Australia Vs South Africa Test Series Discussion Thread

[Nige]

Something i just read

Warner - 26
Cowan - 30
Clarke - 31
Quiney - 30
Ponting - 37
Hussey - 37
Wade - 24
Siddle - 27
Starc - 22
Pattinson - 22
Hilfenhaus - 29
Lyon - 24

an aging batting lineup. Throw Watson (31) in there as well and it doesnt look good for the future. How long do you think Ponting and Hussey will keep going for??

I thought Ponting would have hung up the whites for a golfing career by now. Pretty sure he plays of 1 or 0

I read somewhere that Hussey has made 1 century and 2 50s in his past 19 innings or something. At 37, and with some younger guys who could replace him, you'd think he's batting for his career.

true but not many people knocking the door down to replace him. All the aforementioned guys are good players but not as good as Hussey is so therefore do not deserve to replace him. Hussey's ODI record cannot be questioned; he is one of the best in the world in that regard

For the time being, he should keep his spot, but they may have to throw some younger players into the mix in preparation for next year's Ashes in July. If Hussey fails to fire, they might use the rest of the summer to trial potential replacements. I like Hussey though, he's definitely a great batsman. Hopefully his form picks up, he's such a great player to watch when he's batting well.

[JBs-Hawks]

I dont think the future looks that bad....

Warner, 26
Hughes, 23
Khawaja, 25
Ferguson, 27
Head, 18
Marsh, 21
Wade, 24
Starc, 22
Pattinson, 22
Cummins, 19
Lyon, 24
Hazelwood, 21

Being South Australian, possibly a little bias with Travis Head but I think he's going to be a machine. And no way would Cricket Australia ever allow 3 Redbacks in the Australian side at once (4 if u include Phil Hughes)

As much as I love fergie, I'd put maddinson in front of him.

[Capper]

hopefully we dont bat first, the ball may move alot  due to the amount of rain about for the first 3 days

http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/brisbane.shtml

[Tominator]

GOT HIM!!

Pattinson traps Graeme Smith LBW for 10, Clarke gambles on Billy Bowden's decision of not out and challenges it; decision is overturned


RSA 1/29  (10.1 overs)
Petersen 17 (35)
Amla 0* (0)

[northernstar]

Were are going to get smashed. Sth africa are even money to win series. Good bet!

[Jay]

We need to break this partnership!!!! Amla and Kallis are too good

[tbagrocks]

Hilfys yorker was out, I thought the technology was suposed to stop these stupid decisions :-\

[Jay]

Yep Hilfys was definitely out.

Doesnt help dropping catches (Siddle) ::)

[tbagrocks]

It does look worrying but it also looks a belting batting wicket, question will be can out batting line up make the 500 the pitch needs

[Capper]

why arent we taking the new ball???

[tbagrocks]

Nominate Billy Bowden for the Higgins award, soft prick, let them bowl the new ball!

[Jay]

Day 1 comes to an end. Aussies to have new ball from 1st ball bowled tomorrow

[BB67th]

Well Australia finally get a win of sorts with JP Duminy going down with an injury after play finished today.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-south-africa-2012/content/story/590459.html?CMP=outlook_news

Apparently he hurt his ankle in a training run, was in a lot of pain and had to go hospital for scans. He is in doubt to take any part in the test match. If he does not play it will be a big boost for the Aussies as he is a decent batsman down at number 7, but with South Africa playing 4 seam bowlers, he was the main spinner in the team, and with them bowling second, they will need a spinner on the 4th and 5th days if they are going to win the test match. It will leave the only spin options with Smith and Petersen and they are not very strong.

At this rate my prediction for the match is a draw if the Aussies can hold their batting together and make it to at least 400 in their innings. I think the pitch didn't give enough to the bowlers as it should have and I think this pitch may have been a bit too bowler friendly. I would have preferred one that was more like the one that was used in last Summer's Gabba test.

[Cicjose]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/proteas-batsman-jp-duminy-suffers-freak-injury-during-post-stumps-warm-down-session-on-the-gabba-field/story-e6frfg8o-1226513953874

Duminy was a shattered man after hospital scans revealed he had ruptured his Achilles tendon from a training run gone wrong when he collapsed on the field after the first day of the Test.

[Capper]

that is terrible news for Duminy and SA, not the best way to end a days cricket.

I heard that they were kicking and passing around a footy, McGrath style when he went down