South Africa vs Australia 1st Test

[wycbloods]

All i can say is What a silly shot by Hughes. But He is a Gun and will get over it. What a ball by Ntini to dismiss Ponting. Great bowler

Yes it wasn't a great shot but it is one that in the next 10-15 years we will watch him score greatly from IMO. Give the kid a go he will be ok.

[wycbloods]

Haddin gone for 63 and followed by McDonald for a duck.

7/296

Hopefully North can scratch up a ton with some support from Johnson.

[JK]

Plenty happening with the ball ... Cricket so much more enjoyable to watch on the rare occasions the bowlers have something in their favour.

[locky801]

7/351 at lunch

North 85*

Johnno 27*

Excellent performance by the Aussies on a track which is doing a bit

[wycbloods]

can north become the first west australian to score 100 on debut?

I think he will.

[purch]

IMO McDonald is not test standard (at this point in time). I acknowledge that he's learnt how to put on a helmet. I hope for his sake he offers more with his bowling in this test.

We already have an all-rounder. He is batting at the moment 27*
> Our main strike bowler and a batting average of 27

Very impressed with M. North. Not before time it seems..

[Adelaide Hawk]

I have to say I'm very pleased to see Marcus North doing so well. I always thought he had the ability to play at Test level, I just wondered if he'd get the opportunity.

[purch]

Cricket so much more enjoyable to watch on the rare occasions the bowlers have something in their favour.

Couldn't agree more...can hardly wait to see the ball darting around in England again. Where's Alderman when you need him...

[purch]

This is great. The cameramen continue to do a fine job...

[Hondo]

You can't buy experience it's been interesting to see how the 29 year old debutant went v the 20 year old. This innings anyway.

Phil Hughes will have to work that much harder to get up to speed whereas Marcus North seems to be following in the Huss' footsteps, solid with 5-10 years first class experince behind him

Not that I think that Hughes should have waited until he was 29! Just that our expectations on the lad need to be realistic. Someone mentioned Craig McDermott and Steve Waugh as recent 20 year old debutants. Both took around 7 years after their debut until they were solidly fixed in the team and performing. Steve Waugh was a regular but never really at ease until the early 90s, by his own admission. Both were great players for Australia I am sure Hughes will be too.

[purch]

Steyn vs North is the highlight of this test so far for me.

Great discipline shown by North thus far. Clarke could learn from it.

[wycbloods]

Well done to Marcus North on his 100 on debut.

[JK]

What a sensational dig!!

[Adelaide Hawk]

409 have played Tests for Australia, only 18 of them have made 100 on debut (and only 13 in their 1st innings). Well done Marcus North.

[wycbloods]

409 have played Tests for Australia, only 18 of them have made 100 on debut. Well done Marcus North.

Yes it is a fantastic effort and that highlights how rare it is but i would like to know the breakdown of batsmen out of that 409.

A great effort nonetheless.

[Dogwatcher]

You can't buy experience it's been interesting to see how the 29 year old debutant went v the 20 year old. This innings anyway.

Phil Hughes will have to work that much harder to get up to speed whereas Marcus North seems to be following in the Huss' footsteps, solid with 5-10 years first class experince behind him

Not that I think that Hughes should have waited until he was 29! Just that our expectations on the lad need to be realistic. Someone mentioned Craig McDermott and Steve Waugh as recent 20 year old debutants. Both took around 7 years after their debut until they were solidly fixed in the team and performing. Steve Waugh was a regular but never really at ease until the early 90s, by his own admission. Both were great players for Australia I am sure Hughes will be too.

Can I just say this post is by me?

Great stuff by North. It was nice also to appreciate a 100 like that without all of the jingoistic commentary we experience during the summer. Nicholas seems a lot more understated as well in his commentary.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Centuries on debut
AC Bannerman NSW 165* 4 England Melbourne 1876-77
H Graham Vic 107 England Lord's 1893
RA Duff NSW 32 104 England Melbourne 1901-02
RJ Hartigan NSW 48 116 England Adelaide 1907-08
HL Collins NSW 70 104 England Sydney 1920-21
WH Ponsford Vic 110 27 England Sydney 1924-25
A Jackson NSW 164 36 England Adelaide 1928-29
JW Burke NSW 12 101* England Adelaide 1950-51
KD Walters NSW 155 England Brisbane 1965-66
GS Chappell SA 108 England Perth 1970-71
GJ Cosier SA 109 West Indies Melbourne 1975-76
DM Wellham NSW 24 103 England The Oval 1981
KC Wessels Qld 162 46 England Brisbane 1982-83
WB Phillips SA 159 Pakistan Perth 1983-84
ME Waugh NSW 138 23 England Adelaide 1990-91
GS Blewett SA 102* 12 England Adelaide 1994-95
MJ Clarke NSW 151 India Bangalore 2004-05
MJ North WA ??? South Africa Johannesburg 2008-09

[MatteeG]

What a sensational dig!!

Agreed!!

[JK]

Anyone know what the partnership is up to for these lads?

[JK]

LOL Thank you Mr Nicholas