***Official*** Australia in South Africa

[Briony]

Because one innings isn't everything? (Of course for much of the past few years the Australian selection policy has been based on one standout performance....)

Surely though there's an element of 'horses for courses' policy and this is Copeland's chance to show how he's adapted to SA pitches. He had a very good first test in Lanka but that was on a strip condemned by the ICC. Some former players have made the observation that his lack of pace will find him out against international players who generally succumb either to express pace (hostile bowling) or movement, especially late swing. Maybe at this point he doesn't have the necessay weapons though the jury is still out.

 

[Ruckus]

Brad Haddin averages close to 40 in Tests... yes, he's in a horror run with the bat but let's be fair here.

Hmm with his current form though, he practically is a member of the tail. Don't think I've ever seen him bat so badly. Averaging 18 so far this year...

 

[NUFAN]

Except I never said that...you can only do what's presented to you in the situation, but at the end of the day 4 out of his 5 wickets in his impressive figures are tail...

Good on ya for considering a bloke with a first class batting average of 40 as tailender.

Also, I've noticed of late on here that lower order wickets count for almost nothing on here. It's ridiculous really because if de Lange doesn't get Haddin/Johnson out, Australia are still only 5 down at lunch since Hussey is still at the crease.

I noticed he hit Hussey on the helmet just before lunch. He's only 21 so you can understand why he wouldn't be opening the bowling.

BTW if de Lange can take a five-fer against Australia but Copeland can't even take one first innings wicket against a randomly selected SA team why are people so confident that he'll be successful against Kallis and the boys?

Good point, I'm not confident at all - I'm definitely more of a Siddle fan, compared to Copeland. However, Copeland is a good fieldsman, decent batsman to watch and usually a tight bowler, so if the selectors think they need someone like that with attacking bowlers from the other end then he might still get a game.

 

[Ruckus]

Cheers mate.

 

[Spark]

Hmm with his current form though, he practically is a member of the tail. Don't think I've ever seen him bat so badly. Averaging 18 so far this year...

Clarke averaged about 15 in 7 Tests last summer, but he was still very much a wicket that counted.

 

[Ruckus]

You guys couldn't recognise a tongue in cheek comment even if it hit you in the face.

 

[Spark]

 

[NUFAN]

You guys couldn't recognise a tongue in cheek comment even if it hit you in the face.

It's because you appear a little slow at times it's hard to know if you are being serious.

 

[Ruckus]

Is this the part where I'm meant to come up with some witty retort? Or call you a **** or something? Cause I honestly can't be assed.

 

[Ruckus]

Damn talking about figures...Philander's have taken a bit of a beating. From 10/2 to 63/2.

 

[Furball]

Because criticising a 5-for by saying it's "mostly tail" is only a criticism if it shows he couldn't get top order batsmen out. The top three were already out by the time de Lange came on to bowl, so you can't knock him for not getting them out.

It also completely ignores the fact that by running through the tail, he's done his bit in restricting Australia to a poor score.

Being able to run through the tail is an incredibly useful, under-rated skill to have as a bowler.

 

[Ruckus]

Sorry you missed the boat.

 

[robelinda]

Meanwhile Lyon continuing his brilliant Ryobi Cup batting form.

 

[Spark]

was serious about inverting the tail, ftr

 

[Ruckus]

Oh I thought you were being tongue in cheek .

 

[Ruckus]

Can't belive we actually got a lead of 53 runs there...pretty much ideal situation I reckon. Still probably win the match and the other batsmen will get a good go.

 

[morgieb]

Hopefully this means he actually bowls well against the Yarps, not just wasting his good performances on mugs.

 

[Spark]

johnson has the new ball?

itstl

 

[robelinda]

and GONE!

 

[Spikey]

johnson has the new ball?

itstl

#learningfrommistakes