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

[benchmark00]

I would be very very careful about writing off Michael Clarke. Same way people should have been cautious in writing off Amla.

 

[Spark]

quote from a previous post

"Getting in" with a score of 1

I would be very very careful about writing off Michael Clarke. Same way people should have been cautious in writing off Amla.

Yep. But we need him to click again, and Saturday would be a great day to do it.

 

[Garson007]

Cracking series this & a wonderful response from the Africans. So all down to Newlands eh. Anyone know what type if track they're expecting?

Late in summer, after a few scorching weeks. Little to no rain. Make of that what you will.

Cape Town is more humid than PE, so it should be a bit more green.

 

[Spikey]

Carly Weinberg-Adno ‏@CarlyW226 9m
South Africa will tour Australia this November for three T20's and five ODI's. #cricket

i thought these were already scheduled but this morning i couldnt find them on either team's fixture

 

[Jono]

I would be very very careful about writing off Michael Clarke. Same way people should have been cautious in writing off Amla.

Reminds me of Top Cat writing off Jacques Kallis after his 2007 England series.


That's right TC, I'll never let that one go!

 

[Spark]

I remember seeing them on the FTP

 

[Garson007]

Certainly don't expect the same pitch you got last time in September/October (or whenever that test was).

 

[OverratedSanity]

I would be very very careful about writing off Michael Clarke. Same way people should have been cautious in writing off Amla.

Tbf, writing Amla off was stupid because he'd had just 2-3 below par games. Clarke has been below his best for a while now. Not enough to write him off but enough to start doubts for sure.

 

[benchmark00]

Tbf, writing Amla off was stupid because he'd had just 2-3 below par games. Clarke has been below his best for a while now. Not enough to write him off but enough to start doubts for sure.

A lot of batsmen have gone longer than five tests without a century.

 

[Spikey]

It was always folly to not pick Watson because he couldn't bowl

That's saying, in effect, that Marsh and Doolan are better Test batsmen than him

Watson averages 42 at No.3

They're starting to get funky again

why aren't you going on about watson opening

 

[hendrix]

Why isn't this next test starting tonight? ffs, I want answers!

 

[Adders]

Tbf, writing Amla off was stupid because he'd had just 2-3 below par games. Clarke has been below his best for a while now. Not enough to write him off but enough to start doubts for sure.

Yeah look, I don't even see how you can call what Amla has been through a rough patch, guy went 3 whole tests without a ton ffs. Clarke has been 5..........crazy talk to be getting worried about either IMO.

 

[Spikey]

we could have cricket tonight if GSmith wasn't such a good captain

 

[Adders]

LOL, who was the guy carrying on in here last night about about Smith and South Africa's negative tactics.........has he visited the tasting table today??

 

[Maximas]

What is all the talk against Rogers? He has been a solid Test contributor since his return to the side and it's against the two teams out there that trouble openers the most with their attack.

I'm struggling to come up with too many names in world cricket let alone Australian cricket who can do a better job at the top of the order.

He is offering you a chance to establish your #3 in the team for a year or two before retiring. I reckon he offers a hell of a lot to Australia and balances the the top order quite well.

Your bigger issues are with 3-6 frankly. Aside from Clarke and Smith there hasn't been a great deal of consistent success in the Australian middle order.

Exactly, when you're playing a double Ashes series and the no 1 side in the world you want your best team out there, rebuilding and grooming can come later, Rogers was the man for this and he's proved it

 

[Heboric]

Hmm i think they would got some play today anyways:

https://twitter.com/7polly7/status/437853992866295808/photo/1

 

[Spark]

LOL, who was the guy carrying on in here last night about about Smith and South Africa's negative tactics.........has he visited the tasting table today??

Apparently they'd have been fine to play today as well.

 

[hendrix]

would any captain want to win the toss for this test?

 

[Adders]

Apparently they'd have been fine to play today as well.

Yep, which is exactly why you can't plan a declaration based on a weather forecast, and from what the Saffers have been saying here especially in PE where the forecasts are notoriously unreliable.

 

[sreeku7]

"Getting in" with a score of 1

that was posted when he was in the habit of getting out after spending some time at the crease

see the following

Australia in India 2013
Clarke scored 130.31(70 min).91.16(39 min).0.18(53 min).Six outings.1 hundred.one 91 and nothing else for the others in spite of spending some time at the crease on three occasions

Ashes series in England

Clarke scored

0.23(92 min).28(57 min).51(122 min).187.30 not out.6(42 min).21(43 min).7(46 min).28 not out

Out of the 10 innings he got out six times after getting in.

Only 1 hundred and 1 fifty in 10 innings

In the current current series

1.113.148.22(77 min).24(58 min).23(63 min).10(61 min)

2 hundreds and then nothing to speak of

In SA

23(47m),17 no,19(39m),1(22m)

On most occasions he got out when it was least expected .Even though he looked restless and insecure,there seemed to be nothing wrong with his game on those occasions.But in this Test he has surpassed himself

I would be very very careful about writing off Michael Clarke. Same way people should have been cautious in writing off Amla.

There was no attempt to write him off.I think Clarke is capable of making runs against any attack,but his inability to live up to the expectations of those who admire him,is frustrating.When he is doing this Test after Test one will start wondering how much reliable he is.After the Haddin factor has been neutralized only Warner and Rogers are capable providing some substance to the Innings.Warner being Warner is not dependable in a crisis.Hence Clarke's continuous failures are worrying for Australia

Amla had some technical problems.Clarke has no issue there