OZGOD
Senior Test Player
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2005
- Runs
- 27,187
- Post of the Week
- 4
Four hours to go.
This is a big match, probably the second biggest of the group stage after the India v SL clash (and the only reason I rate that ahead of this is because of what was at stake in that match). Both teams have qualified but will still want to carry two vital points over to the Super 8 stage.
My thoughts on the two teams:
Australia
I assume the side will be:
Gilly
Haydunce
Ponting
Clarke
Symmo
Watson
Hussey
Hogg
Bracken
Tait
McGrath
Batting: I think the OZ batting is very strong. We have great batting depth (batting down to 9) and even against SA's attack I expect the side to post a big score (which we will need as our bowling is rubbish). I think Stodge will be dropped for Symmo if fit, and though it's bad luck for Stodge he'll be used to it, considering he was dropped from the Test side after scoring an unbeaten double ton against the Jaapies (ironically enough). The top and middle order is pretty strong and it will have to be to face SA's attack. I'm a bit concerned with Hussey who has missed out twice - could this be the tournament that bursts his bubble?
Bowling: Our bowling has been crap and the selectors will be keen to have as many options as possible to turn to. The 5th bowler will probably be Clarke, Symmo and Watson (though I use the word "bowling" very loosely in his case). Hogg's form has improved (albeit against minnows) and his role will be crucial against a very strong Jaapie attack. Tait will be a wildcard as always - will he spray it around or will he get it on target? I don't think we'll be as bad as we were in NZ, but I don't think we've improved all that much. I think we'll struggle to bowl out SA.
SA
I assume the side will be:
Smiffy
AB
Kallizzzz
Prince
Gibbs
Kemp
Boucher
Pollock
Hall
Langevelt
Ntini
Batting: The Jaaps have a very strong batting attack as well, probably as strong as the OZ if not stronger. They bat down to 9 and have put on some sizzling displays in the tournament so far (including what should have been a record-breaking score against the Dutch if they had batted 50 overs instead of 40). They have cowlashers who can smash the ball over the boundary and against OZ's minnow-level attack they should find the going pretty easy.
Bowling: I'm not all that impressed with SA's attack - it's better than the OZ's minnow-level attack, but not much better. Ntini looked ordinary against Scotland and Langeveldt was taken to the cleaners by the Scots in the death overs. Pollock is still as good as ever though, while Hall has improved. Will the lack of a spinner be a big issue?
I think this match will be a batsman's match - it's going to be a high-scoring slogfest. I'm hoping for an OZ win, but I think we might get done, particularly if we bat first.
This is a big match, probably the second biggest of the group stage after the India v SL clash (and the only reason I rate that ahead of this is because of what was at stake in that match). Both teams have qualified but will still want to carry two vital points over to the Super 8 stage.
My thoughts on the two teams:
Australia
I assume the side will be:
Gilly
Haydunce
Ponting
Clarke
Symmo
Watson
Hussey
Hogg
Bracken
Tait
McGrath
Batting: I think the OZ batting is very strong. We have great batting depth (batting down to 9) and even against SA's attack I expect the side to post a big score (which we will need as our bowling is rubbish). I think Stodge will be dropped for Symmo if fit, and though it's bad luck for Stodge he'll be used to it, considering he was dropped from the Test side after scoring an unbeaten double ton against the Jaapies (ironically enough). The top and middle order is pretty strong and it will have to be to face SA's attack. I'm a bit concerned with Hussey who has missed out twice - could this be the tournament that bursts his bubble?
Bowling: Our bowling has been crap and the selectors will be keen to have as many options as possible to turn to. The 5th bowler will probably be Clarke, Symmo and Watson (though I use the word "bowling" very loosely in his case). Hogg's form has improved (albeit against minnows) and his role will be crucial against a very strong Jaapie attack. Tait will be a wildcard as always - will he spray it around or will he get it on target? I don't think we'll be as bad as we were in NZ, but I don't think we've improved all that much. I think we'll struggle to bowl out SA.
SA
I assume the side will be:
Smiffy
AB
Kallizzzz
Prince
Gibbs
Kemp
Boucher
Pollock
Hall
Langevelt
Ntini
Batting: The Jaaps have a very strong batting attack as well, probably as strong as the OZ if not stronger. They bat down to 9 and have put on some sizzling displays in the tournament so far (including what should have been a record-breaking score against the Dutch if they had batted 50 overs instead of 40). They have cowlashers who can smash the ball over the boundary and against OZ's minnow-level attack they should find the going pretty easy.
Bowling: I'm not all that impressed with SA's attack - it's better than the OZ's minnow-level attack, but not much better. Ntini looked ordinary against Scotland and Langeveldt was taken to the cleaners by the Scots in the death overs. Pollock is still as good as ever though, while Hall has improved. Will the lack of a spinner be a big issue?
I think this match will be a batsman's match - it's going to be a high-scoring slogfest. I'm hoping for an OZ win, but I think we might get done, particularly if we bat first.
) You having wet dreams again, mate?
