***Official*** Australia in South Africa

[Fidel Castro]

Awesome innings from Johnson. Fun to watch indeed. If Taylor could do it, Johnson definitely could. I hope he does not concentrate too much on batting and become another Irfan Pathan.

However, that does not make much difference in the overall scheme of things. Sound thrashing by Proteas. All credit to them, regrouping well under Kallis and ensured that the overall scoreline remained 3-3, a fair reflection considering the efforts put in by both teams.

Right now, I feel the gap between the top 3 has narrowed down to such an extent that it is not possible to really say which team is No.1. But that only adds to the verve and enjoyment of test cricket.

Well played both teams.

 

[popepouri]

Australia shaves it on points, just my opinion

With an innings defeat? Their wins weren't that convincing.

Right now, I feel the gap between the top 3 has narrowed down to such an extent that it is not possible to really say which team is No.1. But that only adds to the verve and enjoyment of test cricket.

ATWA. No team is dominant at the moment. It makes test match cricket that much better to watch.

 

[Fidel Castro]

Will be it scandalous to suggest that Australia's piss poor run rate at the beginning of the day, thanks to Katich and Hussey and to some extent Clarke cost them a chance of coming back in this match? The late assault by "Archie" McDonald and Johnson showed how flat the wicket was and that Proteas are not immune to pressure. I believe had the scoring rate been a tad better and the play positive, Aussies might have actually been able to make a good game out of this, as the pitch was startlingly bat friendly even on the 4th day.

What to do with Hussey? The guy's been superman from 2005 to 2007, and poor since. Watching him play like this is really painful from a fan's point of view. Wish he would shrug this extended run of poor form show up in the Ashes. His mode of getting out predominantly by fishing outside off raises concerns about his play in swing friendly England. The last thing Aussies would want is a Hussey who is so overcautious and thus stall the run rate. Hussey will have to do some solid work there, or he might have to suffer the ignominy of dropped midway through the Ashes.

 

[oldmancraigy]

The late assault by "Archie" McDonald and Johnson showed how flat the wicket was and that Proteas are not immune to pressure

What to do with Hussey? The guy's been superman from 2005 to 2007, and poor since. Watching him play like this is really painful from a fan's point of view.

Agree on Katich/Hussey/Clarke batting early in the day. They didn't play their natural games - would've been nice to see them at least looking to score some runs. Aus only needed another 20 to make SA bat again - and had one of those 3 got stuck right in and made a big hundred, then you never know what might have happened.
However, 209 in the first dig really put the result beyond doubt.

What to do with Hussey indeed!
He has a stellar record on the English county scene - so we might see him bouncing back to his best form there. If he has an average Ashes series, the bell may be tolling for him...

Congrats to Saffies on the win - and also to Mitchell on the ton!

 

[oldmancraigy]

Well that should end Australia playing a non-specialist bowler at 8 to lengthen their tail, surely?

But they won the tests that they played a non-specialist bowler at 8...

It'd be nice to see Lee given the 'spinners spot' - he can at least provide some runs at number 9.

 

[Anil]

johnson becoming a pretty impressive all-rounder....

 

[NZTailender]

Lovin' Harris, stick that up all the haters.

Johnson=WAG.

 

[pasag]

Yessssss!

Mitch! What a star! Best thing ever to wake up to.

 

[duffer]

Dunno who I'm happier for, Johnson or Harry? Dead rubber or not, a defeat this heavy does blow pretty bad.

 

[Johnners]

Mitch, WAG

Woke up at about 2 in the morning with the radio going, hearing Maxwell and Manthrop talking about his ton, best thing ever.

 

[Ausage]

Went to bed at tea with the game pretty much over. Was walking to work this morning, thinking "How awesome would it be if Mitch scored a ton last night."



We really didn't look good in this test. McGain was very poor. Krejza like runs column, but without any hint of wickets. That's gotta be up there with the worst economy rates in a test match for a full time bowler.

What a great (2) series though. Very little between the 2 teams. SA have alot of quality, but Aus looked their equal after they burned some dead wood after the first 3 tests. SA look SOOOO much stronger with Prince in the team (irrespective of where he bats). Johnson is capable of winning test matches nearly single handedly. Steyn was very good as was AB. Awesome to see Hughes and Siddle live up to their potential. Ricky give Katich more overs FFS!!!!

Biggest disappointments were McGain, Morne, Hussey, McKenzie and Clarke. Ponting gets an honorable mention for not converting great starts and fine batting into at least 2 more tons.

If I have a frustration with this series, it's that we never really saw a full strength SA take on a full strength Aus. I know that rarely ends up happening, but it would have been great to see them both go at it at full strength.

 

[Top_Cat]

Feel sorry for McGain. This Test will forever establish his reputation when, in reality, he's a far better bowler than that. Too full or too short he was but I reckon whilst he might be fully recovered from his injury, he isn't fully trusting the shoulder yet. Didn't quite seem to be getting the rip on the ball we saw pre-injury.

 

[oitoitoi]

I'm pretty sure full strength SA > full strength AUS, I mean Mcgain the best spinner....? Also with Prince at the top their batting looks very very formidable, possibly on a par or even better than India's. Hussey's form is very worrying considering his age, would Lee make the team much stronger? Australia have too many questions when you look at performing in all conditions, though in a bilateral comp in Aus or SA it's always going to be close.

 

[andyc]

Series Result: Aus 2-1
Top SA Runscorer: Smith ABdV
Top Aus Runscorer: Katich Hughes
Top SA Wicket-taker: Steyn
Top Aus Wicket-taker: Siddle
Player of the Series: Katich Johnson
Surprise Packet: Hughes
Dropped Player(s): McGain, Bollinger McKenzie, Morkel
Miscellaneous Event: Ponting to **** up his handling of the referral system and then have a whine about it.

Was way off the miscellaneous event, the Aussies handled it a lot better than the Saffies. Surprise packet would've been right, could claim Johnson and maybe Harris as well. McGain probably would've been dropped if there was a 4th, in my defence.

 

[Nate]

Series Result: Aus 2-0
Top SA Runscorer: Smith
Top Aus Runscorer: Hughes
Top SA Wicket-taker: Ntini
Top Aus Wicket-taker: Bollinger
Player of the Series: Hughes
Surprise Packet: Hughes/Bollinger
Dropped Player(s): Morkel
Miscellaneous Event: Siddle gets injured.

Injuries didn't help my cause re: Smith, and Bollinger. Siddle got injured. (face)

 

[inbox24]

Team of the series:

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Kallis
De Villiers
North
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Steyn

 

[pasag]

 

[pasag]

clapo says:
Set for a Johnson double it seems
zeg says:
awta

Wasn't too far off, itbt, if some of the tailenders had stuck around...

 

[pasag]

Series Result: SA 2-0
Top SA Runscorer: Kallis
Top Aus Runscorer: Hussey
Top SA Wicket-taker: Steyn
Top Aus Wicket-taker: Siddle
Player of the Series: Kallis
Surprise Packet: Siddle
Dropped Player(s): McKenzie
Miscellaneous Event: Ponting to be suspended for poor overrates

Got the McKenzie one right, also Siddle really came of age and Steyn was the highest wicket taker for SA though the rest was a bit rubbish.

 

[Son Of Coco]

With an innings defeat? Their wins weren't that convincing.

If the first two Australian wins weren't convincing, what was SA coming from behind twice in Australia? You'd have to say two wins where you lead from pillar to post is slightly more convincing than that wouldn't you?

I don't think what happened in the third test of a 3 match series that's already been won should be used to define the series.

Oh, and great to see Johnson withg a ton...thought it might be a while before we got to see it after him coming so close in the first test.