The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

[LostDoggy]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

And they are our only frontline bowlers.

Follow on's are a thing of the past and will only be used if you are playing a minnow or you have a couple of gun spinners and you are playing on a bunsen burner.

What if they lose this test match?

[Mantis]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

What if they lose this test match?

It shouldn't matter.

History has shown that it is much easier to bowl out a team for less than 450 in the 4th innings of a test match than it is to make 250+.

[Mantis]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Two big wickets.

McDonald doing the job that 'dog town' had hoped.

[GVGjr]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Two big wickets.

McDonald doing the job that 'dog town' had hoped.

We are right back in the drivers seat now.

[dog town]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Much smarter captaincy from Punter. Let McDonald do that for as long as he can keep it tight otherwise he might as well not play.

The guy has a shield average of 23 or something so he knows what he is doing. That way we keep our quicks fresh and it applies massive pressure to the batsmen. Brings the run rate into the equation and makes the batsmen force things.

Very clever stuff from Siddle I thought. The ball he got Amla with he went from as wide on the crease as he could possibly go. The angle drew Amal into the shot that wasn't quite there. He is developing really nicely. He also did some other things he wasn't doing in say Perth. He bowled a bouncer at Kallis then bowled a 127km out swinger that was not quite hittable. Kallis didnt take the bait but Siddle is clearly developing a few strings to his bow.

Hilfy has been unlucky and Johnson has been sensational. Johnson could easily have had another couple and has seemed to have Duminy's measure since Sydney. Duminy is easily pushed back and is getting himself in some awkward positions.Plays back to length balls which we are starting to exploit.

This referral system is crap.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

I don't think the LBWs should be referred by the batsman, they never think they are out.

Just heard Ian Chappell, says referrals go against the sporting theory that the umpire is always right and their decision should be respected.
Say all decisions made by the 2 centrals umps should then be looked at by the 3rd umpire, if there is something obviously wrong (inside edge, outside line,etc) then they should immediately contact the central umps.
Not sure how this would work with time but it sounds better.

[GVGjr]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Is it fair to say that South Africa have given up on chasing the runs?
We need at least 2 wickets this session to set-up an exciting final session.

[hujsh]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Why didn't we enforce the follow on?

We never do

[lemmon]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Very good win, the bowlers were tight and agressive, the fielding was clean and sharp and the captaincy from Punter was very good. The three debutants all contributed and although Hilfenhaus didnt get a bag he was fantastic, beating the bat and swinging the ball. Very satisfying win.

[lemmon]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

We never do

I reckon Laxman and Dravid may have had something to do about that.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Ok i was wrong

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Has anyone else noticed how much better the team played when the team was selected on form rather than reputation?

If Chris Rogers was in SA, I'd drop Hussey, open Rogers and bat Katich @ 4.

Hussey stays for now because McDonald is our only other option and he didn't make any runs either (bowled well, though). Sorry Huss, time to hand back the gold pass, make runs or miss out.

[azabob]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Has anyone else noticed how much better the team played when the team was selected on form rather than reputation?

If Chris Rogers was in SA, I'd drop Hussey, open Rogers and bat Katich @ 4.

Hussey stays for now because McDonald is our only other option and he didn't make any runs either (bowled well, though). Sorry Huss, time to hand back the gold pass, make runs or miss out.

Agree SS on Hussey and the team, there also seems to be a bit more grit and determination about the batting and bowling. Peter Roebuck also agrees on your theory about Hussey. In Monday's age he pretty much said Hussey better get out of his form slump soon as this team cannot affoard to carry passengers.

[dog town]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Fantastic team bowling performance on the final day and Ponting was good with his captaincy. The next test will be huge. Attack Graeme Smith he is the only thing holding them together. It is no easy task but we need to put him under pressure.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Has anyone else noticed how much better the team played when the team was selected on form rather than reputation?

If Chris Rogers was in SA, I'd drop Hussey, open Rogers and bat Katich @ 4.

Hussey stays for now because McDonald is our only other option and he didn't make any runs either (bowled well, though). Sorry Huss, time to hand back the gold pass, make runs or miss out.

Was thinking EXACTLY the same thing - would have lost this Test if still carrying the passengers as we would have missed out on North's century and Mcdonald's wickets to witness yet another Hayden failure and a non-bowling performance from our previous designated all-rounder.