Australia Vs South Africa Test Series Discussion Thread

[AFEV]

And T20 means nothing for test cricket....

In fact it was what went against starc for the first test.

Tell that to Warner. :P

[tbagrocks]

And T20 means nothing for test cricket....

In fact it was what went against starc for the first test.

Tell that to Warner. :P

True, and Davey, although he ajusted his game brilliantly was in the right place at the right time. However, the lack of technique and lack of line and length bowling makes it not only horrendous to watch but extreamly bad for Test cricket

[Mailman the 2nd]

Both Henriques and Warner have too many issues with their batting technique atm

[Capper]

unchanged lineup for the 2nd test

http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/australia-captain-michael-clarke-names-squad-for-second-test-against-south-africa-at-adelaide-oval/story-fn2mcu3x-1226521071244

Shane Watson has been omitted from Australia's squad for the second Test against South Africa.

Michael Clarke named an unchanged XI for the match at Adelaide Oval, with Mitchell Starc losing out in his battle for the third pace bowler's spot with Ben Hilfenhaus.

[elephants]

Starc :( Ponting :)

This is Warner's chance, got get it son!

[Grazz]

Would liked to of seen Starc get a run this test. Agree with leaving Watson out untill a 100% fit if he did go down we'd be in deep so to risky, other than Starc not getting a run im happy theyve stuck with the line up from the 1st test.

[Tominator]

good to see Quiney gets another crack

don't forget Hilfy took 30+ wickets last summer, so he is a quality bowler.. but if he doesn't do well then Starc should be in for the WACA, no doubt about it

[PowerBug]

Does anyone else think that the only reason Ponting is saying hold back on Watson is because it gives him another chance? i.e. he'd have been dropped tomorrow if Watson was playing. :\

[Mailman the 2nd]

Does anyone else think that the only reason Ponting is saying hold back on Watson is because it gives him another chance? i.e. he'd have been dropped tomorrow if Watson was playing. :\

Ponting has little to no say about his place in the cricket team.

Warner is very very lucky to still be in the team. I'm praying he proves me wrong

[BB67th]

Does anyone else think that the only reason Ponting is saying hold back on Watson is because it gives him another chance? i.e. he'd have been dropped tomorrow if Watson was playing. :\

Ponting would not have been dropped. Why is everyone saying he should go after one failure? It's not like anyone has ever made a duck before in test cricket is it ::)

[PowerBug]

Does anyone else think that the only reason Ponting is saying hold back on Watson is because it gives him another chance? i.e. he'd have been dropped tomorrow if Watson was playing. :\

Ponting would not have been dropped. Why is everyone saying he should go after one failure? It's not like anyone has ever made a duck before in test cricket is it ::)

I don't want him to be dropped either, i still think he should be at number 3, but when i heard that he said hold back on Watson, it made me wonder whether 'he' thinks that his position is under fire.

Either way, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's match in Adelaide, Australia are expected to go in unchanged and Tahir should get a game for the Saffers. :) Also the India vs England and Bangladesh vs West Indies games start soon too, alot of cricket going on. Loving life 8)

[Mailman the 2nd]

Does anyone else think that the only reason Ponting is saying hold back on Watson is because it gives him another chance? i.e. he'd have been dropped tomorrow if Watson was playing. :\

Ponting would not have been dropped. Why is everyone saying he should go after one failure? It's not like anyone has ever made a duck before in test cricket is it ::)

I don't want him to be dropped either, i still think he should be at number 3, but when i heard that he said hold back on Watson, it made me wonder whether 'he' thinks that his position is under fire.

Either way, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's match in Adelaide, Australia are expected to go in unchanged and Tahir should get a game for the Saffers. :) Also the India vs England and Bangladesh vs West Indies games start soon too, alot of cricket going on. Loving life 8)

I think he'd rather Watson come back the game after fully refreshed than have him come back at 80% fitness where he could (potentially) spoil chances of a win this match.

It puts good pressure on Quiney and Warner (even Cowan) to perform this match as their spots(at least Warners and Quineys) holds on them putting in a good performance.

[Cicjose]

Does anyone else think that the only reason Ponting is saying hold back on Watson is because it gives him another chance? i.e. he'd have been dropped tomorrow if Watson was playing. :\

Ponting would not have been dropped. Why is everyone saying he should go after one failure? It's not like anyone has ever made a duck before in test cricket is it ::)

3 ducks in your last 4 innings against South Africa............ need to step aside now because if he cant compete against the best in the world why should he be rewarded by be allowed to go round again?

[BB67th]

Does anyone else think that the only reason Ponting is saying hold back on Watson is because it gives him another chance? i.e. he'd have been dropped tomorrow if Watson was playing. :\

Ponting would not have been dropped. Why is everyone saying he should go after one failure? It's not like anyone has ever made a duck before in test cricket is it ::)

3 ducks in your last 4 innings against South Africa............ need to step aside now because if he cant compete against the best in the world why should he be rewarded by be allowed to go round again?

3 of those 4 innings though, were now over a year ago and Ponting has completely changed his technique and form since then. He had a great summer against India and has been smashing it in the Shield. Give him this series to find some form on the international level, and if he fails all throughout, maybe then it is time for him to step aside.

[Cicjose]

there seems to be far too much sentiment towards Ponting clouding people's judgement...

i accept the quality of Shield players and matches is poorer than it was 20 years ago but times change.. Australia is currently going against the rest of the world when it comes to preparing pitches

Australian pitches are giving more help to bowlers than probably there has for nearly 2 decades, which is why we are getting a lot of good bowlers.

The expectation of players churning out 5 seasons of 1000 runs that was in place when we were the best side in the world was giving our batting depth but was helped a lot in terms of the pitches.

In recent times our future bowlers have been given a shot, more so because we are getting more bowler friendly pitches.

It's a shame that when we have no batting depth because our selectors cannot see the large number of young batters grinding out some decent scores on bowling decks to warrant selection.