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***Official*** Australia in South Africa

DaRick

State Vice-Captain
Thoroughly predictable stuff from Australia. Amazed we got so close in the end with a bowling attack that included Harwood, Geeves and Hopes.

Really didn't enjoy watching the game, which sucked. Our batting was incredbibly poor bar Dussey and Warner, the footage was pathetic, they kept using these mentally challenged camera angles and the commentary was pathetic.

And Brax didn't play. :(
Ah well, it's only 20/20.

My thoughts on the Test series just gone:
- Australia generally outplayed SA when it counted and SA never really got on top in the first two tests
- Bryce McGain's chances of playing another Test have been reduced drastically
- SA were obviously better than Australia at Cape Town
- I do think Paul Harris is underrated, but Australia should not have played so many bone-headed shots off him
- Phil Hughes: an Australian prodigy? We'll see...
- Marcus North played an excellent, chanceless innings in Johannesburg, with Australia in a rocky position
- Mitch Johnson was even more threatening with the ball than in Australia (bar Cape Town) and a revelation with the bat, although I don't think he should be above #8
- While Katich should've been used a bit more, the risk of injuring himself meant that he could've only been used for up to 5 overs on the trot, anyway
- Haddin's keeping was generally poor
- Morne Morkel was often terrible, save for a few short bursts
- Ntini's figures don't flatter him that much - in Johannesburg and Cape Town, he bowled much better than that
- Steyn was a little disappointing
- Hussey looks mentally cooked, IMHO - closer to being dropped
- Siddle backed up Johnson very well
- McDonald was generally tight with the ball, but his batting ability at Test level is still questionable - now he needs to bat well under pressure
- Hilfenhaus' figures were a bit unflattering, but he did bowl a couple of dodgy spells
- I'd like to thank SA for not playing Prince until the last test :D

...and yeah, that's about it
 

inbox24

International Debutant
Does anyone think we should permanently rest Clarke for T20s? He doesn't have the big hitting ability and the type of play required to rescue an innings is also quite different. Hussey plays that role anyway.
 

mikeW

International Vice-Captain
Great knock from Hussey, was sensational. Stillcan't believe we lost. Harwood and Geeves bowled very stupidly. Why were they banging it in when it was obvious the pitch didnt suit that type of bowling.
 

Briony

International Debutant
Pretty shoddy bowling from Harwood and at times Geeves and Hopes.

I see Mr Erratic has taken another six for.
 

Briony

International Debutant
Albie's six off Hopes was so clean.

South Africa should have played Mitchell out, would have been a cake walk with Albie in against Harwood and co.

As it stands now, Aus are still in the box seat.
I think in general they were conservative against Johnson but Albertus needs to learn how to restrain himself. I've seen him go out a few times now trying to hit sixes when they were almost down to a run a ball. Could cost his team one day.
 

Goughy

Hall of Fame Member
Great knock from Hussey, was sensational. Stillcan't believe we lost. Harwood and Geeves bowled very stupidly. Why were they banging it in when it was obvious the pitch didnt suit that type of bowling.
How does Ponting think it is a great idea to have your 2 least experienced players bowling the last 2 overs?

Not good decision making and not really fair on the bowlers either.
 

mikeW

International Vice-Captain
How does Ponting think it is a great idea to have your 2 least experienced players bowling the last 2 overs?

Not good decision making and not really fair on the bowlers either.
We needed a wicket so Johnson bowling the 3rd last one was the right decision. Harwood was seen as an option to bowl at the death in 20/20 cricket so was always going to bowl later in the innings.
 

TT Boy

Hall of Fame Member
Said before the series that everyone in the squad (15) will get a gig in the 20/20 games but captain Botha wants the momentum to continue, so it will be interesting to see if South Africa want the win or want to see how the likes of van der Merwe, Louw and Abdulla shape up.

Bit of a dilemma given the way Robbie P bowled as well. South Africa would probably prefer van der Merwe in England given what he offers with the bat and the fact that the wickets probably won’t aide a two frontline spin approach but you can’t really ditch P after his performance on Friday night.
 

TT Boy

Hall of Fame Member
Pretty shoddy bowling from Harwood and at times Geeves and Hopes.

I see Mr Erratic has taken another six for
.
He should be allowed to play the last first class game of the season. Give Parnell his ODI slot and once SuperSport is finished, Morne can comeback for the last couple of one dayers.

Not sure why Ntini was selected for the ODI side. The likelihood of him playing in the 2011 WC is slim, so they should look elsewhere.
 

Nate

You'll Never Walk Alone
Geeves, Johnson and Mussey out, Laughin, Bracken and Ferguson in.

So amped for this game now! Laughin ftwww
 

TT Boy

Hall of Fame Member
Aus won the toss and will bowl first. Bracken returns but Johnson and Michael Hussey have been rested. Looks like Geeves has gone as well.

For South Africa, no Steyn, Parnell, Amla and VB. Abdulla, Ontong, Louw and van der Merwe come in. 3 spinners is two too many one would think but Robbie P is apparently going to open.
 

TT Boy

Hall of Fame Member
Coming up 12 here so I'm not sure how much I can watch. Probably see how many South Africa get and then take it from there.
 

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