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

[Top_Cat]

Yeah, depends on how it's done. This idea that everyone has to be unbiased is silly and pointless, generally resulting in a boring article. I want to hear what these people think as interesting analysis often comes out of the most clearly biased mouths.

Not Botham, though. Anyone but him. Would get on the turps with him in a flash, though.

 

[benchmark00]

Roughing the ball up is something all sides talk about, it just turns out South Africa were better at it than the Australians last test. Wouldn't surprise me at all if some of the tactics used were not all that savoury (du Plessis for example). The focus on roughing the ball up would have been heightened 300 times because the pitch was giving nothing. I didn't see anything untoward from the Saffies in the last test but I'm not out there on the ground where you can really get a feel of what's going on.

Does seem a little peculiar that South Africa got the ball to absolutely hoop with reverse tang whereas Australia got about 3 balls to do so (something which I noted on here throughout the game). I know Steyn is the best pacer in the world aws, but I don't think the gap is that big that the margin would be so great. Seems South Africa's roughing tactics were better (whatever they may be). Warner's just trying to ensure they're on a stricter leash come the third test with regards to things like throwing the ball into the deck. Any 1% difference can count.

 

[hendrix]

Well, it was day 4, and the Aussie bowlers' pace and zip was generally down by the time the ball might've reversed for them.

 

[benchmark00]

Well, it was day 4, and the Aussie bowlers' pace and zip was generally down by the time the ball might've reversed for them.

Yeah nah.

 

[benchmark00]

Anyway I'm not accusing South Africa of cheating, no way. They were just better at roughing the ball up, and good luck to them. I just think it would be naive, especially given recent events, to discount the possibility of some tactics being used that may not seem obvious.

 

[hendrix]

don't disagree with that.

Personally I think it's striking way too tight of a line for umpires to be looking at players throwing the ball in on the bounce. I don't even mind being a little rough on the ball with your wicket keeping gloves. There's a clear line between that and teeth/zippers etc and that's where I think it should be drawn. If the ball would naturally come in contact with something during regular play then I think that's fair.

It's not as if just anyone can produce mind-blowing reverse swing anyway; there's a clear element of skill there.

 

[benchmark00]

Yeah but the point Warner was making is that the ICC have come out and said they won't tolerate consistent deliberate throwing of the ball into the turf with the aim of roughing it up, it should be natural. Warner obviously thinks that Australia:

1) were treated with a stricter approach wrt the above; or
2) didn't bother about consistent throwing into the ground because it's frowned upon by the umpires, whereas SA did and weren't called on it.

 

[hendrix]

yeah, and that's why I don't actually disagree with what he was saying. Like I said, he was sorta naive in not understanding the controversy his comments would generate.

It's a bit like saying "we didn't sledge that bloke and perhaps we should've". Not necessarily the wrong idea, but not something you'd say to the press.

 

[dermo]

Matthew Hayden called for George Bailey to be reinstated in the test team on the back page last night

 

[benchmark00]

Mate we've spoken about quoting Matthew Hayden AM on this forum.

 

[uvelocity]

Att ajdud: need a photoshop of ab's gloves with sandpaper on em

 

[Dan]

When I was over in NZ, I may or may not have suggested that Peter Fulton should wear customised pads with the surface layer made from sandpaper. Only way he could claim to have "taken the shine off the ball" before his obligatory lbw dismissal for single figures.

 

[Second Spitter]

At the risk of going all TNT, christ people overreact to the **** David Warner says. He's a bit of a pillock, but people should learn to stop taking him seriously (or, at least, stop paying attention to him).

When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.

 

[Shri]

I think it is incredibly poor form to be suggesting the South Africans were ball tampering without having any firm evidence to back it up.

Faf was fined for it recently, wasn't he? Not like he said it out of the blue without there being any known similar event recently.

 

[Daemon]

Warner smashing the ball around might have contributed. Not really sure how all this works.

 

[Jono]

I think this bloke on the FoxSports Facebook page has raised the real issues re: Warner's comments:

Chris McWant: Is he still with that woman that had *** with sonny bill in the toilets

 

[benchmark00]

McWant some n00dz.

 

[sreeku7]

Anyway I'm not accusing South Africa of cheating, no way. They were just better at roughing the ball up, and good luck to them. I just think it would be naive, especially given recent events, to discount the possibility of some tactics being used that may not seem obvious.

Anyone remember the last time Australia won a Test with the help of reverse swing?

 

[dermo]

Anyone remember the last time Australia won a Test with the help of reverse swing?

watto used to get it going, ripped through sri lanka i believe

 

[benchmark00]

Anyone remember the last time Australia won a Test with the help of reverse swing?

The relevance of which is very low, but Australia get the ball to reverse swing quite often, as long as the conditions dictate. Especially Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris and Shane Watson.