vic_orthdox
Global Moderator
^ To the Indian supporter?
Don't think they've bowled all that well in this innings, and I expect the pitch to look a lot worse in the fourth innings when the Australians bowled on it. The other things is that Australia's lead has let it play on a dicey pitch with some freedom, and that positivity has made it hard for SA to zone in on the cracks and good areas, they're forced to bowl to the batsman rather than the pitch. But in the end, it is a dead rubber - fine saying they have problems now...There's been a lot of talk about the Oz attack of late but IMO SA have their problems as well
A replacement has to be found for Ntini sooner rather than later. Whilst it's not unusual for him to perform poorly away from home, he's down on pace and accuracy and looks as though the end is near
Morkel has been very disappointing. He's a guy with all the potential in the world but I think he's gone backwards in the last 12 months and for a young guy, that's not a good thing
Harris is Harris - steady, accurate but, as we've seen today and in India, can simply be played out if the players treat him with respect
SA might get to no. 1 in the ranking at some point but they certainly wont dominate for long unless something or someone changes
Exactly. He had to give himself enough time to bowl them out, and it shows confidence in his bowling attack. Much rather that we lose with him declaring now, than waiting another hour.I think it's a terrific declaration really by Ponting. He just needs his bowlers and fielders to put in 100 per cent.
Haha, whatever.Bad declaration, loss on the cards.
At least I'll win the avatar challenge.
Ok should of made myself clear. This is definitely a good declaration for cricket. But in terms of us winning this game, I really can't see us taking these 9 wickets despite the pitch looking like a chasm. Except for that one crack creating uneven bounce, it's pretty flat and easy to bat on as Hussey and Clarke have just shown and Boucher and Morkel showed the other day. Also fully expecting Ponting to go into turtle mode as soon as they start getting anywhere near that total.Haha, whatever.
All well and good, apart from that fact that Australia dismissed South Africa for less than 376 the first time around, and that was including the time Smith was out there. He's their best batsmen at the moment, their captain, and extremely important to SA when chasing.Ok should of made myself clear. This is definitely a good declaration for cricket. But in terms of us winning this game, I really can't see us taking these 9 wickets despite the pitch looking like a chasm. Except for that one crack creating uneven bounce, it's pretty flat and easy to bat on as Hussey and Clarke have just shown and Boucher and Morkel showed the other day. Also fully expecting Ponting to go into turtle mode as soon as they start getting anywhere near that total.
Prediction:
- African win 70%
- Draw 30%
EDIT: good move with Morkel opening, fully expect a stodgey 40ish from him.
Ridiculously pessimistic and basically without foundation.Ok should of made myself clear. This is definitely a good declaration for cricket. But in terms of us winning this game, I really can't see us taking these 9 wickets despite the pitch looking like a chasm. Except for that one crack creating uneven bounce, it's pretty flat and easy to bat on as Hussey and Clarke have just shown and Boucher and Morkel showed the other day. Also fully expecting Ponting to go into turtle mode as soon as they start getting anywhere near that total.
Prediction:
- African win 70%
- Draw 30%
EDIT: good move with Morkel opening, fully expect a stodgey 40ish from him.
Who says I was refering to this match only? And how does having one semi decent match not make him a bad umpire when he's been horrific in the past? Prejudiced cocoon? A Precambrianism if I've ever seen one.In this match, he has been mostly on the money. Come out of your prejudiced cocoon.
@ "Precambriasm" or whatever ism!!Who says I was refering to this match only? And how does having one semi decent match not make him a bad umpire when he's been horrific in the past? Prejudiced cocoon? A Precambrianism if I've ever seen one.