   
  
                                     -X-

SOUTH AFRICA Bowling

Player               Overs   Mdns    Runs   Wkts      E/R    Wds    NBs
Allan Donald         19.0      6      52      1      2.74     0      2 
Mike Procter         16.5      2      89      2      5.29     0      0 
Neil Adcock          21.0      3      89      3      4.24     1      1 
Shaun Pollock        19.0      4      79      2      4.16     0      1 
Jacques Kallis       19.0      2     103      2      5.42     1      0 
Barry Richards        9.0      2      26      0      2.89     0      0 


 EXTRAS          Wides: 2      No Balls: 4      Leg Byes: 3      Byes: 0 

 Total:  441/10       Overs:  103.5        Run Rate:  4.25    Extras:  9   
                                     -X-

The Australians started off in style going 'bang bang bang' in the first 3 overs of the match where they scored 30 runs putting huge pressure on South Africa's bowlers.

However, they soon recovered with a double strike removing Bill Ponsford and Victor Trumper in the space of just 6 balls.

The well set Don Bradman was joined at the crease by Clem Hill. Together they played some extravagant shots and stitched up a partnership of 176 in just 217 balls to put Australia back on top.

Bradman brought up yet another ton, his 5th of the season but was soon caught at slip by Barry Richards off the bowling of Jacques Kallis.

The in-form Ricky Ponting came out to the middle but lasted just 2 balls as an inside edge off an attempted drive by him struck the stumps gifting Allan Donald a wicket.
'Big' Warwick Armstrong joined Hill in the middle and he declared hs intentions clearly promptly hitting Donald for six the very first delivery he received.
Hill brought up his ton with a stylish square drive which rocketed to the fence fetching him 4 runs.

He and Armstrong put up 172 runs for the 5th wicket. With Australia set for a huge first innings total at 403 with 6 wickets remaining, South Africa bounced back.

Neil Adcock removed Armstrong for 85 and not too long later he accounted for the dangerous Adam Gilchrist for just 13 when he caught a mistimed straight drive off his own bowling.

Shaun Pollock who had a tough time getting hit for boundaries in the early part of the match was brought back into the attack and repaid the faith shown by his captain by bowling over Hill with a beauty which hit the top of off. Hill departed for 162 to a standing ovation by the crowd.
After his departure Procter and Adcock removed the last three batsmen cheaply as the Australian innings folded with 441 on the board as they lost their last 6 wickets for just 38 runs. They scored at over 4 an over as they took advantage of South Africa's very South African tactic of using 4 fast bowlers and omitting their specialist spinner.


SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings

Player              Status                        Runs  Blls  4s   6s    S/R
Gary Kirsten[B]*[/B]       lbw            b. Spofforth    15    17    3    0   88.2%
Graeme Smith        c. Ponsford    b. O'Reilly     83   137   15    1   60.6%
Dudley Nourse       c. ?Gilchrist  b. Turner        1     9    0    0   11.1%
Graeme Pollock      lbw            b. Turner        0     1    0    0    0.0%
Jacques Kallis      lbw            b. O'Reilly     72    90   13    0   80.0%
AB de Villiers[B]?[/B]     c. Ponsford    b. Turner       38    52    8    0   73.1%
Barry Richards      c. Lillee      b. Armstrong    26    37    5    0   70.3%
Mike Procter        c. Spofforth   b. O'Reilly     13    31    2    0   41.9%
Shaun Pollock       not out                        11    43    2    0   25.6%
Neil Adcock         c. ?Gilchrist  b. O'Reilly      0     5    0    0    0.0%
Allan Donald                       b. Spofforth     8    18    1    0   44.4%
 
 Total:  280/10       Overs:  73.2         Run Rate:  3.82     Extras:  13 
   
                             Day 2  4:51 PM
   
  
                                     -X-
 
SOUTH AFRICA Partnerships

Batsmen                                                            Runs (Balls)
G Kirsten     G Smith      ????                                      16 (28)
D Nourse      G Smith      ?                                          1 (15)
G Pollock     G Smith                                                 0 (1)
J Kallis      G Smith      ???????????????????????????????????      139 (177)
A Villiers    G Smith      ?????????                                 39 (58)
A Villiers    B Richards   ?????????                                 39 (51)
M Procter     B Richards   ????                                      17 (24)
M Procter     S Pollock    ???                                       12 (36)
N Adcock      S Pollock    ?                                          5 (11)
A Donald      S Pollock    ???                                       12 (39)


     Fall of Wickets    16/1      17/2      17/3      156/4     195/5
                        234/6     251/7     263/8     268/9     280/10    

 Total:  280/10      Overs:  73.2          Run Rate:  3.82    Extras:  13   
  
                                     -X-

AUSTRALIA Bowling

Player               Overs   Mdns    Runs   Wkts      E/R    Wds    NBs
Frederick Spofforth  17.2      2      64      2      3.69     0      4 
Charlie Turner       16.0      1      75      3      4.69     0      1 
Dennis Lillee        15.0      5      53      0      3.53     0      0 
Warwick Armstrong    12.0      1      46      1      3.83     0      0 
Bill O'Reilly        13.0      2      36      4      2.77     0      2 


 EXTRAS          Wides: 0      No Balls: 7      Leg Byes: 4      Byes: 2 

 Total:  280/10       Overs:  73.2         Run Rate:  3.82    Extras:  13   
                                     -X-

Gary Kirsten and Graeme Smith walked out as bat South Africa's first innings started with Australia having a huge lead of 441. Facing up to the likes of Fred Spofforth and wrecker Charlie Turner, they got off to an unconvincing start as Kirsten scored two lucky boundaries edging past slip and gully while a tough chance off Smith was put down by Bill O'Reilly.

However, Spofforth nailed Kirsten in the 5th over who was rooted at the crease against a swinging new ball and had to pay the price. Dudley Nourse arrived and for the next 14 balls there were lots of oohs and aahs as the batsmen could only prod to the brilliant deliveries they received. Nourse who was never comfortable played a forward defense off Charlie Turner only to see a faint nick go straight in the safe hands of wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist.

Graeme Pollock, South Africa's best batsman walked out into the middle to join Smith with South Africa in big trouble at 17/2. Then disaster struck for them as Pollock from whom a lot was expected was struck on the pads first ball in line of the stumps and the umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger.

Jacques Kallis came in at no 5 with his side reeling and the main objective being that of avoiding the follow-on. Smith and Kallis were calm and composed and went about playing their shots.

They brought up their half centuries and the partnership soon crossed the 100-run mark extending it to 139.

A wrong'un from Bill O'Reilly deceived Kallis and he was out lbw for 72 off 90 balls. Smith carried on for a while longer with AB de Villiers who came in at no 6 and straightaway started playing his trademark shots.

Then O'Reilly provided another huge wicket for Australia as Smith was out caught at short leg for a well played 83.

Barry Richards and de Villiers added another 39 for the 7th wicket before the latter played a lofted cover drive presenting the cover fielder Bill Ponsford with some catching practice. South Africa managed to avoid the follow on but their next four pairs could add only 46 runs as the innings folded with Allan Donald getting clean bowled by Spofforth while Bill O'Reilly who was bowling at the other end grabbed a four-wicket haul.

Australia secured a big lead by a margin of 161 runs and would now aim to bat well in their second innings.

Australia 2nd Innings to be posted in a while.
​

 

[Gaurav_7]

Wow, I feel really sad about my decision of not continuing with WI after that lineup. I'm all up for managing WI next season though. Please show some respect to the great WI legends and post a proper lineup!

 

[VC the slogger]

Please show some respect to the great WI legends and post a proper lineup!

Too late for him to do that now. The match has been simulated already..

 

[Fenil]

Most of our batting failed but it was good that we managed to put a good score on the board, thanks to Sir Don, the ever consistent Armstrong and Clement Hill who returned in form just at the right time. Lillee had an off day in the field but rest of the bowlers compensated for him earning us a huge 161 run lead. I hope we bat well in the second innings and our bowlers do their job once again to seal a final berth for us.

 

[aneeq7]

What disrespect to a bunch of legends! You don't deserve to win anymore.

There is a strategy behind this line-up. I know everything about this simulator which Varun is using and I have given every player in my team a special role.

 

[VC the slogger]

There is a strategy behind this line-up. I know everything about this simulator which Varun is using and I have given every player in my team a special role.

Even I do that's why my rating system is quite different. 1/3 of the ratings of top order batsmen below no 7 have been reduced as I've counted them as injured.

 

[VC the slogger]

QUALIFYING MATCH 1(QM 1)

VS

AUSTRALIA vs SOUTH AFRICA
at Sydney Cricket Ground(SCG), Sydney

Pitch Condition: Normal

Toss: South Africa won the toss and chose to field

AUSTRALIA 1st innings

Player              Status                        Runs  Blls  4s   6s    S/R
Donald Bradman[B]*[/B]     c. Richards    b. Kallis      119   168   27    0   70.8%
Bill Ponsford       c. S Pollock   b. Kallis       27    33    5    0   81.8%
Victor Trumper      c. Kirsten     b. S Pollock     5     5    1    0  100.0%
Clem Hill                          b. S Pollock   162   222   32    0   73.0%
Ricky Ponting                      b. Donald        1     2    0    0   50.0%
Warwick Armstrong   lbw            b. Adcock       85   116   17    1   73.3%
Adam Gilchrist[B][/B]                c & b. Adcock       13    19    3    0   68.4%
Charlie Turner      lbw            b. Procter       4     6    1    0   66.7%
Frederick Spofforth not out                         9    23    1    0   39.1%
Bill O'Reilly       c. Richards    b. Adcock        4     7    1    0   57.1%
Dennis Lillee                      b. Procter       3    24    0    0   12.5%
 
 Total:  441/10       Overs:  103.5        Run Rate:  4.25     Extras:  9 
   
                             Day 2  10:57 AM
   
  
                                     -X-
 
AUSTRALIA Partnerships

Batsmen                                                            Runs (Balls)
D Bradman     B Ponsford                                    49 (77)
D Bradman     V Trumper                                              5 (5)
D Bradman     C Hill             176 (217)
R Ponting     C Hill                                                 1 (2)
Armstrong     C Hill              172 (225)
Gilchrist     C Hill                                              18 (34)
C Turner      C Hill                                                 4 (7)
C Turner      Spofforth                                               0 (5)
B O'Reilly    Spofforth                                              5 (8)
D Lillee      Spofforth                                            11 (43)


     Fall of Wickets    49/1      54/2      230/3     231/4     403/5
                        421/6     425/7     425/8     430/9     441/10    

 Total:  441/10      Overs:  103.5         Run Rate:  4.25    Extras:  9   
  
                                     -X-

SOUTH AFRICA Bowling

Player               Overs   Mdns    Runs   Wkts      E/R    Wds    NBs
Allan Donald         19.0      6      52      1      2.74     0      2 
Mike Procter         16.5      2      89      2      5.29     0      0 
Neil Adcock          21.0      3      89      3      4.24     1      1 
Shaun Pollock        19.0      4      79      2      4.16     0      1 
Jacques Kallis       19.0      2     103      2      5.42     1      0 
Barry Richards        9.0      2      26      0      2.89     0      0 


 EXTRAS          Wides: 2      No Balls: 4      Leg Byes: 3      Byes: 0 

 Total:  441/10       Overs:  103.5        Run Rate:  4.25    Extras:  9   
                                     -X-

The Australians started off in style going 'bang bang bang' in the first 3 overs of the match where they scored 30 runs putting huge pressure on South Africa's bowlers.

However, they soon recovered with a double strike removing Bill Ponsford and Victor Trumper in the space of just 6 balls.

The well set Don Bradman was joined at the crease by Clem Hill. Together they played some extravagant shots and stitched up a partnership of 176 in just 217 balls to put Australia back on top.

Bradman brought up yet another ton, his 5th of the season but was soon caught at slip by Barry Richards off the bowling of Jacques Kallis.

The in-form Ricky Ponting came out to the middle but lasted just 2 balls as an inside edge off an attempted drive by him struck the stumps gifting Allan Donald a wicket.
'Big' Warwick Armstrong joined Hill in the middle and he declared hs intentions clearly promptly hitting Donald for six the very first delivery he received.
Hill brought up his ton with a stylish square drive which rocketed to the fence fetching him 4 runs.

He and Armstrong put up 172 runs for the 5th wicket. With Australia set for a huge first innings total at 403 with 6 wickets remaining, South Africa bounced back.

Neil Adcock removed Armstrong for 85 and not too long later he accounted for the dangerous Adam Gilchrist for just 13 when he caught a mistimed straight drive off his own bowling.

Shaun Pollock who had a tough time getting hit for boundaries in the early part of the match was brought back into the attack and repaid the faith shown by his captain by bowling over Hill with a beauty which hit the top of off. Hill departed for 162 to a standing ovation by the crowd.
After his departure Procter and Adcock removed the last three batsmen cheaply as the Australian innings folded with 441 on the board as they lost their last 6 wickets for just 38 runs. They scored at over 4 an over as they took advantage of South Africa's very South African tactic of using 4 fast bowlers and omitting their specialist spinner.


SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings

Player              Status                        Runs  Blls  4s   6s    S/R
Gary Kirsten[B]*[/B]       lbw            b. Spofforth    15    17    3    0   88.2%
Graeme Smith        c. Ponsford    b. O'Reilly     83   137   15    1   60.6%
Dudley Nourse       c. Gilchrist  b. Turner        1     9    0    0   11.1%
Graeme Pollock      lbw            b. Turner        0     1    0    0    0.0%
Jacques Kallis      lbw            b. O'Reilly     72    90   13    0   80.0%
AB de Villiers[B][/B]     c. Ponsford    b. Turner       38    52    8    0   73.1%
Barry Richards      c. Lillee      b. Armstrong    26    37    5    0   70.3%
Mike Procter        c. Spofforth   b. O'Reilly     13    31    2    0   41.9%
Shaun Pollock       not out                        11    43    2    0   25.6%
Neil Adcock         c. Gilchrist  b. O'Reilly      0     5    0    0    0.0%
Allan Donald                       b. Spofforth     8    18    1    0   44.4%
 
 Total:  280/10       Overs:  73.2         Run Rate:  3.82     Extras:  13 
   
                             Day 2  4:51 PM
   
  
                                     -X-
 
SOUTH AFRICA Partnerships

Batsmen                                                            Runs (Balls)
G Kirsten     G Smith                                            16 (28)
D Nourse      G Smith                                                1 (15)
G Pollock     G Smith                                                 0 (1)
J Kallis      G Smith            139 (177)
A Villiers    G Smith                                       39 (58)
A Villiers    B Richards                                    39 (51)
M Procter     B Richards                                         17 (24)
M Procter     S Pollock                                           12 (36)
N Adcock      S Pollock                                              5 (11)
A Donald      S Pollock                                           12 (39)


     Fall of Wickets    16/1      17/2      17/3      156/4     195/5
                        234/6     251/7     263/8     268/9     280/10    

 Total:  280/10      Overs:  73.2          Run Rate:  3.82    Extras:  13   
  
                                     -X-

AUSTRALIA Bowling

Player               Overs   Mdns    Runs   Wkts      E/R    Wds    NBs
Frederick Spofforth  17.2      2      64      2      3.69     0      4 
Charlie Turner       16.0      1      75      3      4.69     0      1 
Dennis Lillee        15.0      5      53      0      3.53     0      0 
Warwick Armstrong    12.0      1      46      1      3.83     0      0 
Bill O'Reilly        13.0      2      36      4      2.77     0      2 


 EXTRAS          Wides: 0      No Balls: 7      Leg Byes: 4      Byes: 2 

 Total:  280/10       Overs:  73.2         Run Rate:  3.82    Extras:  13   
                                     -X-

Gary Kirsten and Graeme Smith walked out as bat South Africa's first innings started with Australia having a huge lead of 441. Facing up to the likes of Fred Spofforth and wrecker Charlie Turner, they got off to an unconvincing start as Kirsten scored two lucky boundaries edging past slip and gully while a tough chance off Smith was put down by Bill O'Reilly.

However, Spofforth nailed Kirsten in the 5th over who was rooted at the crease against a swinging new ball and had to pay the price. Dudley Nourse arrived and for the next 14 balls there were lots of oohs and aahs as the batsmen could only prod to the brilliant deliveries they received. Nourse who was never comfortable played a forward defense off Charlie Turner only to see a faint nick go straight in the safe hands of wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist.

Graeme Pollock, South Africa's best batsman walked out into the middle to join Smith with South Africa in big trouble at 17/2. Then disaster struck for them as Pollock from whom a lot was expected was struck on the pads first ball in line of the stumps and the umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger.

Jacques Kallis came in at no 5 with his side reeling and the main objective being that of avoiding the follow-on. Smith and Kallis were calm and composed and went about playing their shots.

They brought up their half centuries and the partnership soon crossed the 100-run mark extending it to 139.

A wrong'un from Bill O'Reilly deceived Kallis and he was out lbw for 72 off 90 balls. Smith carried on for a while longer with AB de Villiers who came in at no 6 and straightaway started playing his trademark shots.

Then O'Reilly provided another huge wicket for Australia as Smith was out caught at short leg for a well played 83.

Barry Richards and de Villiers added another 39 for the 7th wicket before the latter played a lofted cover drive presenting the cover fielder Bill Ponsford with some catching practice. South Africa managed to avoid the follow on but their next four pairs could add only 46 runs as the innings folded with Allan Donald getting clean bowled by Spofforth while Bill O'Reilly who was bowling at the other end grabbed a four-wicket haul.

Australia secured a big lead by a margin of 161 runs and would now aim to bat well in their second innings.


AUSTRALIA 2nd innings

Player              Status                        Runs  Blls  4s   6s    S/R
Donald Bradman[B]*[/B]     lbw            b. Procter      93   118   18    2   78.8%
Bill Ponsford       c. Nourse      b. Adcock      141   165   31    0   85.5%
Victor Trumper      c. Nourse      b. Kallis       31    60    6    0   51.7%
Clem Hill           c. S Pollock   b. Procter     118   185   23    0   63.8%
Ricky Ponting       c. Villiers   b. Adcock       19    61    2    0   31.1%
Warwick Armstrong   lbw            b. Adcock       18    18    4    0  100.0%
Adam Gilchrist[B][/B]     c. Kirsten     b. Procter     104   159   20    0   65.4%
Charlie Turner                     b. Donald       10    10    2    0  100.0%
Frederick Spofforth lbw            b. Richards     10    17    2    0   58.8%
Bill O'Reilly                      b. Kallis        0     2    0    0    0.0%
Dennis Lillee       not out                         5    19    1    0   26.3%
 
 Total:  569/10       Overs:  134.4        Run Rate:  4.23     Extras:  20 
   
                             Day 4  1:19 PM
   
  
                                     -X-
 
AUSTRALIA Partnerships

Batsmen                                                            Runs (Balls)
D Bradman     B Ponsford         196 (227)
V Trumper     B Ponsford                                   57 (98)
C Hill        B Ponsford                                         24 (31)
C Hill        R Ponting                               85 (128)
C Hill        Armstrong                                       42 (34)
C Hill        Gilchrist                             98 (192)
C Turner      Gilchrist                                            15 (19)
Spofforth     Gilchrist                                           22 (33)
B O'Reilly    Gilchrist                                              1 (5)
D Lillee      Gilchrist                                         29 (41)


     Fall of Wickets    196/1     253/2     277/3     362/4     404/5
                        502/6     517/7     539/8     540/9     569/10    

 Total:  569/10      Overs:  134.4         Run Rate:  4.23    Extras:  20   
  
                                     -X-

SOUTH AFRICA Bowling

Player               Overs   Mdns    Runs   Wkts      E/R    Wds    NBs
Allan Donald         19.0      3      82      1      4.32     1      1 
Mike Procter         31.4      4     139      3      4.39     3      1 
Jacques Kallis       29.0      4     139      2      4.79     2      2 
Shaun Pollock        26.0      5     104      0      4.00     0      0 
Neil Adcock          21.0      4      72      3      3.43     0      0 
Barry Richards        8.0      2      23      1      2.88     0      0 


 EXTRAS          Wides: 6      No Balls: 4      Leg Byes: 3      Byes: 7 

 Total:  569/10       Overs:  134.4        Run Rate:  4.23    Extras:  20   
                                     -X-

Already having a big lead, the Australians started their fireworks as soon as their second innings started.

Ponsford and Bradman spanked the bowlers to all parts of the ground and were particularly harsh on Kallis and Procter who bowled wayward lines are were punished.

No bowler could stem the flow of runs or stop the brutal assault. Both batsmen brought up their half-centuries and soon the lead passed 300 but finally there was some relief for South Africa when Bradman played a lazy shot only to be given out lbw and denied a century.

Victor Trumper who came in at no 3 initially struggled allowing South Africa to reduce the flow of runs to some extent but the aggressive Ponsford brought up a brilliant century and went about scoring runs at ease. Trumper soon got into the mix of things and started hitting a few fours but was soon dismissed by Jacques Kallis. Clem Hill, the centurion from the first innings started off from where he left and took the Australian lead past 400 along with Bill Ponsford. Their pair was broken by Neil Adcock who had Ponsford caught at square leg for 141 bringing Ricky Ponting out to the middle. Hill went about playing his trademark drives and flicks and brought up his 50 while Ponting was in to touch at all prodding, playing and missing many balls. They managed to add 85 for the 4th wicket taking the Australian lead to a mighty 500 before Ponting's struggle was ended by Neil Adcock. He scored just 19 off 61 balls.

Warwick Armstrong came out to bat coming off a strong batting performance in the first innings. He and Hill put up 42 in just 5.4 overs putting pressure on Kallis and Pollock who were given harsh treatment but Armstrong didn't last very long due to an inswinging yorker by Adcock which struck his pads on the full ending his short stay.
Adam Gilchrist came in at no.7 and luck went his way as he was dropped first ball by Shaun Pollock at slip.

He grasped this opportunity with both hands and became hard to bowl to due to his aerial shots all around the field forcing Gary Kirsten to go on the defensive. Hill, who was nearing his second century of the match shifted gears and started playing more defensively while his partner went all guns blazing. Hill brought up his second century of the match, Gilchrist yet another fifty, his 8th of the season and Australia's lead crossed a mammoth 600.
At this point the Australian captain Bradman could have easily declared but rather surprisingly he allowed his batsmen to bat on as the day ended. The next day i.e Day 4, Hill and Gilchrist came out with the license to score runs quickly. Hill mistimed a pull which went straight in the hands of Shaun Pollock at deep square-leg.

Gilchrist batted on and 67 more runs were added along with the tailenders as he brought up his century in style hitting Procter for four to the third-man region but lasted only 3 balls more as he was caught at slip. Australia were all out for 569 with a humongous lead of 730 leaving South Africa to chase 731. This match is headed only two possible ways now - a draw or a win for Australia.


SA's runchase to be posted in a while.
​

 

[Fenil]

5 centuries in a single match from us. What a match our batters are having. Clem Hill, once again stood strong in the an immensely important match. Not to forget the efforts of Ponsford and Sir Don who set things up. Gilly chose the perfect occasion to hit his first century of the season. With 730 on the board and over 4 sessions to go, we should win this. Only thing to see is how long the defending champions can hang in there and how much will be the victory margin for us, Aussies.

 

[VC the slogger]

This is to inform guys that I won't be using the same write-up like I used in this match for the next 2 playoffs. However it shall return in the final.

 

[sos]

cricket at it best ! Unbelievable! As fascinating as t20!

 

[Andrin Issac]

wow...Nail Breaking !!!

 

[RPHKR]

Nice writeup. Great work put forth by you. Rated this league as 'excellent' to encourage you.