***Official*** Australia in South Africa

[TT Boy]

Hopefully they keep the same new ball combination for the next game. I think they should play Morkel ahead of Roelof anyways. I don't think Morne bowled that badly in his last ODI. Last couple of overs were dire but up til then, he managed to put the ball in the same place for a good 7 overs.

Same combination should/could work at Newlands. If South Africa loses the toss and bowl, then two spinners it has been shown domestically is the route to go and if they win the toss and bat first, score 250, then the game is won regardless of the absence of a third seamer.

But on other grounds and looking towards the WC, then I think South Africa need 3 potent seamers unless van der Merwe bowling really comes on. Mickey Arthur was saying at the beginning of the season that Tahir would be into the side ASAP (to have a look at him) but the performances of Botha, the brittleness of the batting if Boucher bats top six, now makes that extremely hard to achieve.

 

[popepouri]

But on other grounds and looking towards the WC, then I think South Africa need 3 potent seamers unless van der Merwe bowling really comes on. Mickey Arthur was saying at the beginning of the season that Tahir would be into the side ASAP (to have a look at him) but the performances of Botha, the brittleness of the batting if Boucher bats top six, now makes that extremely hard to achieve.

I think that will depend on how the series goes. If SA win the next 2 games, I don't see why they can't play him. I don't think Tahir had a chance to play ODIs consistently anyways. I think most people thought Harris' performances were declining since the India series and the potential for a good legspinner to play for SA made everyone excited. Now that Harris has succeeded, I don't think Tahir has a chance unless they play two spinners in the sub-continent.

 

[oitoitoi]

I think that will depend on how the series goes. If SA win the next 2 games, I don't see why they can't play him. I don't think Tahir had a chance to play ODIs consistently anyways. I think most people thought Harris' performances were declining since the India series and the potential for a good legspinner to play for SA made everyone excited. Now that Harris has succeeded, I don't think Tahir has a chance unless they play two spinners in the sub-continent.

Is Tahir now qualified to play for England, SA and Pakistan??? No need for him in the side IMO, very mediocre, won't trouble the top class. I don't see all the concern for the SA bowing attack, with Botha and 3 top class seamers available (or at least 1 and 2 in good form) that's alright. Sub in RVDM or Peterson if a second spinner is really needed add Albie's bowling and it's really not that bad. That gives you 3 front line bowlers and 2 allrounders probably. In India I'd pick Steyn, Parnell/Morkel, Botha, Peterson, Albie. You've got Kallis and Duminy too remember. Hell that's more bowling than most sides.

 

[Nate]

What’s shocking about it? A mere question corresponding to your logic of form...

Because Bracken has been average for a 20/20 over and 12 overs in ODI Cricket, whereas Ponting has been average now for this long.

Not to mention I'm talking about moving Ponting down the order one place. Grow up.

 

[Uppercut]

18 of the 21 day-nighters here between two test sides have been won by the side batting first, including the last 11 on the trot.

Wait for the toss, and there's another opportunity for a very solid bet.

 

[Burgey]

If Ponting’s form requires demotion, does Bracken’s bowling lately mean he deserves selection?

I'd like to see Ponting retire from ODIs actually, if only to prolong his test career.

Won't happen though. Too much lolly in the shorter forms.

 

[Top_Cat]

Because Bracken has been average for a 20/20 over and 12 overs in ODI Cricket, whereas Ponting has been average now for this long.

Not to mention I'm talking about moving Ponting down the order one place. Grow up.

For one thing, you're kidding yourself if you think Bracken's been bowling ordinary for this series alone. In the home summer, aside from a couple of decent games, NZ and SA took to him in a way they hadn't dared to before, just had to watch to see that. There's no way he should be dropped but there's no denying he's not bowling all that well right now either.

And for two, putting Ponting down one place is a big deal. The responsibility associated with setting up the innings from number 3 is vastly different from 4 - that's why teams are generally looking for a bloke to bat there long term whereas the rest of the order is more interchangeable. Moving him would be a massive psychological boost for the opposition as you're essentially not backing the captain to come good any time soon.

There's really no one else you'd put there ahead of him right now anyway. As Ponting's career has worn on, he certainly has become less consistent so it's worth considering someone else to bat there eventually but moving him now - knee-jerk.

 

[TT Boy]

because bracken has been average for a 20/20 over and 12 overs in odi cricket, whereas ponting has been average now for this long.

Not to mention i'm talking about moving ponting down the order one place. grow up.

Bracken has been average for over 10 ODI matches... But again you seem to have put two and two together and got five, as I have never said Bracken should be dropped, just poised a question but your a fanboy so that is understandable that you would completely miss the point.

 

[TT Boy]

Is Tahir now qualified to play for England, SA and Pakistan??? No need for him in the side IMO, very mediocre, won't trouble the top class. I don't see all the concern for the SA bowing attack, with Botha and 3 top class seamers available (or at least 1 and 2 in good form) that's alright. Sub in RVDM or Peterson if a second spinner is really needed add Albie's bowling and it's really not that bad. That gives you 3 front line bowlers and 2 allrounders probably. In India I'd pick Steyn, Parnell/Morkel, Botha, Peterson, Albie. You've got Kallis and Duminy too remember. Hell that's more bowling than most sides.

Tahir isn't qualified for England, just South Africa and Pakistan and his first class performances in South Africa (and domestically in England) have been exceptional in the past two years. The sheer number of wickets in that period and his strike-rate is far superior to any other South African spinner.

And Robbie P is thankfully just now seen as a 20/20 specialist. He has had his time

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Yeah I don't think TT Boy's point was a bad one either. Nath, you often go over the top with criticism for players you don't particularly like and suspiciously ignore your favourite players.

 

[aussie]

rest them all-send your aussie 'A' team.

Well lets see, if All those are rested. A solid team could still be taken to UAE. Something like:

Marsh
Warner/Hughes
Hodge
D Hussey
Symonds
Ferguson
Hopes
Manou
Lee
Bracken
Harwood

backs up: White, Laughlin, maybe Tait, Hauritz

 

[Top_Cat]

Yeah I don't think TT Boy's point was a bad one either. Nath, you often go over the top with criticism for players you don't particularly like and suspiciously ignore your favourite players.

Always thought it was tongue-in-cheek but starting to wonder now....

 

[vic_orthdox]

Meh, ridiculous over-reaction again, calling for all these changes. Everyone forgets about it if they win the next game. Shockers happen.

If there were someone banging the door down for number 3, then you might even think about the idea of possibly mooting the idea of proposing that Ponting be moved down the order. But at the moment, it would be change for change's sake.

 

[Uppercut]

Bracken has been average for over 10 ODI matches... But again you seem to have put two and two together and got five, as I have never said Bracken should be dropped, just poised a question but your a fanboy so that is understandable that you would completely miss the point.

Be fair to Brackos. The only of the ODIs against SA that Australian won was exclusively down to his impossibly good death bowling.

 

[Nate]

And for two, putting Ponting down one place is a big deal. The responsibility associated with setting up the innings from number 3 is vastly different from 4 - that's why teams are generally looking for a bloke to bat there long term whereas the rest of the order is more interchangeable. Moving him would be a massive psychological boost for the opposition as you're essentially not backing the captain to come good any time soon.

There's really no one else you'd put there ahead of him right now anyway. As Ponting's career has worn on, he certainly has become less consistent so it's worth considering someone else to bat there eventually but moving him now - knee-jerk.

Cheers, solid points.

Yeah I don't think TT Boy's point was a bad one either. Nath, you often go over the top with criticism for players you don't particularly like and suspiciously ignore your favourite players.

Lol. Thanks mother. Ricky Ponting captains my Favourite Player XI, but nice.

Bracken has been average for over 10 ODI matches... But again you seem to have put two and two together and got five, as I have never said Bracken should be dropped, just poised a question but your a fanboy so that is understandable that you would completely miss the point.

Haha, oh really?! If you can't ascertain by now that I make hilarious ott points about my favourite players, then you never will. But please, overlook the thread I made dissing his bowling of late and my regular posts containing fury at him for his death bowling over the Australian Summer.

Ricky Ponting has been average at best in all forms of cricket in the last few years. In my favourite players XI - I would trial him at four. If I was an Australian Selector, I would consider that option. Nathan Bracken has been exceptional in ODI Cricket his whole career. He has now had one bad ODI summer, in which it was only his death bowling that was rubbish. To drop him based on that, or my comments, makes zero sense.

 

[Nate]

Be fair to Brackos. The only of the ODIs against SA that Australian won was exclusively down to his impossibly good death bowling.

Not to mention the last ODI against New Zealand. But tbf, they were merely highlights in an overall below-par few months.

 

[Briony]

Graeme Smith was seen out partying with Prince Harry's ex Chelsy Davy and then went to her apartment for drinks. That might put him off his cricket.

 

[oitoitoi]

Graeme Smith was seen out partying with Prince Harry's ex Chelsy Davy and then went to her apartment for drinks. That might put him off his cricket.

Dissappointing, the Iron Man can do better than her, unless it was an ego lay because she shagged a prince. Bring on the Brazilian supermodels, Smithy will have 'em all! On the same note, has anyone seen Steyn's girlfriend....he's a lucky lucky man.

 

[Ausage]

Graeme Smith was seen out partying with Prince Harry's ex Chelsy Davy and then went to her apartment for drinks. That might put him off his cricket.

One night stands are good for sporting prowess imo. As long as they don't get all complicated of course.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Lol. Thanks mother. Ricky Ponting captains my Favourite Player XI, but nice.

I never said his current point was correct, I said he brings up a good point and is one of the reasons a lot of people on here don't take you seriously in relation to cricket. You're a big fanboy a lot of the time.

Don't make me the bad guy.