*Official* India in South Africa

[TT Boy]

reckon Sa missed an opportunity when Amla threw it away Kallis does not look like getting out had Amla not lost his focus the score would have been 270-80/3 atm.

It was a poor shot given the field and the luck he had with the earlier six but after the first 5 overs and with the wicket playing like this (1st Test: South Africa v Australia at Cape Town, Mar 16-18, 2006 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo), South Africa should be happy. Only problem for South Africa was the game against Aus, it was a 3 day test match played under overcast conditions, the rest of this test will be played in glorious sunshine. India definitely missed a trick today but should enjoy the best of the batting conditions.

 

[Prince EWS]

PEWS, Wrong symbol in the sig.

I don't get it.

 

[vcs]

All he got was an Injured Mac twice and some talienders IIRC. Was a 7-fer. Atleast Sree gets the good ones when he does get wickets.

No Sreesanth got McIntosh with a beautiful delivery in the first innings... Sharma got Taylor
(good ball), Vettori (pull dragged on to the stumps, lucky wicket), Williamson (bowled off one that kept a bit low) and probably Martin and a couple of other tailenders.

 

[Teja.]

No Sreesanth got McIntosh with a beautiful delivery in the first innings... Sharma got Taylor
(good ball), Vettori (pull dragged on to the stumps, lucky wicket), Williamson (bowled off one that kept a bit low) and probably Martin and a couple of other tailenders.

Meant Mccullum tbh.

 

[Shri]

Hope Tahir sticks around long enough to tour India next time. We tend to milk visiting leg spinners regardless of class. Might even win against SA for a change.

 

[Teja.]

I don't get it.

It's supposed to be 'less than 80' not 'more than 80'. I edited it now.

 

[Rant0r]

I didn't realise Corri Van Zyl was stepping aside, my apologies

 

[Prince EWS]

It's supposed to be 'less than 80' not 'more than 80'. I edited it now.

Oh right I hadn't even noticed; haha. I'll fix it.

 

[Rant0r]

Why is Boeta Dippenaar helping select the new coach ? Am I missing something ?

 

[vcs]

Meant Mccullum tbh.

Yep. Think Sreesanth was denied a clear caught behind off McCullum on the previous day but I'm not quite sure.

 

[TT Boy]

Boucher's been a liability for a while now - he's nowhere near as reliable with the bat and his keeping has been getting progressively more sloppy. If he was replaced six months ago it wouldn't have been too soon.

Indeed but there has been no real transition. Kuhn should have been playing some of the Mickey Mouse ODIs against Zim and Pak. No opportunity to show the class with the bat or that he can keep to international standard. Tsolekile also keeps for RSA A.

 

[M0rphin3]

Boucher's been a liability for a while now - he's nowhere near as reliable with the bat and his keeping has been getting progressively more sloppy. If he was replaced six months ago it wouldn't have been too soon.

Was just about to post this. AWTA.

 

[TT Boy]

Why is Boeta Dippenaar helping select the new coach ? Am I missing something ?

Was and still may in fact be head representative of the players union. They are stakeholders in South African cricket, thus have a say in the decision making process.

 

[Cevno]

Will be interesting to see whether this match goes this way-

3rd Test: South Africa v England at Cape Town, Jan 3-7, 2010 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

Or

3rd Test: South Africa v Australia at Cape Town, Mar 19-22, 2009 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[GIMH]

Onions

 

[MW1304]

I rate them with perspective. Jimmy Anderson and Swann are suddenly not sub-25 average bowlers because they haven't replicated how they performed against B'desh and Pak against Oz and SA, while bowlers like Zaheer and Steyn have actually performed to that level against the top-class opposition too.

Jimmy has bowled just as well in Australia as he did in England against Pakistan, arguably better considering the minimal swing and everything. This is why I reeeally hope he gets a 5-fer in Sydney, because he'll need plenty of wickets for the stats to do him justice. He's certainly replicated what he can do against Bangladesh and Pakistan against Australia. But this is another argument for another day on another thread so I won't say any more.

 

[MW1304]

Onions

He's so good he makes me wanna cry.

 

[Teja.]

Jimmy has bowled just as well in Australia as he did in England against Pakistan, arguably better considering the minimal swing and everything. This is why I reeeally hope he gets a 5-fer in Sydney, because he'll need plenty of wickets for the stats to do him justice. He's certainly replicated what he can do against Bangladesh and Pakistan against Australia. But this is another argument for another day on another thread so I won't say any more.

My definition of performance is an extremely stat-reliant one tbh.

Agree to disagree then.

 

[GIMH]

Why watch the game if your definition is purely stat-based? Hardened Anderson haters have praised him to the high heavens for his performance in this series; it is nothing but stubborn to do anything but.

Can also count on one hand the bowlers who've had a better away series in Australia this century, so the stats back it up too.

 

[Teja.]

Why watch the game if your definition is purely stat-based? Hardened Anderson haters have praised him to the high heavens for his performance in this series; it is nothing but stubborn to do anything but.

Can also count on one hand the bowlers who've had a better away series in Australia this century, so the stats back it up too.

I try to keep the enjoyment I derive from the game separate from my rating of the players of the game. I'm not immune to biases but I try my best.

Yes, Anderson indeed has been awesome against Oz and SA. Awesome enough to average 29 and 31 which is world-class. But good enough to be better than a bowler who averages 22 and 23 against those sides in the same year? Even accounting for all the intangibles more knowledgeable cricket fans like you can pass better judgement on, I don't think so.

A similar approach with Swanneh, for me. Is he world class and the best spinner in the world? Undoubtedly. Is he good enough to be a 25-average bowler against decent opposition? I don't think so.