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

[morgieb]

Wish I hadn't gone to bed now after Faf went out. Looks like a killer spell from Starc.

 

[Burgey]

People keep saying that but was it really that bad from SA? Seems like it was more so just good bowling than terrible batting. It's not like they were all caught at long on.

I’ve just watched some highlights, which obviously don’t give a full picture, but Starc reversing it at that pace to the tail is nigh impossible. Some of the nuts he bowled were nightmarish. Shades of Wasim in that spell.

Markram’s dismissal was itstl

 

[Rssll]

SA cricket is in danger of becoming completely innocuous. Even if they suddenly begin posting respectable scores in this series, there still is no young batsman that inspires hope for the future. For the sake of their own consciences, I hope Faf, ABdV, and Amla space out their retirements at intervals of an year at least.

Markram should inspire a lot of hope for the future. There's plenty to suggest he could step up and replace Amla or de Villiers in a few years.

 

[Bahseph]

That was top class bowling. I don't think we can say that the SA batting didn't play a part in that collapse but Starc could have ran through any line up bowling the way he did. ABD was amazing. I have complete admiration for Smith and truly believe he is the best in the world and a once in a generation player but does anyone make batting look as easy as ABD? I mean till he gets out way before he should haha.

Even if the lose is inevitable, I really want to see some fight in the second innings. This is the longest series so avoiding an absolute hammering here will be crucial for our confidence imo.

 

[Gnske]

Oh

Starc found his pitch-map after all

 

[Burgey]

How good is Lyon, btw?

As noted by others, already looked far more threatening than Ashwon’t on SA soil. WAG.

 

[stephen]

Sweet and satisfying. Looks like Starc read all the posts on here from South Africans saying he wouldn't make their full strength side.

This is exactly why he makes any side in the world when fit.

 

[stephen]

This Aussie attack looks so balanced with Cummins and Lyon in it. So relentless.

 

[Bahseph]

How good is Lyon, btw?

As noted by others, already looked far more threatening than Ashwon’t on SA soil. WAG.

A vastly superior bowler to what he was a few years ago. I think people need to open their eyes to that. I'd definitely back him to take wickets in more conditions than Ashwin.

 

[Burgey]

WPNCOS. Maharaja looks the goods too, it must be said.

All of these comments are of course qualified by he fact they’re all finger spinners. Terrible discipline of our game.

 

[Gnske]

How good is Lyon, btw?

As noted by others, already looked far more threatening than Ashwon’t on SA soil. WAG.

but durr he only took two top order wickets, what a hackfraud

 

[Bahseph]

Maharaj has been a great find. So glad we have moved on from the days of Harris, Peterson and Tahir.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I know he gets a lot of stick and most of it is totally deserved but is Starc the best demolisher of a tail since Waqar and Wasim?

 

[Victor Ian]

Think I fell asleep just before the starcolition. Will have to keep that up.

 

[Gob]

I know he gets a lot of stick and most of it is totally deserved but is Starc the best demolisher of a tail since Waqar and Wasim?

Nah most of that comes from fat armchair critics who sit on their ass all day and knows preciously little about how cricket actually works

Dale Steyn use to have swift work of the tail ftr but when Starc goes around with a bit of reverse yeah pretty hard

 

[Burgey]

Was pleasantly surprised to see this score when I woke up. The grinding which the Marshes and Paine did yesterday late was well rewarded.

MMarsh a revelation. Looks a completely different player wit the cue these days. Good luck to him.

 

[Shri]

Morning!

Damnit

 

[Arachnodouche]

A vastly superior bowler to what he was a few years ago. I think people need to open their eyes to that. I'd definitely back him to take wickets in more conditions than Ashwin.

He's also much more fun to watch from a purist's perspective.

 

[Shri]

You just have to watch Starc live to get it. He was bowling regular balls that weren't doing much and you couldn't track the ball with your eyes in the Ashes. Not surprising that he took a bagful with the ball reversing.

 

[Arachnodouche]

You just have to watch Starc live to get it. He was bowling regular balls that weren't doing much and you couldn't track the ball with your eyes in the Ashes. Not surprising that he took a bagful with the ball reversing.

Is it the slinginess that makes him such a tough proposition? Same as how Shoaib in full flow always seemed a nastier bowler than say Lee.

EDIT: Starc has a pretty high point of release, though, doesn't he?