***Official Australia in South Africa***

[Nate]

Gilchrist on par with Boucher for mine, so my bias takes him through.

Watson`s stats are good, but I`m not basing it on stats purely.

And Hall? His econ. rate was pretty good, but not much else.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Symonds played 2 games? He played a horrible shot to get out in Durban [granted he had 70-odd runs]. So why is he in your sides?

And Dippenaar to miss out? Harsh.

Mine:
G. Smith
B. Dippenaar
R. Ponting
H. Gibbs
M. Hussey
S. Watson
M. Boucher
S. Pollock
B. Hogg [wasn't another spinning option]
N. Bracken
M. Ntini

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Gilchrist
Smith
Ponting
Gibbs
Symonds
Hussey
de Villiers
Pollock
Hogg
Bracken
Ntini

Batsmen orientated team... but it was a batsmen dominated series. Pollock, Ntini and Bracken were all superb. All the batsmen in there did nothing wrong. Looks like another 400+ score there.

Did you watch de Villiers bat at all? He did plenty wrong.

 

[Nate]

The presence Symonds gave to the side was there for all to see. He makes them seem so much stronger and he clearly had a big impact. Watson didn`t really have much game-time either, yet he`s in your side.

And Dippenaar? One ton and nothing else except failures.

 

[irfan]

I daresay that even with Lewis in the team, this total is safe.

 

[Nate]

Did you watch de Villiers bat at all? He did plenty wrong.

He got out to many bad shots, but consistently made starts.

 

[Jdz]

In all fairness, it was a superb batting pitch and the fact the ground is small didn't help. I'm trying to appreciate this game.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

The presence Symonds gave to the side was there for all to see. He makes them seem so much stronger and he clearly had a big impact.

I think it was more "if we don't win this game we're toast" thing than "Andy's in, we can win again"

Watson didn`t really have much game-time either, yet he`s in your side.

True, but hardly put a foot wrong. Took vital wickets, and was the only one who put up any real resistance with the bat in the 2nd match.

And Dippenaar? One ton and nothing else except failures.

Is Gilly really a better option? One 50 and nothing else.

He got out to many bad shots, but consistently made starts.

That's the ultimate sin in cricket, yet he makes a best XI for it?

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Is Gilly really a better option? One 50 and nothing else.

Dippenaar can keep? News to me...

 

[Nate]

I think it was more "if we don't win this game we're toast" thing than "Andy's in, we can win again"



True, but hardly put a foot wrong. Took vital wickets, and was the only one who put up any real resistance with the bat in the 2nd match.



Is Gilly really a better option? One 50 and nothing else.



That's the ultimate sin in cricket, yet he makes a best XI for it?

1) Yeah, obviously. But Andy made it so much easier. His innings was crucial, turned the match. And then his fielding.

2) He was decent, but didn`t really rock up the Saffies. Fair enough.

3) I need a `keeper. They`re important.

4) He created much needed partnerships in every game. I`d choose him over someone who did nothing for four out of five matches. And de Villiers looked in such good form in all of his innings IMO.

 

[SteveG]

I think its a bit harsh to blame Australia's loss on Ponting. I am certainly not an admirer of his captaincy, but had Lewis bowled to the field his captain had set...and bowled with some intelligence he wouldn't have gone for 11 runs per over. Lewis is a professional cricketer with enough experience to bowl at the death in ODI's. All he had the do was bowl a steady line and vary his pace and length occasionally...he didn't do that, he bowled at a constant pace and never got settled.

It is hard to settle when bowling to aggressive batsman, but he is experienced enough to know what to bowl and when to bowl it. He doesn't need his captain to tell him that.

 

[marc71178]

O Okay. Benchy said some thing on those lines as well and I couldn't decipher yours was a joke.

Do you really think anybody thought that they'd get near it at the halfway point?

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Dippenaar can keep? News to me...

That would be why Boucher was in my squad, kind sir.

 

[marc71178]

The way you said that was hilarous.

Aussie next time just bet your avatar or something, not your house and life

Eating your computer's a good one if you're going to lose as well...

 

[marc71178]

d. why Martyn was played if he was only going to bat at 6 at the highest

Had 2 wickets fallen early, he'd surely have come in at 4.

 

[TazzX]

If anyone can find a download with some hightlights of this game it would be awesome

 

[marc71178]

If this doesn't win The Skull Award next week I'll kill aussie.

It's Jamee, therefore he's incapable of making funny comments.

 

[James]

Im p1ssing myself read from about 68 onwards and the comments by some of you Aussies is just

"aussie" if i send you a razor blade in the post can you slit your wrists please? After all you did promise your life

SA FTW

Its great to see you guys loose, infact its brillaint

Welcome to the forums.

Please don't go avoiding the filters.

 

[Pratters]

Do you really think anybody thought that they'd get near it at the halfway point?

Ya I did think Benchy and you thought the same and it surprised me. I trust you when you say you were joking that it's not over yet.

 

[TazzX]

Do you really think anybody thought that they'd get near it at the halfway point?

If you look at the silly comments by ou Australian friends, you would know that is a NO but how silly do they look now