3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

[mighty_west]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

An innings defeat. Nice century to Johnson and McDonald got a solid 68 but the rest of the tail and middle order crumbled to the spin of Paul Harris and the pace of Steyn.

Australia keeps their tradition of playing poorly in a dead rubber when they have the lead.

A bad toss to win maybe?

Not at all, whilst there was some juice in the wicket on day one, we just batted poorly, was a no brainer to win the toss & bat.

Alot of people were bagging Harris not long ago, to take 9 wickets on that pitch which didn't seem to give alot for the spin bowlers was a great effort.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Would Mitch be considered a genuine all-rounder now?

I certainly regard him as pretty much one in reality now, whatever the perception may be. Bowls far better than Flintoff and only slightly less consistent with the bat.

--

ps. And we've been pretty quiet about McGain here. Bloody shame .. really, really wanted Bryce to go well.

[Missing Dog]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Not at all, whilst there was some juice in the wicket on day one, we just batted poorly, was a no brainer to win the toss & bat.

Alot of people were bagging Harris not long ago, to take 9 wickets on that pitch which didn't seem to give alot for the spin bowlers was a great effort.

It was just a bad decision to play 5 batsmen. Not sure why they didn't bring an extra one over

Question marks over these players

Hussey - 6 matches, 217 runs at 19.72
McGain - terrible first game
McDonald - bowling was good, batting not so good
Hilfenhaus - done an okay job, but is in trouble when Clark is fit maybe even Lee

[Missing Dog]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Would Mitch be considered a genuine all-rounder now?

I certainly regard him as pretty much one in reality now, whatever the perception may be. Bowls far better than Flintoff and only slightly less consistent with the bat.

--

ps. And we've been pretty quiet about McGain here. Bloody shame .. really, really wanted Bryce to go well.

Yeah he is. Scores his runs under pressure and very quickly

Flintoff's Averages

Bowling 32.07
Batting 31.69

Johnson's averages

Bowling 28.01
Batting 34.70

[LostDoggy]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

It was just a bad decision to play 5 batsmen. Not sure why they didn't bring an extra one over

Question marks over these players

Hussey - 6 matches, 217 runs at 19.72
McGain - terrible first game
McDonald - bowling was good, batting not so good
Hilfenhaus - done an okay job, but is in trouble when Clark is fit maybe even Lee

No argument with Huss and McGain, but McDonald batted well in the second innings and England's pitches were made for him. Has to be in Ashes squad.

Hilfenhaus is at best a good Shield bowler; I don't really understand the wraps on him -- not the worst bowler in the world by any means, but not Test level if there are better candidates around. I would give Watson or Noffke or even Bracken a go before Hilf. McDonald and North -- designated all-rounders -- have both out-bowled him.

[Scraggers]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Would Mitch be considered a genuine all-rounder now?

I certainly regard him as pretty much one in reality now, whatever the perception may be. Bowls far better than Flintoff and only slightly less consistent with the bat.

--

ps. And we've been pretty quiet about McGain here. Bloody shame .. really, really wanted Bryce to go well.

I really hope that is not his only game for Australia ... it would be a horrible way to be remembered

[LostDoggy]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Yeah he is. Scores his runs under pressure and very quickly

Flintoff's Averages

Bowling 32.07
Batting 31.69

Johnson's averages

Bowling 28.01
Batting 34.70

Exactly.

Now Mitch just has to do it consistently over a long period, as Flintoff has (to a certain extent, although his batting is vastly over-rated based on a few good innings over a year and a half or so .. I'm not saying it's terrible at all, just over-rated, especially in England).

[hujsh]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

McDonald and North -- designated all-rounders -- have both out-bowled him.

That Hilfy is a shield bowler at best is your opinion and i can't argue with it but to say that North outbowled him is very rough indeed. North only got 2 wickets.

While his figures aren't great i think Hilfenhaus caused some problems and could become a good test bowler. His 7 wickets at 52.28 in 3 tests aren't too different to Johnson's 13 at 40.07 in 4 tests against India (his first strong opponent at test level). With the Ashes pitches likely to suit him as well i think he's worth sticking with.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

I would also like to see the Hilf in England.

He is a Massie type of bowler and I would see him doing good things with the Dukes ball.

He is also very similar to Hoggard and he will be a handful with the away swinger. I think he is way ahead of the other touring prospects other than Clark who must prove his fitnes and form before then

[LostDoggy]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

That Hilfy is a shield bowler at best is your opinion and i can't argue with it but to say that North outbowled him is very rough indeed. North only got 2 wickets.

While his figures aren't great i think Hilfenhaus caused some problems and could become a good test bowler. His 7 wickets at 52.28 in 3 tests aren't too different to Johnson's 13 at 40.07 in 4 tests against India (his first strong opponent at test level). With the Ashes pitches likely to suit him as well i think he's worth sticking with.

You're right -- I was a bit rough comparing North with Hilf, but there is no doubt that North did what he was there to do (and contributed strongly with the bat), while Hilf has been disappointing when you consider his role -- McDonald has far outperformed him with the ball, while also contributing with the bat.

My point about Noffke and Bracken (especially Noffke) being better bowlers still stands. How Noffke keeps getting overlooked is an absolute mystery, when the selectors keep complaining about a lack of quicks. If he's not amongst the best (if not the best) performed domestic quicks (not to mention a gun bat) over the last ten years I'll eat my hat.

[lemmon]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Hilf is safe Id think particularly heading into the ashes. Im not sure McGain is finished, the English have trouble with the wrist spinners and I still think he is ahead of Krejza. Is McGain in the one day squad? That could be a big opportunity for him to get more experience at International level.

Hussey is the big problem, I have no doubt he will be in the Ashes squad but we have to wonder whether to debut a guy like Klinger or Ferguson.

[ledge]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

How good is Siddle?
He bowls tight and probably a bit of the reason Johnno gets the wickets.
Johnnos problem is he gets smacked a bit, if he can tighten up he will be a great bowler.

[lemmon]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

Exactly.

Now Mitch just has to do it consistently over a long period, as Flintoff has (to a certain extent, although his batting is vastly over-rated based on a few good innings over a year and a half or so .. I'm not saying it's terrible at all, just over-rated, especially in England).

I think his batting his rated higher by Aussies then anyone else, still too many scars from the 05 ashes

[lemmon]

Re: 3rd Test - South Africa v Australia

How good is Siddle?
He bowls tight and probably a bit of the reason Johnno gets the wickets.
Johnnos problem is he gets smacked a bit, if he can tighten up he will be a great bowler.

Just another one off the production line of stellar aussie quicks, jeez he looks fantastic. With the penetration he gets hes going to trouble all batsmen.