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

[adub]

If Day 3 is the best day to bat then that hardly strengthens the case for an immediate declaration - if you've got to bat for a bit more in the game, there's an argument to be made to bat when it's easiest and deny the opposition a little more time on the pitch when it's at its best.

Undecided personally, but I do reckon he'll declare straight away regardless on the "it's Michael Clarke" logic.

On the 'its Michael Clarke" logic don't discount batting on just because everyone is expecting him not to.

The old bat one over and declare just to **** with the openers gambit is not out of the running either.

 

[Spark]

True, but he just did that not long ago so maybe they will be expecting it.

Or maybe, since they know he just did it, they won't be expecting him to do it again, and then maybe he'll know this and do it anyway!

the possibilities are endless

 

[Second Spitter]

At Centurion he came out on Day 3 to have a look/see and promptly declared. Admittedly the game was much more progressed, but i suspect he'll do something similar, because as you say, if the wicket isn't doing much, it makes sense to bat-on.

 

[Dan]

True, but he just did that not long ago so maybe they will be expecting it.

Or maybe, since they know he just did it, they won't be expecting him to do it again, and then maybe he'll know this and do it anyway!

the possibilities are endless

He'll come out, bat 1.1 overs and then declare, just to screw with everyone some more.

 

[Tangles]

Bat for an hour, hit your double then declare. Openers have to start twice and you get 2 shots at them with fresh bowlers.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Morkel is just like Flintoff. Looks great but rarely has enough to show in the wickets column. And it isn't all bad luck either; that length just isn't conducive to getting wickets on a regular basis.

 

[uvelocity]

bat once, bat big. 600+

 

[vic_orthdox]

Morkel is just like Flintoff. Looks great but rarely has enough to show in the wickets column. And it isn't all bad luck either; that length just isn't conducive to getting wickets on a regular basis.

I've got a bit more leniency for Morkel, genuinely seems like he can't hit the stumps without bowling a half-volley.

 

[Spark]

aaaaaand he's declared, to the surprise of roughly no one

 

[kykweer.proteas]

I think scoreboard pressure will be big... but furthermore very little pressure from the public as the Oscar Pistorius trial is absolutely everywhere.

 

[Burgey]

Was that a dropped catch? Man, if Alviro goes on to make eight I'll be fuming.

 

[Second Spitter]

aaaaaand he's declared, to the surprise of roughly no one

The word is that the ball was swinging like crazy during early morning practice. Makes sense.

 

[Burgey]

Jesus, what a great over this is.

Think it pitched outside tbh

 

[Burgey]

Missing by miles it seems. Dud review

 

[ajdude]

did they actually review that

jesus

 

[Second Spitter]

 

[Ruckus]

brilliant from harris

 

[Garson007]

We're losing this so badly. So so so badly.

 

[Burgey]

This is a clinic from Harris. Bowling so well

 

[uvelocity]

man i hate watching on a stream