South Africa in Australia Dec 2008-Jan 2009

[angryangy]

Young guy from NSW Steven Smith Australia need to give Warney a bag of cash to go teach smith everything he knows, that kids got raw talent and can also bat abit. I wanna see him in the test side within the next 2 years

Still too soon. He's a better batsman than bowler and even if he was Warne incarnate, he would still be four years from being ready.

 

[stefan]

haa yeah same here.....Woke up this morning and my dad tells me about the disaster. What happened though? Did we throw it away or what? In the end McKenzie's terrible test (dropped Ponting and got a quacker) could be the decider. I scheme they should give him a rest, move Prince back in for the 3rd test (if hes fit) and get Duminy to open. Heard Vaughn vJ is on stand-by. Hes a bit of a slogger though, not sure if we need 2 attacking guys opening.

Hope we can get a draw out of this....dont think we will though.

JP isn't an opener and neither is vaughn. We need to find a genuine opener. Mckenzie isn't and he was bound to get found out sooner or later. Openers are specialist especially in test cricket.

 

[Valaskjalf]

JP isn't an opener and neither is vaughn. We need to find a genuine opener. Mckenzie isn't and he was bound to get found out sooner or later. Openers are specialist especially in test cricket.

Well so far McKenzie's been doing OK...averaged 85 in India earlier the year, he just needs a break and get his form back. Dont follow the domestic scene too closely so not sure who can stand in.

 

[stefan]

Well so far McKenzie's been doing OK...averaged 85 in India earlier the year, he just needs a break and get his form back. Dont follow the domestic scene too closely so not sure who can stand in.

Yes but in india the pitches are low and slow and best time to bat is vs the new ball. Mckenzie has done well since he came back but I always feared he could get exposed on wickets that had good pace and bounce. He will do well on the low and seaming tracks but on the bouncy/pace tracks he will struggle .

 

[venom2011]

It's crucial that SA get that deficit down to 100-120 and then bowl well enough to keep the lead below 450. It would be another very interesting chase.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

It's crucial that SA get that deficit down to 100-120 and then bowl well enough to keep the lead below 450. It would be another very interesting chase.

This time they will not get any help from Krejza

 

[Cricketdude]

This time they will not get any help from Krejza

And Siddle.

 

[nikhil_99]

Harris & Duminy both are batting well there,Aus need a breakthrough here,SA are still 149 behind...Aus need to finish it off quickly...

 

[angryangy]

They'll get some help from the pitch though, the ball is really coming onto the bat today. Of course, that's good news for Australia if they can get 3 wickets in the morning session.

Selection complacency starting to show now with Lee off the field and Symonds also hobbling about, Ponting has now turned to Hussey for medium pace. Waiting for the new ball, of course.

But it pays off! What a genius! That's why we love him!

ZOMG and I thought Morkel was lucky to get 20. At this rate, Steyn will make 60 or 80.

 

[age of the fall]

Well so far McKenzie's been doing OK...averaged 85 in India earlier the year, he just needs a break and get his form back. Dont follow the domestic scene too closely so not sure who can stand in.

both AB and Amla can open if need be.

 

[nikhil_99]

Finally Aus got the breakthrough,hussey did it,but harris played a good inngs of 40 runs,that partnership with Duminy has reduced the lead.

 

[aussie1st]

Pitch might look good but knowing our batters they will get a start and throw it away.

 

[mattfb]

Hilfy(opening bowler)
Sid(opening bowler)
Mitch
Natz

or
Stu(opening bowler)
Sid(opening bowler)
Mitch
Natz

Which one would you guys prefer?

Tricky one you could also add
Clark
Hilfy
Johnson
Natz

Has bounce from Clark, swing from Hilfy and pace from Johnson. Hilfy usually gets it in the mid 140s too.

It would be interesting to see if Johnson really has matured as a bowler, or is just in great form. I wonder if he can keep this up. If he doesn't, we might see Clark, Hilfy, Siddle and Hauritz but its a big risk using such little experience in the ashes.

And spin for Haurtitz. I dont think pitches are that well allround. Some pitches are hard with no swing which would help Clark and Johnson but not Hilfy while Siddle would thrive. Hilfy would do good as a 12th man I think(we need Hilfy for England).

It usually swings a quite a bit in England.

 

[aussie1st]

Siddle has dropped off in pace as well now. It's probably just a case of the tail I hope, but you really need to fire up against the tail. SA are showing they too have a good tail. But geez if Lee is gone we are in trouble this match especially since our "all rounder" can't even bowl and he too if off the field.

 

[age of the fall]

The South Africa tail is wagging very well here. Although I think After this partnership is broken Aussie should be able to wrap it up quickly.