***Official Australia in South Africa***

[oz_fan]

My Team:
Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Hussey
Martyn
Watson
Gilchrist
Lee
Warne
Clark
McGrath (when back)

Even though Martyn just played a match saving innings I would prefer Hussey at 4. I feel more confident with Hussey there. Symonds is in the top 5 ODI players at the moment but he just can't cut it in the test team. Its going to do no good for Symonds to make big scores and take bags of wickets against Bangladesh and then be found out by England. Before that innings by Martyn I would have given Clarke another go but Martyn proved himself.

 

[age_master]

Time for Lee to come above Warne methinks. Though he probably fancies a ton against Bangladesh.

yeah Warne hasn't really batted that well that often, he seems to have good innings every now and then but not consistent good scores.

 

[mavric41]

I can't believe the schedule of matches. 5 ODIs in a row, then 3 Tests finishing on a Tuesday and starting another 2 Tests in another country starting on Sunday. How can players be expected to put forward their best performances without a break. Its not like football where they need to be on for only a max 2 hours a week.

 

[sqwerty]

My Team:
Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Hussey
Martyn
Watson
Gilchrist
Lee
Warne
Clark
McGrath (when back)

Even though Martyn just played a match saving innings I would prefer Hussey at 4. I feel more confident with Hussey there. Symonds is in the top 5 ODI players at the moment but he just can't cut it in the test team. Its going to do no good for Symonds to make big scores and take bags of wickets against Bangladesh and then be found out by England. Before that innings by Martyn I would have given Clarke another go but Martyn proved himself.

I reckon they'll persist with Symonds. Bangladesh isn't going to sort anything out and they have enough strength to carry him at the moment and wait for him to come good. Obviously they won't wait forever but I think the selectors like having him as a genuine hitter, something most sides wouldn't have the luxury of carrying. Plus his fielding is extremely valuable and his bowling useful though not as vital if Clark is going to do a job. Will be interesting to see how Clark goes on flat decks though. Should be ok I think.

I think the ashes test side will be

Alf
Haydos
Punter
Marto
Mr
Roy
Gilly
Text
Bing
Sarfraz
Pigeon

Good side

 

[mavric41]

How bad is Langer's injury? Is it career threatening? I heard that was a possibility because he has copped that type of injury several times before.

What ever happens he will make a great future trivia question - What batsman in his 100th test scored no runs, was not dismissed and only faced one ball.

 

[GotSpin]

he will make a great future trivia question - What batsman in his 100th test scored no runs, was not dismissed and only faced one ball.

Thats actually a good idea, ill store that in the bank for a few years

 

[Nate]

I wouldn`t go quite so far as to say career-threatening, but I reckon ti`s worse than people are giving it credit for.

 

[archie mac]

Report for the final day.

You captured the excitement well, good report

 

[Ikki]

My Team:
Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Hussey
Martyn
Watson
Gilchrist
Lee
Warne
Clark
McGrath (when back)

Even though Martyn just played a match saving innings I would prefer Hussey at 4. I feel more confident with Hussey there. Symonds is in the top 5 ODI players at the moment but he just can't cut it in the test team. Its going to do no good for Symonds to make big scores and take bags of wickets against Bangladesh and then be found out by England. Before that innings by Martyn I would have given Clarke another go but Martyn proved himself.

I reckon that's the best as well. Great side.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Kasper and Lee see us through this time, thankfully. That's 5-0 to Australia over 6 matches, not bad at all.

A lot of luck there. 3-2 SA would've been a fair reflection over both series had ALL CATCHES BEEN TAKEN.

 

[Nate]

For the record, Boucher`s edge behind was the biggest one I`ve ever seen that wasn`t given. Simply a huge deflection, with a noise to boot.

 

[Jono]

How dare Cricinfo only give Andrew Hall 1.5/10 for the series. That's disgraceful, he bowled his heart out in the first test and gave some good lower order batting support.

At least they gave Nicky some good marks.

 

[Son Of Coco]

A lot of luck there. 3-2 SA would've been a fair reflection over both series had ALL CATCHES BEEN TAKEN.

Moreso than calling it 'luck' as far as Australia is concerned you have to ask exactly when SA are going to address the catching problem they've had for an eternity. It's always been the 'what if' factor in the matches they've played, with the fact seemingly being that the 'if' never becomes a reality. A team that didn't prepare to the best of its ability lost 5-0 over two legs, that's pretty fair.

 

[aussie]

Yeah but Watson isn't ready yet, and I reckon Watson's the man to take over from Martyn when he's done anyway. But for now, Clarke is the better bet. I don't think Australia need Symonds or Watson's bowling.

Yea Australia have had all-summer with the all-rounder experiment & it hasn't worked with Symonds. Maybe if Watson didn't get injured & he played in most of the test & we got to see where he was i may say keep him for the ashes. But Australia have no serious test until the ashes so he shouldn't play.

With Gilly seemingly not as consistently destructive, Clarke has to come in the make the top 6 solid. With McGrath/Lee/Clark/Warne that enough consistency for 20 wickets, not much need for the 5th bowler.

 

[Nate]

Haha, the Aussie ones are so harsh. What more could you asked of from Clark and Lee? What a goof.

 

[marc71178]

Also good to see Clark batting above kasper as I pleaded for.

How much of that is injury related though?

 

[marc71178]

I reckon they'll persist with Symonds. Bangladesh isn't going to sort anything out and they have enough strength to carry him at the moment and wait for him to come good. Obviously they won't wait forever but I think the selectors like having him as a genuine hitter, something most sides wouldn't have the luxury of carrying.

But do they actually have the "luxury" of carrying him?

Especially with Gilchrist in the form he's in.

 

[andyc]

Haha, the Aussie ones are so harsh. What more could you asked of from Clark and Lee? What a goof.

No centuries, of course.

 

[marc71178]

A lot of luck there. 3-2 SA would've been a fair reflection over both series had ALL CATCHES BEEN TAKEN.

Rubbish, 6-0 would've been an unfair reflection, such was the SA domination.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Rubbish, 6-0 would've been an unfair reflection, such was the SA domination.

'kin right. Where would we be without fantasy variables eh? Actually watching games between fallible human beings is neither here nor there.

We sleep tonight with the comfort that at least we know that "what if" is a mathematical certainty, and fact is unnecessary.

Philistines .