***Official*** South Africa in Sri Lanka 2014

[Jono]

I came here to post that I think Amla is possibly the most suited batsman to 3 I have ever seen, but note Riggins has made a similar post. Even though Ponting and Dravid were obviously (for now) superior batsmen to Amla, almost feel like Amla's defend/consolidate/counter-attack gears are better than those 2.

 

[Jono]

Amla, like Kallis, has probs just realised that nowadays 4 is the new 3, and if you are/want to be ATG you go there.

Ponting never got the memo though.

 

[91Jmay]

There is very little material difference between numbers 3/4, and batting positions in general are a tad overrated. Discuss

 

[Maximas]

Hey Jono

 

[hendrix]

There mightn't be a big difference between 3 and 4 but I love seeing a Dravidian style 3.

FWIW I don't see Amla in that category. His technique is not particularly traditional, his reputation is built around patience than traditionally tight top order batting technique. It's why I love Pujara so much.

 

[Jono]

There mightn't be a big difference between 3 and 4 but I love seeing a Dravidian style 3.

FWIW I don't see Amla in that category. His technique is not particularly traditional, his reputation is built around patience than traditionally tight top order batting technique. It's why I love Pujara so much.

Best number 3s had counterattacking ability as well. Don (duh), Viv, Ponting.

 

[Jono]

Unless you're saying Viv and Ponting could/would have been better suited lower down the order if you had Dravid available?

 

[Dan]

Spark.

 

[hendrix]

Unless you're saying Viv and Ponting could/would have been better suited lower down the order if you had Dravid available?

This is what I'm saying.

Or even if they wouldn't have been better, I just like those traditional style number 3s. They give me the warm fuzzies.

 

[Riggins]

I came here to post that I think Amla is possibly the most suited batsman to 3 I have ever seen, but note Riggins has made a similar post. Even though Ponting and Dravid were obviously (for now) superior batsmen to Amla, almost feel like Amla's defend/consolidate/counter-attack gears are better than those 2.

Yeah, that ability to come out at 1 for **** all and be 80* at lunch is such a killer. One of those guys who you can bowl well to and look up at the scoreboard and he's 30 off 30. Remember talking to guys who were just clueless about how to bowl at him.

 

[cnerd123]

Amla's technique may not be water-tight, but given the form he's in I don't think that matters.

A counter-attacking number 3 will work great for South Africa since they have the likes of ABDV and Faf down the order to shut up shop if needed, and a pretty decent tail too. And Duminy is an incredibly talented batsman to have down at 5 or 6. Don't need a stodger up at 3.

 

[Dan]

The fact that we can mention AB de Villiers, one of the most aggressive, innovative and good limited-overs batsmen in history, as being able to "shut up shop" is a testament to how ridiculously good this bloke actually is.

Seriously, since he's started making the tough runs as well as skiing downhill, he's rocketed up in my estimations. Quality bat who, IMO, could well be an ATG by the end of his career.

 

[viriya]

He's already an ATG in ODIs and 2 years away from it in Tests imo.

 

[akilana]

The fact that we can mention AB de Villiers, one of the most aggressive, innovative and good limited-overs batsmen in history, as being able to "shut up shop" is a testament to how ridiculously good this bloke actually is.

Seriously, since he's started making the tough runs as well as skiing downhill, he's rocketed up in my estimations. Quality bat who, IMO, could well be an ATG by the end of his career.

oh like he started making tough runs since last year eh

 

[DingDong]

lol at ab being called a downhill skier. he must have been poor against australia until the last tour..

 

[Dan]

oh like he started making tough runs since last year eh

Where did I mention anything about last year? Dire posting.

lol at ab being called a downhill skier. he must have been poor against australia until the last tour..

Incidentally I always rated him (and my posts from multiple years ago would back that up), however there was a definite perception that he was a downhill skiier.

 

[Dan]

He's already an ATG in ODIs and 2 years away from it in Tests imo.

I'd call him an ATG already, myself, but I suspect that is very much a minority position. Honestly, in 2 years time he could be pushing for the final batting slot in my ATG team. I genuinely rate him that highly.

 

[Maximas]

Different type of challenge as far as stonewalling goes for SA today than Adelaide or Johburg, good spinners bowling into the rough with the ball also turning sporadically off the main surface, not a flattish surface against pace dominant attacks, mind you the task doesn't seem as difficult given the time and wickets in hand, interested to see how they handle this

 

[viriya]

Ugh not worth staying up for this looks like.. Looks like it will end up being 1-0.

 

[Maximas]

Ugh not worth staying up for this looks like.. Looks like it will end up being 1-0.

We'll see, breaking the next few partnerships is going to be the tough part though