***Official Australia in South Africa***

[alternative]

Congratulations to south africa on a thumping victory.. a very good effort as a team to score 289 runs.. and Ntini picking up 6 wickets sums up a very good vicotry...

Aussies have alot of thinking to do, as they dearly miss the services of Glen McGrath in the bowling department and Ponting and Symonds in the excellent batting..

 

[Craig]

Did anybody see Pommie Mbwanga's (sp?) teeth when he was presenting during this match? You wouldn't want to walk into a pitch black alley (ie very little or no light) with him in there and showing off his perly whites, would give you the creepers.

 

[masterblaster]

I can't understand why Matthew Hayden is not in this ODI team. He's probably the most imposing and dominating batsman going around and has a fantastic record in ODI's. I'm all for giving Jacques a fair go, but with Katich not being too much younger than Hayden and Hayden being the far superior batsman I can't understand why Hayden's not in the side.

Same with Jason Gillespie, I think he's younger than Stuart Clark and is a much better bowler and a proven performer. This ODI squad needs Hayden and Gillespie, combined with the brillaince of Hussey, Symonds and Ponting.

 

[masterblaster]

Owned! Well and truly! Lee looked second-rate and Bracken went into his containing role. Which leaves no-one to take wickets! Clark started extremely well, but got smoked in his last few overs. Watson was lucky, but was due for some. Hogg was pretty decent. So that`s really a 3.5/5 performance, which really isn`t good enough.

And then the batting! When Bracken can make double-figures, you know the opposition haven`t applied themselves. Well bowled Ntini, forced the Aussies into playing stupid shots, and there were plenty of them.

LOL @ Katich!

I was surprised with Katich's slowness as well, but yeah it was a pathetic performance really.

 

[Gibbed]

Eat poo Aussies

 

[Arrow]

Graeme Smith said he could hear the crowd laughing at Katich ... LOL

Interesting to note lee's record in his last 6 games is 2 for 289 at an average of 144.
His average has blown out from mid 21s to 22.8.

 

[howardj]

Graeme Smith said he could hear the crowd laughing at Katich ... LOL

.

Katich has to go. Even when he does make runs, he is far too slow. Hayden, Jacques, Cosgrove or even Jimmy Maher I think would honestly be better selections. Australia doesn't need a 'steady the ship' player at the top of the order. Our two most most successful opening partnerships (Waugh and Gilchrist; Hayden and Gilchrist) both involved two aggressive players. You don't need a steady player like Katich, when we already bat down to Hussey at 7. and Lee at 9.

 

[Jono]

I dare say the SA odds were a bit bigger than the England ones?

Yep

I still can't believe I lost that bet though, because its not like I put the bet when England were 7-down at stumps on day-1. I did it when Freddy and Collingwood were playing well, and I just took a punt. Then when everything just fell in place and the wickets fell I thought "Here we go."

I forgot about the "Harmy factor", and its a factor I shall never forget to take into account again

 

[aussie]

I can't understand why Matthew Hayden is not in this ODI team. He's probably the most imposing and dominating batsman going around and has a fantastic record in ODI's. I'm all for giving Jacques a fair go, but with Katich not being too much younger than Hayden and Hayden being the far superior batsman I can't understand why Hayden's not in the side.

Same with Jason Gillespie, I think he's younger than Stuart Clark and is a much better bowler and a proven performer. This ODI squad needs Hayden and Gillespie, combined with the brillaince of Hussey, Symonds and Ponting.

well yea the ODI team wont do too bad if and seemingly in form again Gillespie & Hayden are in their, but the bullet has already been bitten & Jaques IMO could do a good job with Gilly at the top, Dizzy could come back but Bracken has been doing well & Tait seems an excellent OD bowling prospect

 

[aussie]

Katich has to go. Even when he does make runs, he is far too slow. Hayden, Jacques, Cosgrove or even Jimmy Maher I think would honestly be better selections. Australia doesn't need a 'steady the ship' player at the top of the order. Our two most most successful opening partnerships (Waugh and Gilchrist; Hayden and Gilchrist) both involved two aggressive players. You don't need a steady player like Katich, when we already bat down to Hussey at 7. and Lee at 9.

yep, but if Katich is to go he will have to fail miserably though because i cant see the selectors dropping him just like that, but i got a strong feeling between now & the WC the selectors will drop him.

 

[Demolition Man]

Graeme Smith said he could hear the crowd laughing at Katich ... LOL

I know I was, well actually I was just shouting abuse at the TV.

 

[social]

I know I was, well actually I was just shouting abuse at the TV.

 

[marc71178]

Yep

I still can't believe I lost that bet though, because its not like I put the bet when England were 7-down at stumps on day-1. I did it when Freddy and Collingwood were playing well, and I just took a punt. Then when everything just fell in place and the wickets fell I thought "Here we go."

Cricket is a funny old game - just when you think something's certain, something strange happens.

On that note, the 1st Test in India is a certain draw

 

[Sportsgirl]

Ponting back but Symonds still out

 

[aussie]

well even though we have gottten away from South Africa a better start at least.

 

[aussie]

dalm Gilly out just when he was looking like he was starting to look dangerous

 

[Jono]

Cricket is a funny old game - just when you think something's certain, something strange happens.

On that note, the 1st Test in India is a certain draw

I should put some money on that now, I'll get like 7 cents back.

 

[aussie]

1000 ODI runs for Katich, top shot to bring it up in..

 

[Prince EWS]

Graeme Smith said he could hear the crowd laughing at Katich ... LOL

And the crowd can probably hear Katich laughing at Telemachus right now.

 

[Jono]

OH MY GOD!

What a run out by AB de Villiers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One of the best I've ever seen!