South Africa v Australia 1st Test

[brod]

The first Test starts 9 November.

Whoever heard of a heavyweight bout scheduled to be played over two rounds?
The series was squeezed to two matches from the original three by the Champions League Twenty20 and South Africa's desire to play T20 internationals in addition to ODIs.

Cape Town's surface has been the subject of much theorising so far, and early inspection revealed a pitch that offered hope to both the pace bowlers via plenty of grass, but also the spinners thanks to a prominent bare patch at one end. Some rain is forecast for the opening day, but sunnier skies are predicted thereafter.

Doubt about AB de Villiers' readiness after a broken digit has ebbed away, leaving the South African side reasonably settled. Tahir is expected to come in for his Test debut at the expense of Harris, though there remains the outside chance of both being chosen. Rudolph will make his return to the Test team at the top of the batting order.

South Africa (probable): 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Jacques Rudolph, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 AB de Villiers, 6 Ashwell Prince, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Imran Tahir, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Australia's only major questions surround the shape of the bowling attack, with Siddle and Copeland duelling for the third seamer's spot behind Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson. Siddle's good rhythm and fuller length in recent times, added to his solid record in South Africa in 2009, is likely to give him the edge over the ultra reliable but less pacey Copeland.

Australia (probable): 1 Shane Watson, 2 Phillip Hughes, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Peter Siddle, 11 Nathan Lyon

[Johno6]

SA will win comfortanly IMO...

[Lightning McQueen]

SA will win comfortanly IMO...

I don't think they've played a test for at least 6 months, could be a contributing factor, a bit of fatique might slow them down.

[Brodlach]

SA look like they have an awesome batting lineup. I hope Cummings plays.

[Jim05]

Very happy to be underdogs, we know how the Saffers handle pressure.
They will choke again and we will win 2-0.
Lot of pressure on the two guns Steyn and Morkel because the rest of their bowlers are pie chuckers.
Cummins will play and he is my tip for leading wicket taker in series.
Watto to be leading run scorer and have a field day

[GWW]

What time does it start? Is it around late afternoon South Australian time?

[lion heart]

The first Test starts 9 November.
[b

Australia (probable): 1 Shane Watson, 2 Phillip Hughes, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Peter Siddle, 11 Nathan Lyon

Aussie team looks strong bar Hughes.

[GWW]

Hughes had a big series over there 2 or 3 years ago, perhaps thats what the selectors are counting on.

[Brodlach]

What time does it start? Is it around late afternoon South Australian time?

7pm I think

[Jim05]

What time does it start? Is it around late afternoon South Australian time?

7pm I think

Yep. Pre game at 6:30, game starts 7 on Foxsports 2

[hearts on fire]

Hope Cummins gets a gig, very excited to see how he goes on the Test arena....

Side looking fairly decent, my only doubts being Hughes and Johnson.

No doubt Hughes will probably be given the axe if he doesn't perform, but Johnson has a spot for life in the side.

[Brodlach]

Talk that there is rain around and play maybe delayed

[Brodlach]

From Cricinfo

There's bad news up front - the rain has just started bucketing down, at 9.43 am (now)

[stampy]

here is the forecast


21 °C
Chance of Rain
70% chance of precipitation
Tonight
10 °C
Chance of Rain
50% chance of precipitation
Tomorrow
19 °C
Partly Cloudy
Friday
20 | 12 °C
Clear
Saturday
21 | 12 °C
Partly Cloudy
Sunday
21 | 10 °C
Chance of Rain
70% chance of precipitation
7-Day Forecast - Hourly Forecast Today is forecast to be Cooler than yesterday.

[stampy]

and another one

Cape Town Weather: Cape Town weather report updated daily.
This 7 day weather forecast for Cape Town will help you plan your upcoming activity or outing while keeping the changing Cape Town weather conditions in mind.

Wednesday
09 November

18º Cloudy with few showers(30%) with a moderate south-westerly wind
13º
Thursday
10 November

17º Partly cloudy with a strong southerly wind
12º
Friday
11 November

20º Partly cloudy with a strong south-easterly wind
12º
Saturday
12 November

20º Partly cloudy with a moderate south-westerly wind
13º
Sunday
13 November

20º Partly cloudy with a moderate south-westerly wind
13º
Monday
14 November

[stampy]

so somewhere between 18 and 21 degrees with probable rain

[Jim05]

Looks like Cummins wont play according to the pre game show

[Brodlach]

Looks like Cummins wont play according to the pre game show

Are they suggesting Copeland?

[Jim05]

Looks like Cummins wont play according to the pre game show

Are they suggesting Copeland?

No, Siddle.
They reckon the pitch is slow so will probably save him for the quicker bouncy deck in Joburg

[Jim05]

Drizzling at the moment, covers on. Should clear but start might be delayed for an hour