South Africa v Aussies 3rd test

[MightyEagles]

Starts Thursday?

[Keefy]

Starts Thursday?

They've got a week off, 3rd Test starts next Thursday 19 March.

Gives those with some small niggles a chance to rest up and hopefully get them right.

[the joker]

the south africans will have at least three changes with Smith injured and Mckenzie and Morne Morkel axed..

Prince will come in as captain.
Imraan Khan will open the batting with Amla
and Albie Morkel and Wayne Parnell will fight out for that last bowling spot

[Grahaml]

Amla will bat at 3. Prince is going to open.

I think Albie Morkel will play. Pretty rough having a bloke in the 12 for 2 tests and then a bloke fom outside the squad gets his spot. Would make the final 11

Prince
Khan
Amla
Kallis
De Villiers
Duminy
Boucher
A. Morkel
Harris
Steyn
Ntini

[Grahaml]

The only change you would think for the aussies is McGain coming in of the pitch suits spin. If he comes in McDonald will be out. I can't imagine anyone else getting a look in unless there's an injury.

[Tooting Bec]

They go on about this horses for courses mentality but why can't before the ashes come along try for some stability and leave the team as is? We have finally started to gel as a cricketing group after 15 changes throughout the Australian summer. Who says we have to have a spinner any way?

I say leave the team as is (injuries aside) and lets whip the saffas 3 zip on their own turf!

[Psyber]

I can't see any point in changes unless some players need to be rested because of injuries.

[Grahaml]

They have to pick the side that is going to win matches. Normally the best team is still the best team regardless of the venue, but if we've got a first choice 9 then 5 or 6 blokes pretty even then I see no reason not to swap around as suits. Most of the time I'd agree it's not worth changing but what's the point of sticking with a side if it's not the best 11 for a particular match?

[Pup]

I think the last two days showed we need a spinner or at least one would be very very handy and no i am not talking about part timers such as Kat, Clarke or North. Lets not get to excited about Katich, he got Harris, Morkel and Steyn out and two of them were terrible terrible shots.

In: McGain

Out: McDonald

[stan]

the south africans will have at least three changes with Smith injured and Mckenzie and Morne Morkel axed..

Prince will come in as captain.
Imraan Khan will open the batting with Amla
and Albie Morkel and Wayne Parnell will fight out for that last bowling spot

Wheres Mikie Arthur now talking about panicing and swinging the massive Axe?

But that is a massive Axe to swing. McKenzie, well he makes puffs and pops of runs here and there, done enough? Eh I dont know, I still dont rate him.
As for Morkel, well he has been hit and miss but still do they expect him to be an allrounder?

[stan]

Hes one for all. What will South Africa do when Kallis retires. Great cricketer, Smith has always had him to throw the ball to when things are tough and there man Kallis is always there. But what will happen when hes gone. Is Albie Morkel up to it?

[hearts on fire]

If South Africa can't beat us on home soil right now, how are they going to do it on two or three years time? when there best players are retired?

[Pup]

If South Africa can't beat us on home soil right now, how are they going to do it on two or three years time? when there best players are retired?

Their supporters could say the same, if we could not beat them on our home soil then what does that say? Do you know much about their up and comers? They have a pretty young squad also.

Smith is 28
AB DeVilliers 25
Amla 25
JP Duminy 24
Albie Morkel 27
Morne Morkel 24
Steyn 25

Then throw in Khan and Parnell who are 24 and 19 respectively.

So that is at least 6 pretty important players that have still a good 5/6 years ahead of them. Throw in Harris who is 30, Boucher is 32 and Ntini is 31 so this group will still be together for a fair while yet. There will always be changes to squad but they should keep their nucleus together for a long time.

[Pup]

the south africans will have at least three changes with Smith injured and Mckenzie and Morne Morkel axed..

Prince will come in as captain.
Imraan Khan will open the batting with Amla
and Albie Morkel and Wayne Parnell will fight out for that last bowling spot

Wheres Mikie Arthur now talking about panicing and swinging the massive Axe?

But that is a massive Axe to swing. McKenzie, well he makes puffs and pops of runs here and there, done enough? Eh I dont know, I still dont rate him.
As for Morkel, well he has been hit and miss but still do they expect him to be an allrounder?

McKenzie had a very good season last year scoring very well against India away and England and destroying minnows Bangladesh but he has shown he just struggles to handle the Australians quality attack, he will find it very hard to find his way back IMO.

And on your question about Albie, well i am not sure he has enormous potential but whether or not that he can be transformed into a excellent test player is something i have my doubts about. But we will soon find out.

[LaughingKookaburra]

Kallis will be retired and you tell me who else will be?? Maybe Boucher...... I think duminy over time will be a very handy replacement with the willow, and any team with Dale Steyn will be very solid with the pill. I beleive this will open up some deep scars with blokes like Smith, McKenzie and maybe Prince. They have been completely embarressed by this and STILL have not been the best test side in the world. To be honest since the first 2 tests they have been completely outplayed. IF we got through their attack in Melbourne and did'nt throw away our oppourtunities in Perth we could have had a different result. But guess what we did'nt...... I guess all this youth in the Australian team has bought back an era of excitement again?? However I beleive an issue could be more so our depth coming up especially if injuries hit......

[Pup]

Kallis will be retired and you tell me who else will be?? Maybe Boucher...... I think duminy over time will be a very handy replacement with the willow, and any team with Dale Steyn will be very solid with the pill. I beleive this will open up some deep scars with blokes like Smith, McKenzie and maybe Prince. They have been completely embarressed by this and STILL have not been the best test side in the world. To be honest since the first 2 tests they have been completely outplayed. IF we got through their attack in Melbourne and did'nt throw away our oppourtunities in Perth we could have had a different result. But guess what we did'nt...... I guess all this youth in the Australian team has bought back an era of excitement again?? However I beleive an issue could be more so our depth coming up especially if injuries hit......

Yeah the only players i can see leaving the side because of age or retirement is Kallis and maybe Boucher and Ntini and two of them can be replaced with their current form.

I dont believe in the scars, Smith is very strong mentally and still has plenty of time to make amends for this series in the future and remember he has just came off captaining one of the best series wins for SA in their history. McKenzie wont be there and Prince has not played so i do not think it will worry him too much.

You are right about the if's and buts.

Just remember we do not have to lose to Sth Africa to give up our number one mantle, it is very possible we could lose it within the next 12 months without playing them again and then they would finally have what they so desperately crave.

[LaughingKookaburra]

He maybe strong mentally, but I reckon he is becoming Johnsons b***h. 2 broken hands, gotten him out 2-3 of times aswell.... Johnson is becoming dangerous and the reaction he is getting of some pitches is beyond beleif. Almost a touch of vintage West Indian express bowling maybe

[Pup]

He maybe strong mentally, but I reckon he is becoming Johnsons b***h. 2 broken hands, gotten him out 2-3 of times aswell.... Johnson is becoming dangerous and the reaction he is getting of some pitches is beyond beleif. Almost a touch of vintage West Indian express bowling maybe

I will hold off from the West Indian comparison but i will tell you one thing he has improved a hell of a lot more than i ever thought he would in the amount of time he has.

[rod_rooster]

Prince no longer captain. Kallis will be captain for the third test now.

http://content.cricinfo.com/rsavaus2009/content/current/story/394874.html

[Swervyn]

Cant believe Imran Khan is playing again.. what a gun