3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

[LostDoggy]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Albie Morkel looks a decent bowler and had bowled a nice spell. That catch Khan dropped was as easy as it gets and that should never happen at this level.

[dog town]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Hussey just edged a streaky drive between gully and point. It was very unlike him but I like that he was looking to score.

Is it just me or were both the South African wickets not out? Hughes was hit outside the line which was obvious even at first glance. Similarly Ponting never looked like he hit it, apart from the fielders reaction I didnt think anything pointed to him hitting it.

[Mantis]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

We are two wickets down and it will be interesting to see if we can still compile a good score.

With no foxtel in the Mantis household what sort of score would be par on this wicket?

[GVGjr]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

With no foxtel in the Mantis household what sort of score would be par on this wicket?

Th track is a touch slow but the ball is just starting to do a bit. 350 is normally a decent par score for the first innings and I'd go with that.

[dog town]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

With no foxtel in the Mantis household what sort of score would be par on this wicket?

We can bowl well on it I think. The ball is just sticking in the pitch a little bit so if a partnership does form then you can restrict and build pressure pretty easily.

[Mantis]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Just had a look at some scores (1st 2 innings) in previous Test matches at Newlands.

07/08 - West Indies 243; South Africa 321

06/07 - Pakistan 157; South Africa 183

06/07 - India 414; South Africa 373

A score of 350 should put us in a strong position.

[lemmon]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Wheels starting to fall off, 81/4 Hussey and Clarke out in quick succession and we are looking a bit thin batting with Haddin in now. Struggle to get 200 from here.

[GVGjr]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Wheels starting to fall off, 81/4 Hussey and Clarke out in quick succession and we are looking a bit thin batting with Haddin in now. Struggle to get 200 from here.

They just sneaked over the 200 mark with a score of 209. Good innings by Johnson at the end. McDonald didn't look comfortable at all and got glancing blow on the head at one stage.
Virtually no runs from batters 3, 4 and 5 really exposed our longer tail. If one of those guys could have got a 50 then we might nearly have pushed for something like 300.

Looks like it was a bad toss for us to win. SA in reply are none for 57.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Is it time for Hussey to go?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Is it time for Hussey to go?

He should be in the Ashes squad but his position is far from secure.

They typically take 8 batsmen to England, so if either of the extra batsmen are hitting the ball well he would be in trouble. The question is who would be the extra batsmen? Klinger and Rogers would be the logical two.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Is it time for Hussey to go?

Yes, hes badly out of form, but just maybe his time at the top level is over, he is 33 so its not like hes a youngster going through his first form slump

Not everyone has 10 year test careers

[lemmon]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Is it time for Hussey to go?

Not sure who we replace him with. Im not totally convinced with Klinger but he would probably be next in line along with Ferguson.

[Mantis]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Not looking good at present.

The figures of our fast bowlers so far are pathetic (bar Siddle):

Siddle - 12 overs - 1/15

Johnson - 10 overs - 0/55
Hilfenhaus - 12 overs - 0/42

Didn't bat in partnerships and now we aren't bowling in partnerships.

Big opportunity for McGain to create an impression when he gets a bowl.

[hujsh]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Will we actually bowl McGain? Must be considered a good tailender to get a game

[GVGjr]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Will we actually bowl McGain? Must be considered a good tailender to get a game

They belted him all over the ground and he was going at a touch over 9 runs and over. Unless he redeems himself he might have played his way off the Ashes tour.