South Africa vs Australia first test Wednesday 9 November.

First topic message reminder :

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.

No one can match Dale Steyn, so glad he's a mighty South African

Oh it's 3pm...that means demon racer must have been let out of school.

In other news, congratulations Michael Clarke on a tremendous 100 in difficult conditions and despite a torrid start.

Fantastic innings by Clarke

The only reason I can think of for Tsotsobe not being selected is because Philander would strengthen the batting, especially with Tahir also playing

biltongbek wrote:The only reason I can think of for Tsotsobe not being selected is because Philander would strengthen the batting, especially with Tahir also playing

I think the Pro is the better bowler Biltong, look at his first class record, it pretty much warrants a Test place. He also seems to have added a yard of pace as well. Plus as you mention batting and fielding also including, unlike with Lopsy.

Had a look at Philander's FC record, not bad at all. When I saw him in ODI some time ago, he wasn't causing serious flutters to the speed gun, but yes, he, rather than Tsotsobe, is a better addition to the tail. If he has got his pace up a bit, then fair enough. Afterall, he hasn't had a bad debut so far!.

Fists of Fury wrote:Oh it's 3pm...that means demon racer must have been let out of school.

In other news, congratulations Michael Clarke on a tremendous 100 in difficult conditions and despite a torrid start.

I like your sarky sense of humour, and you do not mind using it, but does it not get you into trouble from time to time?.

Hope i do not get one, lol.

Get Steyn on to clean up Lyon and Siddle

Said that, Philander has got another, Harris this time, and Philander has 3.

Off for bad light, its not even THAT dark.

Nonsense!, its bad light!.

msp83 wrote:Nonsense!, its bad light!.

Shhhh, we could've nipped out the Aussie tail and come back tomorrow and bat in better conditions!!!

umpires got it right, its belting down with rain now in cape town.

Humm South Africa's day for sure, but a great knock from Clarke has given Aus some hope. If they can get to around 250 tomorrow (or even more, we know Siddle can bat) they have given their bowlers a chance. Given the morning session I thought SA could knock Aus over for less than 150, so decent recovery for them, aided by some poor back-up bowling from Kallis and surprisingly Morkel.

A fascinating day in store for tomorrow.

skyeman wrote:

Fists of Fury wrote:Oh it's 3pm...that means demon racer must have been let out of school.

In other news, congratulations Michael Clarke on a tremendous 100 in difficult conditions and despite a torrid start.

I like your sarky sense of humour, and you do not mind using it, but does it not get you into trouble from time to time?.

Hope i do not get one, lol.

Haha, it does land me in hot water now and then, it's all about knowing when you can and can't do it. In this instance, I think it was fully justified

Mike Selig wrote:Humm South Africa's day for sure, but a great knock from Clarke has given Aus some hope. If they can get to around 250 tomorrow (or even more, we know Siddle can bat) they have given their bowlers a chance. Given the morning session I thought SA could knock Aus over for less than 150, so decent recovery for them, aided by some poor back-up bowling from Kallis and surprisingly Morkel.

A fascinating day in store for tomorrow.

About right. South Africa's day, and a lot will depend on the Aussie bowling performance tomorrow. Good day of Test cricket.

Fists of Fury wrote:

Mike Selig wrote:Humm South Africa's day for sure, but a great knock from Clarke has given Aus some hope. If they can get to around 250 tomorrow (or even more, we know Siddle can bat) they have given their bowlers a chance. Given the morning session I thought SA could knock Aus over for less than 150, so decent recovery for them, aided by some poor back-up bowling from Kallis and surprisingly Morkel.

A fascinating day in store for tomorrow.

About right. South Africa's day, and a lot will depend on the Aussie bowling performance tomorrow. Good day of Test cricket.

Why are they only playing 2 tests though? Series between Aus and SA have always been of the most entertaining, I'm just very disappointed we're only getting (at most and after today it looks like it will be less than) 10 days of it.

Very disappointing, isn't it? The respective boards should hang their heads in shame, given that Test series between these two great cricketing nations should consist of at least 4 Tests.

I'm not sure as to the reason, but it should certainly have been given priority over ODI cricket.

the two boards should hang their heads in shame. Today's play has proved that a series of this magnitude should have 5 tests, so what if its a long tour, it should have 5 tests, 3 odi's

Great knock from Clarke

bit disapointed by Morkel, was a bit all over the shop I thought, and Kallis was pretty poor too. Steyn excellent, as usual, and Philander did well too. Australia dug in pretty well on a tough pitch, but SA are on top.

crazy stuff from the two cricket boards!

Why on earth did they have to have 2 T20Is and 3 ODIS and that too spread over 2 weeks
The gap between the end of ODIS and the start of the tests was also far too long.
If they couldnt extend the tour they should have cancelled all the limited overs stuff and had 4 to 5 Tests instead.

shankythebiggestengfan wrote:Why on earth did they have to have 2 T20Is and 3 ODIS and that too spread over 2 weeks
The gap between the end of ODIS and the start of the tests was also far too long.
If they couldnt extend the tour they should have cancelled all the limited overs stuff and had 4 to 5 Tests instead.

I suppose the shorter version pulls bigger crowds and because it starts later in the day it is easier for people to go to them. Test matches on a working day does not draw big crowds, only on weekends.

It's about the money, honey

SA should get the last 2 wickets quickly, and then bat with sense.
Will Smith find form? Will Johnson be able to find some spark with the ball?

Mitch will come good in his favourite country.

cricketfan90 wrote:the two boards should hang their heads in shame. Today's play has proved that a series of this magnitude should have 5 tests, so what if its a long tour, it should have 5 tests, 3 odi's

the issue is that both sides want to be playing at home over the xmas and new year period and cant come to a compromise that would mean either of them missing out on it even for just 1 year in 4. so SA fit in aus for a short series now so australia can then go home and play india and SA host sri lanka over the holiday period

We're also squeezing in another 2 Test series against NZ before the Indians arrive, rich. Hobart and Brisbane... I think.

So far so good this morning - Sidds doing a good job of supporting Clarke.

forgot about that series

the issue over being at home for the boxing day and new year tests for both aus and SA tho is still the biggest hurdle to them playing longer series tho imo

150 for Clarke

He's saved us from a major embarrassment in this 1st innings...

150 for Clarke, magnificent knock

and now gets bowled... 284 all out.

Hoping our bowlers can make some early inroads.

Clarke gone, end of the innings, 284 all out, which is a very decent effort IMO.

Rudolph gone, cleaned up by Harris after a positive start.

Game on.

Clarkie 151, what an inning, 284 instead of -250 may make all the diffrenec.

Kallis - another one for DRS. BCCI

well there you go, two "DRS wickets" in an over, don't get what took so long over the second one but hey. Aus on top now!

Watson, IMO definitely becoming the best all rounder in Test cricket, his batting is no where near as good as Kallis's but his bowling is superior. Both his skill's are now slightly putting him ahead.

I wouldn't say "nowhere near as good as Kallis'" in terms of current batting capabilitiy... it's just that Watson's form had dropped off a bit of late.

See what you're saying though, skyeman... fair enough. I really enjoy watching him bowl and he has that knack of snaring prize wickets at opportune times. He really seems to have it on a string at the moment.

Hello? Smith chops it on to his stumps. Another wicket for Watto.

and another... 73/5

Long way to go in this serie's yet but i knew it was not going to be convincing win for SA, as some have said, Austrailia are much improved under Clarke's leadership.
Going to be a closely fought serie's, SA 73-5.

Perfect conditions for Watson, a bit of nip out there and he is a very dangerous bowler! Expected to Johnson to come good in these conditions aswell.

I love low scoring games in Test matches, they are always the best. Have SA got anyone who is going to play an innings of the quality of Clarke's? That has to be right up there with the best of his career for me.

DRS 3 - Indian's 0

DV gone 77-6

Australia all over South Africa like a cheap suit.

Demolition job. Well done Watson and Harris, and well done UDRS.

yeah JD, although I wasn't too pleased at 214/8 it was runs on the board nonetheless. Those extra 70 runs this morning were gold.

Clarke's innings was a bit of a coming of age one as captain.

ABDV now gone in another DRS decision. SA in tatters at 77/6.

I did say yesterday Aus by no means out of it particularly if they could score another 50 or so runs. They did better than that, and now are on top. But this game ain't over yet, this tail can bat a bit. SA desperately need to get around 200, I think the pitch will flatten out, so Aus need as big a lead as they can get and then bat SA out of it.

Clarke's captaincy has really reinvigorated this Aus side.

OMG - Watson 5-14, That was a very good 5fer.

SA 77-7

Shane Watson with a Michelle! Crikey.

Must be doing a bit, this pitch. Either that or completely inept batting.

SA 81 -8, will they get to 100?

Tell you what, Clarke really deserves a lot of credit for this, not just for the way he batted, but the energy levels of this Aussie side are in a different league from what we saw during the ashes.

So much for some so-called experts who said he wasn't captaincy material...

SA 84-9, some collapse.