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***Official Australia in South Africa***
- Thread starter howardj
- Start date
my old friend The Maestro hates you guys much more 
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i suppose he will.. Shane warne and Brett Lee are no mug with the bat..
FaaipDeOiad
Hall of Fame Member
Kallis bowling decently, getting some reverse swing, particularly troubled Gilchrist with it.
The star with the ball has been Nel though. Bowled wonderfully all day, getting big help from the pitch and could have had plenty of wickets. Hall was good and quite unlucky, while Ntini and Boje have been fairly ineffective.
A lead of 100 could turn out to be a pretty significant one given that the wicket isn't the easiest to bat on, but I think it's the sort of pitch where poor bowling will be fairly ineffective. There's a bit there, but you've got to be consistent to get any use out of it, so a lot will depend on how Lee and Kasprowicz bowl with the new ball next innings. A few early wickets to set the scene for Warne could just about kill off the game, but if South Africa could get 250 odd ahead it could be quite challenging. Interestingly poised game, anyway.
The star with the ball has been Nel though. Bowled wonderfully all day, getting big help from the pitch and could have had plenty of wickets. Hall was good and quite unlucky, while Ntini and Boje have been fairly ineffective.
A lead of 100 could turn out to be a pretty significant one given that the wicket isn't the easiest to bat on, but I think it's the sort of pitch where poor bowling will be fairly ineffective. There's a bit there, but you've got to be consistent to get any use out of it, so a lot will depend on how Lee and Kasprowicz bowl with the new ball next innings. A few early wickets to set the scene for Warne could just about kill off the game, but if South Africa could get 250 odd ahead it could be quite challenging. Interestingly poised game, anyway.
Top_Cat
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Anyone else notice Hussey is getting out the same way of late?
The ball angled across him full has been the problem which has plagued him for years and explains why, contrary to what others think, he's never been picked to play for Australia previously; simply not good enough. As I've said before, averaging mid-30's per season as Hussey did in Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup cricket for years isn't and should never be considered good enough to play Test cricket. M'thinks we'll see his 'true' level from now on rather than the run-machine who's been in the form of his life.
As for Symonds' shot to get out; ugh. Moron.
The ball angled across him full has been the problem which has plagued him for years and explains why, contrary to what others think, he's never been picked to play for Australia previously; simply not good enough. As I've said before, averaging mid-30's per season as Hussey did in Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup cricket for years isn't and should never be considered good enough to play Test cricket. M'thinks we'll see his 'true' level from now on rather than the run-machine who's been in the form of his life.
As for Symonds' shot to get out; ugh. Moron.
FaaipDeOiad
Hall of Fame Member
It's definately not impossible though. One really good score to anchor the innings and a 250+ lead is within range. Like I said, a lot of it depends on how the seamers exploit the helpful conditions. It won't be quite as hard to bat as it was on the first day.Top_Cat said:
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Nothing's impossible but I think it's very unlikely. Aside from the silly shots today (Warne; ugh x 2), there's been a ton of movement and it's been consistent. Aside from that, the ball when older is showing signs of stopping on the deck as well as turning some distance. It's one of those decks which doesn't zip and pop and get you out like on day 1 but is sticky and makes it difficult to get the ball off the square so you end up getting yourself out. A 250+ lead will take some doing from here.
FaaipDeOiad
Hall of Fame Member
Yeah, there's been movement all day. All the predictions about the pitch have been wrong really, aside from the suggestion that it would turn. The light covering of grass has stayed, there's been consistent movement and it hasn't really reversed a hell of a lot, just a little bit with the very old ball.social said:
edit: sensational bowling from Lee here. South Africa in deep trouble now.
honestbharani
Whatever it takes!!!
Ponting and Hayden looked very lucky to have survived that particular period in between. There must have been like 6 or 7 close calls, including dropped catches and edges that split the keeper and the slips.