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

[SteveNZ]

The worst possible scenario for the health of Australian cricket. Australia collapses on a docile pitch while Rogers makes an arse saving century. It completely needed to be the other way around if the team is going to go forward. Now we'll have a case of dropping Doolan because it's convenient despite him being the man (and others) that can actually take Australia forward. Just stunting Australia's growth having Rogers in the team only for him to make a century when he should have been dropped the innings before. Though I suppose the only thing that would have been worse was if the SA tale slogged out and Siddle picked up five, masking how poor he's been in this series (and for a while), the same thing with Rogers.

This strikes me as harsh. Are his innings' at Melbourne and Sydney considered arse-saving too, or partially match-winning? I can't see how you want to advocate tossing a guy who not only averages 40+ since his return, but also around 100 balls faced per innings. Would you being saying this if he was 26, not 36? And who is the next cab off the rank, someone who will produce better numbers than those (no matter how they look)? None that I'm aware of.

Harris might need a break, I certainly wouldn't be terming it a dropping, but his body is probably starting to feel it after 7 Tests in a reasonably short period of time - not something he's ever had to contend with.

 

[benchmark00]

Shane Watson, the guy who does average better than Chris Rogers as opener and is a good 5th bowler option, is the next cab off the rank.

 

[Ruckus]

The worst possible scenario for the health of Australian cricket. Australia collapses on a docile pitch while Rogers makes an arse saving century. It completely needed to be the other way around if the team is going to go forward. Now we'll have a case of dropping Doolan because it's convenient despite him being the man (and others) that can actually take Australia forward. Just stunting Australia's growth having Rogers in the team only for him to make a century when he should have been dropped the innings before. Though I suppose the only thing that would have been worse was if the SA tale slogged out and Siddle picked up five, masking how poor he's been in this series (and for a while), the same thing with Rogers.

What are you on about. That's Rogers 3rd century in 4 matches. Yep it's not particularly ideal having stop-gap solutions in your team, but when the stocks are low and there are clowns like Marsh in the team, Rogers stays. Period.

 

[benchmark00]

Irrespective of anything else, we need James Pattinson fit and firing if we're really going to push South Africa's attack as #1.

 

[benchmark00]

What are you on about. That's Rogers 3rd century in 4 matches. Yep it's not particularly ideal having stop-gap solutions in your team, but when the stocks are low and there are clowns like Marsh in the team, Rogers stays. Period.

Marsh scored a hundred on day one after being sent in to bowl on a green pitch one test match ago.

Ok.

 

[SteveNZ]

Shane Watson, the guy who does average better than Chris Rogers as opener and is a good 5th bowler option, is the next cab off the rank.

Their average is almost identical, and I imagine Watson's average opening in the last 2 years is lower than 40.As we all know, that 5th bowling option stuff comes with an asterix so large I can't find a font size for it. I wouldn't be dropping a guy who has scored 3 tons in four Tests for a guy who has scored 4 in nine years.

 

[kykweer.proteas]

Farm me this was an epic win.

The "greentop/new ball" bullies did quite well with the old ball.

 

[Ruckus]

Marsh scored a hundred on day one after being sent in to bowl on a green pitch one test match ago.

Ok.

Also scored some nice runs against SL on his debut followed by some absolute dross. Marsh has always looked a million bucks on the rare occasions he actually turns up, it proves nothing. The question with Marsh has always been whether he has the ability to improve his consistency at the higher level. There's absolutely no evidence that's the case at all, and when you have someone whose 87 match FC career has followed the exact same pattern, then you shouldn't get many chances.

 

[benchmark00]

So the way to prove if he can score runs over a sustained period of time at international level is to drop him after one poor match following an excellent ton in the toughest batting conditions anyone can face in world cricket.

Andrew Hilditch everyone.

 

[benchmark00]

Man I can't believe I'm getting Ruckused here. Off my game completely, even for a Monday.

 

[Ruckus]

oh yeah I'll just conveniently ignore the fact Marsh has 8 scores of <5 out of his 15 innings so far in test cricket (6 of those being ducks). Benchmark everyone. Mate I don't even have to argue with you, I'm just let his batting do the talking.

 

[benchmark00]

Like his excellent ton last match when the team was in trouble after being sent in on a green, bouncy pitch against the worlds best seam bowling attack? Ind33d.

 

[benchmark00]

A more interesting question is whether de Villiers keeps the gloves for the last test. I don't suppose they'll take it off him now because they'll hold on until they can transition it after the series, but I'd be changing Duminy and de Kock around in the batting order, giving de Kock the gloves and replacing Parnell with McLaren.

 

[Johnners]

This Steyn bloke is pretty good hey.

Absolutely brained em.

If Watto is fit, he has to come in. Will probably be for Doolan which is harsh, but thems the breaks. Siddle n Harris definitely missed having him as an extra bowler this match.

Wouldn't make any other changes though, our batting has always got this sort if rubbish in them, but thetes no quick fix as they're still the best we've got.

Kinda odd too how our both the openers seem to do their best work in the second dig

 

[hendrix]

A more interesting question is whether de Villiers keeps the gloves for the last test. I don't suppose they'll take it off him now because they'll hold on until they can transition it after the series, but I'd be changing Duminy and de Kock around in the batting order, giving de Kock the gloves and replacing Parnell with McLaren.

Why give De Kock the gloves when De Villiers is a better wicket keeper? I don't really care who plays out of Parnell and McClaren, they both did a pretty decent job for the roles they played.

 

[benchmark00]

Why give De Kock the gloves when De Villiers is a better wicket keeper? I don't really care who plays out of Parnell and McClaren, they both did a pretty decent job for the roles they played.

I've only seen de Kock in one dayers admittedly, but de Villiers is a very poor wicket keeper so I would be surprised if that is the case given what I've seen from de Kock in one day cricket.

 

[Spikey]

Hilarious missing of the point by some pundits in here. The batting gets bulldozed twice and all the talk is about which bowler to drop for a bloke who's last FC game was the Lords Test 8 months ago, Harris has one bad day and suddenly he's 'cooked', etc.

More than two bad tests than one bad day. Harris being sent off for surgery now wouldn't exactly be a surprise.

 

[hendrix]

I've only seen de Kock in one dayers admittedly, but de Villiers is a very poor wicket keeper so I would be surprised if that is the case given what I've seen from de Kock in one day cricket.

De Villiers has improved quite a bit. Still not really a natural keeper, but not bad. When I saw de Kock I thought he was pretty poor. Didn't have good footwork, and can't make up for it by being a bit of a freak athlete like De Villiers.

 

[Spikey]

god still cant get over how good smith's captaincy was. centimetre perfect

 

[benchmark00]

Giving de Kock the gloves will take the pressure off his batting so I wouldn't be surprised if he does better as a keeper bat, as he doesn't walk to the crease knowing he only brings his batting to the team.

There's also Alviro who may come back in. Would be interesting to see if they pull the trigger and drop Elgar after his solid first dig, move Elgar down the order again (even though he says he doesn't want to) or just leave Alviro on the sidelines all together.