South Africa vs Australia 1st Test

[silicone skyline]

:butthead: http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/ ... ?id=941493

ROFLMAO

Yeah, I was considering joining the site so i could comment on the story.

Mind you, it was very funny, despite being a red hot swipe at Australian cricket.

[Drop Bear]

A very entertaining article indeed, although I wonder if the author is aware of the irony when a South African pushes the racism button on Australia?

haha! Exactly.


Well done boys.

[rod_rooster]

:butthead: http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/ ... ?id=941493

ROFLMAO

A very entertaining article indeed, although I wonder if the author is aware of the irony when a South African pushes the racism button on Australia?

Great description of Steve Waugh too

Why would they let the truth and the horrific recent history in their own country get in the way of a good cheap shot at Australia and Australian cricket?

Interesting also that whilst taking a shot at Australians and racism the author sees fit to bag Ricky Ponting based on his appearance. Double standards or just plain stupidity from an author who must be very attractive, proud of it and intolerant of anyone who does not match their own very lofty standards of appearance.

Must really hurt for them that they are not as far in front of the Aussies as they might have thought 5 days ago.

[Tooting Bec]

As a few of you guys have mentioned, the Durban deck takes to spin a bit and have suggested that old man Bryce comes in for McDonald.

From what I have seen from McDonald, he is playing a very important role in tying up the batsmen with his accuracy and creating pressure by bowling in partnerships with the other quicks. (I know this is a big call but that is what Warney was capable of doing)

Is there any real reason then to change the winning formula and Bring in Mcgain for McDonald?

[silicone skyline]

:butthead: http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/ ... ?id=941493

ROFLMAO

A very entertaining article indeed, although I wonder if the author is aware of the irony when a South African pushes the racism button on Australia?

Great description of Steve Waugh too

Why would they let the truth and the horrific recent history in their own country get in the way of a good cheap shot at Australia and Australian cricket?

Interesting also that whilst taking a shot at Australians and racism the author sees fit to bag Ricky Ponting based on his appearance. Double standards or just plain stupidity from an author who must be very attractive, proud of it and intolerant of anyone who does not match their own very lofty standards of appearance.

Must really hurt for them that they are not as far in front of the Aussies as they might have thought 5 days ago.

Agreed, but it must also hurt that our number nine batsman seems to LOVE facing their bowlers.

[JK]

As a few of you guys have mentioned, the Durban deck takes to spin a bit and have suggested that old man Bryce comes in for McDonald.

From what I have seen from McDonald, he is playing a very important role in tying up the batsmen with his accuracy and creating pressure by bowling in partnerships with the other quicks. (I know this is a big call but that is what Warney was capable of doing)

Is there any real reason then to change the winning formula and Bring in Mcgain for McDonald?

Good question mate ... I was impressed with what I saw of Ronald McDonald too (well with the ball in hand at least, didn't get to see him bat).

Although as a previous poster mentioned, playing Ahh McGain you've done it again, could allow him to shoulder a heavy workload and better rest the pacemen?

[rod_rooster]

As a few of you guys have mentioned, the Durban deck takes to spin a bit and have suggested that old man Bryce comes in for McDonald.

From what I have seen from McDonald, he is playing a very important role in tying up the batsmen with his accuracy and creating pressure by bowling in partnerships with the other quicks. (I know this is a big call but that is what Warney was capable of doing)

Is there any real reason then to change the winning formula and Bring in Mcgain for McDonald?

This is a really difficult one. If we had a spinner who was any good it would be an easy choice but the fact is we don't. Do they bring in a spinner who is average just to have a spinner or do they stick with McDonald who did a really good job with the ball? I can see McGain leaking runs and not building the same pressure that McDonald did but on the other hand on a turning deck he could also be more likely to take wickets. Interesting to see what happens by my gut feeling is that they will go with McGain.

[Dogwatcher]

I'll have to give some credit - McDonald did a great job with the ball in this innings. Can't see him wrecking an innings very often but his tightness would set it up for other bowlers to do the damage.
Not sure about installing a spinner just for the sake of it.
North fits that bill a bit doesn't he? There's Clarke as well.

[am Bays]

How good was Siddle this game, absolutely gave it to Steyn - with the ball and the verbals and then backed it up when it was his turn to face the music. I loved how he just laughed when Steyn started bouncing him.

Mind you Steyn stood and took it too except for when he was put on his ar5e. Good test cricket.

Seriously the development of Siddle has been sensational these last four test matches. You can never accuse him of not putting in.

What to me was most impressive was this test we stuck to our plans and were disciplined in our bowling. We didn't go looking for wickets every ball like we appeaered to do in Perth and Melbourne we stuck to our plans, bowled good areas and were rewarded. It was all about teh process not teh outcome. This is what we must do against England.

Looking forward to the Ashes would Lee get a look in???

Johnson picks himself, Hillfenhaus will be a good thing agaisnt the POMs on their decks and their conditions a la Alderman and Reiffel. I don't see how you can leave out Siddle.

Will both Clark and Lee get on the plane???

[silicone skyline]

Clark > Hilfenhaus

[am Bays]

I'll have to give some credit - McDonald did a great job with the ball in this innings. Can't see him wrecking an innings very often but his tightness would set it up for other bowlers to do the damage.
Not sure about installing a spinner just for the sake of it.
North fits that bill a bit doesn't he? There's Clarke as well.

I think you've got to give McGain a go. North is only a part timer, Clarke's back is rooted so you have to go with a proper spinner.

it is great we have options compared to 3 months ago. Yes McDonald did a great job but I think for team balance we need a spinner.

[smithy]

This was the 1st time in a long time I've sat down and really enjoyed watching test cricket.
Once I saw the ball swinging around and the pitch giving the bowler some assistance, which I hadn't seen in a long time I was looking forward to the remaining 4 days.

Comparing this test pitch to the farcical run fest cr*p being dished up in the Caribbean at the moment and I know what I'd rather watch.

[am Bays]

Clark > Hilfenhaus

Good point but they're different bowlers IMO Hilfenhaus moves the ball more than Clark who is more a hit teh deck type bowler. I can't forget the roll Simon Jones played in 2005 and I think Hilly can do that for us best of all our bowling options.

[Pup]

I'll have to give some credit - McDonald did a great job with the ball in this innings. Can't see him wrecking an innings very often but his tightness would set it up for other bowlers to do the damage.
Not sure about installing a spinner just for the sake of it.
North fits that bill a bit doesn't he? There's Clarke as well.

McDonald bowled very well but does his performances warrant a spot in the Test Side as an all rounder? Not for me.

His batting is a couple of rungs below what is expected at this level especially against the quick men. His bowling is solid and he did do a good job but this wicket suited him perfectly, will Durban suit him as much? I dont think so, Personally i think McGain should get his chance.

North is a part timer who will never cause much trouble for quality batsmen while Clarke had some serious back issues in the last 2 months so will be very unlikely to bowl.

[Pup]

Clark > Hilfenhaus

Good point but they're different bowlers IMO Hilfenhaus moves the ball more than Clark who is more a hit teh deck type bowler. I can't forget the roll Simon Jones played in 2005 and I think Hilly can do that for us best of all our bowling options.

Hilfenhaus is not in the same class as Simon Jones IMO and is not capable of doing the sort of damage that Jones did in 2005.

[silicone skyline]

Exactly, I reckon Jones hit the deck hard too, similar to Clark.

Clark is the forgotten man of the Test side and his quality before his injury was still Test standard.

I think he'd get more out of the England deck.

His accuracy and pace has been compared to McGrath and we all know how much England hated facing McGrath.

[Tooting Bec]

Clark > Hilfenhaus

Good point but they're different bowlers IMO Hilfenhaus moves the ball more than Clark who is more a hit teh deck type bowler. I can't forget the roll Simon Jones played in 2005 and I think Hilly can do that for us best of all our bowling options.

Hilfenhaus is not in the same class as Simon Jones IMO and is not capable of doing the sort of damage that Jones did in 2005.

Give him a chance! Only hilf's first test, and that ball that dismissed Boucher was the perfect off cutter an absolute Gem. Imagine what he could do on a couple of English green tops with a duke in hand rather than a Kookaburra?

[Pup]

Clark > Hilfenhaus

Good point but they're different bowlers IMO Hilfenhaus moves the ball more than Clark who is more a hit teh deck type bowler. I can't forget the roll Simon Jones played in 2005 and I think Hilly can do that for us best of all our bowling options.

Hilfenhaus is not in the same class as Simon Jones IMO and is not capable of doing the sort of damage that Jones did in 2005.

Give him a chance! Only hilf's first test, and that ball that dismissed Boucher was the perfect off cutter an absolute Gem. Imagine what he could do on a couple of English green tops with a duke in hand rather than a Kookaburra?

I will give him plenty of time, I think he has potential but i just dont think he can run through sides like the Jones of 2005. I will be happy to be proven wrong.

[Ned]

I'll have to give some credit - McDonald did a great job with the ball in this innings. Can't see him wrecking an innings very often but his tightness would set it up for other bowlers to do the damage.
Not sure about installing a spinner just for the sake of it.
North fits that bill a bit doesn't he? There's Clarke as well.

McDonald bowled very well but does his performances warrant a spot in the Test Side as an all rounder? Not for me.

His batting is a couple of rungs below what is expected at this level especially against the quick men. His bowling is solid and he did do a good job but this wicket suited him perfectly, will Durban suit him as much? I dont think so, Personally i think McGain should get his chance.

North is a part timer who will never cause much trouble for quality batsmen while Clarke had some serious back issues in the last 2 months so will be very unlikely to bowl.

Lets give McDonald another chance he can bat, he hasnt shown us let but he is good enough to average 40 at test level. His bowling will be ideal in England. Its a tough situation because we also need to see if McGain is up to it.

[rod_rooster]

I'll have to give some credit - McDonald did a great job with the ball in this innings. Can't see him wrecking an innings very often but his tightness would set it up for other bowlers to do the damage.
Not sure about installing a spinner just for the sake of it.
North fits that bill a bit doesn't he? There's Clarke as well.

McDonald bowled very well but does his performances warrant a spot in the Test Side as an all rounder? Not for me.

His batting is a couple of rungs below what is expected at this level especially against the quick men. His bowling is solid and he did do a good job but this wicket suited him perfectly, will Durban suit him as much? I dont think so, Personally i think McGain should get his chance.

North is a part timer who will never cause much trouble for quality batsmen while Clarke had some serious back issues in the last 2 months so will be very unlikely to bowl.

Problem is McGain, whilst not a part timer, will never cause much trouble for qualtiy batsmen either. He does not apply enough pressure and good players will just sit on him and wait for the bad ones that will inevitably come.