***Official*** South Africa in Australia

[andyc]

I`d have given it to Ponting as well. But meh. Great perfroamces by all Australians, except Hodge.

And MacGill

 

[Linda]

Great story about Ntini on the Cricket Show.

He's awesome, I loved the bit about stopping and playing cricket with the kids in SA. What a legend.

I hate this timezone, I sleep in until 9.30 and miss the entire first session

 

[Ming]

What bad sportsmanship by Ponting when it was crystal clear from his position that it could not have came from glove or bat.

 

[James90]

And MacGill

and Jaques

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

What bad sportsmanship by Ponting when it was crystal clear from his position that it could not have came from glove or bat.

Oh go away. Silly comment. He appealed, umpire gave it out, no two ways about it.

I would have given man of the match to Hayden. Two supurb knocks.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

and Jaques

Gilchrist didn't have much of a game either.

 

[vic_orthdox]

I said day 3 was the best day, but day 4 was lol. Even if I got badly sunburnt and was delerious from the heat because everyone had sold out of water by the tea break and I had already had my 3 1.25 litre bottles.

Symonds was magnificent!! Absolutely superb. Loved every second of his innings. Hayden did great, too. Not too sure about Gilchrist at this stage I'll be brave and say it might be time to look elsewhere for a keeper.

Very entertaining stuff yesterday tho. Warney bowled like the superstar he is.

Writing Gilchrist's career off, with the final nail in the coffin him making a first baller, trying to get quick runs, while his keeping has been excellent.

It's a fickle world.

 

[parttimer]

Writing Gilchrist's career off, with the final nail in the coffin him making a first baller, trying to get quick runs, while his keeping has been excellent.

It's a fickle world.

To be fair he's done nothing since the super test, and failed miserably in the Ashes. The thing with Gilly is that as a player who relies more on hand-eye coord than technique, his skills will more than likely deteriorate quicker than someone like Dravid. Theres no doubting his greatness or achievements, but everyone needs to perform regardless of their past greatness..

 

[Ming]

Oh go away. Silly comment. He appealed, umpire gave it out, no two ways about it.

Well, it's always the Australians who complains other teams are not playing in the spirit of the game etc.

 

[Arrow]

To be fair he's done nothing since the super test, and failed miserably in the Ashes. The thing with Gilly is that as a player who relies more on hand-eye coord than technique, his skills will more than likely deteriorate quicker than someone like Dravid. Theres no doubting his greatness or achievements, but everyone needs to perform regardless of their past greatness..

People seem to forget that Gily is an allrounder, not a pure batsmen so he has far more leeway than most. Even if his average of late has been 30 or whatever, its still as good or better than any other keeper in australia would do.
Hes earnt the right to stay around for a good time yet.

 

[Prince EWS]

To be fair he's done nothing since the super test, and failed miserably in the Ashes. The thing with Gilly is that as a player who relies more on hand-eye coord than technique, his skills will more than likely deteriorate quicker than someone like Dravid. Theres no doubting his greatness or achievements, but everyone needs to perform regardless of their past greatness..

Indeed, but I dont see how that last innings proves much at all. He kept extremely well throughout the whole game, and then was dismissed first ball while going for the slog in persuit for some declaration runs. I dont think this can be the final nail in the coffin, because I dont think it can be considered a nail at all.

The points you made are all valid ones, but for Josh to say "Not too sure about Gilchrist at this stage I'll be brave and say it might be time to look elsewhere for a keeper." with that last innings acting as the final straw seems very harsh.

 

[Arrow]

Over the last year, 18 tests hes averaged 51. Hes only failed in the last 10 where hes averaged 25. A guy who has performed brilliantly for 10 years cannot be pressured after 10 tests.
Give him 20 at least.

 

[Blaze]

Gilchrist is fine. Will not get dropped.

 

[Linda]

I reckon it would be much easier if he just gave away ODI's and carried on in the Test matches. Ease the load on him a bit.

 

[parttimer]

People seem to forget that Gily is an allrounder, not a pure batsmen so he has far more leeway than most. Even if his average of late has been 30 or whatever, its still as good or better than any other keeper in australia would do.
Hes earnt the right to stay around for a good time yet.

I'd say Haddin could do better, IMO than competant enough with the bat to avg 30 at int level.

For arguements sake say that he doesn't bat well in Syd, and doesn't do much better on the tour of SA, will that be long enough? 5 Ashes, 3 v windies and 6 versus SA, surely that is enough rope for even the likes of Gilly.

 

[sqwerty]

Gilchrist is fine. Will not get dropped.

Haven't been following this thread but don't tell me everyone's calling for Gilly's head now?

Are these the same ones who said Hayden had had it after the 4th test in England?

 

[James90]

I'd say Haddin could do better, IMO than competant enough with the bat to avg 30 at int level.

For arguements sake say that he doesn't bat well in Syd, and doesn't do much better on the tour of SA, will that be long enough? 5 Ashes, 3 v windies and 6 versus SA, surely that is enough rope for even the likes of Gilly.

If there's any justice then yes. I'd like to see some consistency after the Martyn fiasco. However, I think Gilly will perform well enough in South Africa to ensure a place in whatever series that follows...Bangladesh I think it is.

 

[James90]

Over the last year, 18 tests hes averaged 51. Hes only failed in the last 10 where hes averaged 25. A guy who has performed brilliantly for 10 years cannot be pressured after 10 tests.
Give him 20 at least.

Again...Martyn only had four tests grace and Gilchrist's only played for Australia since '99. Due to his ability with the gloves he'll be retained for South Africa where he'll average over 50.

 

[Pratters]

What a performance by Symonds!

The crucial aspect was South Africa conceding a first inning lead. Having to bat 4th, they would always be on the back seat after that.

Their second inning performance with the bat didnt simplify matters.

Symonds played such a crucial role in the second inning with the quick 70 and his bowling performance (finalaly playing practically as an all rounder and helping the team balance).

 

[Tomm NCCC]

Well done Aussies, Shown that youre well an truly over your ashes defeat. Good stuff from Andy symonds, 3-50 and 72 off 54 is phenomanal in test cricket. Just hope you lot arent this hot this time next year

Im new by the way