Australia v South Africa | 1st Test - Day 3 | Perth | 19/12/08

[Savak]

69 wickets in 16 Tests at 27 runs per wicket says he is pretty handy for a clueless bowler.

He is my favorite Aussie bowler in the team. A very simple and relaxed approach to run in all day long with no complaints, to bowl at a 100% capacity with little to no compromising on pace and bounce. You cannot ask him for anything more.

But i hope the Aussie skipper and team management are smart enough to look after him and make sure he isnt over bowled.

 

[minhasuz]

Yup.

Thanks, I remember it used to be in mid 70s

 

[minhasuz]

^^ not before tis match but a year ago or so

 

[Random Aussie]

No fire in the S.a bowling this match. Lacking confidence or something. To other teams they have bounced and chirped the batsmen all day....I don't like this approach at all. Doesn't help there is no swing for steyn or seam for morkel and ntini of course , but come on....

Completely agree. Ntini is the only one who seems to have a plan and some aggression.

 

[IronMan2009]

South African bowling at times appear to be listless because of their similarity in their bowling bar Steyn. All bowling at mid 140s around the same length All are right handers.

 

[Random Aussie]

Clarke and Symonds taking the game away from South Africa

4/147 lead by 241

 

[Master Blaster]

puppy goneski !!

 

[Random Aussie]

Grrr Pup - hitting the ball in the air again

Life in this game yet...

 

[Matic]

Steyn delivers a great yorker that Symonds digs out. This is going to be a good contest.

 

[Random Aussie]

And once again we lose a wicket and Smith brings Kallis on to bowl.....madness

 

[Matic]

Symonds OUT! Really poor shot from Symonds!

 

[IronMan2009]

Australia under Tremendous pressure. Even if they add 50 runs SA has 2 full days to score 300. Minimum 350 is required to feel absolutely safe.

 

[Random Aussie]

Harris has got Symonds twice this match trying to smash him. Win to Harris and well done, he has been very good in this game.

This match getting interesting now, Aussie tail needs to wag again. Smith needs to get Steyn and Ntini into the attack and try to blast us out.

 

[Matic]

Kallis gives Lee some chin music! Lee quickly to duck.

 

[Matic]

De Villiers takes a stunner! Australia lose another wicket.

7/162

 

[Random Aussie]

Kallis gives Lee some chin music! Lee quickly to duck.

Lee gets them everytime with that, he looks unconvincing playing the short ball so they always pepper him. Rarely does he get out to the short ball though.

Edit - and as I type that Lee gets out )

Ohh this is going to be interesting game, can South Africa break India's heart by winning here too?

 

[Rajan]

SA ahead right now.
cant see Johnson getting 8 again.
there would be plenty of time in hand for SA to chase even 360-80, leave alone 330.
the pitch is playing true.
Krejza could be the key for Aussies, but SA are ahead for my money.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Aussie lead is 256 which should make for a very intresting Chase.I said on yesterdays commentray thread that Australias batting is now frail and prone to been knocked over cheaply.

I think Australia will win the game but its been a cracking see-saw game so far.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Haddin opening up now as he hammers harris for 6.

 

[Matic]

Haddin needs to build partnerships with Krejza and Johnson who can both bat for the Australian tail to get a lead of 300 at least. South African's batsmen won't collapse twice -- but this match had been really interesting!

 

[Amjid Javed]

Haddin lashes another one over the ropes. 176/7

 

[Informer]

S.A must get Haddin out ASAP. They must not forget what Azhar Mahmood did to them coming in a similar position as Haddin

 

[Amjid Javed]

Haddin fighting fire with fire here

190/7 - lead approaching 300 mark now..

 

[Random Aussie]

Very happy with Haddin in the last couple of Tests - he has been very good.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Krezja joinig the party with a pair of 4s

Lead is over 300 now..

Punter, haydunce and Hussey all fail in both inns and Aussies may still win match.

when was last time that happened?

 

[Amjid Javed]

Aus 206/7

14 runs off the over - Krezja looks like one very hand all-round cricketer.

 

[saffer]

The horse has probably bolted. Take away the tail enders contributions and Australia haven't exactly seemed unbeatable this game. They're not always going to luck out at the bottom of the order. I'm pretty happy with the game all in all and feel extremely confident S.a will come back and win at least 1 of the next 2 games.

 

[Random Aussie]

Aus 206/7

14 runs off the over - Krezja looks like one very hand all-round cricketer.

What is pleasing about the last few Test matches is that the experienced players have all been rubbish - Ponting, Hussey (by his standards), Hayden, Lee (aside from one Test v NZ), Clark.

The young players have looked the goods
Krejza with the bat and the ball - he is one brave bowler.
MJ
Krapich
Michael Clarke (experienced but not heavily by Aus standards)
Siddle (not setting the world on fire but outbowling Lee and long term he and Lee cannot play in the same team)

 

[Random Aussie]

The horse has probably bolted. Take away the tail enders contributions and Australia haven't exactly seemed unbeatable this game. They're not always going to luck out at the bottom of the order. I'm pretty happy with the game all in all and feel extremely confident S.a will come back and win at least 1 of the next 2 games.

Yep the Saffers have been good. The momentum has swung many times in this game, there may be more to come. Morkel and Steyn will be better for the run - they have been sucked in by the WACA and bowled too short.

Assuming Australia win this it is pretty much all down to MJ 8/60. He changed the game.

 

[Matic]

Haddin heaves it over midwicket, seagulls scramble to avoid the ball.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Saffers,

On the flip side to your comments the Aussies big guns could start to fire later in series and things could get alot harder.

 

[Amjid Javed]

50 partnership between Haddin and Krezja.

Haddin and Krezja have batted superbly in both inns.

 

[Indiafan]

Yep the Saffers have been good. The momentum has swung many times in this game, there may be more to come. Morkel and Steyn will be better for the run - they have been sucked in by the WACA and bowled too short.

Assuming Australia win this it is pretty much all down to MJ 8/60. He changed the game.

Even in their prime, Aussies were stretched many times in many matches but they always came out of on the top.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Aus 225/7 - 2 overs left in day and Aussies on top despite some wobbles

Lead is 319

 

[Amjid Javed]

Aus 228/7 - Lead 322

Haddin 39* Krezja 28*

I can see a crushing win for Australia from here

 

[Savak]

Mental strength, holding your nerve during crucial pressure situations is what differentiates the two teams. Australia may be at its weakest but like RA has said it doesnt mean the Aussies will just give up just like that. The South Africans have to be at their best throughout the tour.

But i do have my concerns about Lee. I think non stop cricket and to an extent maybe his personal life is starting to take a toll on him. Siddle can get better, he has shown good pace so far. Johnson mark my words will go place but i hope the Aussies use him wisely and do not overbowl him in terms of bowling 40-50 overs per test match and playing every game out there/ every tour available. I hope he does not go the Gillespie and now Lee wornout route.

 

[Easa]

Game over.

Come again, South Africa.

 

[Harambe]

SA still in it

Dont forget SA cant choke twice.

THey reached 278, earlier, so what is 350 another 75 more

SA can still win this