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.

Galted wrote:Isn't test cricket frightfully boring?

Be fair to the batsmen, they are trying their best to turn it into a ODI game...

Also, how good is Clarke's innings looking now?! It is getting better and better by the ball.

Holding and Nasser will blame IPL for this batting show.

18-6

It's like last summer all over again

What is Aussie's lowest ever test score, Anyone know?

Unbelievable stuff. Horrible shot from Haddin.

I've managed to get a stream up and running at work

This is some of the worst Test match batting I've seen

skyeman wrote:What is Aussie's lowest ever test score, Anyone know?

36

skyeman wrote:What is Aussie's lowest ever test score, Anyone know?

36 I think, but don't quote me on that...

this is only day 2!

skyeman wrote:

cricketfan90 wrote:very much looking forward to this series. I expect south africa to win the series concinvgly.

I so hope that i do not have egg on my face, but Aus still 209-6, effectively.

Anybody know the record amount of wickets taken in one day?

Mad for Chelsea wrote:

skyeman wrote:What is Aussie's lowest ever test score, Anyone know?

36 I think, but don't quote me on that...

OMG, It might be under threat. Aus 21-7

skyeman wrote:

Mad for Chelsea wrote:

skyeman wrote:What is Aussie's lowest ever test score, Anyone know?

36 I think, but don't quote me on that...

OMG, It migh be under threat.

more than "might be" now, surely

21-6 after 10. This is a test match yeah?

Why oh why am I in a lecture?! Then have to go back to the lab. SkyGo tonight it is then!

7 down

Older (dead) posters will no doubt recall the 1880 and 1890 Tests when it was quite common for about 25 wickets to go down on a single day. But surely this is not a 21-7 (at the time of writing) wicket?

Stella wrote:Anybody know the record amount of wickets taken in one day?

Newlands in the late 1800's had 30 in a test.

How embarrasing 21-8

skyeman wrote:

Stella wrote:Anybody know the record amount of wickets taken in one day?

Newlands in the late 1800's had 30 in a test.

Tar.

That record may be ok.

forget Australia lowest total, the lowest ever score in a test match is under serious threat here!

combination of excellent bowling, and some truly inept batting.

this is amazing! I thought that SA would be rusty after not playing since jan but just wow!

sirfredperry wrote:Older (dead) posters will no doubt recall the 1880 and 1890 Tests when it was quite common for about 25 wickets to go down on a single day. But surely this is not a 21-7 (at the time of writing) wicket?

No this is just an bizarre occurance.

8 down now. For 21 still!

Shaun Marsh must feel the weight on him now...

Oh my god, this is mental. Lowest Test score ever ahoy!

That looked plumb lbw.

21-9 I give up. AMAZING.....

Lowest test store ever... How close are we?

Philander 5 for 9! What a debut he's having!

lol this is absolutetly crazy.

Sorry Aussie's, but there will be jokes about this for years to come.

NZ scored 26... missed the date though. Was it in the 1950s?

Gregers wrote:Lowest test store ever... How close are we?

It was quoted as Aussie's lowest score being 36.

day 2 madness..


however aussies lead by 210 so not game over.

skyeman wrote:

sirfredperry wrote:Older (dead) posters will no doubt recall the 1880 and 1890 Tests when it was quite common for about 25 wickets to go down on a single day. But surely this is not a 21-7 (at the time of writing) wicket?

No this is just an bizarre occurance.

21 wickets have gone already today!
This pitch must be pretty tough for batting and I think SA might struggle chasing over 200.

What on earth is happening? This is only day 2. Surely the pitch can't be that bad? What a way for the SA bowlers to react, though!

andyi wrote:

skyeman wrote:

sirfredperry wrote:Older (dead) posters will no doubt recall the 1880 and 1890 Tests when it was quite common for about 25 wickets to go down on a single day. But surely this is not a 21-7 (at the time of writing) wicket?

No this is just an bizarre occurance.

21 wickets have gone already today!
This pitch must be pretty tough for batting and I think SA might struggle chasing over 200.

Definitely agree, it is a very helpful pitch for the bowlers, but 22-9, the pitch is not that bad.

Just one of those bizarre day's in sport.

Glad i am watching though.

Tremendous stuff. Exhilirating.

Been so spoiled today with the wickets am actually annoyed they passed the 26 all out. Could never have believed I'd feel slightly cheated with Aus 29/9.

lol Aussie's lowest is 36, drats, they have passed that too.

Siddle double figures...

This is mental, I was well excited at 21-9. Some vital runs being made here though.

EnglishReign wrote:This is mental, I was well excited at 21-9. Some vital runs being made here though.

True, even this extra small amount of run's, could be so crucial.

What an amazing scorecard, the 10th wicket partnership, adding more than double the rest of the batsmen.

Wowsersssss wicket

Aus all out for 47, embarrassing.

47

Who's with me? .... Nobody?

236 to win... don't know if I can handle this.

Approx 29 overs are left after the change.
Close of play score?

South Africa 65-4

22 wickets today, any more???

England were 47 all out, Linebreaker, a few years ago in the WI, so you are not alone

I thought they made 51? I hope you are right!

It was 51, so there