South Africa v Australia, First Test, Centurion

First topic message reminder :

So the much anticipated series is getting underway tomorrow. South Africa, the number 1 side in the world, will be taking on a confident Australia. South Africa have enjoyed a solid stay at the top of the test rankings, for a year and a half, and the Australians are coming into this series after Thumping, Pulverizing, Thrashing, Humiliating and destroying England 5-0 in the recently concluded Ashes series.
Both sides have quality bowling units, and 4 of the top 5 ranked bowlers will be battling it out, and cricinfo points out, that doesn't even include Mitchell Johnson!. And Morne Morkel as well.
Australia are likely to go in with Shaun Marsh and Alex Doolan for the injured Shane Watson and the dropped George Bailey, the rest of their Ashes winning side should stay the same.
South Africa are likely to bring in one of Ryan McLaren and Wayne Parnell, and move Faf du Plessis to 4, as they contemplate life after Kallis. JP Duminy has some injury concerns going into the match, but he is likely to play.

Morkel is unlikely to bowl today, massive setback for South Africa. Steyn and Philander will have to do most of the damage, and they have to do it quickly. Otherwise, it could be a long, long day.

That fall yesterday didn't look so smooth, did it? He seemed to hit the ground on the point of his shoulder without sliding.

 Smith 100, surprised me alot. Great few months for him.

Aus are one seamer short too.......don't have the luxury of 10 tight overs of watson for 10 runs that they normally have.....

although they do have a quite good quality 5th bowler in Smith...who I think is a much better spinner than the likes of Sodhi and Borthwick going around as specialist leggie and probably a shade better than Tahir also.

Smith gets a well deserved 100 now.....well played...both batsmen are pushing their averages into 40s through this inning.

SA bowling and captaincy looking clueless like India and Dhoni

Haddin needs Ashes motivation........" the real enemy in front of him" to perform.

KP_fan wrote:Haddin needs Ashes motivation........" the real enemy in front of him" to perform.

Not really. In fact not at all.

He was just going for a hoik early and it didn't pay off. Perhaps should have settled for an over or two but that's Haddin's way.

Two quick wkts have helped, can Aus get to 400 now. 336/6.

Haddin. Out??
Some cruel cosmic jest, surely??
Either that or he can only score runs when coming in at 130/5.

Johnson aves a staggering 72 from 10 inns in SA  

This is insanity ...Marsh is heading for his best ever score in first class against the "best bowling attack in the world".
Has Philander been replaced by a Bresnan clone?
Even Spud Smith is in danger of pushing his test average to the verge of 40.

I know the Morkel injury probably hasnt helped and apparently Steyn has a grumpy tummy but can anyone explain how this is happening?

Ah sanity resotred

Philander gets his 1st. And Marsh too. Could now see some fireworks from MJ before lunch.

Aus feeling a bit relaxed and giving it away.

they feel they already have enough....bad mentality.

you can never know how much is enouhg until the second team has batted

I think 350 plus runs on this wicket is a very decent score. Australians just throwing the bat at it now and SA getting a few late rewards.

Definitely a mistake from Smith sending Australia into bat.

That gave them a glimmer of opportunity to take control of the way this match will be played out... on several levels:

- try to make a decent 1st innings total. Early wickets scary but they had weathered the storm very well by the end of the day.
- put a dent in the SA confidence in the field. Some odd bowling changes and a few critical fumbles. Morne's shoulder, Dale's tummy didn't help.
- then come out firing with the ball and try and put SA under the pump (see how the 4 bowlers fare - need to be tight and well managed by MC)
- have the luxury of bowling last on this pitch (depending on the state of the game of course....)

The first couple can almost be checked off the list. Looking forward to the last two.

Holding not happy that Morkel was allowed to bowl straight away and i agree.

Keith Miller.... I mean Mitch enjoying the conditions out there.   

The potency of a bolwing attack these days can be judged how quickly they can polish off numbers 8 thru 11.

so we see how many Aus can get from their last four...i.e bowlers with the bat

Lyon could find this pitch to his liking i feel with his extra bounce. And can't wait to see MJ tearing in.

Woo. MJ would have been out if SA reviewed

skyeman wrote:Lyon could find this pitch to his liking i feel with his extra bounce. And can't wait to see MJ tearing in.

I've been waiting for months to see those two play in SA. It will be just like home... hopefully.

Also the straightness, fullness and accuracy of Siddle and Harris on this pitch. They are very match fit and not likely to wane.
They'll bang 'em down all day... it's just a question of who will be facing them.

Johnson already on to 28. He and Harris have put on 26 so far for the 8th wicket. The Australians have mastered the art of reverse batting order over the last couple of years, and this time even one of the top 5 batsmen chipped in. Doesn't look good for South Africa. Australia 374-7.

Johnson laughing at that last delivery before lunch, thinking just you wait Smith  

So 77-3 in that session in 26 overs. Over rate not great from SA despite Robin Peterson bowling a few overs, and considering they had 3 quick wickets after a comfortable start from the Australians, those 26 runs from Johnson and Harris makes it an even sessionl.

Good points you made about Kallis (and the references to the "13 man-side"), skye, although I can also understand what KP_f is saying too.

He is not disputing the greatness of the contributions he has made as an all-rounder over the years... modifying his role as required by the team.
He was at his peak probably around mid 00s until 2008-9 though.

His average against Australia in SA was not all that impressive. Around 34* I think?

No doubt he would have chipped in with a couple of wickets perhaps if he were playing in this match.

Sure, SA have missed his presence - but to be fair - all great players must retire at some point and possible new players tested. It's never an easy transition for any side as we all know.

*
Bat: 33.62 (55.37)
Ball: 34.50 (32.65)

Linebreaker wrote:Good points you made about Kallis (and the references to the "13 man-side"), skye, although I can also understand what KP_f is saying too.

He is not disputing the greatness of the contributions he has made as an all-rounder over the years... modifying his role as required by the team.
He was at his peak probably around mid 00s until 2008-9 though.

His average against Australia in SA was not all that impressive. Around 34* I think?

No doubt he would have chipped in with a couple of wickets perhaps if he were playing in this match.

Sure, SA have missed his presence - but to be fair - all great players must retire at some point and possible new players tested. It's never an easy transition for any side as we all know.

*
Bat: 33.62 (55.37)
Ball: 34.50 (32.65)

Thanks Lb.

Denfinitely a decline in the wicket count for Kallis in recent years. What i am trying to get accross is that his bowling will be badly missed for the reason that it allowed SA to play seven specialist batsmen and has been pivotal to them having not lost a Test series for five years.

Would it not be ironic if SA lost this series.

On the evidence at hand it seems Smith has made the wrong call, his bowlers didn't back him up either.

Poor from SA, Aus now in the pound seats.

Steyn gets his 3rd as Harris goes after a handy little innings. He goes for 19, after putting on 43 for the 8th wicket with Johnson. Australia 391-8.

I've always liked Steve Smith, happy to see him doing well

And another one goes down as Robin Peterson gets Johnson. Australia 391-9.

Steyn gets 4 as Australia are bowled out for 397. They lost their last 6 for 100 today.

So 100/6 for the day. Not fantastic, but a rather solid comeback. At least it looks like my tickets for D4 will be useful.

So not quite 400 after all that.

Two terrific innings ; not much else. Still looks a decent score , though the pitch played better than Smith was presumably hoping when he sent Australia in.

Australian bowling is their strong suit ; and they certainly have enough runs to defend to allow them to put SA under pressure , as long as they can reproduce the consistent team efforts they managed in the recently concluded Ashes series. Think SA will play more patiently than England though , so they might need to keep it up for longer.

Will see over the next day or so...

Missed pretty much all the cricket since drinks in the second session yesterday. 

Steyn, not 100%, but still grabs 4 wickets. 

Philander was very disappointing. He should stay away from T20 cricket. It makes him bowl too short in Tests afterwards. 

Morkel was fast and hostile, but the pitch didn't really suit him. 

McLaren doesn't seem to be Test class. Parnell to add a left arm fast option in PE. 

Robin a Peterson, I'm a fan, but maybe time to blood a youngster. 

Marsh played well as did Smith.

What a start for MJ. That was hostile and have the rest even more nervy.

Masterstroke of captaincy that turned out to be eh Smith! Put em in to bat, thats what Id do   

skyeman wrote:Holding not happy that Morkel was allowed to bowl straight away and i agree.

I know many of you guys aren't keen on Holding's commentary but I really like his style. After Mark Nicholas (?, I think it was him) went for safe middle ground on Morkel bowling straightaway by saying it was the job of the umpires to interpret and apply the regulations, Mikey replied -
''Doesn't mean they're right though!''   

Meanwhile, game being very well contested and intriguingly poised. One more quick wicket for Australia and they will be very well placed. Trust Smith is saving his best for Surrey.   

Seems it's going to be Steyn vs Johnson this series. I love it!!

Mark Nicholas is an awful commentator. Uses sooooo many clichés

skyeman wrote:Lyon could find this pitch to his liking i feel with his extra bounce.

Yes, agreed. I like Lyon. Not a star but an important cog in the Australian machine. He won't be unhappy to be bowling last -I see no chance of a follow on which is probably the kiss of death to South Africa's batting!   

After showing some good defense, Alviro edges behind of a short and wide one, trying to cut. South Africa in serous trouble at 15-2. Faf du Plessis, and not Jacques Kallis it is, who's down at 4, and he very nearly goes first ball!. Johnson on fire!.

guildfordbat wrote:

skyeman wrote:Lyon could find this pitch to his liking i feel with his extra bounce.

Yes, agreed. I like Lyon. Not a star but an important cog in the Australian machine. He won't be unhappy to be bowling last -I see no chance of a follow on which is probably the kiss of death to South Africa's batting!   

My thoughts too, not a star but getting to be the best since Warne.


MJ on fire. SA 2 down. Petersen with a poor slash though.


Kiss of death  

Looks like SA wish they could have Cook, Bairstow and Root to strengthen their batting line up   

More hostility from the Aus bowlers thus far.

MJ OMG 150kph 3 down.

Faf doesn't last long, SA sinking fast at 23-3.
AB de Villiers in at 5, Perhaps he should do a bit of counterattack.

SA will be glad when his spell ends, but damage done.

THAT TACHE HAS MAGICAL POWERS

Olly wrote:THAT TACHE HAS MAGICAL POWERS

   Can Broad grow one.

In total disarray now...

Down to the last two specialist batsmen, might you the best two in the business. 

Duminy and McLaren won't be troubling the scorers too much against the MoMan...

Olly wrote:THAT TACHE HAS MAGICAL POWERS

So I think does Amla's beard.

With that profound comment, I'm away for a cuple of hours.