***Official*** South Africa in Australia

[aussie]

Australia target now should be to try to get to 300 & if all goes well 350 could be a possibilty. But i'm annoyed Ponting & Hayden batted so well & the middle order have squandered the advantage urghhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[aussie]

Christ what are Australia doing, is this the ashes all over again

 

[andyc]

Here's praying for a Brett Lee 50 and a Michael Hussey 100

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Overreactions here, I think. Conditions are fairly tough for batting, and the bowling has been good again. I think that it was a good toss to lose, but that 300 would be a par score, which Australia aren't too far behind.

 

[aussie]

Overreactions here, I think. Conditions are fairly tough for batting, and the bowling has been good again. I think that it was a good toss to lose, but that 300 would be a par score, which Australia aren't too far behind.

All true about the conditions & the bowling, but i dunno Sean its worrying that our middle order cant stand up to top-quality bowling of late, while you must be worried about Gilchrist's form with just one 50 in 10 test...

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

All true about the conditions & the bowling, but i dunno Sean its worrying that our middle order cant stand up to top-quality bowling of late, while you must be worried about Gilchrist's form with just one 50 in 10 test...

Sure. Gilchrist is in the worst form of his career, but given that Hodge and Hussey are averaging 80 odd in tests, it's really just Symonds who has been struggling.

 

[aussie]

ah man what a sad way to end the day, geeez , if Australia get 300 they'll be lucky it been difficult batting today, so hopefully it remains that way & Australia will hit back tommorow when SA bat.

 

[aussie]

Sure. Gilchrist is in the worst form of his career, but given that Hodge and Hussey are averaging 80 odd in tests, it's really just Symonds who has been struggling.

fair enough, so who would u go for to replace Symo now Martyo or Pup?

 

[Sportsgirl]

fair enough, so who would u go for to replace Symo now Martyo or Pup?

I'd go for Pup or maybe bring Katich back.

 

[parttimer]

Marto at 34 prolly too old to be picked. I don't think its that smart to pick someone who'll for age reasons be out of the team in a year. Do we really want a 35 year old Martyn facing Eng next Ashes?

 

[ClownSymonds]

Marto needs to be brought back. I remember him scoring 160-odd last time to rescue Australia against Pakistan. It is experience that is needed in these situations, as shown by Ponting and Hayden. Australia still might win (maybe probably will) because there is a good chance of South Africa's batting wilting against McGrath, Warne, and Lee on this pitch, but it shouldn't have been left to chance.

 

[aussie]

Marto at 34 prolly too old to be picked. I don't think its that smart to pick someone who'll for age reasons be out of the team in a year. Do we really want a 35 year old Martyn facing Eng next Ashes?

what makes you so sure if he is recalled if he will be out of the team in year? & i dont see a problem with him facing england in the ashes once he is making runs cause even though he did fail in the ashes to me it was more to him playing bad shots than englands bowlers actually having him at sea unlike Hayden & the odd rough decision.

 

[Prince EWS]

yea even if he makes 50 in the 2nd innings he should be dropped. So then that will leave his place open for 3 players Martyo, Pup or Watson, i would love it to be Martyn but i dunno

When Watson is fit, he'll be back in the side.

I think thats why they have kept Symonds in the team. They didnt think it was worth distuption the team with another batsman coming in, and they didnt believe the five bowler option was the right move.

 

[social]

The finger needs to be pointed at someone in the Aus team hierarchy - I assume they all discuss the desision before they toss.

In the space of ten tests, we've;

a. sent the oppo in on a road on a tiny ground having lost the world's best bowler just before play;

b. batted on a pitch when play was delayed due to rain; and

c. batted on a pitch wnen play was delayed due to the wicket being wet.

Ponting is a brilliant, brilliant batsman - probably the best in the world at present.

However, either his man management skills are totally crap or he's an absolute imbecile.

Either way, he's got no idea as a captain.

 

[James90]

listen to the roar, hundred in the boxing day test no better feeling

How would you know!

 

[mikeW]

White a chance for Symonds spot?

 

[Prince EWS]

White a chance for Symonds spot?

No way in hell.

 

[mikeW]

No way in hell.

I meant if they were looking for his replacement to be an all-rounder.

 

[Prince EWS]

I meant if they were looking for his replacement to be an all-rounder.

They'd stick with Symonds before turning to White. They'd also go for Hopes, Wright or even Katich as allrounders before they turned to White. He has no chance of playing test cricket in the next six months.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I haven't seen any of today's play (actually not quite true, I saw Nel shell Punter when I flipped over from watching The Untouchables for about the sixth time during an ad break, but that's it! Will catch the highlights later.) but it seems the Oz selectors are so determined to prove they didn't make a rash decision dropping Martyn Symonds is going to have chance after chance! Martyn should never have been dropped in the first place, Punter obviously doesn't fancy Symonds's bowling at test level, so he's effectively being played as a specialist bat anyway. Six tests isn't a whole lot to prove yourself, but when the competition is so strong he has to offer something more than he's showing.

How far is Watson from fitness now? Will Symonds hang on til he's fit?