South Africa vs Australia first test Wednesday 9 November.

so the first test is due to start in 3 days, South Africa however have not bowled a ball in anger during a test match since the 6th of Jan 2011. This should be their biggest concern when facing an Australian team who as recently as September have secured an away from home test series victory over Sri Lanka.

fortunately for the Proteas AB de Villiers should be back after he has been given the go ahead by his doctor to proceed.

Since Jan of 2010 Australia have played in 16 tests, winning 7, losing 6 and drawing 3 for series victories over Pakistan at home, New Zealand away and Sri Lanka away. They have however had one series draw against Pakistan in England, a loss to England at home during the Ashes and a India away from home.

South Africa have played 12 tests since Jan 2010, winning 5, losing 2 and drawing 5. They have secured nly one series win in that time over West Indies and secured series draws over England at home, India home and away, and Pakistan in Dubai.

The current worold batting and bowling rankings will mean little if they don't hit the bround running and I fear the lack of time in the middle may see them not starting too well. In an interview with Paul Harris he had the following to say.

“These three days are very important for us to get out any cobwebs that are there,” said Paul Harris. “The guys have played cricket which is important, albeit one-day cricket, and they got better and better as the series (ODI series against Australia) went on.

“I think we are starting to hit our straps and these three days are going to be very key to our preparation.”

“Imran (Tahir) is another attacking option in the side and he has deserved his call-up. He has done very well in the last 12 to 18 months, he deserves his chance,” said Harris.

“It will be nice to bowl with him, it will be great to have two spinners in South African conditions, hopefully we can manage to do that if the deck suits it,” he concluded.

Current batting rankings for SA players in the top 20.
1. Jacques Kallis
11. AB de Villiers
12. H Amla
13. GC Smith

Current batting rankings for OZ players in top 20.
6. MEK Hussey

Current bowling rankings for SA players in top 20.
1. Dale Steyn
4. Morne Morkel
20. Paul Harris

Current bowling rankings for OZ players in top 20.
8. MG Johnson
13. PM siddle

Newlands will be the venue for the first test and it is exactly 10 months since SA last played a test.

didn't know Morne Steyn played cricket. A man of many talents

Am probably going to tip Australia for this one, I think SA will be rusty, while Australia had a good series win in SL recently.

I'm tipping Punter to come good and convert as he likes the pacy/bouncy pitches of South Africa.

I'm going for a 1-0 win to South Africa.

Sorry Mad for Chelsea, was in the wrng zone when I read Dale's surname.

I think australia will go in with

Watson
Hughes
Marsh
Punter
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Lyon
Harris
Johnson
Siddle/Cummins (cant decide between siddle or cummins)

cricketfan90 wrote:I think australia will go in with

Watson
Hughes
Marsh
Punter
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Lyon
Harris
Johnson
Siddle/Cummins (cant decide between siddle or cummins)

Doubt Siddle or Cummins will play. Copeland's wobblers could be handy in South Africa, McDonald did well in the previous tour.

Hoping Steyn can refind his best form and blast these Aussies out! Really happy that Rudolph is back.

1. Smith (c)
2. Rudolph
3. Amla
4. Kallis
5. AB (STAR MAN!!!)
6. Prince
7. Boucher (w/k)
8. Steyn
9. Morkel
10. Lopsy/Philander
11. Tahir/Harris (still undecided. Harro was very good in the 3rd Test 2009)

It would be great to see Copeland get the nod tomorrow but apparently Siddle is narrowly preferred... but you never know.

On a separate note, Shane Warne has signed up with the Melbourne Stars in the upcoming BBL.

Linebreaker wrote:On a separate note, Shane Warne has signed up with the Melbourne Stars in the upcoming BBL.

excellent

I may have to watch the BBL then.

It was just on TV again then, Mad.... my god he looks fit!

He's good mates with Tiger too - who was at the opening of his new club at the casino. It's called "Club 23".... of course!

i have to say, i dont think Copeland would be an effective test match fast bowler. In sri lanka he had the keeper up most of the time to the stumps, he dosent swing the ball, and he dosent reverse it, so what would he bring to the aussie attack?

cricketfan90 wrote:i have to say, i dont think Copeland would be an effective test match fast bowler. In sri lanka he had the keeper up most of the time to the stumps, he dosent swing the ball, and he dosent reverse it, so what would he bring to the aussie attack?

He's young. He does swing it slightly and move it a bit off the seam (it only takes a bit of movement to take the edge). If he gains a few yards of pace (quite possible, see Finn) to get to 130s, he'll be a handful with his unerring accuracy (see McGrath, Asif).

IMO, huge series for Ponting. If he fails in south africa i think he will retire. There's younger guys coming through now, and he's aging, and i think he is one of them guys who if he fails he may let someone else have a go.

If he fails in SA he will get the axe. He won't have a say in it at all.

I think he should retire regardless, but I think he has one more big series in him.

would be good if he could go out on a high, he was a great servant of Oz cricket.

I'm hoping he does get through this series with a good knock or two. Then maybe have a good dig at the Kiwis before facing the Indians in Dec/Jan.

Maybe after that series would be a good time for him to call it a day?

Well he did get a century at Newlands in 2002, but since then his record hasn't been to great there.

Total of 6 innings, highest score 100*

Overall he still averages 56 at Newlands though.

Ponting will come good.

Rearly looking forward to this match starting tomorrow at 08.30, i will be glued to the screen. Lot's of little battles to look for, Steyn to Watson-Hughes, Jonhson to Kallis.
Smith looks very much out of form, could be problems for SA, but DV back from injury. I give Aus a big chance for series win.

australia are a largely average side now, so you would expect south africa to win the series convincgly.

Depends how well they start though, there might be a few cobwebs.

smith is out of form
De Villiers come from a longish injury
rudolf hasn't played international cricket for a long time.

Our batting might let us down big time.

cricketfan90 wrote:australia are a largely average side now, so you would expect south africa to win the series convincgly.

Far from average.

cricketfan90 wrote:australia are a largely average side now, so you would expect south africa to win the series convincgly.

Really? I think Australia have regrouped impressively since the ashes (which was a series too far for Ponting as captain). Admittedly they've only beaten a very average Sri Lanka side, but Clarke's captaincy has been refreshing, the bowlers have responded and the team seem to be enjoying their cricket again (against Eng at times they looked depressed). The batting has been bolstered by Marsh who looks quality to me, Ponting is also better at 4. The opening pair is a worry. If Johnson fires like he did last time...

SA are a very good side, but Tahir is untested as yet, so they rely heavily on Morkel and Steyn with the ball. With the bat, Amla, Kallis and AB are quality, but question marks over their openers and whoever plays at 6.

Don't think it's a foregone conclusion by any means.

I think Tahir could do brillantly. He got off to a great start to international cricket in the one day game. His main strength is the longer form of the game, so i dont think he will have any issue in settling in to test cricket.

biltongbek wrote:Depends how well they start though, there might be a few cobwebs.

smith is out of form
De Villiers come from a longish injury
rudolf hasn't played international cricket for a long time.

Our batting might let us down big time.

At least by playing Australia it means you won't have an Australian Umpire! (only joking biltongbek). Anyway, whats with Rudolph being selected again? Is he in that good touch that he's given the selectors no choice? If no aren't there any young batsmen coming through worth taking a look at as opposed to an older player who had his chance?

Rudolph is only 31! He has been in fantastic form over the last few years and so deserves his chance.

cricketfan90 wrote:Rudolph is only 31! He has been in fantastic form over the last few years and so deserves his chance.

Fair enough but fantastic in county cricket doesn't always transfer to the international stage and some players just don't make the jump up. I'm not against giving players another chance at international level (Matthew Hayden springs to mind) but I just wondered if there were some younger South African batsmen who deserves a chance.

I've not checked the stats but didn't his good average in the early part of his test career come from scoring heavy runs against the weaker international teams?

well if u dont give him a go, then u never know do u!

cricketfan90 wrote:well if u dont give him a go, then u never know do u!

But he had a go and didn't set the world on fire! I've no problem with him being given another chance if his form justifies it, was just surprised that there were no other youngsters putting their hand up before him if he wasn't in totally blistering form. Can't ever see him becoming another Kallis or De Villiers.

it dosent matter if he dosent become another one of them..

it appears that are u are trying to argue over nothing, he is in there because form warrants it.

cricketfan90 wrote:it dosent matter if he dosent become another one of them..

it appears that are u are trying to argue over nothing, he is in there because form warrants it.

Fair enough. I'm not trying to argue for the sake of it (honestly!) and I kind of hope he proves me wrong.

ok mate, im not having a go at ya. Im just a bit on the wound up side today lol.

Rudolphy has forced his way back into the side with his first class form, which is fair enough. Given there are no obvious contenders for the opener's slot he has a good chance to stake a claim for it.

I agree with CF, I like the look of Tahir, but on an unhelpful pitch against a side who have some very good players of spin I have no doubt he'll be under pressure.

SA 'A coach has come out with some very bullish comments (Johnson took 9-100odd in the match, I'd like to be "not on fire" and do that!) which should spice things up nicely.

Looking forward to a good series, but why oh why only 2 tests???

very much looking forward to this series. I expect south africa to win the series concinvgly.

In an interview with supersport Greame smith has freely admitted that South Africa are not as well prepared as Australia and that they cannot wait till midway through the first test to hit their stride. It will be vital that the Proteas get off to a good start in the first of two test series. They would not want to go into the second test a match down.

"Can I use the words 'less than ideal' to describe our preparation?" he said on Tuesday. "We would love to have played more cricket, to have had time in our legs, first-class cricket really. But the reality is that, to be fair, Australia are better prepared than us and we have to find a way to be able to compete with them from day one.

"We've done as much as possible, but it's no use talking about this or that lack of preparation. Australia have had the benefit of playing before, both in Sri Lanka and the four-day game in Potchefstroom, and there's no hiding away from the fact that they are better prepared than us," Smith said.

"It's disappointing that it's just a two-match series, so the first test is obviously crucial and starting well in it is especially vital. We are really up for this opportunity and we've covered as many bases as we can. We'll go to bed believing we are ready and, it being the first day of a test against Australia, I know the guys will be mentally ready," Smith said.

In response to Smith, this is what michael clarke had to say.

"That's great to hear!" he said of Smith's comments. "I'm just focused on my team though and I can give you my word that we are 100% ready.

"But that might be their only concern really - that they haven't played a lot of test cricket recently. They still have a lot of experience and they know their games and they know the conditions well. Good players don't take long to get into the groove and I'm sure South Africa will find a way to be 100%. They are a very strong team, especially at home," Clarke said.

It does sound like Greame Smith and Jaques Rudolph will be the opening pair for the Proteas, but there is rain around at Newlands and the general thinking is that if there is not a dry pitch with enough spin for Tahir, Paul Harris will be selected instead.

Potential team selection for SA.

Smith
Rudolph
Amla
Kallis
De Villiers
Prince/Duminy
Boucher
Harris
Steyn
Morkel
Tsotsobe

Will update later once teams selections have been confirmed.

There is already a thread and it was you who created it

Can someone merge the two threads and sticky it please?

Thanks

Sorry but maybe I should wake up before posting.

biltongbek wrote:Sorry but maybe I should wake up before posting.

I say sorry about 50,000 times a day , and you say it more than me lol

Rain delay, but the sun is peaking through now.

this is funny, with dominic cork bashing Phil huges..

which is right, hughes is a slogger lol

cricketfan90 wrote:this is funny, with dominic cork bashing Phil huges..

which is right, hughes is a slogger lol

Harsh

South Africa have won the toss and they have elcted to field first on a greenish pitch.

Philander and Tahir debut.

Australia have left out Cummins and Copeland.

Australia XI

Watson
Hughes
Marsh
Ponting
Clarke(c)
Hussey
Haddin(wk)
Johnson
Siddle
Harris
Lyon

South Africa XI

Smith(c)
Rudolph
Amla
Kallis
ABDV
Prince
Boucher(wk)
Philander
Steyn
Morkel
Tahir

Hussey is too low at 6 for my mind.

Not sure how to call this Test, the teams look very even on paper.

First day is important. Make an impact. Get on top.

Fists
Mate can you please merge the two threads and sticky it?

Austrailia have been struggling to find any sort of replacement for the great Warne, and now they play 2 spinners in Lyon and Harris. When Harris said Aus should play 2 spinners, i thought he was chancing his arm, but what do we have - Aus playing 2 spinners, time to wake up.

Lot's of bowling for these two, big big gamble.

Clarke turning out to be an adventurous skipper thus far.

I thought Harris was Ryan Harris the seamer?

skyeman wrote:Austrailia have been struggling to find any sort of replacement for the great Warne, and now they play 2 spinners in Lyon and Harris. When Harris said Aus should play 2 spinners, i thought he was chancing his arm, but what do we have - Aus playing 2 spinners, time to wake up.

Lot's of bowling for these two, big big gamble.

Clarke turning out to be an adventurous skipper thus far.

Ryan Harris is a fast bowler.

Fists of Fury wrote:I thought Harris was Ryan Harris the seamer?

Yes of course.