Mntboy Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 In my books we had a reasonable day. Van Zyl looks a bit out of his depth and Hash and Faf both are not balancing well or timing it at all. AB is doing the right thing in playing positive. I suspect that Faf and van Zyl have only the second innings left to nail down a place in the side. If these 2 are to be dropped, I'd like to see a specialist opener like Puttick get the nod, and QdK in at 6, coming off a good 100 in the current Sunfoil match. Elgar is probably playing a definitive knock for a more permanent tenure as opener. Morkel and Steyn bowled better than Broad and co. Hopefully we can make the most of day 3 and try and get a good 70 or 80 lead. The first session tomorrow is going to be crucial.No balance at the crease equals to no timing or very poor timing. And balance is further affected by confidence. The best way for a batsman to get confidence is by getting runs, something that has not happened for either of Hash or Faf in tests of late. What worries me is that this lack of confidence is spilling over to guys like Elgar (more on the India tour, had a good knock with Knights prior to this match and has done well so far in this test) and Van Zyl. Van Zyl is something of an oddity, can definitely play test cricket it's where he should bat that's the issue not his ability. Imho I think that ito the opening berths Elgar has one pretty much locked up it's about finding a suitable partner for him. As for today's play (seeing as I am typing this early morning) Elgar and Bavuma needs to be cautious of both Broad and Finn and capitalise as best they can on the others we could then have a healthy lead but quick wickets early will see us facing a deficit. Elgar and Bavuma is the key partnership as JP's form is dodgy as well. I agree with all of that, very disappointed to see van zyl has not taken his opportunity after several seasons of knocking on the door. Saw a stat that Elgar has now only scored the second 50by a sa opener this year. Puttick must be one of the better players around not to have been given the chance at national honours. BUT, this is back to back tests with a limited amount of options. Rilee rossouw and rabada on the bench. Nothing drastic before wanderers, and we could be 2-0 up by then and have forgotten these obvious weaknessesAgree on Puttick, same goes for Cook. However which would work better in partnership with Elgar? RR could work as a short term solution but do you want to have a middle order batsman debuting as an opening batsman? One has to wonder if the best potential candidates are being ignored because of age or are the current lot of opening batsman that incapable that they can't force themselves into the selection committee's thinking?
Christie Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 I guess we will se Rilee and Rabada at the Wanderers. How the selectors juggle the batting order remains to be seen. Some comments: Opener options: Puttic, Kuhn, Cook - but think we wont see them at the Wanderers. Not QdK, he is not a test opener. Captaincy options: AB and Faf. Faf is out of form and AB over worked. Things I wonder about: Will Chris Morris ever be considered? He is not on the test list, but he could become a bowling all-rounder.Also, David Miller could bat in the middle order. He has been labled as a finisher, but he has the talent to play a longer innings.
Baldrick Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 This was a pretty short ODISri Lanka 117 (27.4 ov)New Zealand 118/0 (8.2 ov)
Shebeen Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 Because boxing day test at Durban is a traditionyes, but not been a permanent fixture recently. Big pity that Durban can't pull a crowd this time if year, maybe even more barmy army guys there. With Newlands test sold out should we give cape town two?!
Shebeen Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 I guess we will se Rilee and Rabada at the Wanderers. How the selectors juggle the batting order remains to be seen. Some comments: Opener options: Puttic, Kuhn, Cook - but think we wont see them at the Wanderers. Not QdK, he is not a test opener. Captaincy options: AB and Faf. Faf is out of form and AB over worked. Things I wonder about: Will Chris Morris ever be considered? He is not on the test list, but he could become a bowling all-rounder.Also, David Miller could bat in the middle order. He has been labled as a finisher, but he has the talent to play a longer innings.lots to think about. Faf and jpd no longer automatic selections really. The rumours of abd wanting to retire from tests after this series throws up lots of questions really.
'Dale Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 Elgar, you rock Good old fashioned cricket What's going on in the batting mind of # and Faf' and JPStiaan - time to go, man
'Dale Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 Century up for the openerMust rate as his most valuable ever Good going, Elgar!!! Nice backing up by Steyntjie GLuvsMtb 1
Reg Lizard Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 (edited) Stiaan is a classic 3 or 4...he is playing out of position, that's why he is failing according to me! Amla, Faf and JP are all out of form Edited December 28, 2015 by Reg Lizard GLuvsMtb 1
'Dale Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 The most defensive I've seen Steyn Seems like the recent consulting batting expertise for the SA tail by Zulu Klusener is paying off ????????
GLuvsMtb Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 Century up for the openerMust rate as his most valuable ever Good going, Elgar!!! Nice backing up by SteyntjieIf only Duminy and Abbot set themselves to do what Steyn is doing now... 190/ 5 is just so much better than 190/7.
'Dale Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 If only Duminy and Abbot set themselves to do what Steyn is doing now... 190/ 5 is just so much better than 190/7.Out comes the Steyn agricultural shot!!!Mistimed Hang in there, Steyn Remover
GLuvsMtb Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 200 upPhew!If Piedt and Morne can hang around for a few deliveries, Elgar can try to get as close to England as possible.
Stretch Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 The rumours of abd wanting to retire from tests after this series throws up lots of questions really.Really?? He's still young
GLuvsMtb Posted December 28, 2015 Posted December 28, 2015 Really?? He's still youngBBL, IPL and the Caribbean League means one can make a good living and only play 20 overs a side.
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