Magrat Garlick
Global Moderator
Bashar should join Rafique, imo. Fair player in his pomp, merely keeping Rajin out of the side now.
Cant see it happening and it certainly shouldnt. Botha is handy with the bat but is no way a top 7 bat in Test cricket let alone opnener.Anyone else think Botha will open the batting?
Not exactly a glowing compliment on their contributions thereGuys like Rafique and Mashud got Bangladesh to the point where there @ right now it'll be up to the Aftabs and Ashrafuls to take them farther in the test arena.
Dire world record.4 Keepers in a single match!! Even 3 will make a world record!!
Mickey Arthur nearly lost his job arguing the case for ‘proper’ selection on this tour, so selecting Johan Botha as an opener would not be on. McKenzie will open unless Hashim Amla injury is worse than initially suspected. I was at Kingsmead last week and apparently he was a huge doubt just to make the tour.Anyone else think Botha will open the batting?
Just read on IOL that McKenzie’s supermodel wife is expected to give birth anytime soon, so Neil will not arrive in Bangladesh until probably two or three days before the first test. Thus, Smith is likely to have a makeshift partner for the warm-up game, in which RSA are planning to give everyone a hit and bowl. Will be a 'test' for McKenzie to acclimatise in such a short period.Mickey Arthur nearly lost his job arguing the case for ‘proper’ selection on this tour, so selecting Johan Botha as an opener would not be on. McKenzie will open unless Hashim Amla injury is worse than initially suspected. I was at Kingsmead last week and apparently he was a huge doubt just to make the tour
Probable XI
Smith
McKenzie
Amla
Kallis
Prince
AB
Boucher
Botha
Nel
Steyn
Ntini
Robbie P will not arrive in South Africa till next week, so presumably that's how much RSA are now interested in playing a second spinner. Contrast that to Bangladesh who apparently are considering playing three spinners and selected four in their test squad.
And yet they have a perfectly good opener in de VilliersJust read on IOL that McKenzie’s supermodel wife is expected to give birth anytime soon, so Neil will not arrive in Bangladesh until probably two or three days before the first test. Thus, Smith is likely to have a makeshift partner for the warm-up game, in which RSA are planning to give everyone a hit and bowl. Will be a 'test' for McKenzie to acclimatise in such a short period.
Think NZ have done 3 before. Not 3 specialists, but have had 1 specialist and 2 who have taken the gloves for NZ at one time or another (Vincent, Sinclair etc).4 Keepers in a single match!! Even 3 will make a world record!!
Actually, I think New Zealand might have fielded four before. McCullum, Papps, Sinclair and Vincent or perhaps McCullum, Nevin and McCullum and Vincent. I'm not recalling any specific game but I'd be surprised if it hadn't happened.Think NZ have done 3 before. Not 3 specialists, but have had 1 specialist and 2 who have taken the gloves for NZ at one time or another (Vincent, Sinclair etc).
Smith lbw b Rasel 2http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/bdeshvrsa/engine/current/match/323945.html
SA: 129/2 @ Lunch ... Amla 71* and Kallis 33*
Rasel: 2/25
EDIT: SA 212/4 atm ... Amla with a 100
Smith lbw b Rasel 2
Just retire, Graeme.