***Official*** South Africa In Australia

[JBH001]

Not unexpected.. this will happen more and more in the next 18 months

It stops happening after 18 months, does it?

Seriously though. Picked a 1-0 to Australia before the series (not that you can ever tell) and certainly did not expect Australia to be 7 down for less than 150 on what is still a good batting track, and the same deck on which the last SA wickets scored close to 300 runs. Entirely unexpected however much and whichever way people may rationalise it. Especially considering half the runs are from Ponting.

 

[Zinzan]

Hussey very unlucky. Ball was nowhere near his gloves. I don't blame the umpire. The human eye is not equipped to accurately capture bowling of that speed very often.

Well, thats cricket without the use of technology for ya.

 

[JBH001]

JBH001. Bit of a Jack Hobbs fan, eh?

Reminds me of the time when I found the ancient cricket gear bag at work. A genuinely old cricket bat "JACK HOBBS" brand was found therein.

Heh, cool. And yeah, mate. Always liked players who combine technical excellence with calmness of temperament, and organisation and method at the crease. JBH seems to me to have been one of those players, as is Tendulkar (which is why I rate him so highly as a batsman - best I have ever seen).

 

[honestbharani]

The mods just got together & thought, "What can we get CW for Xmas that everyone will enjoy?" & it became obvious.

Just watching the highlights now. Can see what T_C meant about Siddle's nipples! Jesus, you could cut glass with them.

got any link where we can learn what exactly transpired and why he got banned?



Is it a perma one or temp one, btw?

 

[pup11]

Really can't see Australia managing this one. Obviously Ponting could do what Duminy did, but I have a feeling he'll make his ton and then get out. If it was Hussey, maybe.

I also don't think an "awkward" chase of 200-250 would be sufficient either. If Lee was fit, maybe, but without him there's just not enough support there, even if Siddle and Johnson both bowl really well.

Anyway, if there's ever been a time for Johnson to show why he should be batting above Lee, which everyone seems to think every time Lee gets a score under 50, this is it. A half-century from one of the bowlers would make a massive difference.

Hauritz can batl too, but both Johnson and Hauritz would have to bat really well to dig Aussies out of this hole, but for the tail to chip in effectively its important that Ponting stays there till the end.

 

[Zinzan]

Whats Ian "dip-stick" Healy been like in the com-box today, his usual talking up the Australians as amazing and their opponents as rubbish ?

 

[JimmyGS]

No.

Yes. Fact.

 

[JimmyGS]

I was sort of zoning in and out while in the gym before, but it seemed like every time I looked at the tv I saw Ponting flashing at a wide one.

Was it just coincidence or has he been playing really agressively in this innings?

 

[Top_Cat]

Ponting is determined to make this a big last stand, I think. Looking to play a JPD-like knock. Looks pretty intense and blokes like him, if you catch them in a mood like this, they can still hurt ya.

130-odd lead with Johnson still out there so I reckon they'll just bat as long as they can. If Johnson gets out before Ponting, reckon he might start to cut loose a bit. Bit of a coiled-spring look about him, I guess is what I'm saying.

 

[Zinzan]

Most important innings in Johnson's career-to-date?

 

[pup11]

Probably the most important innings in Ponting' career to-date too, as the captain he surely would want to make sure that he does everything possible to not let the Saffies win the series here, shame nobody from the other end has supported him.

 

[Zinzan]

As much as I want to see SA win, I'm really hoping Ponting does gets his 100, so getting to 100 & then getting out would be ideal

 

[Zinzan]

Probably the most important innings in Ponting' career to-date too, as the captain he surely would want to make sure that he does everything possible to not let the Saffies win the series here, shame nobody from the other end has supported him.

I wouldn't put it past these two to add another 70 or so, & I certainly wouldn't put it past Australia defending over 200, especially if Johnson can fire.

FTR - Johnson should bat ahead of Lee, technically a much better looking batsman

 

[G.I.Joe]

Go Ponting!

Its weird how previously annoying batsmen become so much more likeable when they play for a weak team

 

[Bees]

Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch!

He deserved the 100.

 

[duffer]

Haha incredible. Fantastic knock though.

 

[Jamee999]

As if...

 

[Zinzan]

99! Ricky must have been hanging out with NZ batsman recently

 

[_Ed_]

Poor bloke.

 

[pup11]

This almost like a cruel joke for Australia.....