*Official* South Africa in Australia 2018

[quincywagstaff]

Went to my first ever cricket match in Tasmania, while it’s a basic ground in certain ways Bellerive is certainly a good viewing ground to watch cricket.

Obvious thing to say but match was decided in final 10 overs of SA innings. At the ground you could see the self-belief in the Oz bowlers just totally sag out of them as they were confronted by a partnership of such quality, not helped by the bowling plans and fields set.

Was surprised by how much Carey struggled; I think I had it in my mind that he was a highly dangerous batsman, perhaps because of his flamboyant sweep shot, but he hasn’t shown that at ODI level and when Oz needed to lift a gear or two he didn’t seem capable (bit like Paine actually).

I continue to be baffled as to why Cummins is considered an automatic lock for the ODI side. His record is mediocre and as he showed today, he just isn’t a smart or viable bowler at the death. And while his stock short of a length bowling can look impressive, how often has it been successful in ODIs?

 

[stephen]

And yet Cummins is ranked in the top 20 ODI bowlers in the world.

 

[Burgey]

why do i feel like kerry o'keeffe will come out with something offensive af on comms and be sacked by the end of the summer

that was an excellent call and has nothing to do with that, he just seems to speak pretty...openly at times. idk stupid post move on

Lasted a decade plus on ABC radio. He’ll be fine.

One of the great benefits of having him on comms is he actually watches a **** load of overseas cricket from everywhere and researches players as he does. Copious note taker.

 

[Pup Clarke]

At the end of the day, it's good to see Stoinis show some Elite Passion. Hopefully his teammates can learn from this

 

[Spark]

Lasted a decade plus on ABC radio. He’ll be fine.

One of the great benefits of having him on comms is he actually watches a **** load of overseas cricket from everywhere and researches players as he does. Copious note taker.

imagine, a commentator willing to actually do the necessary work

 

[Second Spitter]

i can't see okeefe getting fired like that tbh. he's not a boorish **** who lacks self or situational awareness like the other potential candidates

I challenge anybody to cite another male commentator over 60 who respects and actually knows something about women's cricket.

 

[quincywagstaff]

And yet Cummins is ranked in the top 20 ODI bowlers in the world.

In his last 20 ODIs Cummins has taken 21 wickets at an average of 44.71. I’m surprised he’s as high as 18th in the player rankings.

If he continues at that standard for the next bunch of ODIs will his spot in the WC squad be under pressure at all? Not only can I not see his bowling style prospering in a ODI WC held in England but I don’t think he has the smarts to be a top-line ODI bowler. Much more suited to Tests.

 

[howardj]

speaking of commentators, looking forward to getting Tim Lane back this Summer - if only on TV (Channel 7)

Alison Mitchell has also signed up with 7 as a ball-by-ball commentator

Their third is....James Brayshaw!

 

[Burgey]

In his last 20 ODIs Cummins has taken 21 wickets at an average of 44.71. I’m surprised he’s as high as 18th in the player rankings.

If he continues at that standard for the next bunch of ODIs will his spot in the WC squad be under pressure at all? Not only can I not see his bowling style prospering in a ODI WC held in England but I don’t think he has the smarts to be a top-line ODI bowler. Much more suited to Tests.

I think his style could be suited to England if he bowls the right length in his first spell. I know it doesn't rain in England in June, but there will probably be a bit of seam movement there which he could potentially exploit if he bowls the right length.

I also think he'll keep his spot because the alternative LO bowlers are pretty trash with the exception of the 'Dorf, and he's always broken. That and he's the CA poster boy du jour so has to play as much as possible, because marketing and Arthur Ashe are King.

 

[Starfighter]

I think his style could be suited to England if he bowls the right length in his first spell. I know it doesn't rain in England in June, but there will probably be a bit of seam movement there which he could potentially exploit if he bowls the right length.

Well the horror series this year was played in June and there was pretty much no movement then so I wouldn't hold out hope. I think he'll slide onto the bat beautifully on English ODI pitches.

Their third is....James Brayshaw!

Oh for ****'s sake.

 

[howardj]

I think Brayshaw will be better away from the likes of Warne, Slater, Healy, Taylor etc.

Quite liking Channel 7's team of Ponting, McGrath, Lane, Alison Mitchell, Katich, Dizzy...and of course Bruce at lunch times

 

[Starfighter]

I think Brayshaw will be better away from the likes of Warne, Slater, Healy, Taylor etc.

I find him annoying on the AFL as well (though not quite​ as bad). It's the timbre of his voice.

 

[jimmy101]

Unfortunately Brayshaw is, and always will be, annoying on every conceivable format.

 

[Second Spitter]

Can you imagine Brayshaw in the box with ProfDeano? To paraphrase Obi-wan Kenobi, it would be like millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.

 

[stephen]

Can you imagine Brayshaw in the box with ProfDeano? To paraphrase Obi-wan Kenobi, it would be like millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.

If only they would be silenced.

 

[morgieb]

I find him annoying on the AFL as well (though not quite​ as bad). It's the timbre of his voice.

I actually think he's one of the better 7 AFL commentators. Though given their team is probably worse than 9's Cricket one, not saying much.

 

[morgieb]

I think Brayshaw will be better away from the likes of Warne, Slater, Healy, Taylor etc.

Quite liking Channel 7's team of Ponting, McGrath, Lane, Alison Mitchell, Katich, Dizzy...and of course Bruce at lunch times

Slater's still on 7.

Given Slater, McGrath and Fleming are big figures on 7 I'm not too optimistic of their team being of significant value. Though at least they have Barham (of Channel 10 fame) to produce it OK.

 

[stephen]

Channel 9s league commentary, despite being NSW biased is one of the best commentary teams in any sport. Stirlo and Fatty being the best of them.

 

[Prince EWS]

Channel 9s league commentary, despite being NSW biased is one of the best commentary teams in any sport. Stirlo and Fatty being the best of them.

Blekh.

 

[the big bambino]

Channel 9s league commentary, despite being NSW biased is one of the best commentary teams in any sport. Stirlo and Fatty being the best of them.

One of the reasons I’ve turned off league. So many irritations the worst being the “yeah it may have been an illegal tackle but how else could he have stopped a try” attitude. Dylan Napa leads with a head butt and they scream like it’s a wonderful spectacle. “Oohhhh DID YA SEE THAT! Get that inniya! Followed by a soppy insincere moment about men of league charity. Sickening.