***Official*** South Africa In Australia

[Athlai]

Easily Clarke's best inningsof his test career. Very mature and just what Australia needed.

Thought it was his 98 at Brisbane just recently TBH.

 

[pup11]

Reverse the order, tbh. Reckon that Ponting bloke would go alright as a Test number 9. And, somehow, Hussey seem more menacing coming out at 8..........

That guy Siddle though first needs to work on his batting against the short delivery and after that he would be ready to open the batting for Australia....

 

[alternative]

Finally the breakthrough. Pleased about that tbh.
Clarkey doesn't get that 100. Aweseome stuff. Hopefully Saffies can go on from here now.

 

[Zinzan]

Easily Clarke's best inningsof his test career. Very mature and just what Australia needed.

Yup, rate Clarke much more highly as a test bat after that knock

 

[alternative]

Clarkey didn't deserve the century for mine, if he wanted it so badly he wouldn't have given the strike more to Siddle, he would have gone after it. So not worthy of it. Well played to keep going at it for such long period though.

 

[NUFAN]

Very pleased with the effort today, would love nothing more then a "Siddle sizzles" headline after the days play - taking something awesome like 6 for 64.

 

[Briony]

SA struggles to dismiss Australia's tail but it was a very good effort from Dale Steyn in the end. And he was unlucky to be deprived of Ponting's wicket which could well be the game-changing moment of the match.

 

[pup11]

Clarkey didn't deserve the century for mine, if he wanted it so badly he wouldn't have given the strike more to Siddle, he would have gone after it. So not worthy of it. Well played to keep going at it for such long period though.

Probably he felt that he was much better off looking to pick every run avaliable for the team' cause rather than start slogging selfishly to bring up his own century, and not also to forget that South Africa had most of their fielders guarding the boundaries whenever Clarke was on strike.

 

[Zinzan]

You'd have to say Australia are on top after posting close to 400, although not by that much. I reckon 360 would have been about even-stevens on this pitch.

 

[pup11]

Thought it was his 98 at Brisbane just recently TBH.

SA bowling attack >>>>>>>>>>> NZ bowling attack (despite them bowling on that Brisbane pitch)

 

[Zinzan]

SA bowling attack >>>>>>>>>>> NZ bowling attack (despite them bowling on that Brisbane pitch)

Yeah, but the Brisbane pitch more than made up for the difference in the bowling attacks if you consider Australia were bowled out for just 214 there

 

[Furball]

Probably he felt that he was much better off looking to pick every run avaliable for the team' cause rather than start slogging selfishly to bring up his own century, and not also to forget that South Africa had most of their fielders guarding the boundaries whenever Clarke was on strike.

Correct.

Clarke would have been rightfully criticised had he slogged as soon as Siddle came to the crease, and lost his wicket quickly, leaving Australia 360ao.

Besides, there's the man-management aspect to consider as well. Siddle has come in for a bit of criticism after the first test - perhaps Siddle's ego needed his vice-captain to show belief in his ability, albeit with the bat. If Siddle's confidence is raised enough to help him bowl better, then Clarke deserves credit.

I'm not sure how you can criticise Clarke's innings. He's added 50 to his overnight score, and helped his team add 114 to their overnight total, which moves Australia from an okish position to a very competitive one.

 

[Burgey]

Probably he felt that he was much better off looking to pick every run avaliable for the team' cause rather than start slogging selfishly to bring up his own century, and not also to forget that South Africa had most of their fielders guarding the boundaries whenever Clarke was on strike.

Yep. His decision to give the strike to Siddle and take every run was surely vindicated by the length of time the latter batted for and the runs he scored.

 

[pup11]

Hoping Binger would be back to his best and would blow away the Saffie top order with the new ball.... *finger crossed*

 

[Savvy Saffer]

Awesome performance by the tail, how would you guys rate the Saffie attack at the end?


Dale Steyn - Awesome (obviously!)
Makhaya Ntini - Workhorse did ok
Morne Morkel - Terrible, can't keep up his pace and lacks killer instinct
Paul Harris - Under-rated and under-bowler
Jacques Kallis - Best 5th bowler in the world by a country mile

 

[pup11]

Warne in the comm box with Smith on strike, this would be good, though that nerd Healy doing his best to ruin it....

 

[Mister Wright]

Lee has started very well here. Testing Smith atm.

 

[Top_Cat]

Good pace from Lee so far but, more importantly, great line-and-length. Usually has 1 or 2 overs when he's busting a gut before it falls over so let's see how he goes.

 

[pup11]

Pete Siddle gets the new ball in front of his home crowd and starts off brilliantly....

Go Moobs......

 

[Mister Wright]

Side-effects of hangover - Peter Siddle looks dangerous.