*Official* South Africa in India, Sep/Oct 2019

[Daemon]

Can see SA putting some pressure if they get to bat first. Their batting hasn't been the problem this series. Not sure how much it'll matter though, especially with Maharaj gone they're going to struggle with the ball more than ever.

Even if you allow for scoreboard pressure and fatigue, they were pretty abysmal in the last test. The Philander/Maharaj partnerships accounted for more than a third of the runs they scored in the game.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Yeah i guess so. They might even miss Maharaj the batsman more than the bowler.

 

[vcs]

Nadeem? Lame.

 

[Gnske]

I can't wait for another three or four days of sadness.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Nadeem wut?!

I guess it's cool for him since he's a local boy. Think he's a hack though personally.

 

[Daemon]

Fifteen years ago, Shahbaz Nadeem's father, a police officer in Dhanbad, told his two sons only one of them could play cricket. He didn't want both of them risking "a secure life" by chasing a game that didn't guarantee a future because they hailed from Bihar. Assad Iqbal, the older brother and captain of the Bihar Under-15s, decided to step aside and give his younger brother - who was already playing U-19s as a 14-year-old - the chance to pursue his passion. Pretty sure, Iqbal, an engineer and MBA who is well settled in Delhi, will be delighted with his decision.

Some of these stories about subcontinental cricketers backgrounds are just wild

 

[TT Boy]

Surprise Surprise. Good job Beterbiev vs Gvozdyk is on ESPN now, and the wife wants to watch the Breaking Bad movie later tonight.

 

[StephenZA]

Faf trying a proxy captain for the toss... mildly amusing. That shows some sort of good humour in the team camp at least.

The odds of that SA team being picked before the start of this series would have earned you a lot of money. It almost feels like a lets pick some new players and give them some experience and see what happens. Most interesting being George Linde. Oh and QDK opening and Klaasens with the gloves.

 

[TT Boy]

Unless he is injured, not sure why Philander has been dropped. You fancy him with the bat more than some of the real batsman and even without taking wickets, he doesn't go for many and keeps the Indians honest with the new ball.

 

[StephenZA]

Pity for Rudi Second as well, having originally got the backup keeper spot.

 

[Dendarii]

Unless he is injured, not sure why Philander has been dropped. You fancy him with the bat more than some of the real batsman and even without taking wickets, he doesn't go for many and keeps the Indians honest with the new ball.

By dropping Philander and Muthusamy we've created a very long tail. I don't think either of them should have batted at 7, but you could kind of get away with it by having the other one at 8 and Maharaj to come. Now either Linde or Piedt will have to bat at 7 and then there's nothing after the two of them.

 

[harsh.ag]

Would have dropped Nortje and kept Philander but otherwise it's a good XI.

Faf bringing in Bavuma for toss good luck though

 

[Daemon]

Dropping Philander while keeping Nortje is weird.

Rabada's bowling beautifully today.

 

[StephenZA]

Such a better looking Rabada... deserved that.

 

[Daemon]

Mayank

 

[OverratedSanity]

Very good from rabada so far.

 

[ataraxia]

I don't get the point of dropping Philander, especially given his batting. Just drop Nortje for Ngidi.

 

[Gnske]

Rabada's cricket IQ is turned on here for Pujara, just needs to straighten that one at the pads.

 

[ataraxia]

Not when ball swing
Just dismissed for 10 off # 1 Rabada

Bit of a small sample size.

 

[ataraxia]

Not need 3 Fast bowler at Ranchi.SA seam bowlers average 75.80 In 2 test so far so changed must need.

I am excited as Q de Kock will open with ElGar to give more pressure to india

I think they need three quicks more than three spinners though. Elgar's enough.