***Official*** Australia in South Africa

[Matt79]

Siddle has a hot-spot/nascent stress fracture in his foot, doesn't he? Mitch has grabbed at his hammy a couple of times during the last couple of matches - probably has a bit of twinge.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Siddle has a hot-spot/nascent stress fracture in his foot, doesn't he? Mitch has grabbed at his hammy a couple of times during the last couple of matches - probably has a bit of twinge.

Siddle back on now, he looks like he's in a bit of pain but he's giving Kallis a workout so i hope he can bowl for a while.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Not actually able to watch it (following it on ABC radio), but I can imagine

Talking now about what the best possible Aussie attack would be, it's easy to say this while we're on top like this, but I actually think they're pretty close to it now. Maybe Clark or a fit/firing Lee for Hilf but he hardly embarrasses himself. I think McDonald adds great balance to a pace attack, and a part time spin combo of North/Clarke would be fine if the track demands it.

I think there's a pretty strong case for picking four specialist seamers in England. Johnson, Lee, Clark and Siddle, with North/Clarke as the spin options. Over rates would be the main negative which would lead to a McDonald or McGain being selected instead of one of them, but if you leave aside the over issues that's definitely the strongest Australian attack available IMO.

The really interesting question might be about who misses out. Hilf would be the obvious one to go first, but if they do want to bring both Clark and Lee back into the side and they're both fit, would they drop Siddle? Big call.

 

[Top_Cat]

Seen his wife? No wonder he looks tired.

No matter how hot she is, there's someone out there who's tired of of putting up with her ****.

 

[Woodster]

I think there's a pretty strong case for picking four specialist seamers in England. Johnson, Lee, Clark and Siddle, with North/Clarke as the spin options. Over rates would be the main negative which would lead to a McDonald or McGain being selected instead of one of them, but if you leave aside the over issues that's definitely the strongest Australian attack available IMO.

The really interesting question might be about who misses out. Hilf would be the obvious one to go first, but if they do want to bring both Clark and Lee back into the side and they're both fit, would they drop Siddle? Big call.

I would think that Hilfenhaus would prosper to a larger degree than Siddle on English pitches (although what do I know!). He bowls a fuller length and the swing he will get will make him a dangerous bowler. How good a bowler Siddle is may be determined by his ability to alter his length to suit the English conditions.

 

[wpdavid]

I think there's a pretty strong case for picking four specialist seamers in England. Johnson, Lee, Clark and Siddle, with North/Clarke as the spin options. Over rates would be the main negative which would lead to a McDonald or McGain being selected instead of one of them, but if you leave aside the over issues that's definitely the strongest Australian attack available IMO.

The really interesting question might be about who misses out. Hilf would be the obvious one to go first, but if they do want to bring both Clark and Lee back into the side and they're both fit, would they drop Siddle? Big call.

Is Symonds completely out of the question now?

 

[The Sean]

So do we even look like getting either of these boys out at the moment? Doesn't sound as though we're causing them any notable problems at all.

BTW - well played JHK.

 

[Matt79]

Yes, IMO. Strong off field reasons not to pick him, there no longer is any pressing onfield need for him and he's in his mid 30s and playing pus at state level.

 

[Uppercut]

I wonder why this SA team are so good at batting in the 4th innings.

 

[pasag]

North's a bit of a gimp.

 

[Evermind]

This is going to be a huge morale downer for the Aussies if Kallis and De Villiers both get tons.

C'mon guys! You can do it!!!

It'll be fantastic if they can draw this - and who knows? 5-6 wickets left, well set batsmen, and the last session tomorrow could yield a hundred runs for a win!

 

[wpdavid]

This is going to be a huge morale downer for the Aussies if Kallis and De Villiers both get tons.

C'mon guys! You can do it!!!

It'll be fantastic if they can draw this - and who knows? 5-6 wickets left, well set batsmen, and the last session tomorrow could yield a hundred runs for a win!

Nah, the new ball will settle it in the first hour tomorrow.

 

[Evermind]

Nah, the new ball will settle it in the first hour tomorrow.

Don't be a party pooper.

A guy can hope.

 

[The Sean]

North's a bit of a gimp.

If Kallis brings up his 250 tomorrow as he hits the winning runs I'd be forced to agree.

 

[TT Boy]

I would think that Hilfenhaus would prosper to a larger degree than Siddle on English pitches (although what do I know!). He bowls a fuller length and the swing he will get will make him a dangerous bowler. How good a bowler Siddle is may be determined by his ability to alter his length to suit the English conditions.

****house has bowled too short this innings (also played Kallis in) and his swing is from the hand which makes him pretty 'easy' to read whilst his wicket in this game was with an outswinger which went terribly wrong. Siddle is different class and his length isn't much difference, bowls even fuller for mine.

Although, in saying that House should definitely tour England, better bowler than Bollinger but get Clark in for him and then go with Lee as the reserve test seamer or the 4th if you go with that composition for the Ashes.

Aus, if they wrap things up tomorrow should look into getting a McGain a gig in Cape Town.

 

[Uppercut]

****house has bowled too short this innings (also played Kallis in) and his swing is from the hand which makes him pretty 'easy' to read whilst his wicket in this game was with an outswinger which went terribly wrong. Siddle is different class and his length isn't much difference, bowls even fuller for mine.

Although, in saying that House should definitely tour England, better bowler than Bollinger but get Clark in for him and then go with Lee as the reserve test seamer or the 4th if you go with that composition for the Ashes.

Aus, if they wrap things up tomorrow should look into getting a McGain a gig in Cape Town.

Also known as an "inswinger".

 

[pasag]

Great stuff from Kallis and de Villiers. Bit frustrating having such a memorable series win within our grasp and not being able to drive it home but at least it's exposing our selection mistakes which can only be a good thing. Negative reinforcement ftw. Still, not too worried, 7 wickets in 90 overs shouldn't be too hard (famous last words?).

 

[TT Boy]

Also known as an "inswinger".

It wasn't. It was an outswinger which seamed off the wicket (and took up a big puff off dust) and came into AB who was caught with his pants down.

 

[Goughy]

Still, not too worried, 7 wickets in 90 overs shouldn't be too hard (famous last words?).

Yeah, Aus will do it easily. Miracles can happen but you cant worry about freak occurances.

 

[Langeveldt]

Daring to dream quietly here, I've been incredibly critical of SA in the last few days and I will see this as a bit of a get out of jail if we can do it. If we manage to bat all day though we will surely be somewhere close to winning the game.. Cue a crippled Smith to hit the winning runs of Johnson, we can but dream.