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

[Gnske]

Just experienced one of the most tedious cliches of modern cricket commentary - banter about each other’s golf games.

Warne's joining the commentary for the last two tests, just hang on until then.

 

[StephenZA]

At least we not giving as many 4 balls away and pulled the RR back a bit....

 

[stephen]

To be fair, it wasn't that many matches where he was simply not ready. It was a significant proportion of his Test career when he had only played 30 Tests and was already averaging high-50s, but not so much now.

And honestly that could be the difference between him and Ponting when we look back over their careers after his retirement. Ponting took a good 5 years to knuckle down and live up to his potential and go on his run. And when he did go on his run we were saying similar things about him (best Australian bat since Bradman etc...)

 

[Burgey]

Mark Nicholas is so much better away from Channel Nine. That was some good analysis there of how Rabada set Darsh up for that lbw.

In Australia he’d have spent that time reading out a kfc trivia question.

 

[quincywagstaff]

And honestly that could be the difference between him and Ponting when we look back over their careers after his retirement. Ponting took a good 5 years to knuckle down and live up to his potential and go on his run. And when he did go on his run we were saying similar things about him (best Australian bat since Bradman etc...)

Yep. As late as midway through the 2001 Ashes Ponting’s average was barely 40.

 

[Spark]

Wow that is an uncharacteristically lazy dismissal

 

[TheJediBrah]

To be fair, it wasn't that many matches where he was simply not ready. It was a significant proportion of his Test career when he had only played 30 Tests and was already averaging high-50s, but not so much now.

Yeah it's more so when you look at his limited-overs career. He played a lot of T20s and ODIs as a bowler who batted 7 or 8 and averaged 20s with the bat. One of the main reasons his ODI, and T20I especially, averages are so low. He's barely even played a T20I since he became good.

 

[StephenZA]

Maharaj!!! Great bowling... slowed the pace of the game nicely.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Wow that is an uncharacteristically lazy dismissal

He's actually been doing that a lot lately. His last Test innings in Sydney was similar, made 60 odd never looked like getting out, then randomly hit a caught and bowled to part time spinner.

 

[Woodster]

Loose from Smith, not often you get to type those words!

 

[Spark]

He's actually been doing that a lot lately. His last Test innings in Sydney was similar, made 60 odd never looked like getting out, then randomly hit a caught and bowled to part time spinner.

There he was beaten in flight a bit though. Here he just vaguely wafted in the direction of the ball rather and got a thick edge.

Mind you, it might have been a shot borne of frustration as he'd completely shut down in the last hour or so.

 

[SeamUp]

Pity it isn't 5 down with Darsh but those reviews earlier really surprised me at the time. Felt they were at least clipping.

 

[cnerd123]

Omg Smith got out

Are you even allowed to do that?

 

[SeamUp]

It was basically a lazy waft because he was perhaps frustrated at not scoring regularly which is a mode of dismissal on the coastal wickets no doubt.

 

[Burgey]

Rare failure from TPC

 

[Bolo]

My assessment of the match situation just went from fairly strongly in favour of Australia to in the balance and probably in favour of South Africa.

I don't think I've ever been close to as afraid of a batsman as I am of Smith this series.

 

[StephenZA]

Mind you, it might have been a shot borne of frustration as he'd completely shut down in the last hour or so.

He looked to be trying to force the game a bit, Maharaj tied him down well....

 

[quincywagstaff]

I reckon the closest thing to a weakness in Smith’s game is his against left-arm offies; been out a lot to them in past 18 months.

 

[StephenZA]

It was basically a lazy waft because he was perhaps frustrated at not scoring regularly which is a mode of dismissal on the coastal wickets no doubt.

How true....

Wait till you get to PE.... won't believe how boring it can get....

 

[Burgey]

Yeah. But usually it’s c. Fatigue b. Left Arm Spinner 185.