South Africa in Australia Dec 2008-Jan 2009

[Jit]

Harsh but true. Him coming out to bat probably won him the Man of the Series over Steyn.

No not because of that. He won it because he played great cricket in the whole series and not just because he walked out to bat.

 

[jordox]

No not because of that. He won it because he played great cricket in the whole series and not just because he walked out to bat.

I agree with Ben (for once :P ) Going to bat helped his cause.

I seriously can't comprehend why people are saying all this stuff about Smithy. Anyone in test cricket would've done the same. Anyone.

 

[irottev]

Who were the people who were writing off Steyn after his first bowling spell in the series? Fess up!

Smith still batted superbly. If was a tough choice between him and Steyn. I support Smith getting it.

 

[Mr.Cricket]

I love test cricket. What a great match. Gutsy effort from Smith , Ntini and Steyn to bat like they did. But we just got there in the end. I was getting pretty nervous in the last 10 mins but thank god Johnson bowled a ripper. We deserve to win this game , its a good effort to comeback and win a game with this young team. It should give us some confidence and momentum going in to the away tour. Well played Australia , well played South Africa. Test cricket is the winner in the end.

 

[aussie1st]

In the end the series came down to certain moments which SA won. If we get an in form batting lineup and SA back to full strength it should be a cracking return series in SA.

 

[Left_Hander]

What is it about January 6th? This day last year, Michael Clarke took three wickets to win the match with 7 balls/9 minutes remaining. I got some serious shivers down my spine when Smith walked out of the pavillion. Such an epic.

Today's January 7

 

[ajdude]

Today's January 7

I knew that, I was just testing you.

 

[Big Man]

Wow what a finish.

Smith, such a big heart.

Great series.

 

[karnog]

Great series... now is Macdonald > Symonds? Certainly a better bowler. Bollinger was ok in patches. I wonder if SA should've given one of their pacemen a break. I like the look of Zondeki.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Another classic at SCG when Smith came to bat that was really a great moment

 

[honeyboyz]

Wat a gr8 series ...... Wat a turn around in the end by SA but Aussies deserve this test they played very well.SA played wonderfully in the end where all thought its easy going for Aussies.Tat wat the test cricket is all abt.

Test cricket is the real winner

 

[aussie_ben91]

Great series... now is Macdonald > Symonds? Certainly a better bowler. Bollinger was ok in patches. I wonder if SA should've given one of their pacemen a break. I like the look of Zondeki.

You're joking, right? McDonald is useless. We'd be better off playing Symonds, North or Dave Hussey or using a real allrounder like Shane Watson who is a much better batsman and bowler then McDonald. How McDonald even got a gig in the first place is beyhond me - I thought he was a OD specialist.

 

[Skater]

Lucky old Australia.

 

[Mr.Cricket]

I agree with Ben (for once :P ) Going to bat helped his cause.

I seriously can't comprehend why people are saying all this stuff about Smithy. Anyone in test cricket would've done the same. Anyone.

He got my respect. He was just a muppet when he was young but now he has turned in to a fantastic player and leader. It was a gutsy innings no matter how you look at it. I like to think anyone in the Aussie team would do the same think but still it shouldn't take anything away from Smith.

In the end the series came down to certain moments which SA won. If we get an in form batting lineup and SA back to full strength it should be a cracking return series in SA.

We couldve easily won 3-0 if we won some of those key moments. In first 2 tests we had the chance to put the 'nail on the coffin' but we just weren''t good enough I guess. I think we can beat them over there if we play like we did in this match.

The best thing about this summer is the emergence of new players. Mitch Johnson played like a champion all summer , he will turn in to a very good all round cricketer. Katich was in great form all summer , Haddin stepped up his game (need to tidy up his glove work) and Clarke showed us that he could be a great player in the future. Very happy with Siddle as well (8-110ish this match). Also good to see Bollinger/McDonald in the team and doing a good job. We got Clark , Lee and Maybe Mcgain to come in to the side. You would think that Hayden and Hussey won't be out of form for too long. So the future is bright IMO.

 

[irottev]

You're joking, right? McDonald is useless. We'd be better off playing Symonds, North or Dave Hussey or using a real allrounder like Shane Watson who is a much better batsman and bowler then McDonald. How McDonald even got a gig in the first place is beyhond me - I thought he was a OD specialist.

I'd like to see McDonald in the ODIs for Australia. He'd be handy with Symonds and Watson out. I agree with you in tests. His batting's not quite good enough by the looks and his bowling is handy but not front line.