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***Official*** Australia in South Africa 2013/14

Maximas

Cricketer Of The Year
Bailey shouldn't tour IMO, I'd back the Saffers to destroy him with that length that Bailey doesn't go forward or back to, but I wouldn't have a problem with him being sent to the UAE later this year though, a good player of spin.

I agree with those who say don't bring Doolan in at 3 immediately, it hasn't worked for the last 5 or so people we've tried it on
 

Jono

Virat Kohli (c)
I'm an unabashed Graeme Smith fan, love the bloke. Ugly as sin to watch bat but is such a smart batsman that he has trolled every single bowling attack in work cricket into bowling into his zones.

Having said that, I think we will see something significant in this series. If Australia continue on their trend of being very diligent with their bowling plans and some how have prolonged success against Smith in a similar way throughout the series this may be the final test series the skipper plays.

Big call but I can see it being possible.
Calls like this have no risk.

If he plays on after this series, or in fact does well, no one will mention this as it was a "big call" which he only said is "possible" so getting it wrong is not a big deal.

If he retires or is dropped Benchy gets all the glory.

Cunning stuff from Benchy. Well played.
 

subshakerz

International Coach
You did watch the first test against India right...
Yes, that is one of the reasons I said that this SA team seems to have evolved. I can assure you, a few years ago, SA would have lost that test and drawn the series. For them to turn it around takes a lot of backbone.
 

subshakerz

International Coach
I'm an unabashed Graeme Smith fan, love the bloke. Ugly as sin to watch bat but is such a smart batsman that he has trolled every single bowling attack in work cricket into bowling into his zones.

Having said that, I think we will see something significant in this series. If Australia continue on their trend of being very diligent with their bowling plans and some how have prolonged success against Smith in a similar way throughout the series this may be the final test series the skipper plays.

Big call but I can see it being possible.
Smith's in pretty good form though. I can see that as possible if he wasnt scoring maybe.
 
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dermo

International Vice-Captain
the fact theres two batsmen called smith is going to bust my balls no end this series
 

uvelocity

International Coach
Calls like this have no risk.

If he plays on after this series, or in fact does well, no one will mention this as it was a "big call" which he only said is "possible" so getting it wrong is not a big deal.

If he retires or is dropped Benchy gets all the glory.

Cunning stuff from Benchy. Well played.
after his recent mouth ulcers brought about by excessive taste (and cold weather) you can understand his reluctance to place his g00lies on the line once more
 

Unomaas

School Boy/Girl Cricketer
Says more about the SA fans than anything. :ph34r:
Normally that would be true, but what you don't know is that Biff did a Harry Houdini act by not coming back to SAF and confronting the SAF public after the 2011 Cricket World Cup fiasco - rather opting to make a quick getaway to England for a "scheduled op" which really had SAF pissed.

During that that period, it was not a good time to be Graeme Smith. The man got so much hate that I was wondering if it wouldn't be better to stay in England and defect to the Poms.
 
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Dan

Hall of Fame Member
Normally that would be true, but what you don't know is that Biff did a Harry Houdini act by not coming back to SAF and confronting the SAF public after the 2011 Cricket World Cup fiasco - rather opting to make a quick getaway to England for a "scheduled op" which really had SAF pissed.
Actually, I suspect that most of us were aware of that story.
 

morgieb

Request Your Custom Title Now!
Yup. Let's see how many times the Aussie batting line-up cross 200. My bet is twice.
Under-selling our batting IMO. Pakistan crossed it thrice and New Zealand even crossed it twice (over two Tests compared to three). We crossed 200 more than twice the last time we went over there....
 

Jono

Virat Kohli (c)
Normally that would be true, but what you don't know is that Biff did a Harry Houdini act by not coming back to SAF and confronting the SAF public after the 2011 Cricket World Cup fiasco - rather opting to make a quick getaway to England for a "scheduled op" which really had SAF pissed.

During that that period, it was not a good time to be Graeme Smith. The man got so much hate that I was wondering if it wouldn't be better to stay in England and defect to the Poms.
It seems like Graeme Smith is viewed like most captains of their country - disliked when losing and liked when winning.

The only person in recent times to really escape this sort of scrutiny was Steve Waugh really, because he rarely lost.

The amount of times it has been predicted that Graeme Smith will get the sack is quite incredible.
 

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