Aus vs SAF Series

[CoverKing]

Current selectors are showing they don't like to change much. Harris the only out from last test.

Haddin is history.

Haddin out is change. Wade looks alright so we hope he goes well.

From the last test match? Haddin was already out, wasn't he?

Yes he was already out. Wade was the only one who scored a century in the last test series.

Selectors also do not like changing the keeper throughout a series so I think Wade will definitely keep for the series at the very minimum

[The Dark Knight]

Current selectors are showing they don't like to change much. Harris the only out from last test.

Haddin is history.

Haddin out is change. Wade looks alright so we hope he goes well.

From the last test match? Haddin was already out, wasn't he?

Australia's last test match was against the West Indies in Dominica wasn't it? Haddin didn't play, Wade played in that test match and was named man of the match.

[brod]

Hope the cricket is better than the add

[Tiger Couple]

So anyone else concerned by our test teams lack of form leading into the First Test.

Warner - Hardly played in South Africa and made bugger all in 1st Innings v Qld
Cowan - Hasn't made a decent score if 4 Day Cricket.
Watson - Reasonable 20/20 form. Bugger all against Qld in 1st Innings.
Ponting - In form but now under injury cloud.
Clarke - Yet to make a decent score this summer.
Hussey - Okay 20/20 form. Got 60odd against Vics but failed in 2nd Innings.
Wade - Hasn't done anything with bat this summer.

With the side Australia A have the South African batsman will hardly be shacking in there boots and could easily be in better form than us by tomorrow night.

Even the bowlers haven't had a great amount of bowling as Starc and Hilfenhaus have just been playing 20/20. Patterson and Siddle atleast have some bowling behind them but would like to see them get a bag in WA 2nd Innings and Lyon won't do much bowling in Tassie as spin has bowled about 4 overs in 2 Days.

It is very concerning for me.

[cheetah]

SHould be a great contest and really test for our boys. Backing Cowan 2 not make a heap of runs but get the shine off the new ball. Warner can do anything if he gets into the groove and can win sessions off his own bat. Watson is all class and seems 2 have fine tuned his technique, he needs 2 start converting starts into big hundreds. Pup gets forgotten abit sometimes and he will prove his ability. Ponting has been hitting the ball extremly well, loves the contest. Hussey will find his back 2 the wall this summer and this is when he will shine. Wade great talent cant wait 2 him in full flight!

[lutz]

Yea Aussie batsmen don't seem to be in great form. I'm hoping for a stack of runs from Ponting this summer!

Just on the South African batting order (I'm not sure if it's been brought up), but their top 7 is very impressive (going from the last test they played): Smith, Peterson (who averages above 40 - I think he may be selected due to their 'selection rule'), Amla, Kallis, de Villiers, Rudolph, and Duminy at 7!

Hopefully a few of them are out of form too. They seem to be a very well rounded side.

[MatteeG]

Wade - Hasn't done anything with bat this summer.

Reckon he made a gritty 70-80 odd when everyone else was falling around him last Shield game TC

[The Dark Knight]

Just on the South African batting order (I'm not sure if it's been brought up), but their top 7 is very impressive (going from the last test they played): Smith, Peterson (who averages above 40 - I think he may be selected due to their 'selection rule'), Amla, Kallis, de Villiers, Rudolph, and Duminy at 7!

South Africa's top 7 is very good and if Australia's going to win the upcoming series, the Aussie attack will have to be right on top of their game and putting the pressure on the SA batsman every single session. Both Australia and South Africa have world class middle orders in Ponting, Clarke, Hussey/Amla, Kallis, De Villers respectively.

I think Mitchell Starc could prove a bit of a handful for the South African right handers if he can get it right and swing the ball into the right hander consistently. I just think they can be a bit susceptible to the ball coming back into them.

[RustyCage]

Quentin Hull ‏@QuentinHull
Shane Watson leaving field after animated chat with Michael Clarke. Not quite sure what's happening but the body language looks concerning.

[stan]

Also in south Africa there bowling attack is world class. Steyn, Phllander, Morkel, Kallis and Tamir. Very good attack there and they have laid down the challenge. They are coming to get us. so lets see what our guys can do.

[Jim05]

Quentin Hull ‏@QuentinHull
Shane Watson leaving field after animated chat with Michael Clarke. Not quite sure what's happening but the body language looks concerning.

Hammy strain, some concern for Watto with the 1st test only 5 days away

[whufc]

If Watson is out does Hussey go up to 3 in the order and the incoming bat at 6

[Squids]

Hope not, Hussey has been carp against the South Africans.

Watson will play.

[stampy]

wheres MJ?

[the joker]

I wonder if Dan Christian will be over looked for a debut because of Luke butterworth

[Brodlach]

Rob Quinney brought into the test squad as Watson looks likely to miss

[the joker]

We could be that one bowler short now. Makes the selection of the 11 hard if its a green top, do they play 4 pace bowlers and risk them being over Bowled, or play Lyon and only have three pace bowlers if is swinging around. Hussey will have to bowl more

[Squids]

Hussey, Warner, Clarke, Ponting can all bowl if their bodies are up to it.

Plus Siddle can bowl all day.

[Media Park]

Ryan Harris only out (maybe Nathan Lyon as well) from last Test Match:

Australian Squad First class scores this year (batsmen only):
Ed COWAN: 17 & 8, 35, 42 & 16, 6 & 26... 150 runs @ 21.42
David WARNER: 2 & 39... 41 runs & 20.50
Shane WATSON: 33... 33 runs @ 33.00
Ricky PONTING: 9 & 34, 85*, 162* & 60*, 5... 355 runs @ 118.33
Michael CLARKE: 78 & 0*, 37 & 22, 8 & 28... 173 runs @ 34.60
Michael HUSSEY: 65 & 3... 68 runs @ 34.00
Matthew WADE: 89, 19, 8 & 50*... 166 runs @ 55.33

[Phantom Gossiper]

Ryan Harris only out (maybe Nathan Lyon as well) from last Test Match:

Australian Squad First class scores this year (batsmen only):
Ed COWAN: 17 & 8, 35, 42 & 16, 6 & 26... 150 runs @ 21.42
David WARNER: 2 & 39... 41 runs & 20.50
Shane WATSON: 33... 33 runs @ 33.00
Ricky PONTING: 9 & 34, 85*, 162* & 60*, 5... 355 runs @ 118.33
Michael CLARKE: 78 & 0*, 37 & 22, 8 & 28... 173 runs @ 34.60
Michael HUSSEY: 65 & 3... 68 runs @ 34.00
Matthew WADE: 89, 19, 8 & 50*... 166 runs @ 55.33

Geez some of those figures dont do much to ease my nerves and make me feel more comfortable