Australia [351 & 227] defeat South Africa [162 & 298] by 118 runs in first Test

[jnaveen1980]

This is such a disappointing ending. Of all the people getting out to Marsh who was just pie chucking.

 

[WengerOut]

Second best innings by a newbie after kusal Mendis classic.
Tired shot in the end.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Why some neutral supporters are feeling happy if SA plays well... Oh feeling happy by seeing other nation do well in test than own team


Gone Markram.

They have no idea how to react lol So they just say random things instead of watching the match and appreciating it.

 

[Oligochaetes]

Of all people, he gets out to Marsh =(

 

[jnaveen1980]

You can expect our tailender specialist STarc to wipe these guys out

 

[AMSS]

Finally!

 

[jnaveen1980]

Philander should stop playing rash shots. He should just give company to De kock.

 

[soso_killer]

SA must continue playing positive cricket, no point here.

 

[WengerOut]

Fair to say Keshav Maharaj has outbowled GOAT ??

 

[jnaveen1980]

It was expected.They were one mistake away . But this is an amazing fight back given that no.2, no.3, no.4, no.5 all scored single digit score. Some body has to produce Laxman/Ishant partnership against Australia

 

[jnaveen1980]

Fair to say Keshav Maharaj has outbowled GOAT ??

Lyon is one of the most over-rated spinner. His success largely depends on how well the seamers bowl. Most of his wickets are tailenders.

 

[Adijazz1706]

Brisbane 2017 it ia then

 

[jnaveen1980]

Looking at the way Vernon bats, it is only a matter of time.

 

[IndianFan2018]

They have no idea how to react lol So they just say random things instead of watching the match and appreciating it.

At least few Indian fans want AUS to do well, so that gap between 1st and 2nd in test ranking increases..

 

[jnaveen1980]

At least few Indian fans want AUS to do well, so that gap between 1st and 2nd in test ranking increases.. :

Yes that gap will increase for sure unless SA bowls them out for under 100 one more time like they often do in the 2nd test to sniff awin

 

[soso_killer]

Try going through scorecard of Joburg test v India 2013. Atleast that test started on a spicy pitch but ended docile.

For what? India scored 701 runs at 35 runs per wicket, way higher than the national average.
Even if SA chase this, they won't, they would have scored 584 at 29.2 which is exactly the national average. Again my question still stands, what's your point? What's the India match got to do with this one?

 

[IndianFan2018]

Lyon is one of the most over-rated spinner. His success largely depends on how well the seamers bowl. Most of his wickets are tailenders.

Lyon was certainly out bowled by relatively new bowler Maharaj in this test.

Will be interesting to see who will win the spin dual !

Gone Philander!

 

[Oligochaetes]

Off goes Philander... game over. No way they can chase this from here.

 

[jnaveen1980]

STarc is way too good for this tail. Best tailender clean up man in the world.

 

[Napa]

SA's second innings scores against India in the recently concluded series: 130, 258, 177.

Have to say at this point the Indian bowlers look as good as, or even better than Australia's much hyped pace attack.

 

[WengerOut]

For what? India scored 701 runs at 35 runs per wicket, way higher than the national average.
Even if SA chase this, they won't, they would have scored 584 at 29.2 which is exactly the national average. Again my question still stands, what's your point? What's the India match got to do with this one?

It is not about national averages . That is a weird one. Every pitch is different. A pitch can become docile aa time goes by within a test. This pitch was slow to start with and has become even slower. Only difference is Starc wiping out tail with a little bit of reverse swing. Reverse swing ia common on abrasive surfaces.

 

[IndianFan2018]

Bowled'm, can AUS finish match today?

 

[jnaveen1980]

The thing about Starc is you know what is going to come at you . Yet you will look clueless every single time. Another one bites the dust

 

[WengerOut]

Starc does it again. On one end De Kock is slashing the wide ones easily , but on the other end Starc wiping the tail off.

 

[soso_killer]

The Knight King is cleaning up the tail. Ruthless.

 

[Oligochaetes]

Starc is on Fiyah!

 

[IndianFan2018]

Will be fun to watch KG bat, will get lot of greetings and bouncers. Time to cope what he usually dishes to tailenders

Oh no, Gone first ball

 

[soso_killer]

Lol, the look in dressing room. Starc on a hat-trick on a flat deck.

 

[WengerOut]

How India missed a bowler like Starc. Just a bit of reverse is enough for this guy to wipe out tail.

 

[jnaveen1980]

You can predict this from light years away

 

[IndianFan2018]

Starc whatta player

 

[jnaveen1980]

How India missed a bowler like Starc. Just a bit of reverse is enough for this guy to wipe out tail.

And pace from height.

 

[shariqnoor]

Starc is the closest thing to a modern age Wasim/Waqar. Absolute gold.

 

[jnaveen1980]

It is almost like team is batting with 6 batsmen when opposition has Starc

 

[WengerOut]

Lol, the look in dressing room. Starc on a hat-trick on a flat deck.

I won't say this is flat. But no daemon in it. A bit of reverse. Need to deal with that. SC batsmen deal with that every day. Look at Lyons figures.

 

[Napa]

80.1 1 run MR Marsh to de Kock, 1 run

de Kock protecting the tail

 

[IndianFan2018]

Positives for SA:

Markram century, Maharaj sucess and de Cock coming back to form

 

[Junaids]

Yeah, right. Ball reversing around the 25th over mark in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings. Flat docile pitch indeed.

Is that about the pitch or fingernails?

I wrote yesterday, the grass in the outfield is lush and smooth. Any reverse is presumably obtained by ball-tampering.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I won't say this is flat. But no daemon in it. A bit of reverse. Need to deal with that. SC batsmen deal with that every day. Look at Lyons figures.

He took the pitch out of the equation. Good batsmen saw him off. He is too good for tail. IT is always the case.

 

[soso_killer]

It is not about national averages . That is a weird one. Every pitch is different. A pitch can become docile aa time goes by within a test. This pitch was slow to start with and has become even slower. Only difference is Starc wiping out tail with a little bit of reverse swing. Reverse swing ia common on abrasive surfaces.

What is it about then? Australia scores at 28 runs per wicket, below the national average (29.1) and you want to call that flat? It doesn't make any sense does it?
South Africa as well. In what world is this pitch flat? Or comparable to the one India got in 2013?

 

[Big Mac]

80.1 1 run MR Marsh to de Kock, 1 run

de Kock protecting the tail

Imagine the reactions here if a desi batsman did that

 

[Napa]

Imagine the reactions here if a desi batsman did that

There would have been a separate thread on PP by now to hound him.

 

[Slog]

SA's second innings scores against India in the recently concluded series: 130, 258, 177.

Have to say at this point the Indian bowlers look as good as, or even better than Australia's much hyped pace attack.

So according to Indians this pitch is flat as they come but at the same time SA batting performance here should be compared to the batting performance against India oh apparently 'spicier' surfaces

 

[WengerOut]

What is it about then? Australia scores at 28 runs per wicket, below the national average (29.1) and you want to call that flat? It doesn't make any sense does it?
South Africa as well. In what world is this pitch flat? Or comparable to the one India got in 2013?

Both countries are pretty poor on SC conditions.

 

[AMSS]

Hail the mental midgets. Second loss coming up in successive matches on made-to-order pitches.

 

[soso_killer]

Is that about the pitch or fingernails?

I wrote yesterday, the grass in the outfield is lush and smooth. Any reverse is presumably obtained by ball-tampering.

The square around the wicket. The wicket in itself is very abrasive.

 

[jnaveen1980]

ABDV is hurting his legacy witih his run outs in key matches.

 

[Junaids]

Yeah, right. Ball reversing around the 25th over mark in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings. Flat docile pitch indeed.

Starc is the closest thing to a modern age Wasim/Waqar. Absolute gold.

Wasim and Waqar could also dismiss top order batsmen in Tests.

Starc’s Height, Reverse and Pace wipe out tailenders.

But until the sixth wicket partnership today, Wahab Starc had figures of:

9-0-45-1

He needs to learn how to bowl with a red ball. His Test wickets are basically from bowling ODI spells to the tail.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Both countries are pretty poor on SC conditions.

Australia lost in SL, India, BD. Three nations. Their only strength is batting friendly conditions . Any slight assistance to bowlers nobody will stand up except may be Smith.

 

[soso_killer]

I won't say this is flat. But no daemon in it. A bit of reverse. Need to deal with that. SC batsmen deal with that every day. Look at Lyons figures.

The point is this is a tough wicket. There's no running from that fact. The total amount of runs scored after 40 wickets will confirm that.

 

[pkckt]

why the hell is Starc being denied a 10-fer by Smith?

 

[jnaveen1980]

why the hell is Starc being denied a 10-fer by Smith?

Fast bowlers are not allowed to bowl given the light conditions. If he bowls that will be the end of the day's play

 

[IndianFan2018]

why the hell is Starc being denied a 10-fer by Smith?

Rather by light / umps!

 

[Napa]

Positives for SA:

Markram century, Maharaj sucess and de Cock coming back to form

From the India-SA series:

Markram batting avg 23.33, de Kock batting avg 11.83, Maharaj bowling avg 125

All it took for these 3 to find form was India departing SA

 

[Big Mac]

why the hell is Starc being denied a 10-fer by Smith?

Bad light so it's too dangerous to face the quick bowlers.

 

[Junaids]

Yeah, right. Ball reversing around the 25th over mark in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings. Flat docile pitch indeed.

The square around the wicket. The wicket in itself is very abrasive.

I’m at Kingsmead. (I nearly got mugged yesterday outside).

Believe me, there is only one other disused wicket on the square and it’s covered in grass.

There’s nothing in the surface to cause reverse.

 

[WengerOut]

The point is this is a tough wicket. There's no running from that fact. The total amount of runs scored after 40 wickets will confirm that.

Ok man. Lets agree to disagree. For you it is a tough wicket with lot of daemons. Pretty much the opposite for me. Cheers

 

[WengerOut]

I’m at Kingsmead. (I nearly got mugged yesterday outside).

Believe me, there is only one other disused wicket on the square and it’s covered in grass.

There’s nothing in the surface to cause reverse.

Lower order is pretty poor and that too against lower order specialist Starc.

 

[IndianFan2018]

I’m at Kingsmead. (I nearly got mugged yesterday outside).

Believe me, there is only one other disused wicket on the square and it’s covered in grass.

There’s nothing in the surface to cause reverse.

One more new theory ...create one more thread for it

 

[soso_killer]

Both countries are pretty poor on SC conditions.

SC conditions? Wasn't aware Durban was in the subcontinent, thanks for informing me. SA has a poor record in the SC? That's also new to me as well.

 

[WengerOut]

SC conditions? Wasn't aware Durban was in the subcontinent, thanks for informing me. SA has a poor record in the SC? That's also new to me as well.

SC type conditions. Yes SA have been bad lately.

 

[soso_killer]

So according to Indians this pitch is flat as they come but at the same time SA batting performance here should be compared to the batting performance against India oh apparently 'spicier' surfaces

Lol, whatever suits the narrative.

 

[soso_killer]

There's rain forecast for tomorrow.

 

[Junaids]

The point is this is a tough wicket. There's no running from that fact. The total amount of runs scored after 40 wickets will confirm that.

Not much bounce or spin or pace.

Australia has a 9/10 bowling attack and a 6/10 batting line-up.

South Africa has a 6/10 batting line-up (now that Amla is totally finished) and a 7/10 bowling line-up.

I would add that with proper selection India would have been 8/10 batting and 5/10 bowling in South African conditions.

 

[AMSS]

SC conditions? Wasn't aware Durban was in the subcontinent, thanks for informing me. SA has a poor record in the SC? That's also new to me as well.

Ask Morne. He'll tell you Centurion is actually Calcutta

 

[Napa]

SA's second innings scores against India in the recently concluded series: 130, 258, 177.

Have to say at this point the Indian bowlers look as good as, or even better than Australia's much hyped pace attack.

So according to Indians this pitch is flat as they come but at the same time SA batting performance here should be compared to the batting performance against India oh apparently 'spicier' surfaces

1. I speak only for myself and not all "Indians". I wish I did speak for all "Indians", but unfortunately most of the time they do not pay me proper heed.

2. I said "at this point". It's a small sample, but Indians certainly did not let Markram and de Kock score the way they have in this innings.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Lower order is pretty poor and that too against lower order specialist Starc.

I gotta say Raw pace, left arm from height cause more concern than the actual reverse. They were mostly late against Starc. Why couldn't he inflict the same damage to top order.

 

[IndianFan2018]

From the India-SA series:

Markram batting avg 23.33, de Kock batting avg 11.83, Maharaj bowling avg 125

All it took for these 3 to find form was India departing SA

Yea ... Good observation.

has lot of planning to do before second test starts, not looking good.

Bradman yet to fire in full cylinders

 

[WengerOut]

I gotta say Raw pace, left arm from height cause more concern than the actual reverse. They were mostly late against Starc. Why couldn't he inflict the same damage to top order.

Starc does not like to bowl on "tough" wickets to top order .

 

[Napa]

Imagine the reactions here if a desi batsman did that

9 down and de Kock plays two successive maiden overs. Only one more day left, he is obviously batting for a draw.

 

[Napa]

9 down and de Kock plays two successive maiden overs. Only one more day left, he is obviously batting for a draw.

Make that 3 maidens.

 

[soso_killer]

I’m at Kingsmead. (I nearly got mugged yesterday outside).

Believe me, there is only one other disused wicket on the square and it’s covered in grass.

There’s nothing in the surface to cause reverse.

I don't care where you are.
There's black turf around the wicket. The analyst got a feel of the soil, it was rough as sandpaper.
A cricket ball will never reverse on its own without the abrasiveness of the surface or the square. A green outfield has nothing to do with anything.

 

[WengerOut]

I don't care where you are.
There's black turf around the wicket. The analyst got a feel of the soil, it was rough as sandpaper.
A cricket ball will never reverse on its own without the abrasiveness of the surface or the square. A green outfield has nothing to do with anything.

Or Faf nail , maybe

 

[soso_killer]

SC type conditions. Yes SA have been bad lately.

Yet Lyon has three wickets on this surface against poor players of spin. Fast bowlers don't trouble SA in the SC, never have, never will.

 

[JattMaula]

Or Faf nail , maybe

Or zip

 

[jnaveen1980]

South Africa missed someone like Starc to clean up their tail. Steyn in full lfight would have been useful

 

[WengerOut]

Yet Lyon has three wickets on this surface against poor players of spin. Fast bowlers don't trouble SA in the SC, never have, never will.

There was never sharp spin , just slow. I was alluding to slow nature of wickets. Regarding fast bowlers not troubling ever , cue Srinath 1996.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Rabada is good. He is no Steyn. You cannot easily replace outswing bowlers like him. I think they have enough talent. They just need to identify the right combo

 

[IndianFan2018]

Make that 3 maidens.

Never know ... live another day to fight. May rain full day tomorrow to get away with drawn test

 

[Kroll]

MITCHELL STARC swept away the South African tail with lethal reverse swing for the second time in the match before being denied a potential hat trick and a 10-wicket haul by bad light in an eventful fourth evening of the opening Sunfoil Test match between the Standard Bank Proteas and Australia at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Sunday.

Starc took three wickets in five balls to finish his 16th over to leave the Proteas 9 wickets down and still well over a hundred runs away from their victory target of 417 but the umpires then ruled that the light was too bad for the quicks to continue with the result that Nathan Lyon and Steve Smith had to bowl out the rest of the day.

The Proteas finished the day on 293/9 with Quinton de Kock unbeaten on 81 (138 balls, 11 fours) in a welcome return to form and Morne Morkel having stoically blocked his way through 27 deliveries.

The teams will now come back for a fifth day with Australia needing one wicket for victory and the Proteas 124 runs.

The Proteas will be left to rue their poor batting performance in the first innings that saw them trail by 189 runs. They nevertheless restored their pride with a fighting second innings performance that seemed unlikely when they crashed to 49/4 inside the first hour with Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis joining Dean Elgar back in the pavilion.

Most of the rest of the day was dominated by South Africa’s future batting generation as 23-year-old Aiden Markram established himself as a special player on the global stage with an innings of 143 (218 balls, 19 fours) that equalled his career best score against Bangladesh earlier in the season. It was his third Test century and, like Jacques Kallis, he scored his first century against Australia in the seventh Test match of his career.

In the process he broke a worrying Proteas batting drought that saw them fail to score a century in the previous major series against India and only one against England last year.

His support came from two 25-year-olds, Theunis de Bruyn and De Kock, who shared respective partnerships of 87 for the fifth wicket and 147 for the sixth.

With another young batsman, Temba Bavuma, sitting out this match through injury the Proteas selectors know that the future looks secure when the current golden generation retires.

Probably the most remarkable statistic of the fourth day was Nathan Lyon’s failure to take a wicket although it didn’t matter as Starc and his seam bowling comrades did the job.

By comparison, Keshav Maharaj took the last remaining Australian second innings wicket to finish with career best figures of 9/225 in 63.2 overs.

At least the Proteas have shown that they are now ready to compete with Australia and the fact that this is a four Test series means that they will have plenty of opportunity to get back into the series.