***Official*** South Africa In Australia

[Spikey]

I really like the look of Moises Henriques as an all round option in the future years

The problem with Moises is, he only has 1 good match in 4.

Well still have Katman...

Kat to make half of the teams runs.

 

[Corbin]

The problem with Moises is, he only has 1 good match in 4.

In Moises's defence I think it would be fair to say he is quite far off being an actual member of the Australian squad and I'm most would agree to this due to his inexperience. I'll admit his averages aren't that fashy at first glance but he is still quite raw at almost 22 but I see no harm in having him in the squad at the expense of a player such as Hopes who will if Watson is present probably won't play. If the selectors are serious about building towards 2011 they will recognize the need for the development of players such as Moises.

 

[pup11]

I kind of feel for all these state sides who are in with a chance to make it into the final of the Big bash, all their main players are on national duty and that certainly leaves them a bit vulnerable, with all the CL T20 money involved, every state side wants to atleast make it to the finals, but its never easy when your best players aren't there, i think CA might think of organising the Big bash at time when these games don't clash with international commitments, allowing all the star players to turn up for their state sides.

 

[iamdavid]

A frightening prospect has just occured to me, what if Shaun Marsh continues to do ok in the ODI's against South Africa and Phil Jaques' back continues to play up. The selectors rekindle their love for him and we end up with Marsh and Katich opening in the test series in South Africa ....Two weeks ago it seemed (thankfully) beyond comprehension, yet I can now see it happening, probably wouldnt even be the stupidest pick the selectors have made this season either.

 

[pup11]

A frightening prospect has just occured to me, what if Shaun Marsh continues to do ok in the ODI's against South Africa and Phil Jaques' back continues to play up. The selectors rekindle their love for him and we end up with Marsh and Katich opening in the test series in South Africa ....Two weeks ago it seemed (thankfully) beyond comprehension, yet I can now see it happening, probably wouldnt even be the stupidest pick the selectors have made this season either.

Since you brought this up, the more frightening prospect would be, if Dave Warner does well in the ODI', then can we safely say he won't be opening the batting with Katich in South Africa, in case Jaques isn't fit....

 

[Furball]

Selectors have really done shot themselves in the foot in selecting White as a specialist IMO, the fact of the matter is if Australia's top 4 go quickly there is no way in hell White will be able to hold the ship and make it to the 40 over mark. Basically he's role in the team is being defined as a pitch hitter to come in during the late overs. The fact he wasn't called upon last night to bowl before Clarke surely says that he is no longer seen as a viable bowling option at International level.

Wouldn't the same sort of thing have been said about Symonds pre-2003 World Cup?

Fact is, you don't average 40 in the Aussie domestic FC circuit without any batting talent. White looks to me to be the best long term replacement for Symonds in the ODI side. The selectors need to give him time to bed in.

 

[howardj]

Watched the highlights today - what a great game to kick off the series. These two teams, in all forms of the game, are so evenly matched. It's just a shame that we play South Africa only once every three or four years. For mine, as with the Ashes, we should play them every two years (with the home and away series to be split, rather than on the back of each other).

 

[pasag]

Watched the highlights today - what a great game to kick off the series. These two teams, in all forms of the game, are so evenly matched. It's just a shame that we play South Africa only once every three or four years. For mine, as with the Ashes, we should play them every two years (with the home and away series to be split, rather than on the back of each other).

Disagree with regards to evenly matched, this Aus one-day outfit is far superior to the SA one especially without their best batsman, which makes the loss on Friday all the more disappointing.

 

[Matt79]

I kind of feel for all these state sides who are in with a chance to make it into the final of the Big bash, all their main players are on national duty and that certainly leaves them a bit vulnerable, with all the CL T20 money involved, every state side wants to atleast make it to the finals, but its never easy when your best players aren't there, i think CA might think of organising the Big bash at time when these games don't clash with international commitments, allowing all the star players to turn up for their state sides.

Disagree with this, unless we're going to significantly reduce the amount of international cricket. Any international fixture should always take precedence.

 

[Mister Wright]

Disagree with this, unless we're going to significantly reduce the amount of international cricket. Any international fixture should always take precedence.

I remember on Australian Cricket Captain I wasn't allowed to select 11 Queenslanders for the Australian team because of imbalance or something.

 

[Something_Fishy]

Disagree with regards to evenly matched, this Aus one-day outfit is far superior to the SA one especially without their best batsman, which makes the loss on Friday all the more disappointing.

I disagree with you. I'd say Australia in this ODI series probably just have the edge over SA but that's got more to do with the series being played Down Under. We are without Captain Courageous and de Villiers and Gibbs is still playing so we are nowhere near full strength (Johan Botha is not a captain and when Smith is there it makes a moerse difference, and he is the rock upon which we build our innings), whereas the Aussies are playing with a bunch of mediocre Vernon-Philander-type allrounders and only two bowlers (Bracken and Tait).

 

[pup11]

Disagree with regards to evenly matched, this Aus one-day outfit is far superior to the SA one especially without their best batsman, which makes the loss on Friday all the more disappointing.

Fully agree with this, even if Smith had been in the South African squad still the Australian ODI side would have been far superior, but losing to South Africa is diabolical especially considering the likes of Smith and AB weren't there, and Australia have only themselves to blame for this lose, as despite all the mistakes Australia made throught the game, South Africa time and again tried to gift-wrap the game and hand it over to Australia, but Australia just failed to capitalise.

 

[pup11]

Btw guys don't you think its about time flood-lights were installed at the Bellerive Oval.

 

[pasag]

I disagree with you. I'd say Australia in this ODI series probably just have the edge over SA but that's got more to do with the series being played Down Under. We are without Captain Courageous and de Villiers and Gibbs is still playing so we are nowhere near full strength ..

That's my point, as it stands of the two sides that went out yesterday, Australia were far, far superior. Which makes the loss all the more embarrassing and full credit must go to the Saffies for punching above thier weight.

Furthermore, you bring up who you're missing - look at who we're missing - Lee, Symonds, Johnson, Watson - four of our best (chuck in Clark as well), it's pretty clear which side is miles ahead in the shorter format overall.

 

[Briony]

That's my point, as it stands of the two sides that went out yesterday, Australia were far, far superior. Which makes the loss all the more embarrassing and full credit must go to the Saffies for punching above thier weight.

Furthermore, you bring up who you're missing - look at who we're missing - Lee, Symonds, Johnson, Watson - four of our best (chuck in Clark as well), it's pretty clear which side is miles ahead in the shorter format overall.

Not sure Clark is a great one day bowler, he lacks the variations which don't hurt him in test cricket where he bowls a nagging line and length. Symonds is a big loss but some are tipping that his career is near the end so he may not be part of plans for the next WC. Watson is certainly a cut above Hopes.

 

[pasag]

Not sure Clark is a great one day bowler, he lacks the variations which don't hurt him in test cricket where he bowls a nagging line and length. Symonds is a big loss but some are tipping that his career is near the end so he may not be part of plans for the next WC. Watson is certainly a cut above Hopes.

Clark isn't amazing, but he has improved drastically in ODIs since McGrath retired and is certaily better than Hilfenhaus/Siddle whoever at this stage.

I'm sure Symonds will be back sooner rather than later. Don't rate Hopes either.

 

[Spikey]

Btw guys don't you think its about time flood-lights were installed at the Bellerive Oval.

The Mayor of Clarence has reassured people living near Bellerive Oval there will be no all-night rock concerts now that lights will be installed.

The full council has given formal approval to an application from the Tasmanian Cricket Association for four light towers.

Council approves lights at Bellerive Oval - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Nothing about when they're gonna be installed

 

[Something_Fishy]

That's my point, as it stands of the two sides that went out yesterday, Australia were far, far superior. Which makes the loss all the more embarrassing and full credit must go to the Saffies for punching above thier weight.

Furthermore, you bring up who you're missing - look at who we're missing - Lee, Symonds, Johnson, Watson - four of our best (chuck in Clark as well), it's pretty clear which side is miles ahead in the shorter format overall.

Yeah, fair enough, but I still don't think you are miles ahead. I agree that you're better, and frankly the Aussies deserve the no.1 spot, but I think if we can build on what we already have, we can compete like we did yesterday regularly. But for that to happen Smith has to be captain (even though I rate Smith only as a leader and not a captain, there is noone else to take his place) and we have to think about what our game plan is. Duminy and McKnezie not takinf the 3rd PowerPlay is the epitome of South African crciket and it's lack of thought.
But yeah, if you get rid of Hopes and Hilfenhaus and White (and if Clarke opens), you should be able to beat us most of the time.

And I gotta tell you, the Indian one day team looks pretty solid to me. I reckon they might give you a run for your money, especially if you play in India.

 

[Corbin]

Clark has nothing in ODI's. He's rubbish IMO, Bracken does a more than required job in what most would call a 'containing' role.

 

[AlanJLegend]

Is anyone else here going to the ODI tomorrow in Hobart!


I'll be there on the hill!