The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

[Bornadog]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

SA finished the day at 2 for 178 and need to score about 90 per session to win this. With De Villiers and Duminy to follow we need a good first up session.

I see Geeves has been sent to SA to cover for the inured Bollinger.

Gee, I feel a defeat coming on, 276 is easily attainable in a day.

[lemmon]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Going into the final day the game is evenly poised, if the Australians lose this game though it would absolutely shatter morale after dominating the first 3 days of play and setting SA such a massive total. Australia need early wickets and SA need one of there designated batsmen to bat through till stumps. If SA manage to get up it will be a new world record final innings chase. The key for Australia will be Johnson and the key for SA is IMO Kallis. Game on.

[Missing Dog]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Really they should win, its a completely different pitch to the one at Perth. But i guess you never know with South Africa

[Sedat]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Really they should win, its a completely different pitch to the one at Perth. But i guess you never know with South Africa

Instead of having a bits-and-pieces type to "bolster" the batting (England's favourite tactic during the 90's), a frontline wicket-taking spinner would be more than handy tonight. Plenty of grunt work will be needed once again from Johnson and Siddle in particular: Ponting and the selectors aren't doing the future longevity of Johnson and Siddle any favours by continuing to load them up.

Australia should win comfortably but there is still some quality batting to come for the Saffers. Kallis hasn't yet imposed himself with the bat this Summer and is overdue for a big score. Unlike the WACA, this pitch is still offering something for the bowlers. But also unlike the WACA, Wanderes is a small ground with a fast outfield - different game, but the Saffers successfully chased down 434 in a ODI at Wanderers. It will be a very interesting final day - hopefully the weather plays no part.

[GVGjr]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Really they should win, its a completely different pitch to the one at Perth. But i guess you never know with South Africa

We are about 40 runs shy of what we should have scored and it certainly gives SA a great chance. Two good batsman at the crease and 2 very good batsman to follow isn't a bad position for them to be in.
Creating 2 or 3 chances in the first session is the key.

[Bornadog]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

We are about 40 runs shy of what we should have scored and it certainly gives SA a great chance. Two good batsman at the crease and 2 very good batsman to follow isn't a bad position for them to be in.
Creating 2 or 3 chances in the first session is the key.

Not confident with only three frontline bowlers. McDonald has to be prominent or we are gawn.

[mighty_west]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

If we bowl well then 300 should be enough but this SA team has a bit of spirit and class so it could be slog.
I wonder if McDonald will be effective with the ball in the 2nd dig?

McDonald would want to do something, the only weapon he seems to have is restricting scoring, his batting has also been well below par.

[dog town]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Ponting was appalling last night. McDonald has a role with te ball an it is to restrict the opposition and build pressure. He has done this job well in both of the tests he has played so far. Why wouldn't Ponting use McDonald in long spells at one end and have his quicks banging away from the other? Obviously he cant bowl all day but he simply doesnt go for runs and the pressure he would build could really help us. They are looking to score quickly and our quicks are tiring too quickly. Use your brain Rick.

[azabob]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Going into the final day the game is evenly poised, if the Australians lose this game though it would absolutely shatter morale after dominating the first 3 days of play and setting SA such a massive total. Australia need early wickets and SA need one of there designated batsmen to bat through till stumps. If SA manage to get up it will be a new world record final innings chase. The key for Australia will be Johnson and the key for SA is IMO Kallis. Game on.

To me this is a mirror image of the Australian series, we started off well even outplaying South Africa, then South Africa got its game going and never looked back.
Would be suprised if SA do not win.

[Missing Dog]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Why didn't we enforce the follow on?

[azabob]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Why didn't we enforce the follow on?

I would assume no faith in our bowlers.

[mighty_west]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Why didn't we enforce the follow on?

So we wouldn't have to bat on the 5th day.

[GVGjr]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Why didn't we enforce the follow on?

Three bowlers had bowled a lot of overs and probably needed a spell.

[Mantis]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Three bowlers had bowled a lot of overs and probably needed a spell.

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.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The First Test - Australia vs South Africa

Three bowlers had bowled a lot of overs and probably needed a spell.

Thats going to be the case almost all occasion when the follow on can be applied.
Poor decision I believe. It shows no killer instinct and a lack of faith in the captain himself, the batsman to hold on, and the bowlers to do it again. I bet thats what the SAffers believe