Cricket......

[milky4130]

Watching the highlights Morne & Dale was devastating again.

De Cock dropped a catch luckily it didn't cost SA the match but he also took a few blinders.

Wrt to philanderer & Tahir, if they are leaking runs then yes I would consider taking them out of the attack however if they are keeping it tight then let's not rush in with the changes as their tight bowling creates pressure at the other end & allows Steyn & Morkel to take wickets & Duminy now

[GLuvsMtb]

Another for Steyn. Need 2 more, if Eranga doesn't bat.

 

Selectors need to look at Tahir and Philander for the next match, both not contributing in this game. Time to give Piedt a go - he cant do worse than Tahir. Philander is a more difficult debate, but on flat pitches he looks ineffective. When will Abbot get a look?

Vern scores vital runs with Duminy to take the game away from Sri Lanka and he held up an end as well. He is not always going to take wickets if there is no swing on offer, but he seldom goes for runs. Much like a Shaun Pollock. I agree on Tahir. He is a true nr 11 with the bat and has been too inconsistent. He is also not a spring chicken anymore. Abbot is cover for your big 3 if there is an injury. He is still young and bowling overs in the nets on tour is a big part of a teams success.

[Skubarra]

 

David Moseley @david_moseley · 3h

According to new ICC rules, Proteas must win the two-Test series 5-0 then beat All Blacks in Dunedin to go back to No.1 on Test rankings.

[Christie]

I agree that Philander can be chosen as an all-rounder. This means we effectively have 3 specialist bowlers and 2 aĺl-rounders making up the attack. I dont like it, we need 4 specialist bowlers. Where would we be if Steyn or Morkel picked up an indury during a match?

[GLuvsMtb]

I agree that Philander can be chosen as an all-rounder. This means we effectively have 3 specialist bowlers and 2 aĺl-rounders making up the attack. I dont like it, we need 4 specialist bowlers. Where would we be if Steyn or Morkel picked up an indury during a match?

His batting is a real bonus. Most sides would kill for a bowler that is economical and has a bowling ave of 20.69.

[Vetseun]

Watching the highlights Morne & Dale was devastating again.

De Cock dropped a catch luckily it didn't cost SA the match but he also took a few blinders.

Wrt to philanderer & Tahir, if they are leaking runs then yes I would consider taking them out of the attack however if they are keeping it tight then let's not rush in with the changes as their tight bowling creates pressure at the other end & allows Steyn & Morkel to take wickets & Duminy now

I think Tahir is a passenger in the team. Shouldnt be there Edited July 20, 2014 by Vetseun

[milky4130]

The question is will Ab be fit to Keep in the 2nd Test, if so will they keep De Cock or bring in a 4th pace man? They could go with "you don't change a winning team"

['Dale]

What a convincing win

 

Well done the Mighty Hash on his 1st outing

 

Superb Proteas

 

Steyntjie jou lekka ding!!

[Christie]

Raising another issue: the ball tampering incedents are mounting. Is that what reverse swing is about? There are more legal ways of roughing the ball up- stopping it with the boot, throwing in on the bounce. In this case the ball was deemed unaffected, and remained in play, but the team needs to wise up a bit on working the ball within the rules.

[GLuvsMtb]

Raising another issue: the ball tampering incedents are mounting. Is that what reverse swing is about? There are more legal ways of roughing the ball up- stopping it with the boot, throwing in on the bounce. In this case the ball was deemed unaffected, and remained in play, but the team needs to wise up a bit on working the ball within the rules.

Or we should learn to make more of a fuss when other teams run onto the pitch to bring their spinners into the game or report dodgy bowling actions. It is no longer the gentlemens' game.

[milky4130]

Or we should learn to make more of a fuss when other teams run onto the pitch to bring their spinners into the game or report dodgy bowling actions. It is no longer the gentlemens' game.

its like doping in cycling during Lances era no team will complain cause everyone does it but if tv umpire/match referee catches you out, well then you on your own

[GLuvsMtb]

its like doping in cycling during Lances era no team will complain cause everyone does it but if tv umpire/match referee catches you out, well then you on your own

Funny how spinners are called for their actions whenever they play Aus or England... As for running onto the wicket, we shoukd learn to have a quiet whisper in the Ump's ear when it happens and not allow 10 overs to go by before a warning is issued.

['Dale]

Dale Steyn's 9 for 99 are the best bowling figures by a fast bowler in Tests at Galle. Morne Morkel's 7 for 78 in this match also beat the previous best figures by a fast bowler at this venue - Waqar Younis' 7 for 79 in 2000.

 

[Shebeen]

Great win allround. Very disappointing that the spinners didn't have more say on a 5th day pitch. Tahir might get dropped, again, for not delivering.

 

Vern might need to stop working on his batting, his bowling is suffering. He was never going to continue on that hot streak, but his bowling average over the last year is 34(8 tests) which is not good enough. (his batting average over this same period is 38!) Don't think they'll drop him(#3 bowler on the rankings), but sometimes things really just don't go for you(like hitting the wickets and the bail stays on!). It would also mean that they're scared of repercussions from this.

 

Edited July 21, 2014 by Shebeen

[GLuvsMtb]

Great win allround. Very disappointing that the spinners didn't have more say on a 5th day pitch. Tahir might get dropped, again, for not delivering.

 

Vern might need to stop working on his batting, his bowling is suffering. He was never going to continue on that hot streak, but his bowling average over the last year is 34(8 tests) which is not good enough. (his batting average over this same period is 38!) Don't think they'll drop him(#3 bowler on the rankings), but sometimes things really just don't go for you(like hitting the wickets and the bail stays on!). It would also mean that they're scared of repercussions from this.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Ly8hKZsto

It would only be a fair comparison if we had access to all the Sri Lankan bowlers handling the ball in their run ups as well and if we have pitch maps for all bowlers running onto the pitch throughout the duration of the match. I noticed that many of the Sri Lankan bowlers were getting very close to that no-go area and there were quite a few singles run straight down the middle of the pitch by them. Balls are changed around every 80 overs, but rough outside off stump is there for the rest of the match.

[Christie]

Philander has never had success on flat wickets, throughout his career. He has been awesome in SA, and in England. He relies on a bit if movement off the seam to get wickets. On a flat track, must rely on line and length, but at his pace the threat is much reduced.