First Test Match at the WACA: Australia v South Africa

[FD88]

Interestingly the biggest chase on this ground was 342 and that was 31 years ago. Keep pushing it boys.

And wow Krejza can bat.

[hearts on fire]

I think we should bat with a reverse order, have Siddle and Johnson open.

Our tail is better than our top order IMO.

[hearts on fire]

Australia 7/210.

Australia lead by 304 runs.

[locky801]

Australia 7/210.

Australia lead by 304 runs.

That should be enough but like to see another 30 to 40


Then we need Brett Lee to come out and blow em away


Been lots said on Hayden, Lee is right under the micro IMHO

[hearts on fire]

Then we need Brett Lee to come out and blow em away

That is very unlikely to happen, i think we are better off opening the bowling with Johnson and Siddle.

[FD88]

I think we should bat with a reverse order, have Siddle and Johnson open.

Our tail is better than our top order IMO.

Haha

Have we gone looking for a spinner and found a middle order batsman?

[hearts on fire]

The funny thing is, everyone is talking about how Hayden should be dropped, BUT Hayden has made more runs in this Test than Hussey.

[hearts on fire]

STUMPS DAY 3.

Australia 7/228.

Australia lead by 322 runs.

[Dutchy]

Pitch appears to be more and more difficult to bat on, our best explosive batsman at the crease together have put on 39 in 104 balls

Pitch seems a cracker, all aussie bats got starts just didnt go on with it, thats not the pitchs fault

this game is crying out for a batsman to take control of the bowling and score a ton, if SA do that they will win...which I reckon they are a huge chance of doing, esp considering they will be doing most of their chasing on only a 4th day pitch

as for Haydens decision, obviously some posters on here have never played the game, swings and roundabouts - no mention of the lucky decisions that have gone his way over the years....and others have said he was out earlier anyway

[LaughingKookaburra]

I'll put my balls on the block,if I'm wrong i'll cop it but South Africa are still weak as p*ss.How many times in this test which is a defying one have they had a chance to bury Australia and have not. They lack the killer instinct, they will not beat Australia in this series and when they smell blood it's like they are scared. When you have Hayden,Ponting and Hussey in the shed after 15 runs the batting team should make no more than 200 and they let them pile on more than 350. Even Australia at their worst over the past 10 years did not give up their wickets so cheaply as South Africa did last night at such a cruical stage. Good luck to them but I would be surprised to see South Africa seriously challenge the total they will be chasing. Yes I am, being arrogant but let's see South Africa prove me wrong.....

[FD88]

Well Haddin isn't out yet, could he be the one to score the big ton? To have the lead out to 322 runs given the form of our top and part of our middle order is an excellent result. Also worth noting once again that the biggest run chase on this ground according to nine was 342; we're a good chance to set them something bigger than that.

Kookaburra you make a good point but credit to our tail, they can all hold a bat. I think it says a lot about the character of the blokes we're bringing into the side to be able to stand up under duress like they have.

One thing's for sure, we can't expect Johnson to reproduce that magic spell again. We're going to need a better economy rate from Krejza and more from Lee in particular. Also the sooner we blood a genuine swing bowler the better!

[Dutchy]

Take Johnsons 5 overs out last night and SA have been well on top in this match, the difference between these 2 teams aint as much as some arrogant aussies think

[LaughingKookaburra]

Take Johnsons 5 overs out last night and SA have been well on top in this match, the difference between these 2 teams aint as much as some arrogant aussies think

What was the difference to the sides at the 99 world cup?? Bugger all, but are they good enough to take their chances? Time will tell..........

[smac]

I'll put my balls on the block,if I'm wrong i'll cop it but South Africa are still weak as p*ss.How many times in this test which is a defying one have they had a chance to bury Australia and have not. They lack the killer instinct, they will not beat Australia in this series and when they smell blood it's like they are scared. When you have Hayden,Ponting and Hussey in the shed after 15 runs the batting team should make no more than 200 and they let them pile on more than 350. Even Australia at their worst over the past 10 years did not give up their wickets so cheaply as South Africa did last night at such a cruical stage. Good luck to them but I would be surprised to see South Africa seriously challenge the total they will be chasing. Yes I am, being arrogant but let's see South Africa prove me wrong.....

Fair call.

At work yesterday morning the call was "South Africa lack spine, won't get near our first innings total." Was spot on the money, they are all bluster and bullshit, no substance.

[Ned]

I'll put my balls on the block,if I'm wrong i'll cop it but South Africa are still weak as p*ss.How many times in this test which is a defying one have they had a chance to bury Australia and have not. They lack the killer instinct, they will not beat Australia in this series and when they smell blood it's like they are scared. When you have Hayden,Ponting and Hussey in the shed after 15 runs the batting team should make no more than 200 and they let them pile on more than 350. Even Australia at their worst over the past 10 years did not give up their wickets so cheaply as South Africa did last night at such a cruical stage. Good luck to them but I would be surprised to see South Africa seriously challenge the total they will be chasing. Yes I am, being arrogant but let's see South Africa prove me wrong.....

Fair call.

At work yesterday morning the call was "South Africa lack spine, won't get near our first innings total." Was spot on the money, they are all bluster and bullshit, no substance.

South Africas batting lineup is not as good as Australias, I rate thier top 7 but their 8,9,10 an 11 are all number 11's. Lee, Krezja, Johnson, and Siddle could all bat 7 for some test nations, that's where this series will be won. They are not soft or spineless.

[whufc]

Krejza is turning into a very handy cricketer, if his batting can continue improving as well as Haddins you may well be able to have a line-up like this.

1. Michael Hussey
2. Simon Katich
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Clarke
5. Andrew Symonds
6. Brad Haddin
7. Shane Watson
8. Jason Krejza
9. Brett Lee
10. Mitchell Johnson
11. Peter Siddle

[Ned]

Krejza is turning into a very handy cricketer, if his batting can continue improving as well as Haddins you may well be able to have a line-up like this.

1. Michael Hussey
2. Simon Katich
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Clarke
5. Andrew Symonds
6. Brad Haddin
7. Shane Watson
8. Jason Krejza
9. Brett Lee
10. Mitchell Johnson
11. Peter Siddle

Just needs a couple of changes down the track

1. Michael Hussey
2. Simon Katich
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Clarke
5. Andrew Symonds > C.Fergusson
6. Brad Haddin
7. Shane Watson > A.McDonald
8. Jason Krejza
9. Brett Lee
10. Mitchell Johnson
11. Peter Siddle

[whufc]

Hopefully the tail end can add another 50 runs to the total today, then that would be well and truly enough to get us over the line.

When we get our chance with the ball Brett Lee is definatly the key, without him firing it could be difficult as i doubt whether Mitchell Johnson will bowl that well again and Siddle and Krezja are inexperinced but this gives them a chance to cement a spot in the line-up.

Just a question what does Peter Siddle average batting at first class level, i thought i seen somewehere that he was batting as high as 7 for Victoria.

[magpie in the 80's]

Just a question what does Peter Siddle average batting at first class level, i thought i seen somewehere that he was batting as high as 7 for Victoria.

First-class
runs: 166
h/s: 38
average: 11.85

mind you krejza

First-class
runs: 681
h/s: 65
average: 21.96

[Hondo]

Krejza is turning into a very handy cricketer, if his batting can continue improving as well as Haddins you may well be able to have a line-up like this.

1. Michael Hussey
2. Simon Katich
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Clarke
5. Andrew Symonds
6. Brad Haddin
7. Shane Watson
8. Jason Krejza
9. Brett Lee
10. Mitchell Johnson
11. Peter Siddle

If you are going to do that you'd lose Symonds and replace him with a better batsman.

It's not out of the question