South Africa in Australia Nov-Dec 2012/13

[Left_Hander]

Siddle and Hilfenhaus out of the XI

Joke of a decision. I don't think South Africa would do the same thing. Now we are going to play a deciding match in a Test series without our first choice attack. Great

 

[angryangy]

Well Pattinson and Harris would have been first picks, so I don't know about that really. A lot of people felt Starc should have gone to Adelaide and it's possible that when lined up with 4 fresh seamers, the decision was quite easy.

 

[Left_Hander]

Is Lyon playing or has he been "rested" too?

 

[midgetwars]

If Australia are going for the 4 man pace attaack that means

Pattinson, Siddle, Lyon and hilf are out.

Starc, Johnson, Hastings and Hazlewood in along with Watson?? That's a huge change of teams.

 

[aussie1st]

4 man pace attack isn't confirmed but our attack is going to look ridiculous. Without Siddle/Hilfy there isn't the need to go 4 man pace since Hastings and Haze are similar bowlers.

 

[Biggy]

This could be a miracle victory or it could go horribly wrong. I don't think they could play 2 debutants, with Hilfy and Siddle out, Lyon just needs to be backed.

 

[Hussey=best12]

I can't believe they would 'rest' Siddle and Hilfenhaus!! Big games, need big game players. Siddle and Hilfenhaus are them. Our bowling attack looks pretty weak if we go in with 4 pace attack. Apart from Johnson and Starc, we look weak. Hazelwood shouldn't even be considered to play or be in the squad. Has a pretty bad record with the red ball. Hastings is an allrounder. He deserves his chance over Hazelwood. If Siddle and Hilfenhaus said themselves that they feel fine a great and ready to bowl and play, then they should let them.

I know the WACA is a paceman's paradise but I want Lyon to play. Now with Johnson and Starc playing and are left-armers, there will be plenty of footmarks created for Lyon to aim for. RSA won't expect that we're playing a spinner.

 

[sifter132]

I can understand resting Siddle - he bowled the most overs, and was obviously under strain. Even before that final spell he'd been stretching and wincing. But I think Hilfenhaus should have been a good shout for this. Perhaps he was OK and they just wanted someone fresher and it was a convenient reason.

Lyon would be a good chance to play because: a) Watson is back and can bowl - so a 4th paceman's value is lessened, b) If Starc and Johnson both play, then he'll get their rough AND he'll get the end which takes the ball away in the air - perfect for him, c) I'm not sure they want Clarke to bowl too much and he'd have to bowl a fair bit if Lyon doesn't play and the quicks can't put a hole in SA. Given SA batted a long time in Adelaide, I think it's a fair assumption spin would be required since the chances of 4 quicks blasting them out are fairly low. Then again, we're not entirely sure what the pitch looks like...

 

[War]

Even with all the injuries, the sight of Johnson in an australian test attack so soon again is worrying. Would have been more happy if it was Cutting or Bollinger playing.

 

[Umair7]

Punter will play his lat match for Australia lets hope he hit a hundred

 

[midgetwars]

I remember a few years back Hazlewood was known as the McGrath bowl-a-like.

On a side note, Clarke's batting average has dropped by A LOT in this series from 400 to 200.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Starc on fire.

 

[angryangy]

That's a good start. Rough lengths early on, but Watson got them going with the wicket and Johnson created some pressure with some simple aggression. Starc only came good in the last spell, he got the full length to shape in to the right handers' off stump and they just couldn't find the ball. Although it's only 3 wickets, they haven't put much on the board and Peterson was the man in the runs, so they'll have to start over. Probably a good time for South Africa to have a break and regroup.

 

[Sedition]

Ah jeez Cowan, heartbreaker on so many levels.

 

[Biggy]

Really impressed with the pace quartet. Quality Watson as usual, Starc is a joy to watch and Johnson and Hastings just putting on the pressure. As I type, Hastings!!!!