***Official*** Australia in South Africa

[Manee]

So stupid from Ponting though. Driving way too much.

Unfortunately missed the over but watched the quick run through of the over and by the end was shouting at the screen to stop the bloody driving.

 

[TT Boy]

Harro got the ball on a piece of string. Hussey playing for the turn.

 

[Jakester1288]

I haven't actually watched any of this match, but we had a terrible start, 209 on this pitch is diabolical. South Africa used the pitch properly, with 3 batsmen making 100's and a couple of 50's or scores in the 30's. Hughes should still be there, and now we need a few batsmen to make big scores, I mean big hundreds, to save this game. With McDonald at 7, we need runs from Katich, Hussey, Clarke and Haddin, and then our tail to wag.

 

[Woodster]

I haven't actually watched any of this match, but we had a terrible start, 209 on this pitch is diabolical. South Africa used the pitch properly, with 3 batsmen making 100's and a couple of 50's or scores in the 30's. Hughes should still be there, and now we need a few batsmen to make big scores, I mean big hundreds, to save this game. With McDonald at 7, we need runs from Katich, Hussey, Clarke and Haddin, and then our tail to wag.

With McDonald at 7 chances of saving this game look exceptionally slim for Australia. As you pointed out big scores are essential if they are to take it to the 5th day. Hussey looked very uncertain at the crease, especially to the spin (or non-spin) of Harris who was getting purchase from the rough. Looking a shadow of his former self, but worry not, some nice English county will ensure he finds his feet in time for the Ashes!

 

[Craig]

not completely surprising, it's a mentally exhausting job and even worse as our media delved into decadence after we had such a great run for many years. Can't really see him stepping down but it would probably be a blessing in disguise.

Chris Simpson as specialist captain ftw.

 

[gettingbetter]

How the hell does a joker like Harris manage to get wickets.

Unbelievable.

I think its time for Harris to be rated fairly. The bloke isn't a bad bowler and the fact that he is still in the SA set up is testament to that. He isn't going to be in the same class as Warne, Murali, Kumble et al., but I think after Bhaji and Vettori, he is the 3rd best in the world.

...Australia would take him in a heart beat.

 

[Woodster]

I think its time for Harris to be rated fairly. The bloke isn't a bad bowler and the fact that he is still in the SA set up is testament to that. He isn't going to be in the same class as Warne, Murali, Kumble et al., but I think after Bhaji and Vettori, he is the 3rd best in the world.

...Australia would take him in a heart beat.

Wouldn't know where to rank Harris amongst international spinners of today. I've always confessed to not being a fan of his, but can appreciate that he has done a solid job for SA in the last 12 months or so. He doesn't turn it a great deal, and doesn't have a great repertoire of variations, but still does a job, slightly more than simply holding an end up. He is probably a marginally better bowler than I've ever given him credit for. I still believe he can be dominated with positive intent, however, the fact it doesn't happen too often suggests he's doing something right.

 

[gettingbetter]

Wouldn't know where to rank Harris amongst international spinners of today. I've always confessed to not being a fan of his, but can appreciate that he has done a solid job for SA in the last 12 months or so. He doesn't turn it a great deal, and doesn't have a great repertoire of variations, but still does a job, slightly more than simply holding an end up. He is probably a marginally better bowler than I've ever given him credit for. I still believe he can be dominated with positive intent, however, the fact it doesn't happen too often suggests he's doing something right.

Exactly. I'll be the first to admit that he is probably punching above his own weight, but the fact of the matter is that he is still doing his job (and relatively well). I think the fact that he has maintained his poisition in the team is something to look at too. Understandly there aren't many spinners pushing him, but SA have never been scared in playing four pacemen, but Harris seems to be an integral part of the bowling line up now.

Just like any spinner, there are periods in which he won't get many or any wickets, but he still manages to keep it tight.

 

[Woodster]

Exactly. I'll be the first to admit that he is probably punching above his own weight, but the fact of the matter is that he is still doing his job (and relatively well). I think the fact that he has maintained his poisition in the team is something to look at too. Understandly there aren't many spinners pushing him, but SA have never been scared in playing four pacemen, but Harris seems to be an integral part of the bowling line up now.

Just like any spinner, there are periods in which he won't get many or any wickets, but he still manages to keep it tight.

I think providing he does keep things tight, means his place in the side will be valued. As you say SA don't often hesitate if four pacemen is the way to go, but the fact of the matter is he does offer variety, and so I suppose a little leeway would be given to him for him to maintain his place, but he is performing to a standard where he deserves his place.

However, will he manage to hold off Imran Tahir should he continue in the wickets ? There you have a contrasting pair of slow bowlers. Harris the more reliable orthodox spin bowler, Tahir the more exciting, more likely match-winner.

 

[Briony]

Harris plays a role but maybe also with his height and strong shoulders he has the physical attributes to enable him to gain some purchase, to generate some bounce. Compare him to McGain of modest physical stature who has no variations, no ability to rip the ball, seemingly spin it and he bowls hit me balls with monotonous regularity.

 

[gettingbetter]

I think providing he does keep things tight, means his place in the side will be valued. As you say SA don't often hesitate if four pacemen is the way to go, but the fact of the matter is he does offer variety, and so I suppose a little leeway would be given to him for him to maintain his place, but he is performing to a standard where he deserves his place.

However, will he manage to hold off Imran Tahir should he continue in the wickets ? There you have a contrasting pair of slow bowlers. Harris the more reliable orthodox spin bowler, Tahir the more exciting, more likely match-winner.

In regards to Tahir. Simply put, that will happen when it happens. Harris had done enough to keep his position in the team for now, although Tahir's attributes are very tempting.

 

[Briony]

Looks like the selectors have been vindicating in putting Albertus in for his erratic brother.

McDonald and McPain playing their last tests barring unforeseeable miracles.

 

[gettingbetter]

Looks like the selectors have been vindicating in putting Albertus in for his erratic brother.

McDonald and McPain playing their last tests barring unforeseeable miracles.

Can you link me to where you read this?

 

[Redbacks]

McDonald and McPain playing their last tests barring unforeseeable miracles.

wouldn't be so certain on that one, he delivered a good bowling performance when required in the first two tests.

 

[gettingbetter]

wouldn't be so certain on that one, he delivered a good bowling performance when required in the first two tests.

He seems more helpful than anything. Thus far, his bowling is decent, but his batting has been terrible. If anything, Australia might as well pick a frontline bowler instead of Ronnie.

 

[Precambrian]

How the hell does a joker like Harris manage to get wickets.

Unbelievable.

because he is better than any Aussie spinner now?

 

[social]

because he is better than any Aussie spinner now?

Irrelevant

 

[social]

I think its time for Harris to be rated fairly. The bloke isn't a bad bowler and the fact that he is still in the SA set up is testament to that. He isn't going to be in the same class as Warne, Murali, Kumble et al., but I think after Bhaji and Vettori, he is the 3rd best in the world.

...Australia would take him in a heart beat.

They would but he still shouldnt get a game in the Oz setup!

If nothing else this test should convince the Oz selectors to stop stuffing around trying to find a spinner and an all-rounder and simply play

Siddle
Johnson
Clark
Lee
North/Watson/Symonds

with a Haurritz thrown in occassionally

 

[social]

Not too concerned with this result as the team is experimental and made up of ridiculous number of inexperienced players who can be expected to throw in the odd shocker

However, I am concerned at how poor Ponting and Hussey have been in these 6 tests - basically woeful

 

[Redbacks]

However, I am concerned at how poor Ponting and Hussey have been in these 6 tests - basically woeful

Bit harsh on Ponting I think:

101 and 99 in Melbourne was almost a one man show.

His 83 in the first test of this leg of the series, after the dropped chance, was brilliant. The greatest 83 I have ever seen and his 81 off 106 (fastest strikerate of the match) in Durban, allowed us to set up the match with time to spare.

This test has been a failure.