South Africa in Australia Dec 2008-Jan 2009

[ZexyZahid]

Why would he retire? He is only 32 years old and he has got a lot to play for. Maybe some rest and overcoming some small injuries will do him well, so he can come back strongly. I bet when he starts taking a lot of wickets again, everybody will like him.

 

[aussie1st]

Yes,they need a good fast bowler,as it is Lee is not in form and he is injured,they need one quick bowler..

We aleady got two in Siddle and Johnson. Although Siddle dropped but even when Lee has been in our side lately hes been our 2nd and sometimes 3rd fastest bowler. Also Tait is injured and isn't playing FC so the selectors would have lost the plot to pick him.

 

[SciD]

Lee is too young to retire. He looks 25.

 

[Mr.Cricket]

That was like watching Laxman-Dravid bat all day against us in 2001. Pathetic performace from us but all credit to SA.Duminy was just too good in the end , he looks like a star allready. We just need to bat all day tomorrow and see what we can do on day 5. There is enough time to win the game , not sure if we're good enough though....

Hayden
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Hilfy

 

[ZexyZahid]

The only thing that South Africa wants now is that McKenzie starts performing again. Almost every South African performed and with him scoring runs it will be final push to take the Test series.

 

[irottev]

What a horrible day for Australia. Possibly their worst day in decades! They missed Lee a lot.

Steyn 76, what is the world coming to. I've never seen such pathetic bowling from Australia in all these years. Weren't great in the field either.

Johnson had one of his bad days. He'll have those.

 

[age of the fall]

That was like watching Laxman-Dravid bat all day against us in 2001. Pathetic performace from us but all credit to SA.Duminy was just too good in the end , he looks like a star allready. We just need to bat all day tomorrow and see what we can do on day 5. There is enough time to win the game , not sure if we're good enough though....

Hayden
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Hilfy

Except they are actual Batsmen

 

[.Mob]

Wow, just wow. We (except the fans of the opposition perhaps) are in for an absolute treat if Duminy can come up with an even better innings than that in his Test career. Just wow.

 

[Yogy]

A superb day for South Africa. Australia were poised for a big lead with the Proteas struggling at 251/8 but JP Duminy found an unlikely ally in Dale Steyn as the two put on a staggering 180 runs for the ninth wicket to dash Australia's hopes. Duminy scored his maiden century and was ultimately dismissed for 166 but not before the Proteas had gained a 65-run lead. Australia have much to do tomorrow.

 

[Arunava]

was really worried this morning to watch television, was expecting a painful lead by aussies. but was very pleased with what i saw. brilliant cricket by duminy. well done

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

WTF that Duminy made 166 and steyn made 77. We couldnt even take those wickets what happened to our players ? now they are even sruggling to pickup tails : This is rubbish, we were ought to have a huge lead, but now ..... :

 

[.Mob]

Drop Johnson, Avro?

 

[Arunava]

i don't think dropping johnson is any solution for aussies at this moment. rather fix lee , replace him until he is fully fit and in form. aussies anyway play with 4 bowlers and one out of it leaving just 3 bowlers is painful for any team and it is nearly impossible to compensate. or play 5 bowlers with lee , so that if lee is even unfit- the other 4 can do the job.

 

[angryangy]

Lee will need to rest for 4-6 weeks, but he might be able to handle a dozen overs in the final innings if they need.

Even though he's only got one wicket in the series, he's the spearhead. He's usually near the bowler, always having a word to his cohorts. Missing Clark was already a painful blow, but in terms of structure, this is perhaps worse. Although he's only played about one season's worth of first class games more than Stuart Clark, most of Lee's first class experience has come at international level and so they lose that experience that Lee has garnered under the wing of McGrath or Gillespie; just invaluable stuff. By comparison, Mitchell Johnson is less than half as experienced as Stuart Clark and Siddle's first class career is less than half that again. I don't know that simply picking a good bowler is enough. The player who comes in should be one that can rally the attack, not simply contribute to it.

 

[SaiSrini]

Australia are really struggling here. This series is showing them in worser light. If South Africa win this test, its the official fall of Australian cricket from the world beater spot. Ponting said South Africa dont become No.1 just because they win this series. But Australia have been playing badly enough for quite sometime now to not warrant the No.1 spot anymore (anyways, a ranking is not meant to be with one team forever or for a long period of time!)