Cricket......

[Vetseun]

Bavuma's first class record indicates that he certainly is a test level player having scored 4488 runs at an average of 38,03 with a highest of 162 against Australia A in Australia. If memory serves that bowling line up included the likes of Hazelwood, Starc and Mitch Marsh - all of whom are recent/current Australian test players. So referring to Bavuma as a 'quota' player is somewhat misleading. He has been yoyo'ed in and out of the test team and hasn't been given a proper run to cement his place. Remember it is a matter of history that it took Steven Waugh 22 tests to get his first of 40 odd test centuries. Some players take time to adjust to the demands of the next level up, which could be the case with Bavuma as I have not seen anything either in his technique or his temperament that suggests an inability to be able to perform at the highest level of International cricket.

IMO Bud IMO. You have yours, I have Mine. Peace

[Vetseun]

I cant wait for Hash to hit form again. It is gonna be spectacular.

[Mntboy]

IMO Bud IMO. You have yours, I have Mine. Peace

He could do with an extended run though, as could Rilee. I think sometimes we make judgments on a player's ability based solely on numbers whilst ignoring technique and temperament. The how is just as important as the volume. I really rate both Bavuma and Rossouw highly wrt their technique and their temperament. Both are highly capable cricketers deserving an equal chance at nailing a spot in the team.

[Mntboy]

I cant wait for Hash to hit form again. It is gonna be spectacular.

I would be very pleased if it could happen in this test. Runs will also ease the clamor for him to resign the captaincy. An in form Hash will significantly swing things in our favor.

[Christie]

A hard day of good test cricket. Our young attack is fighting hard. I agree that we look a bowler short on a wicket where we need to graft in the field. But with our frail batting top order, playing an extra bowler was never an option, I guess.

 

The game is still fairly poised, if we get them out under 400, we would have done well. Wickets needed with the second new ball,it was wasted a bit at tje end of the day.

Edited January 2, 2016 by Christie

[PietSw]

Bavuma's first class record indicates that he certainly is a test level player having scored 4488 runs at an average of 38,03 with a highest of 162 against Australia A in Australia. If memory serves that bowling line up included the likes of Hazelwood, Starc and Mitch Marsh - all of whom are recent/current Australian test players. So referring to Bavuma as a 'quota' player is somewhat misleading. He has been yoyo'ed in and out of the test team and hasn't been given a proper run to cement his place. Remember it is a matter of history that it took Steven Waugh 22 tests to get his first of 40 odd test centuries. Some players take time to adjust to the demands of the next level up, which could be the case with Bavuma as I have not seen anything either in his technique or his temperament that suggests an inability to be able to perform at the highest level of International cricket.

Thats the Difference between Us and the Aussies for example. Mike Hussey had 15 000 first class runs at an average of 50 before making his Debut. Steve Smith have 7000 FC runs at 55, Adam Voges 12 000 at 46... My point is we choose people too early..way before they are ready.. QdK is a rare talent that started off like a rocket and then folded for a while.. hence they dropped him..hopefully he comes to the party now. Im not an Aussie fan by any means but they do things right(although they obviously dont have to deal with quotas).

[PietSw]

A hard day of good test cricket. Our young attack is fighting hard. I agree that we look a bowler short on a wicket where we need to graft in the field. But with our frail batting top order, playing an extra bowler was never an option, I guess.

The game is still fairly poised, if we get them out under 400, we would have done well. Wickets needed with the second new ball,it was wasted a bit at tje end of the day.

Its a toss we desperately needed to win... We are really missing Vern and Steyn but at least Morris and KG is getting some exposure now, Morris can count himself lucky on account of his batting.. I would have gone with Hardus Viljoen. If we can strike twice early, we can restrict them to under 350. Then we have a chance.. But hey look what happened in that Aussie game a few years back when we bundled them for under 50.

[Shebeen]

Thats the Difference between Us and the Aussies for example. Mike Hussey had 15 000 first class runs at an average of 50 before making his Debut. Steve Smith have 7000 FC runs at 55, Adam Voges 12 000 at 46... My point is we choose people too early..way before they are ready.. QdK is a rare talent that started off like a rocket and then folded for a while.. hence they dropped him..hopefully he comes to the party now. Im not an Aussie fan by any means but they do things right(although they obviously dont have to deal with quotas).

been some exceptions, but proteas have normally been incredibly consistent in selection into the squad and then team. Abbot, van zyl, vilas and others have only been given a crack after multiple good seasons and then sometimes even only due to an injury. It's definitely harder to get out of the team than into it. I think one structural issue is that our best players just don't ever play local cricket once getting into the test team. How can you really measure a batsman when he's never faced steyn, morkel and co? It's like super rugby vs currie cup with springboks only really playing SR. I know it's not a problem unique to us, but the gap just seems to be wider.

 

 

 

voges, Rogers both made their test debut in their mid thirties. If that's really a good idea, then let's go with our new batting consultantat age 34. He's got one helluva 1St class record!

[Mntboy]

 

 

Thats the Difference between Us and the Aussies for example. Mike Hussey had 15 000 first class runs at an average of 50 before making his Debut. Steve Smith have 7000 FC runs at 55, Adam Voges 12 000 at 46... My point is we choose people too early..way before they are ready.. QdK is a rare talent that started off like a rocket and then folded for a while.. hence they dropped him..hopefully he comes to the party now. Im not an Aussie fan by any means but they do things right(although they obviously dont have to deal with quotas).

There's a difference in being experienced through age versus being experienced through matches played. Steve Smith is quite young but has played a lot. Whereas Hussey and Voges were experienced through age and one needs to bear in mind that Hussey was also partly missing out because he was playing in an era of highly gifted batsmen. Think the Waugh twins, Hayden, Langer, Martyn, Blewett, Elliott, Bevan, Lehman and Law to name a few. The real difference between us and Australia is in the Australian willingness to give a player a proper chance to show his worth. We just don't do that too well, it's more the exception than the rule.

[Joe Low]

A hard day of good test cricket. Our young attack is fighting hard. I agree that we look a bowler short on a wicket where we need to graft in the field. But with our frail batting top order, playing an extra bowler was never an option, I guess.

 

The game is still fairly poised, if we get them out under 400, we would have done well. Wickets needed with the second new ball,it was wasted a bit at tje end of the day.

 

Then morning came and it was a massacre.

 

(430/5​ 491/5..&....&....)

Edited January 3, 2016 by Joe Low

[Ryno.]

Its a toss we desperately needed to win... We are really missing Vern and Steyn but at least Morris and KG is getting some exposure now, Morris can count himself lucky on account of his batting.. I would have gone with Hardus Viljoen. If we can strike twice early, we can restrict them to under 350. Then we have a chance.. But hey look what happened in that Aussie game a few years back when we bundled them for under 50.

At the current situation I think they'll be happy if we get them all out for 550.

I think England will push 600 and then declare. Things not looking good for us.

[Mntboy]

Then morning came and it was a massacre.

 

(430/5​ 491/5..&....&....)

500/5 the nightmare day continues! Stokes 202 and counting............ and some were questioning why he's in the side. A lot of detractors sitting with a lot of egg on their faces super innings from a talented player!

[Mntboy]

At the current situation I think they'll be happy if we get them all out for 550.

I think England will push 600 and then declare. Things not looking good for us.

I wonder if that (the declaration) ain't based on Bairstow getting his hundred? Either way our batsmen is going to have to find some form from somewhere fast if we hope to go to the Wanderers only one down. Very much starting to look like a massacre!

[Stretch]

Let's hope it is just a really good batting wicket and amla hits form. I would also love qdk to get some runs. Whoever made the decision to only have 3 seamers needs to be fired though

[Mntboy]

Let's hope it is just a really good batting wicket and amla hits form. I would also love qdk to get some runs. Whoever made the decision to only have 3 seamers needs to be fired though

Who would you have left out to be able to include Viljoen? Newlands does take spin in the latter half of the match so it made sense to pick Piedt. The batting ain't strong enough to get away with only 6 specialist batsmen. Selectors badly hamstrung by the batting unit's collective lack of form.

 

Hopefully Hash bounces back. We desperately need him too otherwise it just won't matter how flat the pitch is.

[Stretch]

Who would you have left out to be able to include Viljoen? Newlands does take spin in the latter half of the match so it made sense to pick Piedt. The batting ain't strong enough to get away with only 6 specialist batsmen. Selectors badly hamstrung by the batting unit's collective lack of form.

 

Hopefully Hash bounces back. We desperately need him too otherwise it just won't matter how flat the pitch is.

I would have dropped faf... He needs some reflection