South Africa in Australia 2016

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Quite a bit of test cricket around. New Zealand in India and England in Bangladesh are done, West Indies is starting to look like a test side towards the end of their series against Pakistan. England in India is about to kick off. And along side that series, is the South Africa in Australia series.
First test to start at the WACA tomorrow. South Africa usually are at their best when traveling though they were utterly thrashed by India last year, and they don't seem to have completely recovered from that. However, the Australian chasllenge should see them refreshed and ready to go, particularly after inflicting a home ODI whitewash on the Australians in a 5 match series recently. Australia on the other hand, remain as formidable at home as ever. Their home record is consistently challenged in recent times by the South Africans and Steven Smith's side would want to set the record right.
All in all, a good series on the cards.

under normal conditions I'd say a 3-0 was a formality, but we've never played a Pink ball Test, our only experience was with second string sides, and we have spent the gap between the last Test and this one fanning flames.

Faf will be determined to seal this series, especially if he could get a decent knock with the bat. It's largely forgotten, as is so often the case when success occurs... but Faf has only got the one hundred in his last little run of Tests, and was in fact dropped following the England tour. We are currently on a run of four wins vs one loss in Tests for the year, which suggests last summer's madness was a mere anomaly.

Australia currently fairly happy to have lost the toss ; SA battling at 170/7. Apart from du Plessis nobody has been able to really settle on a fairly "interesting" pitch.

Of course the problem for the home team is they are going to have to bat on it too...

I do not mean to imply that the pitch is a monster , by the way. But it has certainly given the pace bowlers plenty to work with throughout ; and a few shortish deliveries have really menaced the batsmen...bit of spin too.
The thing is ; last year the pink ball match saw bowling conditions remain quite helpful , rather than just being a first day phenomenon - so you would think that the very new Australian batting lineup are going to be tested quite severely by a SA attack that seems well suited to the task.

Still have to get three more wickets , mind. Abbott giving good support to his skipper at the moment.

Interesting that its the two relative " old hands" doing the job for Aus so far. Turns out that Bird is just OK rather than the greatest thing since custard as he was billed. All round a really positive start for the new look Aus and even with a wag form the SA tail on it should geive their new look batting order a bit more confidence to be facing a fairly modest total.

What we may be seeing though is the flip side of them trying to stack the batting depth, a lack of bowling options and the senior two seamers being over relied on. Lyons not up to much on first day regardless of form, and theres no 4th seamer. With SA holding on these last 15 overs of the old ball become problematic if they want to rest Hazelwood and Starc with an eye on the new ball. Bird just shipped 9 runs off an over.

Still very much game on thanks to this stand, now 212/7 ... not great but a heck of a lot healthier than it was before

Hundred for du Plessis

A very fine hundred too ... Seems to be batting on a different pitch from his teammates.

Chappell making the point that the Australian fans who greeted his arrival with a chorus of boos probably did their team a disservice

Though I think he was pretty fired up already...

Declared on 259. Cricket has changed ladies and gentlemen

alfie wrote:

Chappell making the point that the Australian fans who greeted his arrival with a chorus of boos probably did their team a disservice

Not as much as a diservice as the guy who sold him those sweets at the airport.




Rather unusual declartion indeed, I gues they must see a fair bit of assistance in the pitch and want to goes with fresh quicks. New ball wickets seems to the thing in this game, and a debutant opener having it get in twice is a juicy target.

Pretty modest total but they have to be happy with that from the position they were in.

Ah just caught up ... they think SA may have declared because Warner was off the field getting treatment, meaning he has to sit out for a bit. Always worth bringing a rules lawyer (espeically if its a D/L calculation in a final *cough*)

A bold declaration and one which hindsight will almost certainly play a large part in judging. As of now, it's not a decision I would have made but I still like it.

Interesting declaration , indeed. Probably not passing up too many runs though with nine down.

Watchful start from Australia ...first runs off the bat in seventh over .

Actually doesn't seem to be anything special happening with the new pink ball under lights - yet.

Khawaja and his new partner have done well to get through that session
Makes it marginally Australia's day , I think. (Which doesn't mean I think they are favorites , mind...but certainly they are better placed than most would have expected before play started )

Renshaw will be happy to be coming back out in the morning ...

alfie wrote:Interesting declaration , indeed.  Probably not passing up too many runs though with nine down.

Watchful start from Australia ...first runs off the bat in seventh over .

Actually doesn't seem to be anything special happening with the new pink ball under lights - yet.

Hi Alfie - yep, agreed. However, any additional runs that might have been added could be the difference between victory and defeat. It's very much a traditional English approach not to chuck a wicket away - and certainly not through a declaration unless you're miles ahead with time running out. There again, the declaration seemed to catch Smith and the Aussies on the hop (as Warne said) - any wicket South Africa could have taken in the closing overs would probably have been more valuable than a few extra runs their 10th wicket might have added. The fact they didn't get the wicket doesn't of itself make the decision wrong. As I said before, I liked it although I wouldn't have done it.

As an aside, Kevin Pietersen (think we're allowed to mention him again ) captained Surrey just the once in a first class game. It was about five years ago at Cambridge University. Surrey batted first and struggled through the first day but that didn't stop Pietersen declaring (rather contemptuously some thought) when we were 9 down. Surrey did no better as the game progressed and ended up losing to the students by 10 wickets.

Hi , guildford

I think we have to mention KP ...he is commentating for Australian television on the match

Actually I haven't made up my mind on his new career yet ; he seems to tend to a Warne-like style of filling any possible moment of silence with something...but I guess there aren't any Benauds around any more.
He is certainly enthusiastic.

Agree the fact that no wickets fell doesn't change the advisability - or not - of the declaration. It was surely worth a try given the shakiness of the Australian batting.

First session tomorrow will be revealing , I suspect.

Would rather have Pietersen on the field than the TV box. Nothing spectacular from him there in the box, the run of the mill player commentator....... Not obnoxious by any stretch it has to be said though.......

I don't like his call to declare, but what a response with the bat from du Plessis to the controversy that wasn't!

And when I say I didn't like the declaration, it is not the smartness that Faf showed I have a problem with, but as the last wicket partnership had made some runs, if it had gone on a bit more, that would have frustrated the Australians even further. And those runs that were never scored hopefully won't be the eventual difference in the outcome. But it was real smart on du Plessis' part to see an opportunity and make it really count and catch the Australians absolutely wrongfooted

It was a potentially smart decision that looks to have backfired. But you have to roll the dice and trust your bowlers. If you cant back them to take wickets with a new ball in helpful conditions with two new openers (1 on test debut) who werent expecting to be in at that point or together and who are playting for a team smashed on confidence then you might as well not bother turning up in the first place.

SA tried to take the initiative, instead theyve handed it back to Aus. Thats kind of how cricket should go, the Aussies came out and executed their job and can now start off the innings again with a slightly older ball and slightly less runs behind than they couldve been.

After taking out debutant Renshaw and David Warner, South Africa are being resisted strongly by Uzman Khawaja and skipper Steven Smith as Australia are closing in on the South African first innings total. They are 137-2, with Khawaja already pass 50 and Smith closing in on his......
Abbot with both the wickets for South Africa. Their debutant Chinaman spinner Tabrais Shamsi hasn't made it easy to pick him always, but hasn't been as consistent as Keshav Maharaj as far as line and length are concerned. Rabada and Philander haven't bowled badly as such, but haven't found a way through Khawaja and Smith.

Run out was the only way that stand was going to be broken ...was a right old mix up between the two batsmen !
Khawaja has made a fine hundred ...probably just as well, after running out his skipper

Think SA made an error in swapping spinners : This chap Shamsi bowls too much loose stuff ; with their good pace attack I reckon they are better off with a more containing type - especially with only a four man attack. Though Duminy can be handy.

Abbott back for a burst before tea ; he will be after the new boys...

With just three down at tea...or supper , or whatever - Australia are clearly on top ; looking likely to take a substantial lead. I suppose they might well need that as they will have to bat last and it is unclear how this pitch will wear - and how that will combine with this ball if the game goes into the last couple of days.
I'd rather be in their shoes though. I know collapses are never far away ; but Handscomb has weathered the initial attack and played a couple of nice shots - he may well be able to assist Khawaja in turning this advantage into a really strong position. And the longer they continue the more chance for Maddinson and Wade to play their preferred aggressive roles.

SA need a Perth type reversal of momentum...

Did anyone see the Aussie papers crown renshaw the next great thing because he got through 12 overs? Almost as funny as that time Rob Quiney scored the greatest 9 in test history

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Did anyone see the Aussie papers crown renshaw the next great thing because he got through 12 overs? Almost as funny as that time Rob Quiney scored the greatest 9 in test history

I thought of Quiney too , Olly. Was rather amusing...papers here get a bit easily excited - especially when things haven't been going well.

Of course the Quiney selection was a bit different in that he may well have been a sacrificial lamb : if I recall correctly they were thought to be wary of risking one or two young players against the marauding South Africans...

Eight overs to the new ball and SA are resorting to part timers ...

Think they are making this a bit too easy for Australia . Not sure the fire they brought to Perth after Steyn's injury is still burning . Must be difficult to summon the same kind of intensity in a dead rubber once you fall behind.

Dont wish to jinx them ; but Australia could finish today in a real winning position.

English press arent much better, theyd already crowned Habeeb as the new mesiah only to find he didnt even get selected for the Bangladesh tests.

Aus are in a really strong position now, and their tail isnt as soft as it was.

Gooseberry wrote:English press arent much better, theyd already crowned Habeeb as the new mesiah only to find he didnt even get selected for the Bangladesh tests.
Aus are in a really strong position now, and their tail isnt as soft as it was.

Well that remains to be seen...

Maddinson at six proved no more successful than MMarsh or Ferguson. Think it largely depends on Wade now ...and he may indeed do well.

But if he doesn't this could still change rapidly.

And there goes Wade...

Tail in now and just 24 ahead. Hmm.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Did anyone see the Aussie papers crown renshaw the next great thing because he got through 12 overs? Almost as funny as that time Rob Quiney scored the greatest 9 in test history

You are probably too young to remember Darren Maddy opening the batting for England and the commentators purring over his potential after playing a couple of good shots but getting out for about 15. If you are then you are lucky

Actually I thought Renshaw displayed plenty of grit : not the worst start , after coming in at a fairly tricky time under lights.
But I fancy Amir will be looking forward to bowling at him.

Think SA need a couple more wickets tonight to get back on terms. They've fought back well here but while Khawaja is there and has a few partners left there is potential for a decisive lead to the hosts.

Starc given out lbw ! But saved on review ...pitching fractionally outside leg. Very close thing...

Khawaja really has played beautifully today.

I've never been a fan - never seemed to see him when he was playing well ; and rather unimpressed by beating up mediocre West Indian attacks - but he's won me over today.

Could be a match winner , this hand. Starc giving good support as the runs flow again near to stumps...

Excellent day for Australia...only 48 ahead , but four wickets left so the chances are the lead will be at least over 100.

Won't write SA off : but I know who will sleep better tonight.

Apart from Khawaja , Handscomb has started his Test career very well with a fifty. Fine lines : he was millimeters away from nicking his first ball - and inches from being snapped up c&b on his second ; but once he got in he played well.
Not so Maddinson , who got a beauty early on.

Abbott the pick of the bowlers. Once a "spare" but he's looking like he belongs on this tour. Three good wickets and a little unlucky not to have had more.

Match should go at least four days which makes a change...

South Africa inflicted considerable damage with the 2nd new ball, but by that time the Australians had gained a lot of ground. And with a pesky 7th wicket partnership, they are consolidating their advantage a bit. If they somehow manage to add another 60-70 more to this lead of 48, that might just be decisive.

Scores about tied. Only two down. Good comeback

SA in front with three down. Slow progress in this innings. ; but if they can eke out a lead of 200 ...game on.

Australia really in a transitional phase just now as they look to build a side for the future but there seems a heck of a lot of chopping and changing throughout their side. Is there any light at the end of the tunnel and who, of the younger guns, look like being the real deal?

Well they look to have this game all but won now with SA only 70 on and six down...

OK , dead rubber , etc ...but it will encourage them a lot. Not sure about all the new boys yet , but they have youth on their side so who knows ?

If they were touring England next summer I think the home team would be fancying the contest : but the next Ashes is in Australia so nothing is guaranteed...some of these young fellows come on pretty quickly...

alfie wrote:Well they look to have this game all but won now with SA only 70 on and six down...

OK , dead rubber , etc ...but it will encourage them a lot.  Not sure about all the new boys yet , but they have youth on their side so who knows ?

If they were touring England next summer I think the home team would be fancying the contest : but the next Ashes is in Australia so nothing is guaranteed...some of these young fellows come on pretty quickly...

They still also have a pretty potent bowling attack - Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon are very good. Smith/Warner/Khawaja are good bats too. It's the rest they have to work out (Handscomb looks decent, Matthew Wade doesn't)

South Africa's only hope is the overnight pair, the last recognized batsmen and perhaps Philander. Rabada isn't the worst 10 in the world. If they all chip and add another 100 runs, they can put this Australian lineup under some pressure if they get through Warner and Smith early....... As of now, it is Australia very much in the driving seat, in a test match they would hope to be the beginning of a new era.......

SA now eight down and just 114 runs on...

Not sure how many Rabada and Shamsi can add ...but Cook reaches a ćourageous hundred

With just 127 required , you'd think even the somewhat fragile Australian batting lineup will have few problems achieving the consolation win.

So on Monday the local papers will be full of New Dawn / Back on Top / World Right Way up Again

Australia cruising to victory at 45 without loss...


Maintaining their undefeated record with Pink Balls

So Australia finished the job without much fuss. South Africa never recovered from that terrible first day, and just when they showed signs of a bit of a recovery, Mitchell Starc's 53 at number 8 snuffed it out. And then Nathan Lyon bowled his way back from the brink to rip out the heart of the South African 2nd innings despite Steven Cook's ton. Importantly for them, the batting lineup didn't mess up the chase of 127, if they had lost 5 or 6 wickets, the confidence might have taken a bit of a hit, but in the end a 7 wicket win.......