***Official*** Australia in South Africa

[Trumpers_Ghost]

All true. But the selectors could still have a change of mind, as i said his bowling could be useful.

You know why Tait isn't on tour?

Because he can't maintain his form for an entire innings

He is very very much under the minimum standard for fielding in the Aus ODI team

Offers absolutely nothing to the batting card

When he's not ripping through lineups and scaring the begeesus out of them (I'd say 1 quarter of games), he's bowling very expensive tripe (3 quarters of games)

 

[Craig]

Showing my complete n00b status here, why is Shaun Marsh's nickname Stan Darsh? I feel as though I have missed an in-joke/reference somewhere

 

[pasag]

Showing my complete n00b status here, why is Shaun Marsh's nickname Stan Darsh? I feel as though I have missed an in-joke/reference somewhere

South Park reference.

 

[Ausage]

South Park reference.

Never got the "Darsh" part of it though.

 

[Briony]

No idea.

Anyhow, the South African side for tomorrow...

Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Albie Morkel, Mark Boucher, Johan Botha, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini

Kallis is injured but they hope he will be back for Sunday's game at Centurion. Good to see 3 real seamers get the gig but not sure about Ntini over Parnell. His record at Kingsmead is rank.

Yeah, not sure about Ntini in ODIs. They've trusted the erratic one. In an article yesterday he said he was reconsidering his cricket career and may study instead.

 

[Craig]

South Park reference.

Fair enough.

 

[jondavluc]

I'd like to see

Clarke
Haddin
Ponting
Dussey
North
Hussey
Haddin
Hopes
Johnson
Bracken
Laughin

I heard cloning is very expensive and holds alot of risks.

 

[TT Boy]

Yeah, not sure about Ntini in ODIs. They've trusted the erratic one. In an article yesterday he said he was reconsidering his cricket career and may study instead.

April Fools.

 

[Briony]

April Fools.

No, it came from the Pretoria News on March 31st. I guess he hasn't got the drive others like Botha and Harris (who make the most of limited ability) and has other priorities. If you have perennial radar and no ball problems cricket isn't much fun. SA has Parnell and Tsotsobe for the future so you've still got some promising young pacemen in the wings.

 

[Johnners]

Saw him last night at the state awards dinner, mention was made of his injuries a few times so I'd suggest the tendonitis is still affecting him. Realistically, he'd have been in the SA Shield Side if it wasn't.

As much as I love watching him bowl in full flight, he shouldn't be anywhere near green and gold colours until he gets some overs in a red cap.

Yeah I figured he must still have had injury problems otherwise he'd be there. Shame really, especially given how awesome he was in the 07 WC

 

[four_or_six]

Yeah I figured he must still have had injury problems otherwise he'd be there. Shame really, especially given how awesome he was in the 07 WC

I think there was some suggestion that he wouldn't be able to play the IPL. It seems very long-running now for hamstring issues which is quite worrying.

 

[Craig]

Shaun Tait could be a New Zealand fast bowler. If your any good you will break down quicker then a Chris Martin batting innings.

 

[pasag]

Never got the "Darsh" part of it though.

See the Aspen episode.

 

[Briony]

Yeah I figured he must still have had injury problems otherwise he'd be there. Shame really, especially given how awesome he was in the 07 WC

He has to sort out his injury and stamina problems.

 

[TT Boy]

Aus win toss and bat first. Captain Smith didn't seem to give a **** but maybe he forgot that you hardly ever win chasing here (under lights).

 

[oitoitoi]

Has Morne had much cricket since being dropped? How's he done? I think Parnell wouldn't have been a bad choice instead, some variation wouldn't hurt this SA line up one bit. I think they're going to really try and go after Botha, they can't just let him bowl at them and bog them down. I can't believe Botha's only 26, he looks about 34! Hauritz is going into the confectionary stand.

 

[TT Boy]

Has Morne had much cricket since being dropped? How's he done? I think Parnell wouldn't have been a bad choice instead, some variation wouldn't hurt this SA line up one bit. I think they're going to really try and go after Botha, they can't just let him bowl at them and bog them down. I can't believe Botha's only 26, he looks about 34! Hauritz is going into the confectionary stand.

Did ok.

 

[Uppercut]

Day nighter, so two spinners can work during the day but once the lights come on, it should be just seam all the way. The likes of Bracken could really get the ball to move big if Aus are fortunate enough to bat first.

Win the toss bat well and the game is won. Like Newlands, Kingsmead under lights is nigh on impossible for a successful chase.

I've taken your esteemed advice and piled onto Australia at the generous price of 10/11.

Despite my major blunder in the West Indies, i'm yet to lose a bet this year as even that one was mysteriously refunded. Hoping to keep up the good form.

 

[Briony]

I thought Smith looked a bit concerned when Ponting was being interviewed and appeared to be a bit frustrated at the fact that he never seems to win a toss against Punter and that this was an important one. He was probably foxing.

 

[oitoitoi]

Did ok.

Lol nice.