***Official*** Australia in South Africa

[Spikey]

Disappointing to see another collapse, we need to sort that middle order out.

and Watson..........

 

[Woodster]

Just watched the entire day, what a good day's play. Australia could not have wished for a better opening session, Hughes was very good (I don't remember saying that too frequently of late) and Watson mixed some dangerous driving with some textbook strokes full of authority, Was very disappointed with the SA attack in that first session, but they hit back tremendously after the break.

They just offered too many four-balls in the morning, but credit to the two openers for latching onto anything with a hint of width. When the runs dried up they began to look twitchy, and following the first Test, the collapse was not a big surprise, despite the stellar names in the top seven.

Steyn, despite being down on pace and rhythm today, still picked up some very good scalps, and produced some beauties, a truly world class operator. Philander may need to work on his fitness, I know he may have had a slight niggle today, but his return spells must not drop too much lower in pace or he will become much less effective. He was still accurate today and could become a useful foil for Steyn.

Poor Ricky looks in turmoil, Hussey is having his problems against big Morkel, and Clarke will be livid with his own shot today. Some sharp catches again on show.

 

[Athlai]

Since the start of 2007, Ponting has the worst average of any Test batsman to have scored 3,000 runs, of whom there have been 17.

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

Since the start of 2008 he has the 3rd worst out of 28 to score over 2000 runs.

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

Joining illustrious names such as Haddin and Collingwood.

 

[Athlai]

Since the start of 2008 he has the 3rd worst out of 28 to score over 2000 runs.

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

Joining illustrious names such as Haddin and Collingwood.

Vettori sitting only 1 run below him in terms of average with 1910 runs shows what Ponting has offered Australia with the bat.

 

[Spikey]

how many of kallis' 33 sixes been against off-spin?

 

[Furball]

Vettori sitting only 1 run below him in terms of average with 1910 runs shows what Ponting has offered Australia with the bat.

Doesn't suprise me tbh, I'm pretty sure you can cherrypick stats in some way over the last 4 years to show that Vettori has been a better batsman than Ponting.

 

[aussie tragic]

I think the Australia batting stats for last 12 months says it all

Ponting averaging less than Siddle

 

[Spikey]

all hail steve smith

 

[Spark]

4 collapses in 6 innings, wtf (not including a partial collapse in our first dig in the first Test)

 

[robelinda]

I think the Australia batting stats for last 12 months says it all

Ponting averaging less than Siddle

OUCH! We have been just dire.

 

[Furball]

4 collapses in 6 innings, wtf (not including a partial collapse in our first dig in the first Test)

I'll say it again, Marcuss North is the only member of Australia's top 6 to have lost his place due to underperforming since the 2009 Ashes.

 

[Spark]

That's on both sides this series. Not been a good one for the batsmen.

 

[Furball]

I think the Australia batting stats for last 12 months says it all

Ponting averaging less than Siddle

Just for funsies:

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[aussie tragic]

I'll say it again, Marcuss North is the only member of Australia's top 6 to have lost his place due to underperforming since the 2009 Ashes.

Steve Smith? Played 2 tests batting # 6

Simon Katich? His last 5 Tests he made 231 runs @ 23.10

 

[Viscount Tom]

Read this and thought you meant the usual Johnson four balls....

These of course been:-

The normal wide
The legside wide
The no ball
Middle of the bat.

There's a cruelness in that no one seems to be suggesting said Marcus could make a return.

Still find it amusing that the basis for clearing out was 'for the next ashes' Which will consists largely of facing the same team as last time.

Steven Smith remains awful I mean did you see his press conference for his selection- to tell jokes was the summary of it.

Anyway Rudolph to get a nice 70 I think and hope.

 

[Flem274*]

Vettori sitting only 1 run below him in terms of average with 1910 runs shows what Ponting has offered Australia with the bat.

That Ponting mounts rescue missions with the lower order again and again?

 

[sunilreddy]

Rudi Second | South Africa Cricket | Cricket Players and Officials | ESPN Cricinfo

Impressive start to his FC career.

 

[social]

Australia are a pathetically soft unit

Given the positions that they have gotten themselves into in both tests, the absolute worst result that they should have achieved in this series is a 1-0 victory

However, it's now odds on that they will bowl utter **** today, collapse in their 4th innings
and be beaten 2-0 with barely a whimper

Sorry to sound defeatist but we've seen it too many times before

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Social being eternally optimistic shocker

 

[robelinda]

Australia are a pathetically soft unit

Given the positions that they have gotten themselves into in both tests, the absolute worst result that they should have achieved in this series is a 1-0 victory

However, it's now odds on that they will bowl utter **** today, collapse in their 4th innings
and be beaten 2-0 with barely a whimper

Sorry to sound defeatist but we've seen it too many times before

Agree. Need some steel, but I'm not sure we have the players coming through who are hardened.