***Official*** Australia in South Africa 2018

[TT Boy]

The ball wasn't doing anything much and there is only 8 overs left with this ball. You got to assume with them carrying on bowling with the same ball for so long after the incident it won't be changed.

The 5 penalty runs are less clear. I would think that it is still possible.

Will they take the new ball? Aus quicks look tired, Starc has been ordinary since Durban and de Kock looked fairly ominous yesterday evening. Then there is the small matter of AB who is averaging over 100 this series. This morning could be fun.

 

[Burgey]

They've got to be mentally shot after this. This series is done with.

Smith is so aspy he’ll make a double in response. He’s the ***** of cricketers - just go on and on no matter how wrong you are.

 

[Gnske]

Smith is so aspy he’ll make a double in response. He’s the ***** of cricketers - just go on and on no matter how wrong you are.

I can see Smith unironically sh*tposting here, defending the Nagpur pitch for a full week

 

[Bolo]

I understand what you are saying. I would like Smith and Bancroft to play next test match but would also understand if they were banned. A test match victory or series victory wouldn't be tarnished for me though. So far I think we have been the better team but obviously quite a bit to do in this test and the series.

Also another factor is how Smith deals with this mentally. The Australian media and cricket fraternity will bay for blood.

Tarnished is a strong word, particularly considering none of the players involved haven't been crushing the series. Still, better to have no question marks at all than the tiniest hint of one, and competitive matches are almost as important as results in my book.

I'm interested to see how the crowd deals with this. Its fair game in my book, as long as it involves only signs. No fan should ever be verbally abusing a player, even in these circumstances though, but I suspect security will stop that.

 

[SeamUp]

Will they take the new ball? Aus quicks look tired, Starc has been ordinary since Durban and de Kock looked fairly ominous yesterday evening. Then there is the small matter of AB who is averaging over 100 this series. This morning could be fun.

I think they have to. Conditions slightly overcast and there was rain late last night, early morning.

But obviously they may look to try jag AB , QdK with Lyon first. Depends how that goes.

 

[Gnske]

Bwahahahahaha Smith and Warner stood down for rest of the test and Paine is acting captain.

The man just continues to rise, eat it Spikey

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I know it is a different format, but Australia should be banned from next year's CWC. I'd rather have Zimbabwe, Scotland or Ireland there

 

[kykweer.proteas]

The fact that they are this bad at cheating i might actually believe this was the first time they tried it.

 

[vandem]

Bwahahahahaha Smith and Warner stood down for rest of the test and Paine is acting captain....

This is a debacle. Yesterday after play CA were letting Smith believe there was no need for him to resign. Does Sutherland have some reason to turn on Smith / Lehmann? Or has Sutherland misjudged the backlash, and he will go too?

 

[StephenZA]

So do the SA team get to claim another opposition captain downfall? 2 English and now an Aus....

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Bwahahahahaha Smith and Warner stood down for rest of the test and Paine is acting captain.

The man just continues to rise, eat it Spikey

So can't they bat? Smith probably planned to get banned to protect his average. #thenewvogues

 

[Spikey]

Bwahahahahaha Smith and Warner stood down for rest of the test and Paine is acting captain.

The man just continues to rise, eat it Spikey

usman was robbed

 

[Top_Cat]

What does stood down mean when both guys are out on the field?

 

[SeamUp]

Bwahahahahaha Smith and Warner stood down for rest of the test and Paine is acting captain.

The man just continues to rise, eat it Spikey

Mitch Marsh for vice captain

WA mob planning ahead

 

[Spikey]

So can't they bat? Smith probably planned to get banned to protect his average. #thenewvogues

They stood down from their leadership positions but can play

 

[SeamUp]

So do the SA team get to claim another opposition captain downfall? 2 English and now an Aus....

Didn't we get Hussain, Vaughan and Strauss ?

 

[Top_Cat]

Christ this could really blow out.

 

[anil1405]

What does stood down mean when both guys are out on the field?

It means they want to protect Smith from the media.

 

[Daemon]

How quickly has Paine's stock risen? From 3rd choice keeper for his state to an Ashes call up, some decent knocks in South Africa and now captaincy. Roller coaster.

 

[Top_Cat]

It means they want to protect Smith from the media.

Nah they’re too well insulated, literally only front CA pressers.