The South African tour

[GVGjr]

Anyone will to put forward a 14 or 15 man squad to tour Sough Africa in Feb?

With Bird back in the mix plus Pattinson, Faulkner and Starc who should all be in contention the pace bowling stocks look pretty good at the moment.

Trying to find two spin bowlers might be a difficult prospect.

I'm guessing there will be 7 batsman, 1 wicket keeper, 5 quicks and 2 spin bowlers but they might just go in with one spinner.

I think the big question marks remain on Bailey and Rogers. Hughes would in the mix and Maddison might be the smokey

I'd like to hear your thoughts?

[boydogs]

Re: The South African tour

Bailey & Rogers are important to the balance of the team. You need a steady opener that can absorb an attack with Warner at the other end, and a number 6 that can score quickly. There are probably other players who can perform the same roles to a similar level, but better to pick one guy and give them a chance to settle into the team and adjust to the level.

[Topdog]

Re: The South African tour

Same 12 as we went with for the ashes. Too early to call on the quicks as a few of them are coming back from injury.

2nd spinner is needed I think in SA. Hauritz again??

[Missing Dog]

Re: The South African tour

Steve O'Keefe has the best figures in the country for a spinner. Interested to know why he rarely warrants a mention?

[Sedat]

Re: The South African tour

Anyone else watch the cracking final day of the SAF India test in Jo'burg? SAF were chasing world record 457 in 4th innings - they got to 16 runs off 19 balls with 4 wickets left and Faf, who made a brilliant 100, was run out. Both teams then shut up shop. SAF only had Morkel on 1 leg and Tahir (who can't bat) left in the shed so their reluctance to chase was a little more understandable. But Dhoni pushed everyone onto the fence and instructed his bowlers to bowl short and wide to the new batsman Steyn - not one wicket taking delivery was bowled to the tailender, thought it was typical gutless captaincy from Dhoni. Anyway, was a cracking test match and far more entertaining than the BBL tripe.

SAF are gettable by us in February. They have no quality spinner and Duminy is in horrible form at 7. Peterson also out of form opening, although he made a 50 in this match. They also have a long tail when Tahir plays as the spinner.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: The South African tour

Just threatening to bring Hughes will frighten them owing to the last series there.

[Greystache]

Re: The South African tour

Just threatening to bring Hughes will frighten them owing to the last series there.

I also doubt there's a South Efrican alive who would be rejoicing in Mitchell Johnson's rejuvenation. He tore them to sheds last time and also inflicted some pretty serious psychological scars on a couple, Smith in particular.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: The South African tour

I also doubt there's a South Efrican alive who would be rejoicing in Mitchell Johnson's rejuvenation. He tore them to sheds last time and also inflicted some pretty serious psychological scars on a couple, Smith in particular.

Johnson also scored a 90 and 100 too from memory.

[Sedat]

Re: The South African tour

The Saffers sure as he'll won't underestimate Johnson like the Poms have done. Steyn and Philander have similarly inflicted their own demons on our batting lineup, in Philander's case with his unerring line and length. We have a much better spinner, the pace bowling stocks are similar in talent, and they probably have the slight edge in batting talent. Will be a ripping series.

[Happy Days]

Re: The South African tour

Their batting looks a whole lot better than it is with AB keeping; as Sedat pointed out Duminy is not in great form and I don't rate Peterson. It just looks like a deep batting line up rather than actually being one.

However I don't think our batting is good enough to handle their seamers. Even if Morkel's injury sidelines him for any period Philander and Steyn are more than capable of ripping the heart out. Tahir is puss but I don't see spin being much of a factor at all.

[Bornadog]

Re: The South African tour

Kallis retiring is going to hep us a bit. What an incredible test record, one of the best all rounders of all time.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: The South African tour

Kallis retiring is going to hep us a bit. What an incredible test record, one of the best all rounders of all time.

He should be mentioned with the names of Lara as being massive figures in world cricket. Just short of the Tendaulker/Bradman/Warne type level, but in the bloody, bloody awesome category. I hope the ICC (Indian Cricket a Council) honour his contribution.