*Official* Australia vs South Africa -2022/3

[halba]

Look out, Aussies: South Africa names powerful squad for first Tests since Sandpaper-gate

Look out, Aussies: South Africa names powerful squad for first Tests since Sandpaper-gate

www.foxsports.com.au

This is an interesting 3 test series. This is the best pace attack South africa will have ever fielded on a tour to Australia, and the best pace attack South africa will have fielded in a series. Prior series Ngidi was injured.

These are the top 2 ranked test nations and rightly so - by a fair distance the pace bowling attacks are some of the best fielded in the sport.

The weakness is in the batting lineups, all susceptible to sustained pace or the moving ball. No real great batsmen exist (against the moving ball) on either side in my opinion. This will be a real true test of Steven Smith's ability.

Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje

If the pitches take sideways movement, Aus team will be in trouble. Ditto South african batters, not the best batting lineup in cricket, will all cave in to the GOAT Cummins or others like Boland/Haze and Even Green. The main plus for Aus batters is that SAF bowlers, have little experience in Aus conditions apart from Rabada.

Jansen - SAF left arm bowler, is a particular standout with 18ave from 7 games and a strike rate in the mid 30s. He is really fast and takes wickets in spades. Still early in his career, first tour to Aus.

If Aus make the pitches a bit flat(which they should do - to avoid being beaten) - then it could be a Draw.

You would think SAF would play a four prong pace attack in melbourne & Brisbane. Maharaj is the weak link so they wont play him. SYD match is where Maharaj the finger spinner will have to play and leave out one of them depending on form/fitness.

Aus will play Starc at the Gabba and MCG- he has an ave of 13 at the G and 17 at the MCG. Boland will play in the MCG at least - last year he was simply unplayable. Cummins will play all 3 tests if fit. Haze will be rotated with Boland. Depends on fitness after the WI test series. Guys like Jhye are persistently injury prone- he has been ruled out again. Neser will be the pace backup again. Cam Green is the Aus version of "Kallis" here.

Lyon will play all 3 tests, Aus dont play a 4 prong pace attack.

 

[StephenZA]

It’s pure hype to think this is going to be anything but a 3-0 to Australia. The difference in quality of batting is about as big as it ever been in this series.

And anybody who thinks it’s sensible to keep dropping Maharaj really not been watching SA cricket. So it a high probability it will happen.

 

[TheJediBrah]

They should pick Rilee for the Tests out of the blue

 

[halba]

It’s pure hype to think this is going to be anything but a 3-0 to Australia. The difference in quality of batting is about as big as it ever been in this series.

And anybody who thinks it’s sensible to keep dropping Maharaj really not been watching SA cricket. So it a high probability it will happen.

yep the SA batting lineup isnt good at all. They have not successfully rebuilt the batting and will struggle to rebuild following the retirement of their all time greats.

Prior great SAF teams had Smith & Amla, Kallis, De Villiers, Boucher, Pollock, Prince, (peak)Duminy and co. Thats extremely formidable, and probably the best batting lineup ever in Tests imho. There is not one batsman of similar 'fearsome' quality

Aus have many top batters in world cricket currently led by Smith, Labuschagne and the very late blooming Khawaja.

The SAF bowlers have little experience down under- Only Rabada has bowled successfully here, the rest no experience. Ngidi has been injured most of his early part of his career and hasnt played a test down under. Jansen is young and quick. Nortje hasnt played here either.

 

[Marius]

They should pick Rilee for the Tests out of the blue

Probably the most talented post-isolation cricketer to have never have played a Test for SA.

 

[Prince EWS]

would think SAF would play a four prong pace attack in melbourne & Brisbane. Maharaj is the weak link so they wont play him. SYD match is where Maharaj the finger spinner will have to play and leave out one of them depending on form/fitness.

#SCGSoSpinny

 

[TheJediBrah]

I wouldn't be surprised if SA play 4 quicks + Maharaj. But it would leave the batting very vulnerable with keeper at 6 and Jansen at 7

 

[Prince EWS]

I wouldn't be surprised if SA play 4 quicks + Maharaj. But it would leave the batting very vulnerable with keeper at 6 and Jansen at 7

They do this all the time even though it's super dumb given how bad their batting is and that Mulder exists.

 

[Marius]

I wouldn't be surprised if SA play 4 quicks + Maharaj. But it would leave the batting very vulnerable with keeper at 6 and Jansen at 7

Verreynne just got a double hundred but Cummins, Starc, and Halzewood at the Gabba are a different prospect than Viljoen, Cloete, and Gumede at Newlands (although Achille Cloete has gas and could be a Proteas prospect in a season or two).

 

[Dendarii]

the best pace attack South africa will have fielded in a series.

It only lasted one match, but South Africa started a series with Steyn, Philander, Morkel, and Rabada, which trumps the current pace attack.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-v-india-2018-2017-18-1122268/south-africa-vs-india-1st-test-1122276/full-scorecard

 

[halba]

It only lasted one match, but South Africa started a series with Steyn, Philander, Morkel, and Rabada, which trumps the current pace attack.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-v-india-2018-2017-18-1122268/south-africa-vs-india-1st-test-1122276/full-scorecard

Yep. I meant all series long.

 

[halba]

Verreynne just got a double hundred but Cummins, Starc, and Halzewood at the Gabba are a different prospect than Viljoen, Cloete, and Gumede at Newlands (although Achille Cloete has gas and could be a Proteas prospect in a season or two).

Yep. Cummins is the goat of fast bowlers. Probably will end his career as our no2 pace bowler ever(won't top McGrath due to less tests being played cos of IPL and T20 schedules)

Very hard to lose test series on pace pitches with a McGrath equivalent or two in the lineup. (Boland , Hazelwood also similar). Also Starc at the MCG and Gabba is like Johnson in Perth.

They are lulling the proteas by putting our fodder stock bowlers in the warm ups.

 

[halba]

I wouldn't be surprised if SA play 4 quicks + Maharaj. But it would leave the batting very vulnerable with keeper at 6 and Jansen at 7

They definitely won't do this. Probably 3 Pacers plus the spinner for rotation purposes and in case of a flat deck and keep the 5th day option with the spinner. It'll be Jansen and rabada first picked with nortje or ngidi depending on form.

 

[Prince EWS]

They definitely won't do this.

I mean... they often do this. The fact that it's a bad idea hasn't stopped them in the past.

The only reason they might not is Mulder's batting form in domestic cricket (in two countries). Given Australian pitches tend to be on the flatter side and spin graveyards they'll definitely want to have four seam options plus Maharaj IMO.

 

[halba]

I mean... they often do this. The fact that it's a bad idea hasn't stopped them in the past.

The only reason they might not is Mulder's batting form in domestic cricket (in two countries). Given Australian pitches tend to be on the flatter side and spin graveyards they'll definitely want to have four seam options plus Maharaj IMO.

I guess it's something I did not consider. They have the all rounder in Jansen. But specialist batting will be thin, it's risky. Aussies will never play 4 Pacers plus Lyon. The weak link of Aus is the top order against the new ball(Warner, Harris?) . Middle order have high averages

 

[TheJediBrah]

I guess it's something I did not consider. They have the all rounder in Jansen. But specialist batting will be thin, it's risky. Aussies will never play 4 Pacers plus Lyon. Travis head is the no6. The weak link of Aus is the top order against the new ball and the keeper bat Carey.

That's what they do. Green is the 4th pacer, and no. 6

 

[halba]

That's what they do. Green is the 4th pacer, and no. 6

Jansen isn't a specialist batsman like Green. Green has hit hundreds at first class and test level. Jansen batting ave of 22 is sort of like Starc.

 

[Dendarii]

They have the all rounder in Jansen.

Jansen is a bowler who's handy with the bat. He's not an all-rounder.

 

[Dendarii]

I mean... they often do this. The fact that it's a bad idea hasn't stopped them in the past.

The only reason they might not is Mulder's batting form in domestic cricket (in two countries). Given Australian pitches tend to be on the flatter side and spin graveyards they'll definitely want to have four seam options plus Maharaj IMO.

Mulder's not in the squad. For some reason they seem reluctant to back him, just giving him the odd match here and there.

 

[Prince EWS]

Mulder's not in the squad. For some reason they seem reluctant to back him, just giving him the odd match here and there.

Oh I had no idea.

I think you can probably lock in Jansen at 7 then.