South Africa team selection

[GoodAreasShane]

It is certainly a massive risk to bring Dale Steyn in with his recent fitness record. For all his quality, the risk of Steyn breaking down mid game yet again is significant, South Africa can't afford to ask too much if him too soon.

 

[SeamUp]

You actually got to think there is a good chance Mulder plays now if either Morkel/Steyn play.

Firstly the unknown quantity of bowling required by Ngidi for one so young and his past record with injuries.

Also managing Vern's workload + Morkel (needing to find his mongrel) + Steyn's (come back)

 

[StephenZA]

You actually got to think there is a good chance Mulder plays now if either Morkel/Steyn play.

Firstly the unknown quantity of bowling required by Ngidi for one so young and his past record with injuries.

Also managing Vern's workload + Morkel (needing to find his mongrel) + Steyn's (come back)

Basically this.

 

[Prince EWS]

You actually got to think there is a good chance Mulder plays now if either Morkel/Steyn play.

Firstly the unknown quantity of bowling required by Ngidi for one so young and his past record with injuries.

Also managing Vern's workload + Morkel (needing to find his mongrel) + Steyn's (come back)

Not wanting to drop Maharaj but also not probably not wanting to use him much on Day 1 if SA end up bowling first will also play into it I think. Cape Town can do a bit early, to say the least, so having four proper seam options is always a plus.

 

[SeamUp]

Not wanting to drop Maharaj but also not probably not wanting to use him much on Day 1 if SA end up bowling first will also play into it I think. Cape Town can do a bit early, to say the least, so having four proper seam options is always a plus.

Another interesting thing will be the type of pitch. I was shocked at the Newlands pitch during the drought but they purposefully left grass on the pitch and then amazingly some rain arrives around the test.

Again I reckon they going to want this to last 5 days so I am thinking the more traditional Newlands. So probably a bit early on but then super flat and then maybe some spin later.

Evan Flint is a cracking groundsman. He said he was disappointed with India pitch so I think he will be leaning the other side for the preparation of this one.

 

[StephenZA]

Another interesting thing will be the type of pitch. I was shocked at the Newlands pitch during the drought but they purposefully left grass on the pitch and then amazingly some rain arrives around the test.

Again I reckon they going to want this to last 5 days so I am thinking the more traditional Newlands. So probably a bit early on but then super flat and then maybe some spin later.

Evan Flint is a cracking groundsman. He said he was disappointed with India pitch so I think he will be leaning the other side for the preparation of this one.

I hope its not super flat... those Newlands pitches are boring as **** and never get a result.

 

[SeamUp]

I hope its not super flat... those Newlands pitches are boring as **** and never get a result.

One of the most infuriating tests in recent years because we came so close and should have won. Bonus though is Maharaj is better than Harris who was solid.

3rd Test, England tour of South Africa at Cape Town, Jan 3-7 2010 | Match Summary | ESPNCricinfo

 

[StephenZA]

One of the most infuriating tests in recent years because we came so close and should have won. Bonus though is Maharaj is better than Harris who was solid.

3rd Test, England tour of South Africa at Cape Town, Jan 3-7 2010 | Match Summary | ESPNCricinfo

2nd Test, England tour of South Africa at Cape Town, Jan 2-6 2016 | Match Summary | ESPNCricinfo

You should not be able to score 600 runs in SA... nevermind 2 innings...

 

[SeamUp]

2nd Test, England tour of South Africa at Cape Town, Jan 2-6 2016 | Match Summary | ESPNCricinfo

You should not be able to score 600 runs in SA... nevermind 2 innings...

I was looking at that one. I agree. Although England's history on flatties isn't the best and that attack of SA did lack a lot.

Just want a pitch where we can see some batting greatness. Newlands has a history of some great partnerships like the Tendulkar/Azharrudin and Smith /Amla & Kallis with everybody , Gibbs/G.Kirsten or Smith, Cullinan etc

It generally fast forwards at the end of the game. That is what I hope to see.

2nd Test, India tour of South Africa at Cape Town, Jan 2-6 1997 | Match Summary | ESPNCricinfo

 

[Bolo]

One of the most infuriating tests in recent years because we came so close and should have won. Bonus though is Maharaj is better than Harris who was solid.

3rd Test, England tour of South Africa at Cape Town, Jan 3-7 2010 | Match Summary | ESPNCricinfo

Both RSA and AUS have better bowlers than either of those teams, and I think the batting is comparable in strength (slight advantage 2010 game), but more aggressive here and hence more likely to get a result.

Newlands also got more spicey since then. I'd be surprised if Newlands goes to day 5 with PE only playing 3.5 days.

 

[StephenZA]

I think that the pitches in SA should average about ~350 first innings, if you bat well/ bowl badly get to 400+ or so..... Similar for 2nd innings. And then 3rd/4th innings avg 200-250. This is obviously ideal test conditions, but SA tends to pull this off better than most with variation of conditions.

I dislike the 450+ first 2 innings, followed by the obligatory 150/200 innings.

 

[SeamUp]

A lot depends on the quality of the attacks and batsman too. Whether you show superiority or not.

Newlands definitely has more pace and bounce now.

But generally Newlands has been a result wicket even when considered flat. No doubt if he was disappointed with the India pitch saying it was too spicy, we know where he will be leaning towards to get it to last 5 days.

Around the country, pitches are old and need replacing and when you do that, you have do to them one at a time," Flint told ESPNcricinfo. "We only use the three pitches in the middle for televised games, so those get used a lot and very rarely replaced. I think we should really start to think about drop-in pitches because then we also provide the team with exactly what they want when they want it."

While Flint is in du Plessis' good books after his Test pitch provided seam movement against India, he wasn't exactly thrilled with his work and aims to produce a more balanced pitch in future. "It was the least controversial pitch but I don't think it was that good. It was too one-sided towards the bowlers," he said. "We've been discussing preparing good cricket pitches and they won't mind if they are a bit on the slow side. That's sort of where we are at anyway, because we're late in the season. And a pitch of that description doesn't require freshness. It should be a good series."

 

[SeamUp]

Also got to consider it doesn't reverse generally in CT and with a quicker wicket , good chance we will see more runs.

There was this from ex Centurion head groundsman who is in charge of pitches around the country now :https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/cricket/2018-02-19-expect-proper-pitches-for-australia-series/

 

[Bolo]

Less than 350 imo, particularly considering we are a much stronger bowling unit than batting. I reckon the most exciting tests are the ones where around 1000 runs are scored, and the ones where not much over 1000 are scored are a good balance.

Not a fan of big innings score discrepancies either, with the possible exception of 4th innings scores on the 5th day. We so seldom see games going to the 5th day that it's not much of an issue in RSA though.

 

[GRAB]

If KG is banned, I really hope they don't rush Steyn in, and rather pick Morkel/Olivier and/or Mulder. Being 10 men after 4 sessions makes winning tests much more difficult. Give him the next SS round, and if he does OK, consider him for test #4.

 

[Bolo]

Rabada is banned and out for the rest of the series. No clarity on Steyn yet.

 

[SeamUp]

Aah man , it just ruins the spectacle slightly of seeing the best v best - KG missed the 2nd test in England as well ?



Mitch Marsh
20% match fee
1 demerit fee

 

[SeamUp]

It is certainly a massive risk to bring Dale Steyn in with his recent fitness record. For all his quality, the risk of Steyn breaking down mid game yet again is significant, South Africa can't afford to ask too much if him too soon.

If KG is banned, I really hope they don't rush Steyn in, and rather pick Morkel/Olivier and/or Mulder. Being 10 men after 4 sessions makes winning tests much more difficult. Give him the next SS round, and if he does OK, consider him for test #4.

What I can see happening is, because Steyn is a fit freak of nature. He may bowl the first innings and then the new ball spell of the 2nd innings. I think they will play him if it all goes well.

At Newlands Philander and Steyn are deadly.

 

[SeamUp]

Steyn to only be considered for the 4th test : Steyn's comeback delayed until end of March - ESPNcricinfo

 

[Heboric]

Interesting VICE did something on cricket