South Africa vs Australia 1st Test

[purch]

Haven't read all the posts on previous pages, but there is no way Johnson is our next all-rounder like the Sunday Mail was trying argue. Number 8 is the ideal spot, using it as an extra advantage in the way Gilchrist was correctly by always staying at 7. Unfortunately it doesn't look good for McDondald, unless he is going to consistently bowl at least 15 overs out of 80.

I laugh at the Johnson all-rounder talk. He is FAR from an all-rounder, just a handy lower order batsman. With the bat he's just a rich mans Lee and Lee is no AR.

He's far too inconsistent to be classified as one.

Exactly.

He is better at number 8 where his runs are a bonus rather than people expecting him to score runs week in week out.

Yep, these were my thoughts too. He can hit the ball cleanly and well, but does not have the defensive technique to be able to say he can hold his place in the team as a batsman, which is a requirement of a general all rounder.

Just like Richard Hadlee.

http://www.iccreliancerankings.com/ranking/test/all-rounder/

[NFC]

EARLY WICKETS!!!

Cmon lads!

[FlyingHigh]

[quote="purch

Just like Richard Hadlee.

http://www.iccreliancerankings.com/ranking/test/all-rounder/[/quote]

Surely only Flintoff and Kallis on that list can be classified as genuine all-rounders.

[FD88]

That looked close live. Ah well, here is Sir Hilf!

[rod_rooster]

Pidge has been copping the wrath of posters on here which is why he is lashing out a bit. He is entitled to his opinion but as it is not the popular one he just gets called names and cops abuse. Bit unfair IMHO. I don't agree with Pidge's view on Hughes but he has never said he is no good. He jokingly suggested it on another thread but if people can't see that was tongue in cheek they clearly take life too seriously. Perhaps rather than calling him names and abusing Pidge people may wish to post their thoughts on why Hughes should be in the team and let him respond.

How about FC average of 60, been in red hot form while Jaques hasn't. Enough?

I don't disagree NFC all i am saying is that simply abusing people achieves nothing.

[Pup]

That looked close live. Ah well, here is Sir Hilf!

Wasted Referral. Never looked out IMO.

[FD88]

That looked close live. Ah well, here is Sir Hilf!

Wasted Referral. Never looked out IMO.

Yeah seeing the replay it was nowhere near, bit of wishful thinking from myself (and punter)

[FD88]

RSA 0/64 after 24 overs. The signs haven't been good for us for awhile - they are leaving the ball well, not as much movement, the sun is out and the pitch is flattening. After a few threatening overs the batsmen now look untroubled. I hope we don't go on to rue that collapse

Johnson into the attack, lets hope this brings something.

[FD88]

Gone! McKenzie edges it to the keeper, 1/76. Finally a breakthrough and Johnson is the man again.

[FD88]

Smith brings up his 50 with a sparkling boundary and both he and Amla look comfortable.

1/95 at drinks

[FD88]

Alright I'm calling it now: if we don't get Smith out before tonight's play concludes South Africa will win this test match, one that they have no right to win.

1/107

[FD88]

Hilf into the attack. Make a name for yourself son!

[Gozu]

I'm getting bad feelings about this match.

[FD88]

HIIILLLLLFFFYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! SMITH GONE!!!

2/130.

[jackpot jim]

That looked close live. Ah well, here is Sir Hilf!

Wasted Referral. Never looked out IMO.

Yeah seeing the replay it was nowhere near, bit of wishful thinking from myself (and punter)

Yeah, Using a referral for that just confirms that bowlers have NFI with SOME of their LBW shouts.
Pitched 6 inches outside off and missing by more. what were they thinking?
No harm done with the 3rd ump only taking a minute to dismiss it instead of the usual 3 minutes.

[FD88]

Well that wicket keeps us alive (and puts us just a little ahead given Smith was the casualty) but it's all still on us. Amla looks fluent but as the commentators say he's prone to the occasional brain snap so I think he's our ticket to having them 3 down at the close of play. Imo we've got to get them something like 5 down before they get much beyond 200. We don't want this pattern of them getting on top, then us grabbing a wicket to just get our noses in front again because they could still pinch it as they did in Perth.

[Gozu]

They're what 2/170 odd at stumps? So they need 270 odd to win tomorrow with 8 wickets in hand. How sad is it that now we're the ones praying for rain. I really we hope we dont choke against them again tomorrow.

First it was that then record ODI score we put up on them last time there (430+) and then they go out and chase it down in what should always be known as the "Mick Lewis match". Then they chase down the second highest score in Test history here this summer in Perth and now weather permitting are in the box seat to create Test match history by chasing down our 450+ in this match.

[NFC]

Quite frankly, we're stuffed.

[mighty_tiger_79]

Quite frankly, we're stuffed.

spot on

[locky801]

Surely we cant blow this one as well