2ND TEST MATCH AUST V STH. AFRICA AT THE MCG

[brod]

JH Kallis

- Wicket 250 (B Lee bowled)
If amazingly Kallis can score 53 in the 2nd innings he will also bring up 10,000 test runs. (Fair match for milestones)

Kallis also is a bit of a barometer for Protea success
SA Win 158 wickets @ 22.6
SA Lose 52 wickets @ 46.5
SA Draw 38 wickets @ 44.1

250 wickets (31st all time)
9947 runs (8th all time)
138 catches (9th all time)

[topsywaldron]

Think what you like about Lee as a bowler but his innings today was deadset one of the most selfish ever played. One nil down in the series, a lead of just over a hundred and he wafts away at anything pitched short and finishes up being bowled before tea.

Seems like there's more than one cricket skill he can learn from Steyn, Disgraceful and no ticker whatsoever.

[brod]

If Dale Steyn takes one more wicket in this match , it will be his 150th.

Steyn will become the equal 4th fastest (in matches, 29) to this milestone.
He will be equal with countryman HJ Tayfield and Ian Botham.

Quick quiz question
Who are the three players who did it faster?

Sid Barnes 24
Waqar Younis 27
Clarrie Grimmett 28

[NFC]

Think what you like about Lee as a bowler but his innings today was deadset one of the most selfish ever played. One nil down in the series, a lead of just over a hundred and he wafts away at anything pitched short and finishes up being bowled before tea.

Seems like there's more than one cricket skill he can learn from Steyn, Disgraceful and no ticker whatsoever.

Bit harsh IMO.

[rod_rooster]

Think what you like about Lee as a bowler but his innings today was deadset one of the most selfish ever played. One nil down in the series, a lead of just over a hundred and he wafts away at anything pitched short and finishes up being bowled before tea.

Seems like there's more than one cricket skill he can learn from Steyn, Disgraceful and no ticker whatsoever.

Bit harsh IMO.

Wow, NFC and i agree

[JS SPORTS]

While we're talking ins and outs - let's talk selectors.

Some of the decision making in the past three series (Ind/NZ/SA) has been mind boggling. Playing favourites and picking blokes at the wrong time, or too late or who are injured.

Correct weight. A bit like the SACA, once you're in there, only your death sees you removed from the position and that's normally while your still warm and before rigamortis sets in.

[RoosterMarty]

Terrible batting yet again. Katich has been in great form but that was a stupid shot. Clarke said he was 'keen as mustard' for another bat yet his shot was pretty poor also.

Aleem Dar should be sacked for giving Hussey out. I seriously can not believe he thought that hit his glove, and I doubt the ball would have got so much 'hang time' if it had hit a softer piece of equipment such as a glove... I have always been against the introduction of technology in cricket but seeing that tool get so many decisions wrong then it's time. Absolute disgrace of an umpire.

[Psyber]

Well at this stage I'd say RSA will be chasing less than 170, and won't lose more than 2 wickets doing it..

[The Yetti]

Making a comparison between ages of AFL footballers and cricketers is seriously one of the most stupid things i have read on this site. I should know too as i say my fair share of stupid things

Thanks for that RR
Why is it it one of the most stupid things that you have read on this site?

At 30 eyesight begins to fade
Soft tissue injuries increase
You are getting older, slower and wiser

Different sports, different physical requirements. A footballer and a cricketer peak at different stages and that is widely accepted. Footballers are in their prime at a much earlier age than a cricketer and for a much shorter time. For example Mike Hussey did not debut until he was 31. He has averaged 60 despite his current form slump. Name me a footballer who has debuted at 31 and has been a success for several years?

Thanks RR..Appreciate your comments
Can't name a footballer who debuted at 31
Why did Hussey take until he was 31...because Mark Waugh stayed on for too long, or mark taylor
I am looking more at the process of refreshing teams. Burn out, mental fatigue, loss of passion or whatever you wish to call it
Swimmers are gone before 30
Women's tennis players are generally gone by 30

Lawn Bowls, Golf and Croquet are the exceptions....all played by old poms

[topsywaldron]

Think what you like about Lee as a bowler but his innings today was deadset one of the most selfish ever played. One nil down in the series, a lead of just over a hundred and he wafts away at anything pitched short and finishes up being bowled before tea.

Seems like there's more than one cricket skill he can learn from Steyn, Disgraceful and no ticker whatsoever.

Bit harsh IMO.

What part of Lee's batting today could you possibly defend?

[silicone skyline]

Terrible batting yet again. Katich has been in great form but that was a stupid shot. Clarke said he was 'keen as mustard' for another bat yet his shot was pretty poor also.

Aleem Dar should be sacked for giving Hussey out. I seriously can not believe he thought that hit his glove, and I doubt the ball would have got so much 'hang time' if it had hit a softer piece of equipment such as a glove... I have always been against the introduction of technology in cricket but seeing that tool get so many decisions wrong then it's time. Absolute disgrace of an umpire.

Glove onto helmet would have been the belief.

Can't sack a man for thinking that was out, the Proteas went up hard and were very convincing, just as they were for Matty Hayden back in Perth.

To call for a man's head for one wrong decision is idiotic.

Not an easy job and I've been happy with the umpiring so far other than those two decisions.

Don't disagree with stupid shot selection. Even Haddin should have left this.

[RoosterMarty]

It's not just one wrong decision, he makes bad calls time and time again. He needs to go.

[silicone skyline]

Sorry, you did say he should be sacked for giving Hussey out though, that's what I thought you meant.

[FD88]

Clearly the plan was to go out there and get things moving quickly in an effort to win, hence all our batsmen have been chasing the wide ones. Punter himself has had a lot of swings and misses but has been lucky enough to avoid dismissal. I'm all for going for the win in every single match but they could've been a tad more thoughtful and still built a nice total with enough time to force the result (although Siddle and Johnson would have to bowl out of their skins).

Also on the Aleem Dar debate, think back to Flintoff's LBW shout against Kallis in the third test over in Pommyland, a couple of balls before he ended up bowling him. How could he possibly give that not out? The bloke just isn't up to it imo.

[Thiele]

7/200

[RoosterMarty]

Sorry, you did say he should be sacked for giving Hussey out though, that's what I thought you meant.

Yes my rant was probably not as clear as intended.

That was the final straw as far as I'm concerned though.


C'mon Punter... he will need to score 250 at least to give us half a chance.

[FD88]

Whenever I switch the TV on we usually lose a wicket almost immediately, but I want to see Punter's hundred damnit. Stay away you mocker *******s.

[Thiele]

Whenever I switch the TV on we usually lose a wicket almost immediately, but I want to see Punter's hundred damnit. Stay away you mocker *******s.

Then don't turn it on

[FD88]

NONONONONONONONONONONONO **** **** **** **** **** ****

8/212

[Dirko]

**** **** ****


Ponting out for 99....