*Official* Pakistan v South Africa in UAE

[salman85]

But it's a fair point.Steyn has already reached his peak.I don't think he will get better from here on.He might maintain the same standard give and take a few notches (which is still world class), but he probably won't attain a higher level.The fact that his own standards are so high is a factor too obviously.

 

[Rheinhardt]

If he maintains this level it is good enough, he has an efficient bowling action and injuries have not plagued him yet. Unluckily for the rest of the world i think he has a fair bit left in him.

 

[Dissector]

Steyn turned 30 barely a few months ago

Well yeah I am not suggesting he is going to fall off a cliff, just maybe lose a bit of his edge. The odd injury, the odd off-day especially in the second innings. Even if he is just 10% less effective, that makes a difference to SA especially since they seem to be struggling to produce quality 3rd/4th bowlers.

 

[Rheinhardt]

Haven't been watching the series closely but it's an interesting one from the perspective of evaluating SA as a potential long-term no.1 team. They should be able to win the game and draw the series from here on in and certainly if they fail to do so their standing as a true champion team will take a hit.

I have been a bit more skeptical than many here about SA's capacity to be a lasting no.1. Firstly it looks like Kallis is in the decline/retirement phase and that will create a big hole in the team since he contributed so much with bat and ball. Without him at his prime, the SA batting looks merely good rather than excellent and the bowling loses a certain edge.

Secondly SA is struggling to develop a quality test spinner. Perhaps Tahir may develop into one but there is still a long way to go. SA also seems to fall short of producing that third quality pace bowler. Sometimes Morkel looks the part but then he fades away. An attack with Steyn, Philander ,two average bowlers and little or no Kallis looks good rather than great again. And I am still not convinced that Philander will be the kind of ATG bowler who can lead the attack on all surfaces. With Steyn himself on the wrong side of 30, I wouldn't be surprised if this attack and the team in general are already past their peak with the no.1 ranking in jeopardy in a year or two.

Ever heard of Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers? Oh wait AMLA is the best Bat in the world at the moment!!! AB 2nd.

 

[smash84]

addu khatmal couldn't hold on to a catch and now the team must pay........

and what is Pakistan's strategy in the 2nd innings? Try to get 100 runs from the top 7 and the last 4 will add another 25?

 

[smash84]

Amla is such a gun. Not so convinced about ABDev yet. As was discussed earlier in this thread AB is a surprising number 2 at this point. Will definitely take Michael Clarke over AB

 

[Heboric]

Haven't been watching the series closely but it's an interesting one from the perspective of evaluating SA as a potential long-term no.1 team. They should be able to win the game and draw the series from here on in and certainly if they fail to do so their standing as a true champion team will take a hit.

I have been a bit more skeptical than many here about SA's capacity to be a lasting no.1. Firstly it looks like Kallis is in the decline/retirement phase and that will create a big hole in the team since he contributed so much with bat and ball. Without him at his prime, the SA batting looks merely good rather than excellent and the bowling loses a certain edge.

Secondly SA is struggling to develop a quality test spinner. Perhaps Tahir may develop into one but there is still a long way to go. SA also seems to fall short of producing that third quality pace bowler. Sometimes Morkel looks the part but then he fades away. An attack with Steyn, Philander ,two average bowlers and little or no Kallis looks good rather than great again. And I am still not convinced that Philander will be the kind of ATG bowler who can lead the attack on all surfaces. With Steyn himself on the wrong side of 30, I wouldn't be surprised if this attack and the team in general are already past their peak with the no.1 ranking in jeopardy in a year or two.

Hmmm, barring Kallis who is coming to an end to his career, the rest have a good few years left in them. Plus South Africa do have potential replacements (we will never know how good they are until they play at the top level)

 

[smash84]

wow.....Graeme Smith......a century on a not so easy pitch...well played

 

[smash84]

lol.....all reviews used up by the 4th over. A plumb LBW not given now

 

[Rheinhardt]

I would take a keeper that averages 50 with the gloves on any day. Dont know about you guys. He has consistently averaged above 50 in the last 3 years i think he deserves his 2nd spot.

 

[smash84]

For some reason SA just don't defeat Pakistan narrowly. They really grind us in the dust. Take away the souls of the players and leave them mentally scarred

 

[nsniks]

Well played Smith

 

[OverratedSanity]

South Africa probably slight favorites now

Seiously though I can't even see Pakistan making SA bat again, and that was the only way they could have saved this game

 

[MW1304]

Second best bat in the world on his way to yet another downhill ton.

 

[kykweer.proteas]

South Africa's day?

 

[kykweer.proteas]

The bad players of spin not doing too bad compared to master players of spin... Pakistan REALLY let then selves down with their fielding.

 

[Paul S]

Well played Smith and ABD

 

[Quaggas]

gg ab

 

[Paul S]

That session pretty much killed Pakistan. They were never in the game after that horrendous batting performance anyway.

 

[kykweer.proteas]

Well done smith and ab. that was merciless. makes our first inning in test 1 hurt even more.

139 runs in 26 overs at 5.3 with smith and ab halted by fatigue.

Pakistan should go into this session knowing that it cohld not get worse and maybe hope for an afternoon batting collapse. which is quite possible. maybe hafeez should have stayed anither game.