South Africa in Australia Dec 2008-Jan 2009

[mattfb]

That draw is looking really good right about now

Feelin Blue? added 4 Minutes and 4 Seconds later...

Great ball by Lee! Good to get Amla outta the way but Kallis is still there. It seems whenever I speak a wicket falls, it happened with Hayden just yesterday, except I didn't even have time to post it.

hmmm... I think the draw is looking very good right about now...


HOWZAT!

 

[SaiSrini]

I back Australia to win this.... SA can collapse anytime.

 

[McLOVIN]

I bet Kallis will be out on this over...

 

[sohum]

Gotta say South Africa are favorites at the moment. Require less than 200 to win on the last day. They don't need to force the runs at all. If they play out two sessions, they'll win.

 

[McLOVIN]

dang it! he took a single.

 

[angryangy]

Day 4 finishes in gloom sufficient for the glow of the lights to be apparent on the players' whites, but the batsmen showed no sign of difficulty, picking up some late runs.

It was a day that bucked the trends, only six wickets fell, it actually rained in Perth and someone finally got a century. Australia started well, piling on lower order runs to make a rather solid 400+ target before Haddin's hunger for sixes ended him. South Africa replied with a far grittier start, but they slowly took momentum. McKenzie fell early, but it was a batsman's day. Smith's 100 marked the high point, but after tea, both he and Amla fell to re balance the equation. The Australian bowlers looked threatening for a time, but Kallis and de Villiers moved forward at a good rate to retain the initiative going into day 5. It now seems likely that there will not be another chance for a crushing collapse after tea in this match, as the result is set to be decided well before tea.

 

[smssia0112]

South Africa are in a good position, and part of me thinks we're gone, but the other part of me expects the collapse to come soon enough. South Africa haven't beaten us in a test in yonks, so I just don't believe it's possible.

 

[mattfb]

I think SA have to be heavy favourites. 90 overs to score 180 runs with 7 wickets in hand. If they can't do this, it's just not acceptable imo.

 

[manee]

I think SA have to be heavy favourites. 90 overs to score 180 runs with 7 wickets in hand. If they can't do this, it's just not acceptable imo.

What do you mean 'it's just not acceptable', 180 runs on a day five pitch without the first three wickets is a tough task. Australia may no longer boast Mcgrath, Warne or Gillespie but Lee seems to be bowling well, Johnson is in the form of his life, Siddle can be hostile in spells and Krejza has shown himself capable of big wicket taking hauls when a pitch takes spin.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

In the morning, what we need is 1 quick wicket. After that it will be an easy task for us .

 

[mattfb]

What do you mean 'it's just not acceptable', 180 runs on a day five pitch without the first three wickets is a tough task. Australia may no longer boast Mcgrath, Warne or Gillespie but Lee seems to be bowling well, Johnson is in the form of his life, Siddle can be hostile in spells and Krejza has shown himself capable of big wicket taking hauls when a pitch takes spin.

It's a flat pitch, they only need 2 runs and over and they have experienced batsmen. They only need to score a 2 or 2 singles an over with the odd 4 and there fine. The only way they will lose is if they take unnecessary risks

 

[mdoggie]

Great batting by South Africa, 414 looked impossible but 190 looks a whole lot easier and with Kallis and De villiers playing well in the first innings, we can hope for another good partnership.
Kallis really took it to the Krejza and Siddle in the last few overs, so If johnson of Lee can't get an early wicket, they could be in trouble.

 

[Mr.Cricket]

Another great day of test cricket , this match is just getting better and better. Great knock from Haddin again , he is a good cricketer this guy. Our tailenders made runs again. What was is this time ? 150 runs for the last 3 wickets? I reckon it will prove to be the difference between the 2 sides.

Not that happy with our bowlers though. They look far too comfortable and they might even chase this down. Thats just unacceptable IMO and our last 3/4 overs were just plain crap. Lee and Johnson bowled well but no real support from Krejza and Siddle. They have to do much better tomorrow or we are in trouble.

180 runs or 7 wickets needed tomorrow. We should still win this but I don't have that much confidence. Things will change if we get a wicket or 2 early tomorrow (new ball due pretty soon as well). But they can easily chase this if they bat well. I dont think their tail will make that many runs , Duminy is playing his first so its up to these two.

After watching us bowl today , I think it might be a good idea to play Watson at 6. With Haddin and the tail batting so well we don't really need a specialist batsmen at 6. But adding Watson will just give us that extra option with the ball.

 

[SaiSrini]

As I said, I still back Australia especially in their home ground. SA's choking thing is well known to many and I expect it to come back tomorrow.

But on stats, SA are favorites... However, nice to see test cricket being played with this type of intensity. We had the Chennai test (India vs England) a week back and now we have this test nicely building up towards a thrilling finale. Perfect advertisement for test cricket!

 

[aditya123]

187 to get with 7 wickets in hand may look like an easy bet but it is not that straightforward,i reckon.With a couple of wickets more, the tail could be exposed.SA do not have a lot of batting after Boucher and he is not in the best of touch as well.Its even-stevens in my opinion. Its that hard to call.

The key men for tomorrow for SA will be AB Devilliers because of the way he plays and from the Aussie side, Brett Lee and Krejza.They only have to get a couple of wickets at any stage of the game with over a hundred to get and the pressure will be back on the Proteas.

Great way to end the year for test match cricket lovers.First, the Chennai test last week and almost immediately after that, this test match.Would love these sort of games to happen more often.What this also signals is that we could see sides chasing down huge totals more often with there not being a lot of quality in bowling attacks these days,especially the spin department.Sides might just realize that chasing down a 400-ish target might be easier than playing for a draw and that might just set things up for more games like these.

I still back the Aussies to win this from here.IF they do not, it would mean that their domination has officially ended. Either ways, its game on !

aditya123 added 5 Minutes and 44 Seconds later...

Australia have a lower victory percentage in tests this year than India,England and SA this year !