South Africa v Australia 1st Test

[RustyCage]

A great knock so far by Clarke, making runs when we need it.

[CoverKing]

Great batting by Clarke
96* (103)
Johnson 14* (13)
Haddin out for 5
Hussey 1

Where are the Clarke knockers about standing up when it counts?

[CoverKing]

Clarke brings up his 100 with a glorious cover drive.
6/202
Clarke 102 (109)
Johnson 20 (19)

Best innings of Clarkes career by an absolute mile IMO

[CoverKing]

Johnson out for 20
Soft dismissal but trying to be his aggressive self. Can't fault it IMO on that pitch

[Jim05]

Ended up 8/214
Clarke 107*
Siddle 0*
Great knock by Clarke, saved us from total embarassment. Hopefully he can stick around with the tail for a bit today and push us over 250

[Media Park]

Only watched the first half a dozen overs, but losing your wicket on that deck is no shame, Philander (who I rate) was amazing, ended up with three wickets, Steyn touching 150kmph and four wickets, he is the best quick in the world. Clarke an amazing innings, if he could do this consistently I would have a man crush.
Ricky Ponting, you were awesome, an amazing batsman, but in 2011, you are finished. May these words bite me on the arse later. Retire before you are pushed. It would be a shame.
Hoping our specialist South Africa all-rounder, Mitch Johnson, rips through the Saffers early, since we'll be bowling shortly into this game.
Rudolph should be nervous, tried to qualify for England, came back, hasn't played a Test since 06. A lot of pressure on Smith at the top of the order. We need wickets to fall around the timeless, ageless rock of Kallis.

[Pup]

Great batting by Clarke
96* (103)
Johnson 14* (13)
Haddin out for 5
Hussey 1

Where are the Clarke knockers about standing up when it counts?

They will be in hiding until he goes out softly again then they will jump all over him. What a great knock! Well done Pup.

[stampy]

fell asleep when clarke was smacking them to all parts whilst marsh remained virtually scoreless at around 3/115ish, 3/40 getting to 8/214 has me confused, was the wicket doing much??, i saw 1 ball on the way to bed which clarke smashed to the extra cover boundary

[Adelaide Hawk]

Yet another bad day for the Clarke haters.

[mal]

And Clarke wanted to bat on this pitch

He knew what he was saying 107 not out !
Would be nice if all Test matches were played on pitches like this one
It was rivetting viewing all night

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTEYN V PUP
This duel was Test Cricket at its best
SssSsSsSsSsSSSSteyn made Pup look vulnerable early peppering him with very fast short pitched bowling
SsSsSsSssSsSteyns deliveries reminded me of the stuff the late great MALcolm Marshall used to bowl
SSSSSSSsSsSSsSssssSteyn gave Clark a couple of verbal lashings and was all over the Aussie skipper
I must admit at the time, I had thought it was as Garth Porter once sang '' Its just a matter of time''
With Australia on its knees Clarke played one the greatest innings by an Australian batsman
That he went on to make a 107* at almost a run a ball in extreme bowling conditions was superb
Pups driving was Jack Brabhamesque !
SSSSSSSSSSSSSsSsSsSsSssSsSsSteyn , I knew this guy was the real deal after watching him for a half an hour once
On decks like this he is the most dangerous fast bowler in the galaxy
Pup and SsSsSsSssSsSsSsSssSssSSsSteyn will most likley front up against each other first thing day 2
Cant wait to see the duel, I got a feeling the SA quick will get him early though

[the joker]

Yep, they say he is not tough enough to be the test captain, showed last night he is. And Clarke being made captain was the best decision CA have made for a long time

[mal]

Yet another bad day for the Clarke haters.

They are used to it Hawk
5000+ runs at an average of 47+ means the Clarke haters have seen it consistently over the years in Test cricket

[Baron Greenback]

Haddin's got to go.
And unfortunately Ponting too
I hope he makes a ton though in the 2nd dig.

[Jim05]

Must admit i have been a Clarke knocker but definately not a Clarke hater. I think people get frustrated because we now he is capable of brilliant innings like last night but he doesnt show it often enough. He has all the skill to be amongst the best in the world, just need to see it more often. Was great to see him belt that pie chucker Kallis out of the attack

[mal]

This will probably bite me on the bottom

BUT

WHAT IS SMITH THINKING?????????

The ball is seaming all over the place and he brings the debutant spinner on after 14 overs.

BAD MOVE IMHO!

I reckon he would be thinking, just before lunch, debutant bowler, lets get him a bowl before the break and settle his nerves quicker. will go back to the seamers soon i would think

Spot on WHUFC
Had thought the same at the time
This was a deck for the seamers, to bowl Tahir b4 the exalted allrounder Jaques Kallis was bewlidering
Also excellently answered by Cover King

SMITH
Excellent captaincy
Very Ian Chappellish
It was very much a bowlers haven on day 1
Smith backed his bowlers and consistently set ultra attacking fields on day
He was rewarded on the scoreboard, despite one of the great tons made by his opposite skipper

[whufc]

Steyn had Clarke in all sorts last over, good to see Clarke battle threw and wear a few though.

I hope he can get through this and shove it up that w**ker steyn and whufc.

The old revers knockers works every time.

Im a massive Clarke knocker and that innings was BRILLIANT, probably the best in his career.

Love the fact he was roughed up early but kept his composure and batted with guts.

THAT WAS TRUE CAPTAINS INNNINGS!!

Well done Michael Clarke you pandsy

[Johno6]

ill post a months worth of posts in 1...


Clarke should never of been captain he is crap.
Clarke is the best player ever.
DROP CLARKE!!
Make clarke prime minister!!

i hate clarke
clarke is my fav player.......


thats generally the theme around these parts.........

[whufc]

Is Haddin doing enough for a bloke well over 30 to hold his spot when there is younger guys like Wade pushing?

[stampy]

Is Haddin doing enough for a bloke well over 30 to hold his spot wNO!!!!!hen there is younger guys like Wade pushing?

in a word


NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pup]

Is Haddin doing enough for a bloke well over 30 to hold his spot when there is younger guys like Wade pushing?

No not for me.

Pity Paine has been injured. If Wade gets a gig he will find it very hard.