The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

[GVGjr]

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.

Shocking shot selection by Hughes. On seaming tracks he needs to be a lot tighter with his technique than that.

[Mantis]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

5-254

Ponting 83
Clarke 68
North 47* (Well done)
Haddin 37*

Good fight back after being 3-38.

First hour the key on day 2, if these 2 keep going we should get well over 400 which puts us in a strong position.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

McDonald hasn't batted yet.

They only managed 68 overs for the day (bad light).

[LostDoggy]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

McDonald hasn't batted yet.

They only managed 68 overs for the day (bad light).

He went in and out very quickly and like so many times before adding a batsman to the number 8 spot doesn't provide additional batting depth.

[mjp]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

North appears very determined. He deserves a century now.

South Africa are unable to figure out a way to dismiss Johnson - he is living proof that (even against quality fast bowling) if you continually look to score you will cause the bowling side to deviate from whatever plan they may have had.

[Mantis]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

7/351 at Lunch

North 85*
Johnson 27*

In a pretty commanding position with this partnership.

[Missing Dog]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Wow made 466 great effort

North made 117 while poor Johnson was stranded on 96. Hit 5 sixes, 3 in the one over

[Bornadog]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Wow made 466 great effort

North made 117 while poor Johnson was stranded on 96. Hit 5 sixes, 3 in the one over

Great over that one, got 20 including three sixes and one of those clear out of the ground.

Then got 12 off an over with Steyn bowlling, but couldn't get back on strike. Siddle out first on a no ball, then the next delivery he was out and the following delivery Hiff, out.

466 is a great score, considering three ducks in the innings.

[Scraggers]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Great start by Australia, with the wickets of Smith in the first over (c Haddin b Johnson 0) and Amla in the second (c Ponting b Hilfenhaus 1)

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Have to feel for Mitch, stranded on 96. Hilfenhaus is a genuine bunny, so I don't feel too disappointed in him, but Siddle having escaped a dismissal via a no ball, then played the exact same shot to get out the next ball. Really should've shown a bit more grit to hang in there.

Great start with the ball by Johnson and Hilfy. Wicket in his first test over for Hilfy, nice bit off away shape to induce the edge from Amla. Let's hope our inexperienced attack can forge more inroads into the S. Africans quickly.

[mighty_west]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

but Siddle having escaped a dismissal via a no ball, then played the exact same shot to get out the next ball. Really should've shown a bit more grit to hang in there.

.

You know what they say about fast bowlers, not alot seems to be going on "upstairs".

[The Coon Dog]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

South Africa 8/158

Johnson & Siddle 3 wickets each.

Will the follow on be enforced?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Hughes seems to be playing with the bat along way from the body. Doesn't appear to have his weight balanced.
This is the first I've seen of him, does he tend to bat this way normally?

[GVGjr]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

It was a shame to lose so many overs lat night and even with the early start today we need to be mindful of setting them a very difficult run chase.

What did everyone think of Norths offies?
Johnson is having a very good test.

[dog town]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

So refreshing to watch an even battle between bat and ball in a test match. I hope to see more pitches like this with a bit in it for the bowlers. Our bowlers did a good job.

Johnson bowled brilliantly especially to the left handers. One of the few times he has swung the ball back into he right handers as well.

Hilfy got some swing which gives us a different look. Conditions were ideal for him and he could easily have had a couple more.

Siddle- Hasnt had much bowling and looked a bit rusty but kept charging in and bowls with a lot of intensity. His first two overs of the game were frightening but he got his length wrong for a little bit after that. Back on track now and 3 wickets plus the keeper putting 1 down was a good return.

McDonald- Did a great job creating pressure. They really struggle to get him away. Ponting is using him well.

North- Bowls grenades Does it with a bit of guile though and controls them very well. The change of pace is all thats needed on these pace friendly wickets anyway.