KiWiNiNjA
International Coach
A bit of reverse jinxing going on, methinks.
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***Official*** South Africa In Australia
- Thread starter grapedo
- Start date
FaaipDeOiad
Hall of Fame Member
Yeah it's definitely been a great game.
I was actually thinking today that it's probably the highest standard of cricket I've seen in a single test match since the '05 Ashes. Might be a slight overstatement in retrospect but it's not far off, there's been some great performances and both sides have been in it from the start.
If nothing else, it's definitely the best fielding I have seen in a test match for ages, possibly ever. There's been about half a dozen blinders taken, nothing has been dropped and there's hardly been a misfield.
Would be amazing if the rest of the series was played at the same level.
I was actually thinking today that it's probably the highest standard of cricket I've seen in a single test match since the '05 Ashes. Might be a slight overstatement in retrospect but it's not far off, there's been some great performances and both sides have been in it from the start.
If nothing else, it's definitely the best fielding I have seen in a test match for ages, possibly ever. There's been about half a dozen blinders taken, nothing has been dropped and there's hardly been a misfield.
Would be amazing if the rest of the series was played at the same level.
Uppercut
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Agree with this. The quality might even be above Ashes '05, where the batting wasn't at the same level as the bowling and a fair few catches went down. Regardless of what happens tomorrow, this has been one of the best tests i've ever seen. The intensity's been there from the first session, the quality's been overwhelming and the match just continually swings one way then the other. There's not been a dull session, nor has there been a session completely dominated by one team. The pitch has been fair to both bowlers and batsmen and the toss hasn't impacted too heavily. It's been cricket at its very best.
Langeveldt
Soutie
Johnson to mop up the tail before lunch, and then hot toddies all round..
howardj
International Coach
Yeah, quality fare served up in this match. I have loved the way the ascendency has swung from one side to the other - both sides have got up off the mat at various stages. Anyway, can't let Kallis's cameo before stumps go unremarked upon. It was champagne cricket from the great man.
Langeveldt
Soutie
I guess from SA's point of view, even if we don't win this we can hold our heads up high and say we produced one of the best tests of living memory against the worlds number one.. That won't be satisfactory though, there's no way we can win so many sessions against Australia in the last few years and lose every single test we've played against them..
howardj
International Coach
Symonds has been very much underbowled since his return. Really, he's being picked as a number six batsman, rather than as any sort of batting allrounder. For mine, struggling with the ball as we are, I would much rather see Watson fill that number six slot. To that end, with our bowling, I really don't think we can afford to have two greenhorns still learning on the job, Siddle and Krejza, in the same attack against such a good side as South Africa.
four_or_six
Cricketer Of The Year
That was definitely what was said when Symonds came into the side, that the No.6 position was being filled by a specialist batsman. I think Ponting and Nielsen both said that Watson wasn't in contention for that position for that reason. They said Watson would play as a fourth quick only.
Jigga988
State 12th Man
Kallis looks as determined as i have seen him for a while. I dont envision him getting out. I reckon Lee and Johnson have bowled so well that you'd have to think they would pick up one or two early. Then it's down to whether Siddle and Krezja can do the business. So far neither of them as done that. I think a better performance is needed by Krezja and Siddle if the Aussies expect to take it.
Although, because SA arguably have won of the worst tails right now if the Aussies can get to Boucher with SA still needing 80 or 90 runs it's probobly Australia's to lose.
All in all this match is finely poised and i am looking forward to seeing the conclusion.
Although, because SA arguably have won of the worst tails right now if the Aussies can get to Boucher with SA still needing 80 or 90 runs it's probobly Australia's to lose.
All in all this match is finely poised and i am looking forward to seeing the conclusion.
Evermind
International Debutant
Excellent game, and everything rests on Kallis and AB. Duminy's too fresh and Boucher isn't Gilchrist. The tail is worthless, certainly in a chase. If Kallis and AB can reduce the deficit to under 100, I'd say it's SA's. If they get out before lunch, it's Australia's. Finely poised here.
inbox24
International Debutant
Theoretically we only have 4 wickets to take, but Kallis and AB are looking dangerously immovable at the moment. I feel one out of those two will get a century today and then just solid half centuries from the rest will see them through. The problem also lies with the bowling attack because surprisingly only Johnson looks like getting a wicket at the moment.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Bowled a couple of absolute jaffers to Smith. They handled him pretty comfortably for the most part though.
four_or_six
Cricketer Of The Year
Can't believe Nielsen was whingeing about a 3h session in the evening, they do that in ODIs all the time! He does seem to whinge a lot.
silentstriker
The Wheel is Forever
Bowl faster and you won't have to be out there for that long. If they got their 90 overs in six hours, he may have a point. But as long as they don't, sucks for you.
However, you do feel for the fast bowlers.
However, you do feel for the fast bowlers.
Craig
World Traveller
And champagne pie bowling as well. Sorry I don't rate Krezja, even with his 12 wickets on debut and his ball to get Amla out in the 1st innings.
sanga1337
U19 Captain
He was getting a decent amount of spin and drift. But overall he probably wasn't bowling consistently enough to really trouble the South Africans for long periods of time. Although he did bowl some really good deliveries.
gettingbetter
State Vice-Captain
Argh! I went to work at 10:00 today, intending on finishing at 2. I get to the back and I find out that I'm working at 1:30 to 6:00. So I miss the whole first session. Actually I think I miss everything before tea.
Mister Wright
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Totally agree. Kallis was awesome, but Krezja was very poor (so was Siddle).
Love the statement De Villiers made on the last ball, crunches Siddle through mid wicket and almost runs off the pitch. It was a statement if I've ever seen one. "We're ready for tomorrow boys." Should be a great day of cricket tomorrow if there aren't early wickets.