***Official Australia in South Africa***

[luckyeddie]

I stole this quote from a Reuters article.

Hayden was less impressed that the ground staff had repaired the pitch....

It's been repaired in two areas, basically mudded together to join the cracks. There's a huge hole that has been repaired overnight.

Bearing in mind the fact that he scored a century to go with his first-innings duck, was he talking about the pitch or his technique?

 

[aussie]

Once again its Ponting & Hayden doing the work at the top great to see, especially Ponting who has just been amazing since the super test, you can't see much better test match batting than what he is in currently.

SO 1 day to take 10 wickets, once Australia get Kallis cheaply game over. Hopefully in this test isn't nothing similar to England's game their in durban in 2005 or i'll be ****ed

 

[age_master]

As it is SA will not realisticaly get that score and I do not think Ponting has placed the test in any sort of risk. His problem is that he may not have left enough time if it rains.

most people didnt think they would make more than 400 in an ODI either but i agree that they are unlikley to get it, If Australia bowl well enough they have plenty of time to bowl them out though, if they dont bowl well it will probably be a draw.

 

[fishyguy]

Yeah it seems SA are really struggling.

It seems like whenever Australia start playing Test cricket some sort of wierd paranormal force comes in and makes them invincible.

Honestly, I have to say the mental toughness of the Aussies is unparalleled.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Pretty tough snowflake then, to stand this much chance.

SA bats down to nine, has an all-time great in Kallis as well as a couple of current era top-notchers in Smith and Gibbs, and players capable of cneturies in difficult circumstances in De Villiers, Boucher and even Pollock. Oh, and then there's Rudolph, Prince and Boje.

I concur that Australia are overwhelming favourites, my argument is that with delaying the declaration for just 10 or 12 overs more , Ponting could have taken the loss out of the equation without compromising his victory chances. To me, it's another example of a captain being too ****y for his own good a lot of the time.

Considering what they've done lately though in tests I think suddenly taking into account that they might all fire at once would see a captain not declaring at all...the likelihood of it isn't high.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Seems like a few people in this thread need another 'Aussies slammed down to Earth' game like what happened in the last ODI - that obviously didn't knock enough of the arrogance out. Very unlikely to happen in this game, but if it did it would be made all the more enjoyable by the comments in this thread.

seems like someone needs some 'No More Gaps' to fill in the giant chip on his shoulder...

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I can't believe all the people here suggesting that 410 wasn't a big enough target. If anything, Ponting is in line for criticism for batting on too long, with the light likely to fail on both of the last two days, and the lead already so big. It's very rare that a team chases 400+, even rarer that they do it on a pitch with some uneven bounce and some turn against an in-form attack.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Or maybe working out that bad light would be a factor. It's not looking such a bad call now.

And it was reported in the papers here that rain is expected tomorrow.

 

[sirjeremy11]

Ponting in his last 30 tests (including this one) - HS 257, 12 100's, 12 50's, 3328 runs at 69.333. Fantastic.

 

[oz_fan]

Can't really see South Africa chasing this target down. They just don't have the big hitting in their lineup apart from Gibbs, Pollock and Boucher. I don't expect SA to even attempt to chase the target, they'll be playing for the draw.
I know that people will say SA chased down 430 in the ODI but that was a batsmens paradise and they were facing absolute rubbish bowling form Lewis, etc. Today they will be confronted with the best legspinner ever and 2 in form fast bowlers.

 

[Jdz]

Ponting is simply the best, another ton. (Bit late I know)

 

[aussie]

god its been boring looking at SA bat just get out please.

 

[Steulen]

god its been boring looking at SA bat just get out please.

Yup, that is their problem isn't it...it's like watching Germany and Italy play football.

 

[TazzX]

god its been boring looking at SA bat just get out please.

What a stupid comment :| Aus avg the same as what SA is currently doing :| Going out all guns blazing loosing wickets will not win them the game. They are doing what is needed.

Bat through the 1st session, see what you have at lunch, reassess the run rate.

Well done SA for not loosing a wicket yet 10 wickets in hand, 280 runs to chase with 60 overs ... seems ok to me.

 

[andyc]

Saffies going well here. Looks like Warne might have to do a bit if we're going to have any chance, cause the pacemen don't seem to be doing much.

 

[Top_Cat]

I guess the last couple of tons by Punter put paid to the idea that Ponting's graphite bat is responsible for his run-scoring. Not to mention his big run in 2001-2004 when it wasn't even in existence.......

 

[andyc]

Saffies going well here. Looks like Warne might have to do a bit if we're going to have any chance, cause the pacemen don't seem to be doing much.

 

[Top_Cat]

Saffies are just playing a high-percentage cricket right now so the Aussies basically have to bowl them out, which is difficult (very few teams get wickets from good balls alone). Shall see how they go when they realise the win is within reach.

 

[TazzX]

 

[Nate]

Great stuff by Ponting and Hayden, and Gilchrist`s over was awesome.

Gilly! Stumping!