South Africa v Aussies 3rd test

[RoosterMarty]

I personally do not think he is up to Test Standard. I think Mike Hussey should stay in the side regardless of this test and if by chance the selectors do prematurely wield the axe i would rather see Ferguson or another younger player enter the side.

Agree Pup. M. Hussey should stay but when a spot opens up it should go to a player like Ferg.

Geez how good would that be....... I was pumped enough when The Ferg made his ODI debut!

[Hondo]

If Huss fails this test, what's the rational basis for taking to the Ashes? At age 34 he's not going to improve from here to retirement, whenever that is. He's officially on the downward slide.

His last 14 tests he's averaged 31.76 with only 1 century and only 1 good series in 5. Just not good enough IMO.

He'll probably go but he's forced the selectors to take a contingency plan (ie, Ferguson).

If he wasn't so popular I think there'd be harder questions being asked. He's got 1 more test to convince me!

[GWW]

I reckon Hussey would probably be the type of player who would lift for an Ashes tour. Personally I'd have him in the squad.

[Pup]

Prince ended up being dismissed for 254 for those who were curious.

[Ned]

M. Hussey fails again, ASHES spot gone and D.Hussey to take it maybe?? He is unbeaten on 100 odd now in the shield Final, and look at what Hughes and Siddle have received after a dominant final the year before...

What do others think?

D.Hussey has had a poor year in the Sheffield Shield apart from his 100 in the final. It was his first ton in 25 innings for Victoria and before yesterday was averaging in the mid 30's this year. Not good enough to make the test squad but should stay in the ODI team for a little while yet.

[the joker]

Marcus North Missed training with Gastro yesterday and is could miss the test. That would mean Geeves or Mcgain will come in and Mcdonald will go up to 6 as there is no spare batsmen over in South Africa. But With the Cape Town pitch looking Green, Geeves is the Hot Favourate to become Australia's 410th test player

[rod_rooster]

How ridiculous was it not to take a spare batsman on tour

North will most likely be okay but image if he wasn't and then another batsman does a Glen McGrath and injures themselves in the warm ups what would happen then?

On the other hand there are 6 fast bowlers, 2 spin bowlers and McDonald over there at the moment.

[stan]

M. Hussey fails again, ASHES spot gone and D.Hussey to take it maybe?? He is unbeaten on 100 odd now in the shield Final, and look at what Hughes and Siddle have received after a dominant final the year before...

What do others think?

D.Hussey has had a poor year in the Sheffield Shield apart from his 100 in the final. It was his first ton in 25 innings for Victoria and before yesterday was averaging in the mid 30's this year. Not good enough to make the test squad but should stay in the ODI team for a little while yet.

D.Hussey, has not been that good this year. There are others in front of him in my opinion. For example in the middle order Ferg for one has come good late in the season and overall had a better season. Klinger you could add as well at the top. And thats just two I picked from SA. I know Hodges name will get thrown around but bah and well the young bloke from NSW (kwaljjajajagagahhhha?) looks a better prospect at the moment also.

[Pup]

Played two very good innings at the end of the year but did not perform that well overall. Is a terrific talent but not any where near contention.

[westcoastpanther]

What time is first ball, our time?

[blink]

What time is first ball, our time?

Pretty sure it is 7pm SA time.

[Interceptor]

Latest news is McGain in and North out.

[Thiele]

Australia won the toss and are batting

[Thiele]

This Bucknor last test

[spell_check]

Is Bryce McGain the oldest Test debutant for Australia since Bob Holland?

[Thiele]

North in hospital on a drip. Hopes he is feeling well soon

[FD88]

Steyn starts with a (slightly trashy) maiden. A bit all over the place that one.

[FD88]

Katich dodges a bullet with an LBW shout off Ntini that isn't referred. Pitched in line and looked to be knocking them over.

[spell_check]

I don't like how the camera just is on the bowler appealing and excludes the umpire. Too many times in this series all you see is the bowler beginning to celebrate the upheld appeal and that's when you know the decision was given out.

[spell_check]

And funny how Robin Jackman was saying about a fire just outside of Cape Town and saying "Oh I hope that restaurant is ok"; in light of the Victorian bushfires. Does he even know about them?