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

[Top_Cat]

Philander averages 22 in the 19 matches he's played with Rabada and Abbott was obviously no trundler himself. Morkel was also really good for periods during Rabada's career. Steyn's played sfa with him.

Philander’s only taken 63 poles in that time, though. 3 per game, certainly nowhere near his usual rate. Good support but there was an opening for someone to take more and Rabada’s done it beautifully.

 

[Daemon]

I like how just 3 matches ago SA were fielding one of, if not the best pace attack ever assembled, and now they're just beyond help.

 

[Daemon]

Philander’s only taken 63 poles in that time, though. 3 per game, certainly nowhere near his usual rate. Good support but there was an opening for someone to take more and Rabada’s done it beautifully.

Well yeah but my point was that he wasn't 'out of sorts', he just wasn't at his absurdly high levels but still very good. Agree with everything else.

 

[TheJediBrah]

I like how just 3 matches ago SA were fielding one of, if not the best pace attack ever assembled, and now they're just beyond help.

A side could win 20 straight Tests, than have 1 bad day at the start of the series and there'll be fans and media outlets bemoaning their decline.

Common sense goes missing in these situations

 

[SeamUp]

Make or break for Morne here.

Agree with Biff. Its Morne's role on these types of pitches that aren't defined but then he is experienced enough to adapt. Hence ATVG in the end and perhaps slight feel of underachievement with his tools.

Biff reckons run up and let him bowl 2 lengths. Could go for a bit but worth it.

 

[Bahseph]

A side could win 20 straight Tests, than have 1 bad day at the start of the series and there'll be fans and media outlets bemoaning their decline.

Common sense goes missing in these situations

It happens way more often with the Proteas than any other sports team in SA. People can't differentiate between the formats. Other than a few Test series here and there SA have had a very competitive Test team. It's frustrating to see as a fan.

 

[quincywagstaff]

Terrible over from Morkel. Seems to be getting worse if anything this match.

If Bancroft tons up here, he’ll be safer in the side than Usman.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Smith's on 9 and they've already given up on getting him out in a conventional fashion

 

[SeamUp]

It's totally changed in 10 years. The domestic games are literally bossed by spinners now. Which explains Maharaj's rise. So I guess we do have Kingsmead to thank for that ?

Do we want to keep it that way ? Interesting question. Considering the other home ground at PMB is dry and slow turner.

For Sri Lanka in a few months. Where do you think Piedt and von Berg are in relation to Kesh ?

Another interesting one is Harmer's domination of CC Div 1 and he is tops now in the Sunfoil Series too. I wonder if we asked Essex to let him join us for that tour if they would let us.

 

[SeamUp]

It happens way more often with the Proteas than any other sports team in SA. People can't differentiate between the formats. Other than a few Test series here and there SA have had a very competitive Test team. It's frustrating to see as a fan.

The manner of the 2 away losses in England and India were our worst ever though ?

We lost at home to England.

The warning signs are there.

The away wins in Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand masking over a few things.

 

[TheJediBrah]

The manner of the 2 away losses in England and India were our worst ever though ?

We lost at home to England.

The warning signs are there.

I may be way off base here, but would you say racial issues are having an influence on any decline, perceived or real? With quotas and so many players leaving for Kolpak jobs or just giving up because they feel discriminated against? Or because they're just being realistic. Sort of like a slower, more protracted version of the exodus suffered by Zimbabwe back in the early 2000s. We saw signs of it over a decade ago with KP.

Or are people just less interested in cricket

 

[quincywagstaff]

Pollock thought that was going to clip the stumps? Good thing for him he didn’t try for a career as an umpire.

 

[OverratedSanity]

I like how just 3 matches ago SA were fielding one of, if not the best pace attack ever assembled, and now they're just beyond help.

Their bowling is as good as it's ever been. The batting is pretty mediocre. Almost every other top 6 nation has a couple of gun young batsmen coming through. That just hasn't happened so far for SA this generation.

 

[Spark]

It won't really matter but I am get quite annoyed with set batsmen getting out just before a break.

 

[Burgey]

pretty dumb stuff from Bancroft tbh. Not like he was undone by an unplayable nut.

 

[GotSpin]

I may be way off base here, but would you say racial issues are having an influence on any decline, perceived or real? With quotas and so many players leaving for Kolpak jobs or just giving up because they feel discriminated against? Or because they're just being realistic. Sort of like a slower, more protracted version of the exodus suffered by Zimbabwe back in the early 2000s. We saw signs of it over a decade ago with KP.

Or are people just less interested in cricket

South Africa are clearly still pumping out bowling talent.

When you have a middle order that has been together as long the current one there's bound to be a hangover after

 

[Top_Cat]

Hahaha, love how Haysman was in the process of potting Maharaj just as he drew the wicket. Champagne call.

 

[Gob]

Why no lunch taken?

Another wicket before lunch in this game anyway

 

[Spark]

People overreacting wildly to something that's happened more or less every time these two sides have played in Australia in the last twenty plus years.

 

[Gob]

Their bowling is as good as it's ever been. The batting is pretty mediocre. Almost every other top 6 nation has a couple of gun young batsmen coming through. That just hasn't happened so far for SA this generation.

P enis?