Cricket......

[Shebeen]

Bowling first: Do you really think this was his decision alone? After inspecting the wicket, seeing a tinge of green on it, knowing that the wicket will be good for batting on days 2 and 3 he would have discussed the toss with his side and management and they would have provided input for the decision.

The Aussies countered very well after the first session and a wicket early in the second session of play. Smith's bowlers lost their line and length and he tried a few things to upset the Aussie game plan. It worked to an extent in that they were contained in the second session, but some brilliant batting and a bit of luck saw them take the game away from us rather quickly. Rotation strategies that has worked well before were very well countered by an Aussie side that was riding their luck and displayed a masterful performance throughout the rest of the game. We were simply not good enough on days 1 and 2 and could never get back in the game since.

Would you have felt better if he decided to bat first, we were bowled out for 180 odd and Aus batted once to score 500 plus and had us bowled out by day 4? Either way we would have been outplayed judged by the performance of the Aus batsmen and Johnson in particular.

The ball is now in our court to come up with a good game plan for PE and for each and every player to contribute in the field, with the bat and with the ball, otherwise we will be down 2 - 0 come the morning of day 4 of the second test. We responded well in the past with our backs against the wall. Hopefully we will do so again, even without the presence, experience and skill of one Jacques Kallis in our midst.

agree, although the one thing with missing kallis is that his form did tail off in the past year or two so it's not as devastating a loss as it would have been then.

 

the one other booboo for me about bowling first was that dale steyn was sick. doubt the 20 overs on day one did him any good. as much as we blame the batting, the trio of steyn, philander and morkel didn't really strike much fear into their lineup. hopefully they are pissed off now (and parnell is also bowling 150kph now, if that's what is needed).

steyn just had a lean spell, and lost #1 slot to vern. if he doesn't pull up his socks, MJ is on his way up. some more of this please

[Shebeen]

Its actually sad how much hate South African's have for Biff

 

Rogers and Clarke were planned wickets, the field and bowling attack had been setup and they fell for it.

AND he got out to a really freak catch in second innings. Even though Doolan did it again later to catch duminy, it's more likely that he is going to get into hospital fielding there and trying to catch balls hit cleanly (it's called bat-pad for a reason).

 

For all those who think graeme smith is scared of facing mitchell johnson, remember this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk_XgnIsM04

[Shebeen]

oh, slightly off topic. good to see ALBIE MORKEL in the T20 squad.

[Cellar]

 

Cellar, on 17 February 2014 - 03:15 , said:

 

No, we'll question why he chose to bowl first.

 

 

98/4 is the answer

 

I thought losing by such a huge margin was the answer.

[Christie]

I dont blame Smith for choosing to bat first - he could not guess that the pitch would have variable bounce from day 3. I balme Domingo for going in with an underprepared team, and the selectors for selecting players who were not up to scratch - Petersen is a sub standard opener, and the team can not stay the best in the world with so bany bits and pieces all rounders - Duminy, McLaren and Peterson in one team was a big mistake. Imo they should pick one all-rounder from the 3, and go with a specialist batsmen and a specialist bowler instead of the other two.

[JGR]

agree, although the one thing with missing kallis is that his form did tail off in the past year or two so it's not as devastating a loss as it would have been then.

 

the one other booboo for me about bowling first was that dale steyn was sick. doubt the 20 overs on day one did him any good. as much as we blame the batting, the trio of steyn, philander and morkel didn't really strike much fear into their lineup. hopefully they are pissed off now (and parnell is also bowling 150kph now, if that's what is needed).

steyn just had a lean spell, and lost #1 slot to vern. if he doesn't pull up his socks, MJ is on his way up. some more of this please

98/4 had justified bowling first - I think his bigger mistake was bringing on RP instead of increasing the pressure. He went for 28 or so in a few overs and let Smith and Marsh get in - when our strike bowlers came back the ball was soft and the batsmen in. There is no doubt that was the partnership that setup the victory.

[Cellar]

98/4 had justified bowling first - I think his bigger mistake was bringing on RP instead of increasing the pressure. He went for 28 or so in a few overs and let Smith and Marsh get in - when our strike bowlers came back the ball was soft and the batsmen in. There is no doubt that was the partnership that setup the victory.

 

Exactly why I question his captaincy, and the decisions he makes regarding rotating his bowlers and his field placings.

[JGR]

Exactly why I question his captaincy, and the decisions he makes regarding rotating his bowlers and his field placings.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but in honesty he is one of the better Captain's around. Still think he does more right than wrong - the other issue is who would take over?

 

AB is improving but also had some brain farts when he started Captaining

[Shebeen]

So maclaren is out with concussion, with no replacements called. waleed parnell should come in there.

 

Good chance elgar is going to get a game, in place of one of the petersen or peterson. don't think kleinveldt or thami are in the mix.

 

I know we got a real snotklpat in centurion, by 281 runs. BUT the last game we played against Aus before that was only 14 months ago. Ricky ponting's last game, we moered them by 309 runs(punter pulled the plug on a poor run of form with 4 and 8, possibly a reason JK decided to go out on a high).

 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-south-africa-2012/engine/match/573009.html

 

Mitchell Johnson was playing at his home ground, took 6 wickets too. Got overshadowed by another mitchell (Starc) who took 8.

[Christie]

I would like to see Abbot in for Peterson, Miller in for McLaren.

['Dale]

I would like to see Abbot in for Peterson, Miller in for McLaren.

 

I like Abbot too.

All-rounder role is still puzzling for me. I thought McLaren had a good post-Kallis start.

[GLuvsMtb]

I like Abbot too.

All-rounder role is still puzzling for me. I thought McLaren had a good post-Kallis start.

I don't think McLaren should play with a concussion. It is probably better to start thinking about 6 specialist batsmen (with maybe 1 part time bowler that would be good for 5 to 10 overs in a day), a batting wicket keeper and 4 specialist bowlers rather than trying to manufacture an all rounder out of no-where.

[DARK KNIGHT]

We have performed well over a period of time taking us to our current ranking n the world. We have to compare the opposition we have faced n the past to this current Australian team.. personally I think this is quite a devastating team in our backyard right now. We have seen this before referring to the Windies of the 80's, aussies of the late 90's and early 2000's. For how long they remain dominant is another question.. could be anything from a couple of series to a couple of seasons.

 

This specific aussie team has only recently realized their form and potential when they firing all cylinders. As far as I'm concerned Graeme has done well, but his technique has always had a big question mark, and raw pace (at line and length) will definitely 'lift' you out the way it has for him! If you compare his technique to e.g. Dravid's.. doesn't matter how quick its coming at you, when your hands and feet sing the same song there's no way through. De Kock s surely an exciting prospect who needs to be thrown at the aussies.. this lad can play alright, positive cricket! Amla.. technically he also has quite a few floors and I'm sure the aussies know that the gap between his bat and pad is as wide as the red sea! He's fortunate that he has a good eye and helped settle himself into many innings. AB what a boytjie, changing the modern game with every innngs! Warner wishes he was as talented as AB! positive and plays with his head. JP who?? he must waai, are we still including him based on an aussie tour many moons ago?? He must be dropped and made to earn some humble club and domestic runs. I quite like 2 opening bowlers.. theirs fire and there's movement! Steyntjie thrives off 'hothead syndrome' and once hes in the zone, he'll get some boys dancing in the middle! Robin Peterson.. half a bowler / half a batsman?? Does he turn the ball or lob it up? Just taking up space in the team. Not a strike bowler or batsmen?? the opposition will take a breather and feed off. Thing is.. strike players keep choking and never let go of the opposition! After curtley and Courtney opened.. who came on next?? more fear!

 

Our boys need to be reevaluate their situation, no matter how bad it may appear at this point n time, until this time.. we will always big talk / support / be behind our team and end up eating our words! very disappointing as a spectator!

 

Man up proteas, this is where we separate the men from the boys!

 

I fully agree that Dale Steyn is the world's best fast bowler. The numbers don't lie. HOWEVER, Mitchell Johnson is by far the scariest fast bowler on the planet right now!!

[Christie]

We were that devestating team until recently, when we went to other countries and thrashed them in their back yard. I give Gary Kirsten a lot of credit for that.

 

We played this same Aussie team before, lots of times. Butnsee what a difference a coach can make, Lehman vs. Arthur. That is why I think Domingo is a plonker, together with his average results so far, despite inheriting a great team.

 

Philander is the worlds best bowler, according to stats. Dale is #2.

 

I disagree about playing De Kock. Play him against India or WI or Zim, so he can find his way into test cricket. To play him against a rampant attack can set his career back a couple of years.

['Dale]

Any news on SA's final 11.

Gonna be crucial.

 

The toss also key.

[Wannabe]

Any news on SA's final 11.

Gonna be crucial.

 

The toss also key.

 

Just for for Fatboy to make the wrong decision.