***Official*** Australia in South Africa

[Matt79]

Is that Geoff Lawson on ABC radio? It's Jim Maxwell...one of the reasons I usually avoid it Someone should tell Lawson to take the marbles out of his mouth (If it is indeed him).

Blame Curtly Ambrose for that...

 

[four_or_six]

It's true. Hughes is new, Katich with two low scores, Ponting in okay form, Hussey can't buy a score, Clarke awesome, North new, Haddin still unproven.

They're far from bad, but the bowling is better.

Yeah, basically what I meant. I know they're better and more experienced players if you look at them statistically, it's just the feeling I have when watching them... for a while, really.

 

[Nate]

Like this one?

Bracken and Dougie are pretty amazing tbh.

 

[Johnners]

Dig some posts up imo.

Like this?

South Africans have got this in the bag, congratulations well played.

I think we should pick 2 specialist bowlers for the next game, drop Hilfenhaus and bring in Hopes FTW.

What is the way forward for this Aussie team, losing after such a strong position? Apart from the obvious McD bungle.

Even if we get Morgan, Kallis and Boucher, we still have to deal with the tail. Our bowling against determined, defensive bats (even tailenders) doesn't fill me with confidence.

Just being realistic and some members on the forums are at times too optimistic.

ITSTL

 

[TT Boy]

Good win by Aus. Dominated the first 3 days and scoring over 300 first dig always put them firmly in control. They played well. South Africa’s performance over the past two days was much improved; they bowled well yesterday, the lengths were right and some control was applied and they did well to get 290 odd. Just a shame they were ****ed after day one.

Jacques innings was an abomination, lucky not to be demoted down to 5. It was tortuous stuff today, defending half volleys and then goes for the expansive shot after doing nothing for 80 odd balls and gets done like a kipper. Disciplined bowling by the Australians but going at 1 run an over for ten plus overs my ass.

Morne Morkel can bat. He has a decent enough technique against the quick men, he just has the shot selection of Daren Powell.

I can’t see South Africa making any changes for Kingsmead. The wicket aids the swing bowlers but Tsotsobe is injured and it takes turn but Tahir is unavailable for selection.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Blame Curtly Ambrose for that...

Haha, fair enough! Should have kept his jaw wired shut...not that I'd do any better having to talk and keep listeners entertained without the benefit of pictures mind you.

 

[Nate]

Like this?









ITSTL

Hahahaha. Probably dozens more like them.

Midge MOTM. Nice. He's such a nice, humble, hard-working bloke.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Like this?


ITSTL

Forgive him Clapo, for he hath sinned.

 

[Uppercut]

Like this one?



or this:



or this:



my favourite:

To be fair, particularly to Precambrian, they were only saying what was reasonable to say at the time. He quite clearly has improved, he's five times the bowler he was a year ago. If someone had said, "he's useless, should be nowhere near the side and will never be test-class" then it's worth a dig, but really he's just gotten a lot better. We knew he had the capacity to improve, and in that sense he's proved everyone right.

 

[Matt79]

Yeah I know. Tongue strictly in cheek - I included myself for the bagging as well (although I made it clear in my post I hope that it was too early to make a call one way or another back in the dim distant days of November).

 

[social]

To all those who gave me stick for backing McDonald IN THESE CONDITIONS, no apology is necessary

Simply make a small donation to my favourite charity, SDF

 

[Johnners]

Pretty depressing all round. Being pwned by a bunch of no-names like this and not one bowler standing up. I can't see how we'll win a single Test this series, I really don't.

Not really a bunch of no names, I think you need to give us some credit.. But yeah it will be nice if Australia continue to be this poor, we might not win every test but I am confident we will grind them into the dust batting wise

The mediocrity of this Australian bowling attack is astonishing. At best, they can only manage to draw test matches unless if they have an opportunity to bowl at a 5th day minefield. I lol'd at their struggles of bowling out the SA tail on that day as well, only just managed to win the SCG test.

I wish we were playing Australia right now, any international team could beat them.

It's going to be a long tour for the Aussies.

Some of the more interesting posts that basically revolved around the tour game.

 

[Nate]

Genuinely believe Australia will win this series just for the record. Assuming we play North, the only other thing I'd change about the team is having Bracken in there.

Can't wait.

do u seriously think that Aus are gonna win the series???

The last time these two sides played, Australia won. It came with our new talent in no small coincidence.

Now we have North in (I assume) and Hughes which imo, only makes us stronger.

Siddle, Johnson, Bollinger, North, McDonald/Hilfenhaus is a very good bowling attack for South Africa.

I would be very surprised if we win .I'm expecting to lose and to lose big,I will be ecstatic if we draw it.

Yeah we certainly can if everything comes together. This SA team are very good but they're not unbeatable by any stretch of the imagination. However, I don't think we will win as they are the better side and better sides usually win. Can't wait for tonight though.

I disagree. I know South Africa were good in Australia, but a large amount of their bowling was quite ordinary. With Hughes and North in and the law of averages on our side, I don't see our batting failing to make good scores. And I've made my thoughts on our bowling clear.

In my mind, it's Australia 55-45.

Yeah, keeping things in perspective, it's still a good line-up and one that can win Test Matches.

A cross-section of the pre-match discussion I was involved in.

Such a brilliant win from Australia. Beaming here.

 

[social]

Interesting to see how the Saffies bounce back next test as I think they've got real problems

Morkel (whose talent I rate very highly) was terrible except for a few unplayables here and there

Ntini looks finished and was completely flattered by his figures

Duminy has been exposed by short pitched bowling and not for the first time

They'll probably stick with the same attack but I'd certainly pick Prince

 

[pup11]

Yessssss..... really chuffed with this win, to come to South Africa as the underdogs and perform like the way all the blokes have, is truly exceptional, it was such an awesome team effort, almost everyone chipped in at sometime or another, which was really heartening to see.

Tremendous effort from Mitch, lead the attack brilliantly, and the runs he contributed with the bat in the 1st innings also proved to be very important in the end, the rest of the bowlers too deserve a lot of praise, for the in which they stuck to their task, and bowled tirelessly through this game.

 

[TT Boy]

To be fair, particularly to Precambrian, they were only saying what was reasonable to say at the time. He quite clearly has improved, he's five times the bowler he was a year ago. If someone had said, "he's useless, should be nowhere near the side and will never be test-class" then it's worth a dig, but really he's just gotten a lot better. We knew he had the capacity to improve, and in that sense he's proved everyone right.

And to be fair most of the Aussies on here said he was cack during the Windies series and even before the Indian series away this was standard response - “He don’t swing it”,” He don’t swing it” and guess what, “He don’t swing it”…

Get Doug Bollinger in the side, "he can swing it"! Please!

 

[stephen]

This is the most satisfying test match win for Australians since we took back the ashes, and probably before that since we won in India. Great game, well played guys .

 

[Nate]

And to be fair most of the Aussies on here said he was cack during the Windies series and even before the Indian series away this was standard response - “He don’t swing it”,” He don’t swing it” and guess what, “He don’t swing it”…

 

[Johnners]

Interesting to see how the Saffies bounce back next test as I think they've got real problems

Morkel (whose talent I rate very highly) was terrible except for a few unplayables here and there

Ntini looks finished and was completely flattered by his figures

Duminy has been exposed by short pitched bowling and not for the first time

They'll probably stick with the same attack but I'd certainly pick Prince

Fully expect their batting to be a whole lot better in Durban (?). Smith found some form again in that 2nd innings, whilst Amla & De Villiers seem to be in some pretty good form. Amla really needs to convert his starts though if he wants to hurt us. Has made it into double figures in all bar 2 innings in the past 8 against Australia iirc, and only made it past 60 once?

 

[stephen]

Hey Johnson must be annoyed with himself and his performance in that match.

96*
4/x
4/y

Couldn't manage a Michelle or a ton.