Now that we have smashed the Poms 5-0 with the same XI no less, who are the blokes you take to South Africa for the three test match series? I'm not sure how many we'll take, probably 15 or 16, so who are your men to get the job done?
At this stage I'd go with:
1. C.Rogers
2. D.Warner
3. S.Watson
4. M.Clarke (c)
5. S.Smith
6. G.Bailey
7. B.Haddin (vc/wk)
8. M.Johnson
9. R.Harris
10. P.Siddle
11. N.Lyon
12. J.Faulkner
13. J.Pattinson
14. N.Coulter-Nile
15. Fawad Ahmed
16. A.Doolan
Now watch the show ponies get their pants pulled down against half decent opposition. Tipping an embarrassing result for the Aussies....the cracks appeared a few times during the ashes.
Now that we have smashed the Poms 5-0 with the same XI no less, who are the blokes you take to South Africa for the three test match series? I'm not sure how many we'll take, probably 15 or 16, so who are your men to get the job done?
At this stage I'd go with:
1. C.Rogers
2. D.Warner - I wouldn't but the centuries booked him a ticket
3. S.Watson - NO
4. M.Clarke (c)
5. S.Smith - I wouldn't but the centuries booked him a ticket
6. G.Bailey - NO
7. B.Haddin (vc/wk)
8. M.Johnson
9. R.Harris
10. P.Siddle
11. N.Lyon
12. J.Faulkner
13. J.Pattinson
14. N.Coulter-Nile
15. Fawad Ahmed - NO
16. A.Doolan
James Hopes, Jason Krejza, Shaun Tait, Nathan Bracken.
Now that we have smashed the Poms 5-0 with the same XI no less, who are the blokes you take to South Africa for the three test match series? I'm not sure how many we'll take, probably 15 or 16, so who are your men to get the job done?
At this stage I'd go with:
1. C.Rogers
2. D.Warner
3. S.Watson
4. M.Clarke (c)
5. S.Smith
6. G.Bailey
7. B.Haddin (vc/wk)
8. M.Johnson
9. R.Harris
10. P.Siddle
11. N.Lyon
12. J.Faulkner
13. J.Pattinson
14. N.Coulter-Nile
15. Fawad Ahmed
16. A.Doolan
No way to Bailey. Watson to six, not sure who I would have at three. Don't mind the rest of your squad.
James Hopes, Jason Krejza, Shaun Tait, Nathan Bracken.
What is this, the retro games ??
I'd like to see Faulkner replace Bailey at 6. I like Bailey but not at Test level, great in the limited over game.
Watson still doesn't impress me and would prefer Doolan or Marsh at 3. I'd also take Bird.
I think Pratty has it fairly right as there is not much chance for others to push for a spot before tour. Names coming through but not quite ready yet, Silk, Head, Burns, Lynn, Maddison, Behrendorff, Sayers & Zampa.
I think Siddle may struggle with Bird, Pattinson, Starc & Cummins all back soon (or now) as well.
I'd like to see Faulkner replace Bailey at 6. I like Bailey but not at Test level, great in the limited over game.
Watson still doesn't impress me and would prefer Doolan or Marsh at 3. I'd also take Bird.
I think Pratty has it fairly right as there is not much chance for others to push for a spot before tour. Names coming through but not quite ready yet, Silk, Head, Burns, Lynn, Maddison, Behrendorff, Sayers & Zampa.
I think Siddle may struggle with Bird, Pattinson, Starc & Cummins all back soon (or now) as well.
Is a fit Cummins good enough to force Siddle out of the team. My understanding is he's a pretty special player but body falls to bits.
I'd like to see Faulkner replace Bailey at 6. I like Bailey but not at Test level, great in the limited over game.
Watson still doesn't impress me and would prefer Doolan or Marsh at 3. I'd also take Bird.
I think Pratty has it fairly right as there is not much chance for others to push for a spot before tour. Names coming through but not quite ready yet, Silk, Head, Burns, Lynn, Maddison, Behrendorff, Sayers & Zampa.
I think Siddle may struggle with Bird, Pattinson, Starc & Cummins all back soon (or now) as well.
They wont drop Siddle IMO.....you need a bowler to do the monkey work when its tough. Pattinson is more likely to replace Harris if he breaks down though Pattinson inst exactly a reliable commodity to be on the park every test either.
Saffies will be tough work, they bat deep with DeVilliers cheating as the wicket keeper and we all know they have a good pace attack and are no mugs in the field either.
Dont expect Johnson to provide the same terror as the Saffies are fed a diet of pace bowling and its going to get down to the 1%ers like who catches better in the field and if our tailenders can keep making runs to prop up the top order.
A wining series would be great but I'd settle for a drawn series given our blokes will be fairly tired after 5 tests and plenty of ashes hype and it might be a bit hard to get up mentally vs better opposition...
Reckon Watson will bat at six and Doolan will bat at 3 hoping his good technique can blunt the SA quicks so Clarke etc can have it easier....
I'd like to see Faulkner replace Bailey at 6. I like Bailey but not at Test level, great in the limited over game.
Watson still doesn't impress me and would prefer Doolan or Marsh at 3. I'd also take Bird.
I think Pratty has it fairly right as there is not much chance for others to push for a spot before tour. Names coming through but not quite ready yet, Silk, Head, Burns, Lynn, Maddison, Behrendorff, Sayers & Zampa.
I think Siddle may struggle with Bird, Pattinson, Starc & Cummins all back soon (or now) as well.
Is a fit Cummins good enough to force Siddle out of the team. My understanding is he's a pretty special player but body falls to bits.
Cummins won't be playing any long form cricket for at least another 12 months apparently, so no chance.
Johnno wasn't just intimidating in the last tour because of his pace. His control was outstanding, and his line and length right on the money. His short balls weren't wide or too short, they were in the right areas to scare batsmen nearly every time. How many players did he actually hit this tour? It was a pretty amazing summer for him.
If he can bowl those same lines and lengths with the same fire against the Saffies, then he'll go well again.
The last thing we have to worry about is our bowling depth, though, we have plenty of options there.
I'd be looking at taking Paine along on tour again, as Haddin simply can't keep this up indefinitely and we have to look to the future.
Overall, I think the 11 we played all summer will be safe, though I agree with the concept of moving Watson to 6 permanently. Question is, though, who bats at 3? We don't exactly have a plethora of options standing up there.
At least we're not as reliant on Clarke as we have been for the past 18 months. We should go in pretty confident that our batsmen can score enough runs for our bowlers to do their damage.
Will be a very interesting tour, we're going to have our tails well and truly in the air when we arrive, I just hope we don't get cocky.
This last summer could very well have been our 1989 Ashes Tour-esque turning point!
Dont expect Johnson to provide the same terror as the Saffies are fed a diet of pace bowling and its going to get down to the 1%ers like who catches better in the field and if our tailenders can keep making runs to prop up the top order.
Johnson gave the Poms the heebie-jeebies so much they were shell-shocked into thinking every ball he bowled was a hand-grenade.
There is no way known that the Yarpies will fall for that trick and they will more than likely attack anything short or wide as their top order batsman are way more accomplished and talented.
This series is a defining one for our players with the bat, a number of them have suspect techniques and/or temperaments and they will be exposed under the bowling pressure from Steyn, Morkel & co.
Not expecting to win this series at all, in fact I'm prepared to rejoice at a drawn one actually.
Dont expect Johnson to provide the same terror as the Saffies are fed a diet of pace bowling and its going to get down to the 1%ers like who catches better in the field and if our tailenders can keep making runs to prop up the top order.
Johnson gave the Poms the heebie-jeebies so much they were shell-shocked into thinking every ball he bowled was a hand-grenade.
There is no way known that the Yarpies will fall for that trick and they will more than likely attack anything short or wide as their top order batsman are way more accomplished and talented.
This series is a defining one for our players with the bat, a number of them have suspect techniques and/or temperaments and they will be exposed under the bowling pressure from Steyn, Morkel & co.
Not expecting to win this series at all, in fact I'm prepared to rejoice at a drawn one actually.
Before the Ashes Cook, Bell, Trott and Pieterson were all very accomplished and talented.
Pietersen is an arrogant blowhard who plays for himself !!
Cook has always been susceptible outside off stump due to a technique flaw.
Bell is a good player.
Trott is a decent player but he crumbled under the pressure, first time it has been fully applied.
Pietersen is an arrogant blowhard who plays for himself !!
Cook has always been susceptible outside off stump due to a technique flaw.
Bell is a good player.
Trott is a decent player but he crumbled under the pressure, first time it has been fully applied.
Peiterson is arrogant but that's not the point. A dud doesn't average in the high 40's at test match level.
The reason Trott left had nothing to do with what happened in the first test. He shouldn't have been playing in the first place.
Dont expect Johnson to provide the same terror as the Saffies are fed a diet of pace bowling and its going to get down to the 1%ers like who catches better in the field and if our tailenders can keep making runs to prop up the top order.
Johnson gave the Poms the heebie-jeebies so much they were shell-shocked into thinking every ball he bowled was a hand-grenade.
There is no way known that the Yarpies will fall for that trick and they will more than likely attack anything short or wide as their top order batsman are way more accomplished and talented.
This series is a defining one for our players with the bat, a number of them have suspect techniques and/or temperaments and they will be exposed under the bowling pressure from Steyn, Morkel & co.
Not expecting to win this series at all, in fact I'm prepared to rejoice at a drawn one actually.
Before the Ashes Cook, Bell, Trott and Pieterson were all very accomplished and talented.
Excactly, they are #2 ranked side in the world still...and for a reason over the last couple of years. Why is it that every side we beat are all of a sudden 2nd rate opposition ?.....and just wait until we play someone decent.......well, we just did.
Don't think for one minute that Kallis retiring will have no impact on the Saffers, that throws their batting order into disarray. Their batting against a pop gun Indian pace attack hasn't been all that wonderful, not to mention the balance of their bowling attack. Without him to bowl overs to allow Steyn & Morkel to rest, how will they fare now ?.
Yes our top order still didn't all fire at once this series, but for a change someone usually stood up and gave us a total to bowl at.....and it wasn't even Clarke most of the time ! That's a huge bonus after the last couple of series.
Our series against the Saffers have always been close ones recently, no matter how we've been travelling....I don't expect this one to be any different.
The image of Amla being bowled ducking a not very short ball will have been studied a few times by the likes of Johnson, Harris & Siddle that's for sure !
Dont expect Johnson to provide the same terror as the Saffies are fed a diet of pace bowling and its going to get down to the 1%ers like who catches better in the field and if our tailenders can keep making runs to prop up the top order.
Johnson gave the Poms the heebie-jeebies so much they were shell-shocked into thinking every ball he bowled was a hand-grenade.
There is no way known that the Yarpies will fall for that trick and they will more than likely attack anything short or wide as their top order batsman are way more accomplished and talented.
This series is a defining one for our players with the bat, a number of them have suspect techniques and/or temperaments and they will be exposed under the bowling pressure from Steyn, Morkel & co.
Not expecting to win this series at all, in fact I'm prepared to rejoice at a drawn one actually.
Before the Ashes Cook, Bell, Trott and Pieterson were all very accomplished and talented.
Excactly, they are #2 ranked side in the world still...and for a reason over the last couple of years. Why is it that every side we beat are all of a sudden 2nd rate opposition ?.....and just wait until we play someone decent.......well, we just did.
Don't think for one minute that Kallis retiring will have no impact on the Saffers, that throws their batting order into disarray. Their batting against a pop gun Indian pace attack hasn't been all that wonderful, not to mention the balance of their bowling attack. Without him to bowl overs to allow Steyn & Morkel to rest, how will they fare now ?.
Yes our top order still didn't all fire at once this series, but for a change someone usually stood up and gave us a total to bowl at.....and it wasn't even Clarke most of the time ! That's a huge bonus after the last couple of series.
Our series against the Saffers have always been close ones recently, no matter how we've been travelling....I don't expect this one to be any different.
The image of Amla being bowled ducking a not very short ball will have been studied a few times by the likes of Johnson, Harris & Siddle that's for sure !
Could be a bouncer fest this series..........bowling regular line and length didnt work last time with Amla and DeVilliers loves hooking the quicks so I reckon Johnson will be looking to bounce the Saffies top order and its no secret that Michael Clarke doesnt like the short stuff and I reckon Steyn will be introduced everytime Clarke comes to the wicket. There is a clip of Steyn bowling an over to Clarke on Youtube and the Aus skipper looks like he didnt want to get behind too many deliveries and I dont expect him to get too balls many to drive.
Reckon Johnson and Harris will be lining Smith up for the Cook lbw type dismissal and I'm hoping there is a bit in the SA pitches to aid their cause and they are not flat boring batting tracks....danger man might be Faf Duplessi coming in down the order vs tired bowlers and the old ball....
Its just a pity its isnt a 5 test series and I always enjoy the us vs the Saffies as its a real contest.......
The 12....
Warner
Rogers
Watson
White
Clarke
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle/ Pattinson
Lyon
The rest...
Wade
Doolan
Faulkner
If we take 16
Coulter-Nile
The 12....
Warner
Rogers
Watson
White
Clarke
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle/ Pattinson
Lyon
The rest...
Wade
Doolan
Faulkner
If we take 16
Coulter-Nile
White?
I'm still laughing.....
??? ??? :o
The 12....
Warner
Rogers
Watson
White
Clarke
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle/ Pattinson
Lyon
The rest...
Wade
Doolan
Faulkner
If we take 16
Coulter-Nile
White?
I'm still laughing.....
??? ??? :o
Cam White has had a good season but Steve Smith is the younger model of this type of player and the selectors wont want a middle order with an older Steve Smith in it...plenty of stroke play but not much technique and I think White would be out of his depth vs the SA pace attack.
Doolan is more your traditional straight bat type of player and I think he will be first choice to replace Bailey however the dont fix it if it isnt broken rule might apply and Bailey might be lining up in the first test as the selectors might be loathe to change a winning team.
Reckon Mitch Johnson might be required to some more batting this series and has some form vs the saffies with a century from memory....
The 12....
Warner
Rogers
Watson
White
Clarke
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle/ Pattinson
Lyon
The rest...
Wade
Doolan
Faulkner
If we take 16
Coulter-Nile
White?
I'm still laughing.....
??? ??? :o
Is this the same person who wants to drop a bloke who's made 68, 176, 51, 103, 83no and 43 on 6 of his last 7 Tests and bowls too, and you laugh at others. At least I pick blokes in form and not with agendas. White has been in outstanding,and highly consistent form all summer, probably the best of his career, but obviously your selection criteria isn't picking players on form. You obviously don't follow cricket so it's safe not to take your opinion seriously.
Guess who i'm laughing at now. Pointing and laughing.
The 12....
Warner
Rogers
Watson
White
Clarke
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle/ Pattinson
Lyon
The rest...
Wade
Doolan
Faulkner
If we take 16
Coulter-Nile
White?
I'm still laughing.....
??? ??? :o
Cam White has had a good season but Steve Smith is the younger model of this type of player and the selectors wont want a middle order with an older Steve Smith in it...plenty of stroke play but not much technique and I think White would be out of his depth vs the SA pace attack.
Doolan is more your traditional straight bat type of player and I think he will be first choice to replace Bailey however the dont fix it if it isnt broken rule might apply and Bailey might be lining up in the first test as the selectors might be loathe to change a winning team.
Reckon Mitch Johnson might be required to some more batting this series and has some form vs the saffies with a century from memory....
This is a huge series, as is the next one against India here, so I'm just looking for blokes in form.
White is a very experienced player so I think right now he's go well against any attack. We actually, as a side, tend to handle the SA attack well. Have for the last few series, barring an innings of 47. Think it's because their wickets and bowlers are similar in many ways to ours. Series with SA are always very close.
The 12....
Warner
Rogers
Watson
White
Clarke
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle/ Pattinson
Lyon
The rest...
Wade
Doolan
Faulkner
If we take 16
Coulter-Nile
White?
I'm still laughing.....
??? ??? :o
Is this the same person who wants to drop a bloke who's made 68, 176, 51, 103, 83no and 43 on 6 of his last 7 Tests and bowls too, and you laugh at others. At least I pick blokes in form and not with agendas. White has been in outstanding,and highly consistent form all summer, probably the best of his career, but obviously your selection criteria isn't picking players on form. You obviously don't follow cricket so it's safe not to take your opinion seriously.
Guess who i'm laughing at now. Pointing and laughing.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/8291.html (http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/8291.html)
Outstanding form?
Averaging 50 odd in Shield games......well, you could argue he'll do as well as Watto? But,......
Is he a better or even safer bet than Khawaja, Doolan, S. Marsh....?
On "form", Marcus North creams him (averaging circa 80):
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/6943.html (http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/6943.html)
Better bowling numbers too? ;)
But hey, what would I know......?
Objectivity vs. Parochialism?
[move]HAURITZ[/move]
[move]HAURITZ[/move]
Paaalllease ............ ::)
My Preferred Squad:
Warner
Rogers
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Lyon
Doolan
Pattinson
Faulkner
C-Nile
I am dropping Bailey, bringing in Hughes who is in outstanding form in sheild cricket with over 20 first class tons at a young age. Doolan to come into the side after watto does his hammy/groin/heart muscle in game 1.
Saffies with Steyn and DeVilliers having injuries are ripe for the pickingIMO, no cricket for them for 4 weeks or so means they wont be cherry ripe for the first test and with Kallis retiring and the likely selection of a lesser player like Mclaren being included we have never had a better chance to knock them over IMO.
I'd be very selective in playing Mitch Johnson or any other key player over the next month and wanting my best eleven fighting fit for that first test...if we cant win the first one then I reckon they will take the series...
The squad has been announced:
1. M.Clarke (c)
2. B.Haddin (vc/wk)
3. C.Rogers
4. D.Warner
5. S.Watson
6. S.Smith
7. A.Doolan
8. S.Marsh
9. N.Lyon
10. M.Johnson
11. R.Harris
12. P.Siddle
13. J.Faulkner
14. J.Pattinson
15. J.Bird
Where's the reserve 'keeper ??
Where's the reserve 'keeper ??
(http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/5860iEE8C71D8ECE19130/image-size/original?v=mpbl-1&px=-1)
Shane Watson again ruled out of a test match! Out for test 1 v RSA. If I wasnt over it before I certainly am now. Good thing is we will have two new (or new to the test team) bats in - from Doolan (surely guaranteed now), Hughes, Henriques and Shaun Marsh who is Watson's replacement.
Dools at 3, Hughes at 6 for mine.
Dools at 3, Hughes at 6 for mine.
Can't imagine they'd fly Marsh in unless they were planning to play him?
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/233648.html (http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/233648.html)
Recent form pretty ordinary?
Marsh at 3, Hughes at 6.
The only thing Marsh has going for him over Hughes is he has a direct relative who used to play for Austalia.
Its a joke Marsh was even selected in the original touring party...
The only thing Marsh has going for him over Hughes is he has a direct relative who used to play for Austalia.
Its a joke Marsh was even selected in the original touring party...
Actually, his form this season is far better than Doolan's - as a matter of fact.
Dont think its going matter if its Doolan, Marsh or Hughes..I expect the South African quicks to run through our top order and it will be down to Haddin, Johnson, Siddle to make some runs when the ball is older and the bowlers tired.
Marsh, Doolan, Hughes and Henriques is a rubbery quartet to be expecting runs from vs one of the best attacks in the world led by the best fast bowler.
Its down to Johnson, Siddle and Harris to win this series with the ball and I think the Saffies batting is nowhere near as good as their bowlers and we can exploit that.
The 15-player ICC World Twenty20 squad is: neither of the Marsh brothers....odd.
George Bailey (Capt, Hobart Hurricanes)
Dan Christian (Brisbane Heat)
Nathan Coulter-Nile (Perth Scorchers)
James Faulkner (Melbourne Stars)
Aaron Finch (Melbourne Renegades)
Brad Haddin (Sydney Sixers)
Brad Hodge (Melbourne Stars)
Brad Hogg (Perth Scorchers)
Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars)
James Muirhead (Melbourne Stars)
Mitchell Johnson (Brisbane Heat)
Mitchell Starc (Sydney Sixers)
David Warner (Sydney Thunder)
Shane Watson (Brisbane Heat)
Cameron White (Melbourne Stars)
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/exotic-australian-squad-named-for-t20-world-cup-20140211-32f2h.html#ixzz2t0DX0V2v
Dont think its going matter if its Doolan, Marsh or Hughes..I expect the South African quicks to run through our top order and it will be down to Haddin, Johnson, Siddle to make some runs when the ball is older and the bowlers tired.
Marsh, Doolan, Hughes and Henriques is a rubbery quartet to be expecting runs from vs one of the best attacks in the world led by the best fast bowler.
Its down to Johnson, Siddle and Harris to win this series with the ball and I think the Saffies batting is nowhere near as good as their bowlers and we can exploit that.
It will be interesting, as our batting certainly does not look to be the matchwinner that our bowling could be. The Middle Order does look to be somewhat elastic.
Dont think its going matter if its Doolan, Marsh or Hughes..I expect the South African quicks to run through our top order and it will be down to Haddin, Johnson, Siddle to make some runs when the ball is older and the bowlers tired.
Marsh, Doolan, Hughes and Henriques is a rubbery quartet to be expecting runs from vs one of the best attacks in the world led by the best fast bowler.
Its down to Johnson, Siddle and Harris to win this series with the ball and I think the Saffies batting is nowhere near as good as their bowlers and we can exploit that.
It will be interesting, as our batting certainly does not look to be the matchwinner that our bowling could be. The Middle Order does look to be somewhat elastic.
I really hope they go with Hughes......I'm still not sure what he did wrong to get dropped in England after scoring an unbeaten 80 in the first test & putting on over 160 with Agar for the last wicket. He failed in the 2nd test....but so did everybody. I thought he worked hard at #6 & given the saffers lack of a decent spinner, could be very dangerous coming in with the shine off the ball. Shaun Marsh......still not sure why he deserves to be over there.
The only other thought would be in batting one of the leftys up at #3 is that Steyne & Philanders stock ball is the outswinger to right handers. But I think they've pretty much penciled in Doolan at 3.
I'm also not a Watson fan...but we will miss his overs more than his batting & more than I care to admit.
Hopefully Mitch can crack Smiths finger open again early on in the first !
cheers
Hughes averages over 50 in SAF too iirc.
But yep, agreed with EB1, our batting is extremely brittle overall.
If Marsh plays and makes runs, I will say that the selectors should be considered greats because they will have picked a winner based upon zero elapsed form. Given his last efforts against that mob, and no red-ball form, it must be considered an extremely risky punt.
On another point, I took a double take recently when I thought I heard a current selector say that "shield cricket was irrelevant: and that "they didn't take much notice of it". You can imagine my shock with what I thought I heard.
Not a great start at all. 2/26 in the 9th over with both openers back in the pavilion. All of the saffies quicks look very dangerous.
A good test for Marsh and Doolan here. Need to steady the ship and give Clarke some room to work with.
If Shaun Marsh has, or can get his head in order, he will be a gun.
Far better than his Dad.
Ditto younger brother Mitch, who should have gone ahead of Henriques imo.
4 FOR 98.
eb1 - another top order disaster.
marsh showing some balls?
http://spacemath.gsfc.nasa.gov/Grade67/3Page7.pdf (http://spacemath.gsfc.nasa.gov/Grade67/3Page7.pdf)
Saffies putting the squeeze on...runs very hard to get, Mclaren is essentially a one day player but knows how to bowl tightly.
Morkel been very impressive, seems to have gained pace(up around 150k with some deliveries) since he last played us and with his height is very intimidating.
Not sure Warner can get away with throwing the bat at every delivery like he did vs England, the Saffies bowl a better line and its not high percentage play to play like a millionaire.
Marsh who is a strokemaker has showed how to play...keep it simple and only throw the bat at the rank bad deliveries but let the good ones go.
We are still in the game as the Saffies have a weaker batting lineup with Kallis out and I reckon it will a low scoring game where a 50 run lead might be worth 150 on the last day...
Bottom line is we can't carry WAtson and Warner....
4 FOR 98.
eb1 - another top order disaster.
Top order is farked. Who'd have thought Marsh would be the one to step up? Need to get 300 plus to be any chance I reckon. Hopefully Smith and Marsh can take some pressure off Hadds and establish a respectable score.
Very happy that we didn't embarrass ourselves and showed some ticker after a sticky start against a decent attack.
Smith, for all his technical flaws, is becoming a decent player and clearly has the right mental attitude.
Not convinced re Marsh but runs are gold. At least delivered when it counted.
Warner needs to get his head into test match mode and eliminate that driving flaw or he will continue to divide opinions.
Very worried about the captain. Consistency is the hallmark of the greats and he isn't making runs, just lots of cameos.
Very happy that we didn't embarrass ourselves and showed some ticker after a sticky start against a decent attack.
Smith, for all his technical flaws, is becoming a decent player and clearly has the right mental attitude.
Not convinced re Marsh but runs are gold. At least delivered when it counted.
Warner needs to get his head into test match mode and eliminate that driving flaw or he will continue to divide opinions.
Very worried about the captain. Consistency is the hallmark of the greats and he isn't making runs, just lots of cameos.
Marsh played with restraint when the ball was new and got the rewards and it was very fine innings vs very good bowling....Smith continues to surprise, never looks a class player and one who get out very next ball but continues to cement his place in the team. I think we are well placed to win this test and its all down to Graeme Smith who gambled and lost when he put us into bat.
The wicket is now flat and offering little and I'm think batting last on a deck where the ball will keep low will be hard yakka for the Saffies.
I also expect them to hit back with the ball so every run will be vital and we need Haddin, Johnosn etc to contribute some runs and get past 450...
Very happy that we didn't embarrass ourselves and showed some ticker after a sticky start against a decent attack.
Smith, for all his technical flaws, is becoming a decent player and clearly has the right mental attitude.
Not convinced re Marsh but runs are gold. At least delivered when it counted.
Warner needs to get his head into test match mode and eliminate that driving flaw or he will continue to divide opinions.
Very worried about the captain. Consistency is the hallmark of the greats and he isn't making runs, just lots of cameos.
Shaun Marsh....eating my words as we speak.........Warner- horrible shot, Doolan - looked very good but gifted it away....a trait that is all too familiar of late for Tassie cricket followers. Clarke...way too many 20-30s in the last few tests. If Ponting got to 30 in his prime, the bowlers didn't get too many 2nd chances.
Smith - is always going to attract criticism for his style, it doesn't look rock solid, but geez he is a beauty & has that something about him as a number 5 or 6 that the likes of Doug Walters had.
I bet Haddon is hoping to be coming in with the score closer to 400 than 100 for a change !
cheers
Mal.
Wow, pleasantly suprised by the scorecard.
Boof is a genius.
Awesome scoreline compared to the Ashes efforts of our top order.
No foxtel, so only reading online here... bah!
Wow, pleasantly suprised by the scorecard.
Boof is a genius.
Awesome scoreline compared to the Ashes efforts of our top order.
No foxtel, so only reading online here... bah!
Raven..Your not missing much on the foxtel commentary...Shaun Pollock was a great cricketer but has only one eye when it comes to commentating, kept telling everyone that AB DeVilliers is the best batter in the world...plenty to say early but didnt seem to talk much when Marsh and Smith got control. Mark Nicholas also winds me up.....talks a lot but says very little in terms of the game and would rather digress onto meaningless chatter about trivia.
Michael Holding is probably the best of an ordinary lot......you could probably listen to the Afrikans commentators, understand not one word they say and be just as as informed..
Former South Australian batsman Mike Haysman wont say much negative stuff about the Saffies either as he is now a long term resident....
Like the camera work too...plenty of shots of a swimming pool with a lot of overweight big gutted Saffie local blokes drinking beer and trying to pick up women...there were probably more people in the pool than watching the game....it looked like a shield game at the Junction oval in terms of numbers....and if someone could tell me where that swimming pool fitted into Centurion park then I would appreciate it ..
They were moving along nice at 4/297 and now 3 wickets lost in a space of 50 odd runs. 7/348.
They were moving along nice at 4/297 and now 3 wickets lost in a space of 50 odd runs. 7/348.
If we make it to 450 it will be a very good result.
They were moving along nice at 4/297 and now 3 wickets lost in a space of 50 odd runs. 7/348.
Saffies have fought back, unlike England they wont throw in the towel and will persist...its good test cricket.
Hoping Mitch Johnson can make a few more runs and get us past 400...
They were moving along nice at 4/297 and now 3 wickets lost in a space of 50 odd runs. 7/348.
Saffies have fought back, unlike England they wont throw in the towel and will persist...its good test cricket.
Hoping Mitch Johnson can make a few more runs and get us past 400...
Mitch is moving along nicely and is the key to our score going past the 400 mark. Get it past 400 and I will be happy. Get it up to where PezzDog said 450 and we should be O.K. if we bowl and field well.
All out for 397 is a let down on what looked like a much higher score overnight. Pressure now back on the quicks to get some early breakthroughs.
That's how to clean up the tail!
And that's how to get rid of the openers :o
If we can snaffle Amla, the Test should be ours :)
And that's how to get rid of the openers :o
If we can snaffle Amla, the Test should be ours :)
How good is that!!! >:D
Even if you get Amla, there are others who have some backbone and will fight. Our guys have to forget about the way they pushed over the Poms, the Yarpies are a completely different proposition.
Another one bites the dust! :))
Even if you get Amla, there are others who have some backbone and will fight. Our guys have to forget about the way they pushed over the Poms, the Yarpies are a completely different proposition.
Sheik if they bleed we can kill them. Trust me. ;)
Poor selection by South Africa to pick a bowling allrounder(Mclaren) to replace Kallis..........DuPlessis should have been left at No 6 where he has been making runs and then another poor decision to bowl by Smith, add an important catch that should have been taken by Amla(Marsh) and you have a 1-0 victory to Aus coming up.
Its the 1% mistakes you make that cost you bigtime when teams are evenly matched like these two are...
Not a bad summation Elwood... i'd add that Johnson was pretty fearsome in his opening spell last night. The deliveries to Smith and Faff were ripsnorters.
I don't know who told him to bowl very fast and try to hit them in the head but it has been a bloody masterstroke.
South Africa all out for 206. We lead by 191. Now its time to knuckle down and build a total they can't catch. We have a huge upper hand here and not winning this one easily will be a joke. Keep them on the ropes and make them sweat. ;)
South Africa all out for 206. We lead by 191. Now its time to knuckle down and build a total they can't catch. We have a huge upper hand here and not winning this one easily will be a joke. Keep them on the ropes and make them sweat. ;)
Getting AB out before getting the ton up was great too!
If we can get a century from a player or two in the next innings, it could be the mental edge that helps us for the series. AB missing out is icing on the cake. ;)
With the exception of de Villiers, the South Africans haven't shown too much backbone :o
I'll put my hand up to believing that Johnson should never play Test cricket again :-[ What a revelation he's been since getting a recall. It just shows that the most accomplished batsmen can be unsettled by accurate, very fast bowling, particularly if the other quicks can maintain the pressure.
Warner's had a bit of luck and could now be in for a big score.
The South Africans must be demoralised and putting catches down will hurt them even more :)
Warner's had a bit of luck and could now be in for a big score.
The South Africans must be demoralised and putting catches down will hurt them even more :)
Yep the Saffies are failing at the key moments are going to be hammered in this match :D
Warner dropped again :o The wheels are really falling off :)
Davey on song for a ton and Doolan warranting his selection against the worlds number one team as we look to secure the first test. A dream result in any pundits wildest imagination.
At the risk of pre-judging this Test and ending up with egg on face, where is the South Africans' so-called backbone?
At the risk of pre-judging this Test and ending up with egg on face, where is the South Africans' so-called backbone?
I suspect it's been broken by a couple of Mitch Johnson in swingers! ;)
50 for Doolan!! Well done son.
And a ton for Warner on cue! :D
A ton to Warner - another cricketer that I had written off. I must be a good judge :-[
The run rate is 4.5 :o
I reckon we'll be 500 in front early on the fourth day and will have ample time to bowl them out.
At the risk of pre-judging this Test and ending up with egg on face, where is the South Africans' so-called backbone?
I suspect it's been broken by a couple of Mitch Johnson in swingers! ;)
The the last series we played when Smith and others got a few broken bones courtesy of Johnson laid the foundations...I'm convinced Kallis retired to save the average and avoid any damage so he was intact to handle that attractive model girlfriend of his....
With the exception of de Villiers, the South Africans haven't shown too much backbone :o
I'll put my hand up to believing that Johnson should never play Test cricket again :-[ What a revelation he's been since getting a recall. It just shows that the most accomplished batsmen can be unsettled by accurate, very fast bowling, particularly if the other quicks can maintain the pressure.
Not taking anything away from Mitchell, he has bowled very well this summer, but the last bit DJC wrote is the key. Bowl tight as a group(pack), build consistent pressure and the wickets will come.
With the exception of de Villiers, the South Africans haven't shown too much backbone :o
I'll put my hand up to believing that Johnson should never play Test cricket again :-[ What a revelation he's been since getting a recall. It just shows that the most accomplished batsmen can be unsettled by accurate, very fast bowling, particularly if the other quicks can maintain the pressure.
Not taking anything away from Mitchell, he has bowled very well this summer, but the last bit DJC wrote is the key. Bowl tight as a group(pack), build consistent pressure and the wickets will come.
You can add taking catches as well...the Saffie bowlers like the English created chances but have both opposing teams have not caught well and credit must go to the Australian fielding coach who has upped the standard and made us the best in the world IMO.
You can add taking catches as well...the Saffie bowlers like the English created chances but have both opposing teams have not caught well and credit must go to the Australian fielding coach who has upped the standard and made us the best in the world IMO.
True.
Let's just hope that the success of Marsh, Doolan and Smith in this test keeps Watson out and they don't drop Rodgers for him next test.
Hopefully we can bat the better part of two sessions and tire the SA bowlers out, Steyn is class but looks like he is sick, apart from a few balls there was no real zip and Philander is a toothless tiger without consistent seam movement.
Good to see Doolan play each ball on it's merits and not get flustered when he wasn't scoring, the extra overs their bowlers used up is precious next test as well as this one.
Let's just hope that the success of Marsh, Doolan and Smith in this test keeps Watson out and they don't drop Rodgers for him next test.
Hopefully we can bat the better part of two sessions and tire the SA bowlers out, Steyn is class but looks like he is sick, apart from a few balls there was no real zip and Philander is a toothless tiger without consistent seam movement.
Good to see Doolan play each ball on it's merits and not get flustered when he wasn't scoring, the extra overs their bowlers used up is precious next test as well as this one.
tHIS IS IN MY PRAYERS TOO.
Mitch still reeking havoc!!!
We have to win this!!!!
Smashed them by 281 runs !!!
This should provide a bit of confidence for the rest of the series !!!!
Mitchell 12 wickets and nearly all batsmen made a contribution = good win !!
Let's just hope that the success of Marsh, Doolan and Smith in this test keeps Watson out and they don't drop Rodgers for him next test.
Hopefully we can bat the better part of two sessions and tire the SA bowlers out, Steyn is class but looks like he is sick, apart from a few balls there was no real zip and Philander is a toothless tiger without consistent seam movement.
Good to see Doolan play each ball on it's merits and not get flustered when he wasn't scoring, the extra overs their bowlers used up is precious next test as well as this one.
Rogers is the one most in trouble if they wanted Watson. Rogers deserves to keep his spot based on the performances in two series against England and it is only one Test but if Australia want the extra bowler then it'll be him that goes. Watson's been pretty good, bat and ball, in his last 7 Tests and would slot into the opening position easily but we won so easily so the selectors may be reluctant to muck about too. Depends on the wicket. If it has less life the the extra bowler might be handy.
Cmon...Rodgers has one bad test after a string of good ones....he has earned that spot and should keep his place IMO.
The Saffie quicks bowled ok IMO and were let down by their fielders..he got unlucky with that second innings play on yet Warner got dropped three times...thats just luck going one players way and in Rodgers case he had no luck, bit like Smith who middled one through square leg you thought but picked out Doolan who took a great catch in close.
Warner was right the Saffies chucked it in and looked like England in the field....bit of pressure and they folded with only DeVilliers and Steyn playing like the class players they are....
Should be 2-0 after the next test and we only need to beat India to be No 1 in the world IMO.....
Ryan Harris looking a bit tired.....
Mitch Johnson is the No 1 bowler in world cricket...I dont care what the stats/ratings show ie Philander/Styen/Ajmal... he has that title....
Cmon...Rodgers has one bad test after a string of good ones....he has earned that spot and should keep his place IMO.
The Saffie quicks bowled ok IMO and were let down by their fielders..he got unlucky with that second innings play on yet Warner got dropped three times...thats just luck going one players way and in Rodgers case he had no luck, bit like Smith who middled one through square leg you thought but picked out Doolan who took a great catch in close.
Warner was right the Saffies chucked it in and looked like England in the field....bit of pressure and they folded with only DeVilliers and Steyn playing like the class players they are....
Should be 2-0 after the next test and we only need to beat India to be No 1 in the world IMO.....
Ryan Harris looking a bit tired.....
Mitch Johnson is the No 1 bowler in world cricket...I dont care what the stats/ratings show ie Philander/Styen/Ajmal... he has that title....
Yes, but in the case of Rogers the decision will be if they want another bowler. if the pitch has some life then he'll play as we may not need another quick. If it's a bit dead then then we may play the other bowler as wickets could be hard work. Won't be a matter of whether Rogers deserves to be dropped, it'll be a matter of whether the selectors think we need a 5th bowler. Rogers doesn't bowl, Watson does. Many aren't getting that aspect at all. It's a selection i believe that will go either way as often selectors are happy with winning teams. If Watson still can't bowl though then Rogers is a certainty to play in front of him.
Watson recent Test form hasn't been bad either., bat or ball. Led the run scorers in England and made a couple of centuries and a few half centuries, including a"not out", in his last 7 Tests.
Yes, Johnson is so far the no.1 bowler in world cricket it's not funny. Who'd have said that 6 months ago.
Graham Smith says it was the pitch and not Mitch Johnson that lost them the game...now I might be biased being an Aussie but thats the biggest load of crape from Smith who needs to have a good long look at himself and admit his No 1 team were outplayed and well beat by a better Australian team and his personal contribution wasnt good enough as well as his poor decision to bowl first.
I guess the ball will be the problem in the next test...we got the shiny hard ball and they will have been issued with the dull, soft one.....
Graham Smith says it was the pitch and not Mitch Johnson that lost them the game...now I might be biased being an Aussie but thats the biggest load of crape from Smith who needs to have a good long look at himself and admit his No 1 team were outplayed and well beat by a better Australian team and his personal contribution wasnt good enough as well as his poor decision to bowl first.
I guess the ball will be the problem in the next test...we got the shiny hard ball and they will have been issued with the dull, soft one.....
Obviously Australia batted on 'the other pitch'! Tosser.
Graham Smith says it was the pitch and not Mitch Johnson that lost them the game...now I might be biased being an Aussie but thats the biggest load of crape from Smith who needs to have a good long look at himself and admit his No 1 team were outplayed and well beat by a better Australian team and his personal contribution wasnt good enough as well as his poor decision to bowl first.
I guess the ball will be the problem in the next test...we got the shiny hard ball and they will have been issued with the dull, soft one.....
Unless I'm mistaken I believe we batted on the same pitch as the Saffers! ::)
Snap Townsend. ;)
I couldn't believe my ears when Smith came out with that garbage.
With that attitude, they may as well not turn up for the second Test.
Anybody seen a better 6 tests by any Australian bowler ever ?
Not me. The joy I get from watching the Poms and now the Yarpies crap their pants is the best I've ever felt.
I wish to offer an unreserved apology to Mitchell Johnson, whom I bagged mercilessly owing to frustration at his inconsistency.
Absolute highest respect for a bloke who late in his career went away, worked on his game, came back and got it right and delivered on his ability. People who come out in top after getting there the hard way deserve nothing other than the utmost respect and kudos.
Wonder if the future thinking will be to drop Rogers and play Watson in his perferred opening slot... considering how tidy Doolan looked and his quality fielding... pity he doesn't bowl. Would be most annoyed to see a form player dropped to rush Watson back if Watson is unable to bowl.
BTW guys, I was less impressed by the rest of the bowling and we can't afford to just be the Mitch Johnson show- they all have to contribute. Methinks that they should be better for the run, I suspect that the washed out game was less than ideal for the likes of Harris etc.
The other thing is that the Saffies tend to be very poor starters in test series... whether they don't rate the opposition, don't play enough lead in games, take some time to get going or simply prepare poorly I don't know but don't be surprised if they pick a better balanced side and play way better in the second test.
Graham Smith says it was the pitch and not Mitch Johnson that lost them the game...now I might be biased being an Aussie but thats the biggest load of crape from Smith who needs to have a good long look at himself and admit his No 1 team were outplayed and well beat by a better Australian team and his personal contribution wasnt good enough as well as his poor decision to bowl first.
I guess the ball will be the problem in the next test...we got the shiny hard ball and they will have been issued with the dull, soft one.....
Now.....who won the toss again...I forget ?
Hope Rogers stays in.
He so proved himself in Austalia.
Pity Shane cannot be fitted into the team, he is a useful bowler.
Johnson was just so good. The Poms absolutely crashed, I wonder if Smith and Coy can rise again.
Boof is a magnificent difference to a team that was under-performing
Wonder if the future thinking will be to drop Rogers and play Watson in his perferred opening slot... considering how tidy Doolan looked and his quality fielding... pity he doesn't bowl. Would be most annoyed to see a form player dropped to rush Watson back if Watson is unable to bowl.
BTW guys, I was less impressed by the rest of the bowling and we can't afford to just be the Mitch Johnson show- they all have to contribute. Methinks that they should be better for the run, I suspect that the washed out game was less than ideal for the likes of Harris etc.
The other thing is that the Saffies tend to be very poor starters in test series... whether they don't rate the opposition, don't play enough lead in games, take some time to get going or simply prepare poorly I don't know but don't be surprised if they pick a better balanced side and play way better in the second test.
Saffies so stuffed up by playing McLaren at No 7..he is a handy batter in one day cricket at best but just another bowler who bats a bit at test level....I'd expect them to go back to a batsman and drop Faf down the order where he should have been played. Their other choice was Parnell who is a left handed version of McLaren....as Dr Phil would say" what were you thinking' when they picked that team
Lehmann is smart enough to send out balanced teams and its an area we beat England in as well who never seemed to have a settled lineup.
The loss of Kallis has been vital IMO...you just dont get batters of the quality of Kallis who are also decent frontline bowlers as well coming along every day....you might get one every ten years.
Pity Shane cannot be fitted into the team, he is a useful bowler.
When fit - which is very seldom.
Watson needs a session in our "whiz bang movement analysis gizmo" (aka motion lab) to sort out why he is so susceptible to injury.
Our team is much better balanced with Watson coming in anywhere between 1st and 4th drop and giving the quick bowlers a spell or two. However, I'm not sure he is worthy of a spot in the team if he is not fit enough to bowl a reasonable spell.
I'd be surprised if Watson ever made it back to open.
Seems clear the team is looking for a guy who can hang around while Warner knocks them around.
"You can prepare for a storm. You can latch all the windows, and sandbag the doors, but when the rain comes it's still a surprise."
-Jacques Kallis on Mitchell Johnson.
There's not a hope in hell that Rogers will be dropped. Opening partnerships have their own dynamic and the Warner/Rogers one is working after a few stumbles. The guys are showing a respect for each other and there's no way someone like Boof would tamper with that.
Once Watson is fit to bowl he will come back in. That 5th bowler is like gold. Someone will be unlucky and it won't be Doolan or Marsh. Means Rogers is vulnerable as it stands. Watson averages 42 from 26 Tests as an opener so it's actually be his best batting position by a long way. Rogers is certainly a better batsman for sure but doesn't bowl 130-135km swinging deliveries. Also insurance if we, say, lose Harris mid-Test. We'd have drawn the last series against South Africa here in Australia if he'd played. He was out injured and we lost Pattinson during the game. We were low on quicks and Siddle near died trying to bowl us to victory in that 2nd Test. The extra bowler would've been certain victory.
Watson won't be considered purely as a batsman now as he's not in the top 6 on that alone. Put his bowling in as well then he probably goes back to opening, which would be extremely unlucky for Rogers. Watson is lucky he can bowl or he would've been gone long ago. He still isn't ready to bowl yet though so he has zero chance of being picked in the next Test even if he's ready to bat.
Watson has taken 12 wickets in 2 years at a strike rate of 1 wicket every 20 overs and an average of 49!
Lets not get too worried about his bowling
Watson has taken 12 wickets in 2 years at a strike rate of 1 wicket every 20 overs and an average of 49!
Lets not get too worried about his bowling
He's economical though. I don't like Watson but his bowling does come in handy, it gives one of the quicks a rest. In saying that I don't think he should be back in the team with Marsh and Doolan performing.
Watson has taken 12 wickets in 2 years at a strike rate of 1 wicket every 20 overs and an average of 49!
Lets not get too worried about his bowling
Amen, he's a Clayton's allrounder, at best.
Wayne Parnell a one day left arm pace bowler who bats a bit and Dean Elgar a batter who cant field and who Johnson terrified when he played in Aus when Johnson was just so so are the Saffies choices to replace McLaren......2-0 Australia coming up.....
Alviro Perersen out/in doubt with a virus, its called Johnson's syndrome.. he as been replaced by Quinton DeKock......the latter is a batsman/ keeper and his batting resembles David Warner the pre Test version and he can really hit the ball. Watched a bit of him vs India and he is very entertaining but I doubt he will have the technique to last too long at test level at this stage of his career.
Watson's figures with bat or ball are not in the top 6 in either category, hence should not be playing.
But fudge me, someone up top likes him... not sure why.
If he plays, bowl him into the ground till he reinjures his massive but broken frame.
Talk from Clarkey that this test will be over in 3 days if the pitch stays as is. 'Green and furry' >:D
Watson's figures with bat or ball are not in the top 6 in either category, hence should not be playing.
One of the most overrated players ever to don the baggy green imo.
Watson's figures with bat or ball are not in the top 6 in either category, hence should not be playing.
One of the most overrated players ever to don the baggy green imo.
Agree but he is still the best genuine Aus allrounder when fit and thats the issue.......having a batsman who can bowl in a decent fashion gives you a real edge.
Not that Watson is in the Kallis class in any area of the game but the Saffies have really missed the Kallis input with the ball and we look a better balanced team with Watson as the allrounder.
I like the look of Doolan as he has a good technique, fields well and is ideal for No 3 IMO......I dont have the same faith in Shaun Marsh however and given the choice would have Watson in for Marsh ...purely based on having a better balanced team that can cope with all conditions.