It would take a pretty epic performance for SA to make 350 in their second in these conditions against a tailor made aussie attack. I hope Ponting doesn't declare too conservatively, this is probably his best chance to win a test this tour, you can be sure he's not getting green tops at the next 2 grounds.
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***Official*** Australia in South Africa
- Thread starter pup11
- Start date
LongHopCassidy
International Captain
If Australia win, I kinda doubt that. And can you blame them (the curators)?
Briony
International Debutant
Australia's batting is better so a flat track won't help SA win. Problem is when they make greentops, their batting gets really exposed and their attack is not good enough to exploit the conditions, except for Steyn.
dontcloseyoureyes
BARNES OUT
Don't South Africa have the best seam attack in the world? Surely greentops should suit them...
LongHopCassidy
International Captain
Would back SA on a flat track. Perth still hurts.
Briony
International Debutant
Steyn may be the best quick in the world but he has no reliable support. A bigger issue is their batsmen's inability to play good swing bowling on home soil. It's been evident for quite some time now. Johnson looked better than all of their bowlers.
ozone
First Class Debutant
On what basis? Personally prefer SA batting line-up to Australia's and quite comfortably so. The only advantage Aus have in this respect is that they bat very low. As far as genuine batsmen go would back SA every time.
Demolition Man
State Vice-Captain
Yeah its been pretty ordinary from them TBH.
Briony
International Debutant
McKenzie's ordinary, Smith's not good on these sort of tracks, Duminy's a novice, Kallis has been below his best for about a year and they don't have any batting below Boucher. Australia has a novice in Hughes but Punter's the best batsmen on either side and Clarke has been in great form. North's a debutant albeit one with 9000 runs to his name. Haddin is dangerous while McDonald and Johnson can handle a bat. Katich has also been pretty consistent of late.
Demolition Man
State Vice-Captain
Morkel just doesnt look right trash-talking, no doubt smith must have put him up to it.
Uppercut
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Mmm. TT was saying not long ago that they don't prepare many greentops these days because they seem to lose a lot on them. It doesn't always work out as you say. If a pitch is fast but not showing much seam and the ball's not swinging, their attack can still take wickets to some extent while the Aussie one can't. On seaming tracks, both attacks can take wickets but the really long, top-quality Australian batting lineup can deal with it better than the Saffer one can.
Maybe. It's all very theoretical. In truth whoever performs better on the day will win tbh.
LongHopCassidy
International Captain
Disagree on Smith, Duminy and Kallis.
IndGunner
First Class Debutant
Briony
International Debutant
This is Duminy's first test on home soil, he has a lot to prove. Kallis hasn't played a big innings in test cricket for a while, let alone a matchwinning one. Compare that with the likes of Clarke, Ponting and even Katich over the past year. North has hit the jackpot first match.
four_or_six
Cricketer Of The Year
Presumably the batsmen didn't have a choice with the light?
dontcloseyoureyes
BARNES OUT
They did, it was asked and they walked off. Very surprised myself, but looking very dark.
four_or_six
Cricketer Of The Year
Okay, ta. Seems a bit of a weird decision, especially if they don't get back on today.
ozone
First Class Debutant
IMHO:
Smith>>Hughes
McKenzie=Katich
Amla<Ponting
Kallis>Hussey
deVilliers=Clarke
Duminy>North
Boucher<Haddin
Of these, it could be argued either way that Katich</>McKenzie, and similar between deVilliers and Clarke. Ponting may be the best batsman on either side, but the second (Smith), third (Kallis) and arguably fourth (toss up between Clarke and de Villiers) are South African. Therefore, I would back the South Africans.