***Official*** South Africa In Australia

[Steulen]

Can't see it happening. They basically have two weak links in their lineup (McKenzie and Duminy) which puts huge pressure on one batsman to make a big ton.

Duminy yes, McKenzie no. Quality batsman, might fail but might just as well come good.

It will be a big chase, but with Smith / Kallis and to a lesser extent Amla / De Villiers / McKenzie they do have the firepower to pull it off. Personally think they will fail, though, and will blame it on the absence of Ashwell Prince.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

but with Smith

All well and good, except in the first dig his elbow was giving him so much grief that he couldn't hit it off the square.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

He's not a tail ender though, he certainly should be ahead of Lee, that's for sure. Has batted well up the order all his career.

I know, hence the quotes. He's batting at 9 now though.

 

[Matt79]

Duminy yes, McKenzie no. Quality batsman, might fail but might just as well come good.

It will be a big chase, but with Smith / Kallis and to a lesser extent Amla / De Villiers / McKenzie they do have the firepower to pull it off. Personally think they will fail, though, and will blame it on the absence of Ashwell Prince.

Just as if they succeed, we'll blame it on the absence of Stuart Clark.

 

[Uppercut]

Just as if they succeed, we'll blame it on the absence of Stuart Clark.

Which is fair enough. They're both massive losses.

 

[Steulen]

All well and good, except in the first dig his elbow was giving him so much grief that he couldn't hit it off the square.

True. So they'll blame it on Prince and Smith's elbow.

 

[pasag]

Dougy for Melbourne, though there won't be any changes if we win.

 

[popepouri]

Duminy is gun. He got a snorter from Johnson in the first innings. No doubt he will probably succeed in the 2nd or later on the series if Prince is out for a while.

Still think SA is in with a shout. The pitch is still good so it baffles me why these are low scores a lower than 400.

 

[ohtani's jacket]

It'll all be over by tomorrow evening.

 

[social]

Having lost McGrath, Warne, Gilchrist, Martyn, Langer etc etc etc in the past few years, Oz really should be totally crap as that is the equivalent of losing your first X1 and then some

However, win, lose or draw this test, I'm a believer in their replacements and they will be there and there abouts for the next few years

 

[Briony]

SA has been disappointing considering how many champions the Aussies have lost. Why doesn't Smith go and have his elbow operation which Manthorp has just said he needs?

 

[Spikey]

AB pulls off another great catch

And Haddin brings up his 50

 

[pasag]

Wont be comfortable till the lead is past 434

 

[Johnners]

<3 Mitch so much. Best guy, give him MOTM already.

 

[Briony]

Steyn is innocuous in Aussie conditions. How did this bloke take 60 wickets for the year?

Oops I forgot, he dominated minnows. Australia and England don't rate him.

He needs to go and work on getting the ball to swing and not bowling so many juicy deliveries.

At least he has youth on his side.

 

[inbox24]

Haddin doesn't have a half century yet so hopefully he can keep it that way and convert this one into a biggie.

 

[Briony]

Haddin doesn't have a half century yet so hopefully he can keep it that way and convert this one into a biggie.

South Africa's stuffed.

Maybe they should go Tsotsobe instead of Steyn. They could do with some left-arm variety and Steyn's too expensive surely for their liking.

 

[pasag]

Haddin! 2 6s off Harris and he's into the 90s.

 

[pasag]

94!

Takes the lead past 400 as well.

 

[Spikey]

Stumped