The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

[GVGjr]

I think we will perform better over there than what we did back home despite all the new test players.

I'm not sure how we will line-up but we could look like:
Katich
Hughes
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
North
Haddin
Johnson
Siddle
Hauritz/McGain
Bollinger

It wouldn't surprise me to see us resort to playing McDonald instead of the spinners to strengthen the batting but I'm not sure that would be a good move.
Almost every time we go into Tests with just 3 genuine strike bowlers we can't bowl out the opposition twice.

McGain can't take a trick. He gets injured on his trip to India and goes home without playing a game. He then sleeps in and misses his flight to SA and now that he is there, he gets a dose of food poisoning.

[GVGjr]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Isn't this a pitch that offers the spinners very little?

Perhaps, but we normally play one spinner on quick tracks anyway. It could be that we have 3 quicks plus McDonald and North or we might go in with 4 quicks but even though the papers are expecting us to name a 4 man pace attack I don't think that is a great move.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Neither spinner made the 12.

It looks like we'll go in with 4 quicks and North with McDonald carrying the drinks.

[Ozza]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Wouldn't mind seeing the line up as follows:

Hughes
Kat
Punter
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
North
McDonald
Johnson
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

12th: Dougie Boll.

Then in the second test the lesser performing all rounder is replaced by McGain.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Ouch! Phil Hughes a 4th ball duck in the first over of the day.
Australian's must be feeling very nervous about their batting by playing both North and McDonald.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Ouch! Phil Hughes a 4th ball duck in the first over of the day.
Australian's must be feeling very nervous about their batting by playing both North and McDonald.

Welcome to the big league, son.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Sensational catch by Neil McKenzie in the gully, diving full length & taking it one handed to dismiss Katich for 3. Steyn has both wickets. 2/21.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Don't South African's go to watch Test Cricket? Hardly anyone in the crowd!

[hujsh]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Don't South African's go to watch Test Cricket? Hardly anyone in the crowd!

Does anyone bar Australia, England and some Indian grounds get good numbers for the tests?

[Dogs 24/7]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Wouldn't mind seeing the line up as follows:

Hughes
Kat
Punter
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
North
McDonald
Johnson
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

12th: Dougie Boll.

Then in the second test the lesser performing all rounder is replaced by McGain.

You nailed it. I would have thought that Bolinger was the better option but once again we are going in with and extra batsman and one short on true bowlers. Having said that this sort of track with suit McDonald.

[Dogs 24/7]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Don't South African's go to watch Test Cricket? Hardly anyone in the crowd!

Many years back when they first were allowed back they filled the stadiums. I also remember seeing some highlights of a few Currie Cup games and they had big crowds for what was extensively their version of a shield game.

Maybe because it is very late in the season but why wouldn't the fans want to see this settled side play?

[mighty_west]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Don't South African's go to watch Test Cricket? Hardly anyone in the crowd!

They said it was sold out or close to selling out as well.

[Mantis]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Big test for Ponting now.

I was going to post over the past few days that we need a massive series from the skipper. At present he would be rated probably in the top 5 batsman this country has produced. If he had a belter of a series he could cement a higher ranking for himself once his career is over.

Had a bit of luck, but he needs to turn this start into a 'big' hundred.

[Bornadog]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Don't South African's go to watch Test Cricket? Hardly anyone in the crowd!

Under 10,000 there.

[Bornadog]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Ouch! Phil Hughes a 4th ball duck in the first over of the day.
Australian's must be feeling very nervous about their batting by playing both North and McDonald.

Feel sorry for him. His whole family has flown out there to watch. Lets hope he can do something in the 2nd innings.