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South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 206 runs in the first Test

Tailer made situation for philander.....he's going to be venomous on these conditons
 
Lankan top order were vulnerable vs Australia and they're being picked off again here.

Lankan middle order always seem to be coming at in at 30-3.
 
Lol didn't even notice the umpire is Aleem Dar. Homie's sporting a gangsta beard now. :))
 
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Most top orders would be 30-3 in these conditions never mind Lanka.

True but Lankan top order have been in poor form all this year. Karunaratne was poor all series vs Australia, as was Kusal Perera yet he's batting at 3, and Silva failed in 5 out of 6 innings.
 
Once again Mathews and Chandimal having to do a rescue job.

Big partnership needed here.
 
Impressed with De Silva. Looks like a really good player.
 
India have had some soft conditions over the last few tours. But they destroyed that privilege.
That friendly and amicable relationship is long gone.
I expect torrid conditions for him.
I would keep my mouth shut before calling anyone mediocre, especially in their own conditions. After all this mediocre SA side wiped the floor with a side that hadn't lost a Test at home in 4 years.
 
India have had some soft conditions over the last few tours. But they destroyed that privilege.
That friendly and amicable relationship is long gone.
I expect torrid conditions for him.
I would keep my mouth shut before calling anyone mediocre, especially in their own conditions. After all this mediocre SA side wiped the floor with a side that hadn't lost a Test at home in 4 years.
And don't forget they also lost at home to a team which couldn't beat Pakistan or Sri Lanka at home and also lost at home to a team which got whitewashed in Sri Lanka, India and the UAE!!!
 
Suddenly overrated....? He's not having a great game though,his pace is down and bowled some usless short stuffs again and again

Some PP "legends" consider him a Top 3 bowler in the world. He's a good bowler, but not on the same level as Starc and Boult.
 
This is a good wicket and I feel Sri Lanka are slightly behind. They bowled very poor in the first session and even though they showed better application in the second, they still weren't penetrative enough.
The 100 opening stand has given SA the buffer and has minimised the late collapse. This is not the normal St. Georges track, 320+ would be a big total. QdK has a huge role to play tomorrow.

But both teams should bat first before assessing the conditions. However I feel SA are slightly ahead thanks to the 100 opening stand which Sri Lanka should never have aloud when taking into account the swing on offer. As a result they are playing catch up despite taking 6 wickets. A few cameos by the lower order will take the total towards 300. So they must utilise the new ball tomorrow morning.

I did feel Sri Lanka missed. the trick by allowing SA openers to score hundred runs between them, it's not that sort of a pitch.
SA will hope for a lead of at least 80.
On this surface it might as well be 100+.

SA's bowling attack looks scary, cant wait to see how they incorporate Steyn in this line up.
 
Some PP "legends" consider him a Top 3 bowler in the world. He's a good bowler, but not on the same level as Starc and Boult.

He's better than boult at the moment,apparently watching boult nowadays feels like he's finished

Its a bad day at work for rabada even starc too has an awful day
 
India have had some soft conditions over the last few tours. But they destroyed that privilege.
That friendly and amicable relationship is long gone.
I expect torrid conditions for him.
I would keep my mouth shut before calling anyone mediocre, especially in their own conditions. After all this mediocre SA side wiped the floor with a side that hadn't lost a Test at home in 4 years.

Oh I never called the South african side as mediocre. They are a good young side in transition. They have an exceptional pace attack, arguably the best in the world. But the batting isn't that great tbh. Amla looks like age is catching up with him sooner than we all thought. AB looks like he doesn't have his heart with test cricket. De Kock looks like he has great potential, world class in fact. But apart from him, there aren't too many world beaters there.

Sure it beat Australia in Australia which is no mean feat. However we shouldn't forget that Australia had one of its weakest teams ever which only made the task easier for the saffers. South Africa just lost earlier to England at home before that Australian series. Either way, SA beating Australia is a bit like an asian side beating another asian side in asia away from its home. That's a very good feat, but not the most difficult of achievements. India are beating non asian teams comfortably at home, which it is expected to do. But the real test for them is when they tour SA, NZ, England next year and the year after. Likewise the real test for South Africa awaits when they tour UAE, Sri Lanka and India next. They are expected to beat asian sides at home anyway for a side like them.
 
Lol didn't even notice the umpire is Aleem Dar. Homie's sporting a gangsta beard now. :))

Actually went on to check after looking at your post. Can't disagree with the gangsta bit.

Looks mafia type now. :))

C0nRa70XEAAQXPi.jpg
 
Lol at you downgrading Saffer achievement of winning a series in Australia especially for third consecutive time

The fact is no Asian team would have been able to do that and has never done that

Beating ANY Australian side in Australia is a HUGE achievement. Even in 80s when they were **** poor they hardly lost at home except to Windies

That was definitely a very good achievement, but ultimately non asian teams are judged by what they do in asia just like asian teams are judged by what they do outside asia. Makes no sense in comparing how asian teams do in Australia, would've done if SA was an asian side, but it isn't. In the last decade, India won in Pakistan and Pakistan drew in India iirc, both of which are tough places to tour. But I don't think it ever garnered that much news because however strong they are, the match was played in favourable conditions. South Africa has beaten far stronger Australian sides in their own home than the rag tag one they beat a month ago.
 
Wickets SA got in Aus were vastly different from other teams
 
Now to tune in to Real Test cricket where the essence of Test cricket is still in tact. God, what a relief from those phattas in Australia am I right guys? :ashwin
 
But beating the Windies is an achievement right?
After all England drew there, LOL at downplaying beating a side that hadn't lost at home in four years.
If Pakistan were to beat India in India it would be a huge achievement taking into account how strong India are at home.
SA beating NZ in NZ can be downplayed considering how mentally frail they are at the moment, just like India bullying a weak and in transition Sri Lanka side in Sri Lanka counts for nothing.
However beating the likes of England in England or Pakistan in the UAE is a huge accomplishment for anyone foreign or otherwise. Especially beating them at full strength or at their relative peaks.
 
Some PP "legends" consider him a Top 3 bowler in the world. He's a good bowler, but not on the same level as Starc and Boult.
LMAO, I would trade a hundred Boult's for one Rabada.
 
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Oh I never called the South african side as mediocre. They are a good young side in transition. They have an exceptional pace attack, arguably the best in the world. But the batting isn't that great tbh. Amla looks like age is catching up with him sooner than we all thought. AB looks like he doesn't have his heart with test cricket. De Kock looks like he has great potential, world class in fact. But apart from him, there aren't too many world beaters there.

Sure it beat Australia in Australia which is no mean feat. However we shouldn't forget that Australia had one of its weakest teams ever which only made the task easier for the saffers. South Africa just lost earlier to England at home before that Australian series. Either way, SA beating Australia is a bit like an asian side beating another asian side in asia away from its home. That's a very good feat, but not the most difficult of achievements. India are beating non asian teams comfortably at home, which it is expected to do. But the real test for them is when they tour SA, NZ, England next year and the year after. Likewise the real test for South Africa awaits when they tour UAE, Sri Lanka and India next. They are expected to beat asian sides at home anyway for a side like them.

I've had this conversation with [MENTION=134473]Haroon786[/MENTION] before.
Taking nothing away from England's series win here. But they beat a nothing side really.
SA were without their two premier bowlers. Rabada didn't even play the first Test.
The batting unit was completely unsettled.
SA are still in transition, but are much more settled unit now. Even without Steyn they would give England a hard time currently.
Vern is a huge figure in this side and was sorely missed. The Test in Jo'burg is a good example. We had England at 90/4, but Rabada had no support.

Australia looked weak because SA beat them.
Other teams will have the same opportunity to tour there and beat this apparently "weak" Australian side. Lets wait and see how they do. I'd be disappointed if it takes another 4 years and a South African tour for them to lose again.
 
I've had this conversation with [MENTION=134473]Haroon786[/MENTION] before.
Taking nothing away from England's series win here. But they beat a nothing side really.
SA were without their two premier bowlers. Rabada didn't even play the first Test.
The batting unit was completely unsettled.
SA are still in transition, but are much more settled unit now. Even without Steyn they would give England a hard time currently.
Vern is a huge figure in this side and was sorely missed. The Test in Jo'burg is a good example. We had England at 90/4, but Rabada had no support.

Australia looked weak because SA beat them.
Other teams will have the same opportunity to tour there and beat this apparently "weak" Australian side. Lets wait and see how they do. I'd be disappointed if it takes another 4 years and a South African tour for them to lose again.

Which is precisely my point. We have to take everything into context and not just plainly see the series results. England did win in South Africa and definitely should be commended for it. But firstly, there isn't a drastic difference in the conditions and most non asian teams find no trouble winning away outside asia. South Africa have won in Australia and England before, England have won in South Africa and Australia before while Australia have won in South Africa before. Secondly, England beat a weak South African side in transition after the loss of their legends and were missing Steyn, Philander while Rabada and De Kock only came later in the series. So yeah, the series win was definitely good, but is that the be all end all of it? I don't think so as England couldn't win at home against Pakistan, would've lost the series in Bangladesh if there was an extra match and got marmalised in India.

Similarly South Africa's win in Australia was a very good achievement as well. You keep mentioning that Australia hadn't lost for 4 years before the series loss to SA. But you're forgetting the fact that Australia rose to its success entirely on the back of MJ's brilliance and Harris as well. But after MJ, Harris, Rogers and Haddin retired, Australia were very weak and got whitewashed by a weak Sri Lankan side away (Australia generally do well in Sri Lanka even if they get demolished in India or the UAE). The side that SA beat had more deadwood than a burnt rainforest so much so that there was a complete shake up of the entire side for the last match barring 3 or 4 players. Definitely Pakistan would get enormous accolades if they beat India in India now, but would they get the same appreciation if they beat India after Ashwin, Jadeja and Vijay retire? I'm not so sure.

My point is that South Africa has beaten much stronger Australian sides than the rag tag one they beat a month ago. So I'm not sure why so much importance is given to it. Asian teams have kept losing in Australia for a long time, that doesn't make the current Australian side a great one. Asian sides are always judged based on their performance outside asia, not in Asia. Similarly non asian teams are always judged based on their performance inside asia, not outside it. So yeah, it remains to be seen how the newbie south african side copes up in the UAE and next in India. And if you're thinking I'm overrating India, I'm not. India will be judged based on how they perform in South Africa, England, etc., next year and not how much they win at home. And I'm not rating India as the best side because of the series win in the West Indies, if that's what you're thinking.
 
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SA also beat Australia in 2012, yet again it was proclaimed as a weak Aussie side. They would later humiliate England.
Every time we beat them they seem to get weaker and weaker, while every contrives to lose against this weakening Australian side.
 
Uninspiring captaincy by Mathews really, only way to win is to bowl SA out cheaply. Having no catchers and everyone on the boundary is shocking.
Lead is 154 already, what's the plan?
 
Uninspiring captaincy by Mathews really, only way to win is to bowl SA out cheaply. Having no catchers and everyone on the boundary is shocking.
Lead is 154 already, what's the plan?

That was angelo's trademark signature tactics :angelo

Every now and then he was utter defensve,infact he only know that way....Lanka didn't have a better option thats why he's still captainng the side i guess
 
clutch innings by Cook on such a surface.
3rd hundred in 7 Test matches. Not a bad start to an international career.
 
He's way better than Warner. What has Warner achieved in his Test career to be mentioned in same breath as Amla?

Warner may not be as good a test batsman as Amla o SR their careers but on current form hes well ahead of Amla. Also bats at a much higher strike rate.
 
Warner may not be as good a test batsman as Amla o SR their careers but on current form hes well ahead of Amla. Also bats at a much higher strike rate.

The bottom line is Warner is not fit enough to lace his boots. We've had a bunch of nobodies scoring strongly in conditions favorable to them while greats were out of touch, what conclusion can be made on that?
When Warner scores a match winning ton in Asia, perhaps he might score some browny points.
 
The bottom line is Warner is not fit enough to lace his boots. We've had a bunch of nobodies scoring strongly in conditions favorable to them while greats were out of touch, what conclusion can be made on that?
When Warner scores a match winning ton in Asia, perhaps he might score some browny points.

Not fit to tie Amla's boots? The gap is not as big as you are making it out to be. I accept Amla as a person who has performed in most conditions but an opener who averages 48.5 at such a high strike rate is not a million miles away from a very good batsman like Amla.
 
I've had this conversation with [MENTION=134473]Haroon786[/MENTION] before.
Taking nothing away from England's series win here. But they beat a nothing side really.
SA were without their two premier bowlers. Rabada didn't even play the first Test.
The batting unit was completely unsettled.
SA are still in transition, but are much more settled unit now. Even without Steyn they would give England a hard time currently.
Vern is a huge figure in this side and was sorely missed. The Test in Jo'burg is a good example. We had England at 90/4, but Rabada had no support.

Australia looked weak because SA beat them.
Other teams will have the same opportunity to tour there and beat this apparently "weak" Australian side. Lets wait and see how they do. I'd be disappointed if it takes another 4 years and a South African tour for them to lose again.

Current English team is perfectly capable of beating SA
 
Matthews is a horrible captain. He needed wickets but instead he went on the defensive. Like ***? It doesn't help that his pace spearhead Chameera is out of his depth. Really not been impressed at all with him.
 
Matthews is a horrible captain. He needed wickets but instead he went on the defensive. Like ***? It doesn't help that his pace spearhead Chameera is out of his depth. Really not been impressed at all with him.

If Chameera had been born in another country he would have never been given a chance at this level. SL lacks talent in fast bowling and hence he was fast tracked. SL also has fast tracked few other "talented" fast bowlers as well. You will notice couple more unknown names in this squad alone. Chameera will be given more chance at international matches so he can learn at the highest level. They did this with Dilhara Fernando who used to constantly hit 150s. Chameera is not a spearhead bowler.
 
Current English team is perfectly capable of beating SA

yes, but that's not the point. At full strength they'd have a hard time against this South African side. Even in their own conditions.
I hope everyone is fit for the English tour next year. It would be a shame to watch a diluted series again.
 
Not fit to tie Amla's boots? The gap is not as big as you are making it out to be. I accept Amla as a person who has performed in most conditions but an opener who averages 48.5 at such a high strike rate is not a million miles away from a very good batsman like Amla.

The gap is very huge. Take a look at Warner performances in Asia. That should give a clear illustration of the gulf in class.
 
Qdk and Faf piling on Lankans misery. Declare - win - take extra days rest.

How much does Qdk average in test cricket? He seems to be scoring in almost every match!
 
Any plans for CSA to make Qdk as a full time batsman and move him up the order by giving gloves to someone else?

with AB out injured, Amla out of form such a move would weaken an already fragile batting lineup.
We are unlikely to find a wicketkeeper bat who can average 40+, which is an absolute necessity.
Until AB and Amla retire CSA are unlikely to contemplate such a move.
 
Qdk and Faf piling on Lankans misery. Declare - win - take extra days rest.

How much does Qdk average in test cricket? He seems to be scoring in almost every match!

50 striking at 70+, he's very crucial down the order. AB needs to get his act together and get his ducks in a row. It could be a thing of beaut to watch them counter attack down the order.
He'll be needed in England.
 
Good chance of causing an upset here. Only need 488.
 
Good fight by Lanka, also Rabada starting to crank it up. The fielders seem to be revitalized by that
 
About time from Karunaratne and Silva, they've been poor for a while. If they can pull off a Brisbane-style 4th innings it would at least give them confidence heading into the rest of the series instead of meekly surrendering.
 
What is Kusal Perera doing in the Test team batting at 3 ?

He's surely got to go now after yet another failure.
 
with AB out injured, Amla out of form such a move would weaken an already fragile batting lineup.
We are unlikely to find a wicketkeeper bat who can average 40+, which is an absolute necessity.
Until AB and Amla retire CSA are unlikely to contemplate such a move.

I see, thanks. I love these bands in Port Elizabeth gives Caribbean of 90's feeling, hopefully we get a match there next year :)

118/2 @ Tea. 370 to win from 4 sessions / 8 wickets, pitched has eased up a lot compared to 1st innings.
 
I see, thanks. I love these bands in Port Elizabeth gives Caribbean of 90's feeling, hopefully we get a match there next year :)

118/2 @ Tea. 370 to win from 4 sessions / 8 wickets, pitched has eased up a lot compared to 1st innings.

starting to grip though, Maharaj has bowled some cobras. minimal reverse though.
But this session will shape the match one way or the other.
 
Hey [MENTION=132982]soso_killer[/MENTION], do you think Steyn will be fit when India come to South Africa next November?
 
I have a feeling De Kock one day will win South Africa the world cup, need to make him captain asap.
 
Hey [MENTION=132982]soso_killer[/MENTION], do you think Steyn will be fit when India come to South Africa next November?

yes, his recovery time is around the English tour June/July.
CSA can get him a gig of 3/4 matches in the county to see how he holds up.
Doesn't the Indian tour start with limited overs cricket? If so he'll have enough match fitness.
 
Hey [MENTION=132982]soso_killer[/MENTION], do you think Steyn will be fit when India come to South Africa next November?

What Saffers have another test tour of India?!?

Wasay what are Indian test series after Aus home series?
 
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Current English team is perfectly capable of beating SA

He has a point

England got lucky to find SA in a bad time

They were playing with a nothing bowling attack really where the main bowler who was apparently Rabada was playing in first series
 
Which is precisely my point. We have to take everything into context and not just plainly see the series results. England did win in South Africa and definitely should be commended for it. But firstly, there isn't a drastic difference in the conditions and most non asian teams find no trouble winning away outside asia. South Africa have won in Australia and England before, England have won in South Africa and Australia before while Australia have won in South Africa before. Secondly, England beat a weak South African side in transition after the loss of their legends and were missing Steyn, Philander while Rabada and De Kock only came later in the series. So yeah, the series win was definitely good, but is that the be all end all of it? I don't think so as England couldn't win at home against Pakistan, would've lost the series in Bangladesh if there was an extra match and got marmalised in India.

Similarly South Africa's win in Australia was a very good achievement as well. You keep mentioning that Australia hadn't lost for 4 years before the series loss to SA. But you're forgetting the fact that Australia rose to its success entirely on the back of MJ's brilliance and Harris as well. But after MJ, Harris, Rogers and Haddin retired, Australia were very weak and got whitewashed by a weak Sri Lankan side away (Australia generally do well in Sri Lanka even if they get demolished in India or the UAE). The side that SA beat had more deadwood than a burnt rainforest so much so that there was a complete shake up of the entire side for the last match barring 3 or 4 players. Definitely Pakistan would get enormous accolades if they beat India in India now, but would they get the same appreciation if they beat India after Ashwin, Jadeja and Vijay retire? I'm not so sure.

My point is that South Africa has beaten much stronger Australian sides than the rag tag one they beat a month ago. So I'm not sure why so much importance is given to it. Asian teams have kept losing in Australia for a long time, that doesn't make the current Australian side a great one. Asian sides are always judged based on their performance outside asia, not in Asia. Similarly non asian teams are always judged based on their performance inside asia, not outside it. So yeah, it remains to be seen how the newbie south african side copes up in the UAE and next in India. And if you're thinking I'm overrating India, I'm not. India will be judged based on how they perform in South Africa, England, etc., next year and not how much they win at home. And I'm not rating India as the best side because of the series win in the West Indies, if that's what you're thinking.

You are wrong to say non Asian sides get judged on how they perform in Asia. Fallacy

England,Aus tours are the two biggies

Then SA and India

Then UAE

Then rest

It is mostly when you want to compare how good or great a side is in context of number 2 spot or great predecessors you see records continent wise perhaps

Also as I said beating any Aus side in Australia is a huge proposition and big achievement. South Africa's recent win is a huge achievement

Subcontinental sides recent results have been better than previously perhaps because since 2014 there have been a major change in pitches and they have been equalised somewhat which helps Asian sides.

The 2012 Aus side was significantly better is not true tbh. It has similar structure as one today where the batting is glued by a three batsmen. Bowling was slightly better because of Harris but you also have to realise pitches weren't total roads. Also Harris was crocked half the time.Mitch Johnson had a crazy 3 years or so but otherwise he wasn't better than Starc who I believe has a higher cieling. Similarly Hazelwood is amazing aswell and will be world class. Lyon though seems to have regressed and the keeper is weak too.

But I think if the current Aussie side plays on more traditional Aussie pitches they will wipe the floor with all subcontinental teams so you should not downplay SA series win there.

It is also convenient to ignore that SA themselvss were in big trouble with AB missing, and Amla batting like Faisal Iqbal. And then Steyn getting injured first day of the series
 
You are wrong to say non Asian sides get judged on how they perform in Asia. Fallacy

England,Aus tours are the two biggies

Then SA and India

Then UAE

Then rest

It is mostly when you want to compare how good or great a side is in context of number 2 spot or great predecessors you see records continent wise perhaps

Also as I said beating any Aus side in Australia is a huge proposition and big achievement. South Africa's recent win is a huge achievement

Subcontinental sides recent results have been better than previously perhaps because since 2014 there have been a major change in pitches and they have been equalised somewhat which helps Asian sides.

The 2012 Aus side was significantly better is not true tbh. It has similar structure as one today where the batting is glued by a three batsmen. Bowling was slightly better because of Harris but you also have to realise pitches weren't total roads. Also Harris was crocked half the time.Mitch Johnson had a crazy 3 years or so but otherwise he wasn't better than Starc who I believe has a higher cieling. Similarly Hazelwood is amazing aswell and will be world class. Lyon though seems to have regressed and the keeper is weak too.

But I think if the current Aussie side plays on more traditional Aussie pitches they will wipe the floor with all subcontinental teams so you should not downplay SA series win there.

It is also convenient to ignore that SA themselvss were in big trouble with AB missing, and Amla batting like Faisal Iqbal. And then Steyn getting injured first day of the series

That is more due to the narrative set over the years by the inferiority complex of the asians.

When Australia lose in asia, you never see their media having a turmoil that asian media have when their teams lose abroad.

When asian teams lose abroad, you hear about them getting "found out".

When England got whooped in India, the narrative was that India was the better team "in these conditions".

It was not be the same case when India lost 4-0 in England.

Anyway I was talking from my perspective. I judge teams by how they perform in "alien conditions" and asia is where the alien conditions lie for the non asian teams.
 
Apart from Kaushal Silva's dismissal every other wickets were thrown away. Just noticed there are 3 Kusal/Kaushals in this line up and the all come one after the other.
 
SL doesn't deserve Mathews

Also why does Chandimal not play as a pure batsman
 
That is more due to the narrative set over the years by the inferiority complex of the asians.

When Australia lose in asia, you never see their media having a turmoil that asian media have when their teams lose abroad.

When asian teams lose abroad, you hear about them getting "found out".

When England got whooped in India, the narrative was that India was the better team "in these conditions".

It was not be the same case when India lost 4-0 in England.

Anyway I was talking from my perspective. I judge teams by how they perform in "alien conditions" and asia is where the alien conditions lie for the non asian teams.

When non Asians lose in Asia then it is all about the pitches and how they favour certain bowlers etc.

When Asians lose outside Asia it is about how Asians are incapable to bat/bowl well outside their home conditions.
 
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