***Official Australia in South Africa***

[social]

All of the wickets to date have been deathly slow.

Can our SA friends fill us in as to whether this is usually the case at this time of the year?

Not convinced about Katich - for a talented and experienced player, he is one of the worst placers of a ball that Ive seen for a while.

 

[social]

Damien Martyn is so shortof form/confidence it's ridiculous.

12 months ago, he was one of the world's premier players. Now, he is blocking a succession of short and full balls from 2 crap spinners straight to fieldsmen.

Cricket is a funny game!

 

[howardj]

All of the wickets to date have been deathly slow.

Can our SA friends fill us in as to whether this is usually the case at this time of the year?

Not convinced about Katich - for a talented and experienced player, he is one of the worst placers of a ball that Ive seen for a while.

Yeah 49 off 80. His legacy is that Australia, at the 40-over mark, had a run rate of just 4. Tell me Jacques, or heck even Hayden, couldn't do better. How in denial are the selectors!

 

[aussie]

well decent score from Australia, their was some swing for Pollock, Nitni & Hall so may be it will be Lee's afternoon.

 

[kwigibo]

All of the wickets to date have been deathly slow.

It does take Lee out of the equation, so the South African Curators would be smart not to change anything.

 

[social]

Yeah 49 off 80. His legacy is that Australia, at the 40-over mark, had a run rate of just 4. Tell me Jacques, or heck even Hayden, couldn't do better. How in denial are the selectors!

What about Langer?

One of the world's best openers, has all the shots, and is a better fieldsman to boot!

I agreed with the dropping of Hayden from ODIs because he needed to get back to a more disciplined style of play. But that was then!

IMO, the selectors have really lost the plot of late.

What's the point of having Hussey, who's in unbelievable form, not getting more than a handful of balls?

Similarly Clarke looks in excellent touch.

Maybe theyre saying, "stuff this series, let's see who we'll take to the WC."

Aus should EASILY have got 280-300 with a sensible batting order.

Tell me they dont care when theyre criticised for losing the series.

 

[social]

It does take Lee out of the equation, so the South African Curators would be smart not to change anything.

Im not saying thay things have changed (smart if theyve planned it that way BTW) but are these really typical SA wickets for this time of the year?

 

[alternative]

there was some turn for the spinners... i think hoggy is gonna be critical in the south african innings..

 

[aussie]

there was some turn for the spinners... i think hoggy is gonna be critical in the south african innings..

and Lee their was some swing also, so Lee has to take wickets up front & Hogg in the middle. But geez Australia just cant lose this one..

 

[howardj]

Aussie Test squad announced tomorrow. My squad of 14:

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Hodge
Hussey
Clarke
Watson

Gilchrist

Warne
MacGill

Lee
Bracken
Gillespie
Tait

 

[aussie]

well i hear the test squad is being picked tommorow, hopefully it looks something like yhis especially in the bowling attack:

1. Ponting
2. Gilchrist
3. Langer
4. Hayden
5. Hodge
6. Hussey
7. Clarke/Symonds
8. Watson
9. Warne
10. MacGill
11. Lee
12. Gillespie
13. Bracken
14. Tait

I reckon their is a strong possiblity once Symonds recovers both him & Watson could be picked, but most importantly if Lee/Dizzy/Bracken & Tait aren't the 4 seamers picked i'll be absolutely ****ed especially if Gillespie is picked.

 

[aussie]

Aussie Test squad announced tomorrow. My squad of 14:

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Hodge
Hussey
Clarke
Watson

Gilchrist

Warne
MacGill

Lee
Bracken
Gillespie
Tait

yes howard we think a like

 

[alternative]

yep yep agree with squad.. i think they would have to consider the experience of dizzy for the test series..

 

[social]

Another example of Smith's ordinary technique!

His resurrection is premature, I fear.

 

[aussie]

yessssss Binga

 

[alternative]

there we go aussie.. as u wanted lee striked..

 

[Demolition Man]

We going to get snicko on that gibbs decision or not ???

 

[Demolition Man]

A bit of luck for the aussies. Gibbs Gone

 

[alternative]

whoa! gibbs is gone.. dat was a freak wicket..

 

[Demolition Man]

AB riding his luck.