*Official* Match #10 — Australia Vs South Africa Oct 12th, Lucknow

[Kenneth Viljoen]

Is it fair to say that the Asian teams have had a bit of a nudge ahead of the rest of the world in terms of preparation for 50 over cricket as they had the Asia cup alongside the bilateral series that others may have played? So the Asian sides might just have a competitive edge as well as the Aussies having had a pretty action packed last 6 months or so in other forms of the game.

Sri Lanka , Bangladesh and Afghanistan have looked medicore though

 

[loterry1994]

Marnus isn’t a bad player in short forms. It’s just his role in the team currently doesn’t balance it well when you have both him and Smith there. Both them take a bit longer to get going and are anchor type players for Australia. This hurts Australia especially when the openers don’t fire and get out cheaply which we’ve seen the last two games.

You compare our middle order to the likes of NZ, India, England etc we don’t have as much fire power there. People can say that’s our all rounders job down the order but we can’t expect them to be batting 25 overs a game.

 

[Chin Music]

Sri Lanka , Bangladesh and Afghanistan have looked medicore though

I wouldn’t have expected Sri Lanka or Afghanistan to be up to much but Bangladesh have been a disappointment.

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

I wouldn’t have expected Sri Lanka or Afghanistan to be up to much but Bangladesh have been a disappointment.

Also, Pakistan have only faced Netherlands when it comes to non asian teams ..
I think a fairer picture that shows subcontinent teams really do have a edge is when it's 5 or 6 games into the tournament and the table has a true reflection, otherwise it doesn't look like it's counting for much ..The best prepared team looks like New Zealand imo

 

[straw man]

Put me in the camp of - Australia have struggled in a couple of games so far (against good opposition), but it wouldn't take a lot for them to turn it around. Core 6-7 players still very good and have underlying class, only a few tweaks needed. Drop one or two underperformers (Stoinis), rely on a couple of core players to put in a big performance (Smith, Starc/Hazlewood), one of the fringe but dangerous players does the same (Marsh), the cricket gods smile for a few key moments and suddenly the winning feeling is back. Sport is fickle.

Aus will win against Sri Lanka whose bowling is weak, then the match against Pakistan is key, but from memory Pakistan have a terrible record vs Australia in tournaments. Two wins in a row and everything changes.

 

[Silver Silva]

Put me in the camp of - Australia have struggled in a couple of games so far (against good opposition), but it wouldn't take a lot for them to turn it around. Core 6-7 players still very good and have underlying class, only a few tweaks needed. Drop one or two underperformers (Stoinis), rely on a couple of core players to put in a big performance (Smith, Starc/Hazlewood), one of the fringe but dangerous players does the same (Marsh), the cricket gods smile for a few key moments and suddenly the winning feeling is back. Sport is fickle.

Aus will win against Sri Lanka whose bowling is weak, then the match against Pakistan is key, but from memory Pakistan have a terrible record vs Australia in tournaments. Two wins in a row and everything changes.

Also Australia's run first two games easily the toughest from all the teams , Host nation and then a big nemesis .anyone could have been 0-2

 

[loterry1994]

Also Australia's run first two games easily the toughest from all the teams , Host nation and then a big nemesis .anyone could have been 0-2

It’s not just who had the hardest or easiest draws so far. It’s on how much they’ve got dominated which is the worry. Sure they could still make it but pressure is big on them now.

 

[Owzat]

Also Australia's run first two games easily the toughest from all the teams , Host nation and then a big nemesis .anyone could have been 0-2

exactly, and in round robin format can easily pull it back. like Tottering Hamsters start to the season, played all three promoted sides, couple of other straightforward games, drew against any half decent side except beating a side playing 9 men and only then via a late own goal

3 times previously the aussies have lost their opening 2 games, didn't win the competition then but not really comparable

 

[Owzat]

It’s not just who had the hardest or easiest draws so far. It’s on how much they’ve got dominated which is the worry. Sure they could still make it but pressure is big on them now.

They are probably hoping Zampa gets injured, beyond his pride for what that is worth. 0/53 and 1/70, whilst most focus on runs, runs, runs, you'll see a fair correlation between the sides taking 9-10 wickets and who wins

that said aussies have yet to score 200+, the ONLY side to fail to do so thus far - even Afghans (vs India) and Holland (vs Pakistan AND New Zealand) have scored 200+

 

[Gob]

Put me in the camp of - Australia have struggled in a couple of games so far (against good opposition), but it wouldn't take a lot for them to turn it around. Core 6-7 players still very good and have underlying class, only a few tweaks needed. Drop one or two underperformers (Stoinis), rely on a couple of core players to put in a big performance (Smith, Starc/Hazlewood), one of the fringe but dangerous players does the same (Marsh), the cricket gods smile for a few key moments and suddenly the winning feeling is back. Sport is fickle.

Aus will win against Sri Lanka whose bowling is weak, then the match against Pakistan is key, but from memory Pakistan have a terrible record vs Australia in tournaments. Two wins in a row and everything changes.

g00d call