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

[benchmark00]

Marsh had one horrific/disgusting/horrible series. Let us not forget that.

 

[howardj]

Adub still feasting on humble pie

 

[benchmark00]

I saw a bit of criticism earlier on in this thread about Graeme Smith's captaincy.

I think he let Australia off the hook a little bit when Marsh and D00lander were still relatively early in their innings and he didn't use Philander for a second spell, instead opting for Peterson.

What I will say though is that Smith uses Peterson so smartly and delicately. He could have easily gone for 10 an over last night if Graeme Smith decided he was going to stick with him and see what he was made of. I reckon if Peterson was playing for Australia he would've bowled his ten overs probably on the trot and would've been smashed into retirement. Smith almost knows that Peterson is rubbish but is a necessary evil just to give the seam bowlers a rest, so he only bowls him a little bit and rips him straight off when the batsmen decide they've had enough of a look.

At the end of the day 0/34 off 10 doesnt look too bad, but fmd he bowled his usual ****, but still managed to give the other bowlers a spell.

No doubt Duminy or a half trained monkey could do just as good a job Peterson, but it's still good gaming from Smith I reckon.

 

[benchmark00]

Maybe they did decide their plan to Shaun Marsh would be to bowl at his First Class average.

Yes very good.

 

[Flem274*]

holy **** smarsh. looking an inspired recall.

 

[the big bambino]

Congrats to Marsh and Australia for turning out a good day from a wobbly start. Bragging rights for the Marsh spruikers is fine but right after at least a grudging nod towards Rogers' achievements first. He'll get an extended run now and that will prove whether he's the champion some think or this innings the fluke I suspect it is.

 

[benchmark00]

Yeah on a seaming Centurion wicket where you're sent in to bat against the world's best pace bowling attack, coming in at 2/not many and making an unbeaten 120 odd on day one is just a fluke. God, have a spell.

 

[the big bambino]

Bend over and take a Chris Rogering first. C'mon - you can do it.

 

[benchmark00]

Bend over and take a Chris Rogering first. C'mon - you can do it.

so big bambino, do you recall the initial discussion regarding Chris Rogers' inclusion?

 

[benchmark00]

Man we should've just played Pattinson at number 4, reckon the luck was on Australia's side and he would've made a ton as well and we could've gone in with 5 bowlers.

 

[howardj]

Man it would have been hard for Warner to totally be on the job yesterday

Just found out that before play that he landed an $800 000 IPL deal

Would be impossible not to feel a bit flighty

 

[the big bambino]

so big bambino, do you recall the initial discussion regarding Chris Rogers' inclusion?

Look I thought I did but maybe not so sure now. Were you an aye or a nay for Rogers?

 

[Spikey]

Man it would have been hard for Warner to totally be on the job yesterday

Just found out that before play that he landed an $800 000 IPL deal

Would be impossible not to feel a bit flighty

i mean, he should probably be used to it by now

 

[benchmark00]

Look I thought I did but maybe not so sure now. Were you an aye or a nay for Rogers?

I was a pro Hughes and Warner partnership (neither of whom opened come the first test) with the inclusion of Shaun Marsh in the squad because Australia needed middle order depth, not opening batsmen depth.

Although I wasn't of the opinion that Rogers would have a good test career, and am still not, the discussion was on the basis of the make up of the squad. Once he was selected he had to play.

 

[benchmark00]

What is frustrating, from purely my perspective, is that D00lander needs to go big in the second innings, because Watson will be fit (probably) for the second test and they'll have to drop d00lander despite him being initially ahead of Marsh.

 

[Red]

Congrats to Marsh and Australia for turning out a good day from a wobbly start. Bragging rights for the Marsh spruikers is fine but right after at least a grudging nod towards Rogers' achievements first. He'll get an extended run now and that will prove whether he's the champion some think or this innings the fluke I suspect it is.

Marsh is all class. If he maintains his fitness, he's locked into the side for the next few years. He is test class as a batsman. Will average 40+

 

[Tangles]

Dools isn't loved like SOS and he just got out scored. He's dust when Watsons fit. Only way out is an injury to someone.

 

[Riggins]

What is frustrating, from purely my perspective, is that D00lander needs to go big in the second innings, because Watson will be fit (probably) for the second test and they'll have to drop d00lander despite him being initially ahead of Marsh.

Do we actually think he was initially ahead of marsh though?

 

[benchmark00]

Do we actually think he was initially ahead of marsh though?

Yes.

 

[Hooksey]

3-0 Aus. May this golden summer continue into a crisp autumn

We may well have a visionary amongst us.