***Official*** South Africa in Australia

[Jono]

Its now or never for South Africa. They need wickets with the new ball. If they don't I think Australia could get a 300-350 lead quite comfortably.

 

[Maison]

Its now or never for South Africa. They need wickets with the new ball. If they don't I think Australia could get a 300-350 lead quite comfortably.

the question is, will shane warne play a part in the 2nd innings?

cause its not asif in the past, shanes had any significance on the ground...

hmm

still if SAfrica have a good start again 250-300 could be reachable, especially since theres 2 days left

 

[Jono]

Yeah but maybe McGrath will fire. If not Lee may get another 5-for. They have plenty of options, and with 350 on the board they'd be clear favourite. SA may get there (they chased 340 down in 2001/02) but they're missing their best batsman and are facing two of the greatest bowlers of the modern era, gonna be damn tough.

 

[marc71178]

I read ICF..

Still not making much sense.

 

[Demolition Man]

Lee will beneift from the baking the pitch has recieved today, it is cooling off for the next few days but the damage is done.

SA will struggle to get over 300 in the 4th innings on this pitch if the aussies can hold their catches the suddies are gorne.

 

[parttimer]

They are forever going on about how if it was one of their batsmen they wouldn't have been given benefit of the doubt. Its like an obsession

 

[Slow Love™]

Well, I'm gonna stick my neck out out and say the Saffies are gone. Excellent stuff from Hodge and Hussey, and I really hope Hodge makes his century tonight - six overs to go and he's 87(!) as I write this. Certainly the middle order is starting to look a bit less fragile. What I'd really like to see is Gilly getting among the runs again.

 

[Demolition Man]

Safricans have only themselves to blame , how many times have they dropped hodge this match ?? Not to mention all the other drops

 

[Jono]

They are forever going on about how if it was one of their batsmen they wouldn't have been given benefit of the doubt. Its like an obsession

They?

Firstly, 'they' does not equal a subcontinent team in this match. Secondly, glad to see you're stereotyping around 1 1/2 billion people.

 

[Maison]

yeh... inexperienced middle order... i say!

goodwork hussey, support your new buddy hodge

 

[parttimer]

Blah. Go and visit most boards, they are full of whinging about the umpires and the ICC being racist. Talking about alot of cricket nerds really, not 1 1/2 billion pple.

 

[Jono]

Oh AB! Another one dropped.

 

[social]

Another good day of cricket.

Shame for SA about the no-ball call as they would deservedly have been right on top at that point.

Other than that, umpires have been generally excellent and a quantum leap forward over Rudi.

SA have really put in but let down by drops.

Hodge and Hussey are really fine players and could potentially score mountains of runs over the next few years with their techniques.

Only disappointment for me has been the lack of fire shown by Nel. Against Eng this year, he was often well into the 140s but has been struggling in the low 130s here. On previous form, he should have been a real handful in Perth.

Do any of our Saffie friends know whether he is injured or is he burnt out after a long year?

 

[social]

Oh AB! Another one dropped.

Yeah but contrary to what Bill Lawry said, it was hardly regulation.

Listening to him, you'd think he'd never dropped a catch.

 

[Gideon]

Well done Hodge and Hussey. Both of them have played well, and toughed it out. Both of them should kick on and score big ones.

The SA fielding has been dissapointing, far too many dropped catches and they are paying the price for it. Both Hussey and Hodge could be in pavilion right now.

A lead of 350+ by lunch tomorrow would be hard to chase down. I'm keen to see Symonds bat again, hopefully if someone gets out, he'll go in with a positive attitude and score runs like he usually does.

 

[Nate]

Great game, finally the matchbreaker you`d think.

Hope to see a Hodge century, and maybe Huss can get his average above 150?


Poor Saffies...

 

[aussie]

Yeah but maybe McGrath will fire. If not Lee may get another 5-for. They have plenty of options, and with 350 on the board they'd be clear favourite. SA may get there (they chased 340 down in 2001/02) but they're missing their best batsman and are facing two of the greatest bowlers of the modern era, gonna be damn tough.

one key thhibk about that chase in durban was it was a dead rubber test

 

[aussie]

anyway great batting from Hodge & Hussey, those who say the middle order is inexperience think again , Australia are on their way now

 

[Linda]

Our middle order is certainly starting to take on better shape. This partnership has been excellent, despite the chances. Really looking forward to hopefully seeing Hodges century tomorrow, what a great moment it could be for him.

Hoggy - greatest 12th man ever What a legend.

 

[Josh]

Hogg's great. Such a character!!

As soon as I saw Hodge get dropped I said. "That's it, he'll make a century now." I hope I'm not wrong Bradley.

Hussey is just too good lol. Ponting out to the same ball Hodge go in 1st. Inns. Just leave it Punter!! lol

Great day of cricket. Disappointed Lee didn't go on with it, but oh well, did a great job.

South Africa would be lucky to hold catches with a velcro-covered ball and velcro-covered hands the way they're going.