*Official* South Africa in India, Sep/Oct 2019

[StephenZA]

Mods can we get this stickied please

Repeated request please.

 

[SeamUp]

For all my blasé attitude and low expectations that damn 'hope' is coming to bite me again.... I know this because even keeping an eye on SA 'A' team is making my stomach clench in hope that certain players are doing well.

I have been trying to decide on my approach.

Normal SA belief for 95% of the years watching them is they go anywhere and beat anyone. So if we go to our toughest tour with that hope and they disappoint it will be frustrating and SA cricket will continue to show how much it has fallen.

Go there with no hope and expect nothing and hopefully be surprised along the way probably best. Hoping more for individual growth.

2-0 win in India in 2000

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...a-1st-test-south-africa-tour-of-india-1999-00

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...a-2nd-test-south-africa-tour-of-india-1999-00

Better squads to India either side of this one ? Felt 1996/97 even though we lost we got in the mix. A few draws post 2000 before the last tour. Our record in India has been damn impressive considering.

 

[StephenZA]

The Jadeja on that score card through me a little.... he has not been around that long!

Looking at those SA squads I almost feel like this squad is potentially better, just much less experienced and hence untested.

 

[StephenZA]

I wonder if, Amol, the new batting coach is with the A team or the T20 squad?

 

[SeamUp]

The Jadeja on that score card through me a little.... he has not been around that long!

Looking at those SA squads I almost feel like this squad is potentially better, just much less experienced and hence untested.

I always say that Cronje and Rhodes get a slightly hard deal in test cricket considering the era they played their cricket and averaged 36/35. Domestically in SA when it was really strong they were 40+ averagers who scored 100s. When you look back at those 2 and then look at say Rudolph, Dippenaar, McKenzie (first time around) they struggled more than those 2 and they dominated domestics for a long time.

I think the key to that squad above was the all-rounders we had. I mean take away Kallis/Pollock (McMillan/Symcox had retired) and you had Boje scoring 85 and Klusener scoring 97 and them chipping in with wickets. Cronje getting wickets. Crazy

The obvious weak link is Pieter Strydom. Hardened provincial pro and Border captain though.

 

[SeamUp]

I wonder if, Amol, the new batting coach is with the A team or the T20 squad?

Andrew Puttick and Piet Botha are with Maketa and the A squad. Klusener with the T20 squad.

Would imagine if he was , it would more with the A squad but probably unlikely ?

 

[SeamUp]

T20 hit and giggle has begun and still no sticky...

 

[SeamUp]

3 fours in a row from Quinny.

 

[StephenZA]

Happy they playing Fortuin and Nortje.

 

[harsh.ag]

QdK going great guns. Chahar bowling well too.

 

[StephenZA]

Soft.

 

[SeamUp]

Soft.

Reeza has to get another run but it wouldnt be surprising if it doesn't work out. Will get a shorter leash this time too.

The frustrating thing is, he can mix it with the best on his day.


Prove me wrong Temba....

 

[SeamUp]

Temba batting beautifully. Shite bowling from Hardik but you got to put it away.

 

[StephenZA]

Bavuma is a better LO player than he is given credit for... similar to Elgar, in that sense.

 

[SeamUp]

Bavuma is a better LO player than he is given credit for... similar to Elgar, in that sense.

Is he a modern limited overs player though ? If he isn't a 90+ SR in 50 overs and 130+ in T20 then he has to consistently churn out runs which is what I doubt.

Same for Elgar.

Domestic limited overs possibly.

 

[StephenZA]

At least showed some good form.

 

[harsh.ag]

Magnificent catch by Virat

 

[Cabinet96]

Can't believe Sky UK doesn't have coverage of this.

 

[StephenZA]

Another soft one.

 

[SeamUp]

Rassie now batting with expectation.

That dismissal of trying to force the spinner to leg is always a potential dismissal for him.