South Africa v Australia | 1st Test | Centurion | Day 4 | 15 February 2014

[Kianig89]

Australia have lived to their reputation now lets see what SA can offer would be fascinating if they can fightback in next game

 

[Kianig89]

Akhtar got royally pwned by tendulkar in the 03 wc.

ODI cricket is a different thing but ya that game Tendo bullied him

 

[SL_Fan]

Steyn really needs to bring it next Test big time. I don't see any draws this series. The two bowling line-ups are just too good.

 

[Safar55]

Oz favourites now... Especially as their bowlers should be less tired despite only having 3 pacers and lyon

 

[loves_cricket]

Congratulations OZ well played, SA bad luck.

 

[TestCricketFanatic]

Some amazing comments that no batsman in history other than AB could play Mitchell Johnson in this sort of form. What about Ian Bell during the Ashes? He played Mitch extremely well too. KP too played Mitch well to an extent. In fact Root wasn't that troubled either.

Batsmen can play Mitch as long as they are not scared shitless.

 

[saiyan0312]

What a dominant victory. All thanks to MJ.

 

[mithun_minhas]

Nice to see only 2 people in Presentation party.

If it were Dubai, there will be 11 clowns in presentation party handing out 50 meaningless awards

 

[Convict]

Based on the practice match we can add Phil Hughes to the list of players who can play Johnson

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Viv Richards.

Yeah probably the only other person i could think of. But even he would have to wear a helmet

 

[trogger]

First away win since april 2012, beating SA at centurion has to be as big an away win as you can get.

Amazing stuff.

 

[IndianWillow]

Too bad it turned out be a lopsided match. And Australia have six wickets left, absolutely drubbing this one.

 

[leatherface58]

First away win since april 2012, beating SA at centurion has to be as big an away win as you can get.

Amazing stuff.

Mentally destroyed 'em. Congrats.

 

[joly]

Sa tests and Odis on decline,it's bye bye SA from WC-2105 already lol

 

[Haz95]

ODI cricket is a different thing but ya that game Tendo bullied him

What about when he bowled dravid with an unplayable and used the exact same delivery next ball on tendu and got him out for a golden duck? the crowd that day was hilarious, similar when a young ripped through the Indian top order

 

[mithun_minhas]

What about when he bowled dravid with an unplayable and used the exact same delivery next ball on tendu and got him out for a golden duck? the crowd that day was hilarious, similar when a young ripped through the Indian top order

Even Irfan pathan ripped through Pak top order once and even got a hatrick





Just joking

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Congrats Australia

 

[Haz95]

Even Irfan pathan ripped through Pak top order once and even got a hatrick





Just joking

LOL, I'm only saying is that Akhtar, with his talent would easily have been a 22/23 averager. He did what mitch is doing a few times before.
Man this type of bowling over swing any day

 

[Buffet]

A lopsided match here by a big margin. Hopefully, SA can figure out how to bat against Johnson in the next test.

 

[OZGOD]

Very satisfying win and glad I stayed up. 281 runs wow. Second biggest win over the Yarps ever. And our batting stood up well against their attack, which is what I was worried about. Big advantage to be put in first. I was always confident our bowling would keep us competitive but geez how good was Jonno. When he's in this form I don't know of many batsmen in the world who could deal with him. Well supported by Siddle and Harris - I was concerned that Twatto's loss would be an issue but Harris and Sid bowled with a lot of accuracy and kept things tight and threatening while Jonno was irresistible. Nothing better for a fast bowler than to see batsmen (and quality batsmen at that) hopping and fending around the crease like jackrabbits. SA were at the wicket for around 60 overs each innings so they didn't really bowl a lot of overs either.

The batting looks a lot more solid with Doolan at 3 and Marsh at 4. Assuming Twatto is fit for the 2nd Test I'm wondering how he will fit himself into this side. The batting looks much more solid with those two at first and second drop, Pup at 5 and Smith at 6. If the bowling can continue to perform like this maybe Twatto won't be needed.

That said, I would find it very hard to believe that the SA batsmen would be as scared against Jonno next Test as they were this one. In this one they really looked hurried by his pace. Pace forces batters to do uncharacteristic things, play uncharacteristic shots. It's not just Jonno's pace but his angles and the way his skiddy deliveries rear up to the throat. It's going to be something in their minds now. Even though McLaren's getting hit on the head was due to both Jonno's pace and the inconsistent bounce, they will remember that. But ABCD showed that you can score runs if you apply yourself. This is now going to be a mental battle for the Saffa batsmen - they have the ability, they just have to convince themselves.

As for the SA bowling, I thought it was disappointing. Steyn may have been suffering from gastro but Philtrundler looked disappointing as did Morkel. RP was savaged, even Duminy bowled better than him. They didn't look like the No.1 bowling attack in the world in this Test that's for sure, and they were bowling to a weaker lineup than the OZ bowlers were.

Great win for the OZ, lots of questions for the Yarps, but it's only the first Test. The OZ need to be prepared for the bounceback, and the SA need to work out how to deal with the OZ bowlers, spearheaded by Jonno. The second Test can't come soon enough.

 

[soso_killer]

An abject performance from the boys, but credit to Australia for turning up. See you soon!!

 

[soso_killer]

Hopefuly Steyn and Phil will recover for the 2nd Test. South Africa will need them @their 100% this series

 

[trogger]

Wouldn't be surprised if SA go very green next test and dump the spinner for another bat.

 

[Buffet]

Vern was most disappointing here. Last few series, it's always been , SA wins if Steyn comes to the party. Vern needs to do the major damage some time as well. Next test is the time otherwise it's too much pressure on Steyn all the time. I am not talking about cheap average , rather a big damage upfront.

 

[mithun_minhas]

Vern was most disappointing here. Last few series, it's always been , SA wins if Steyn comes to the party. Vern needs to do the major damage some time as well. Next test is the time otherwise it's too much pressure on Steyn all the time. I am not talking about cheap average , rather a big damage upfront.

Philander needs green tops to be effective.

The wicket in this test match looks like an ODI wicket.

 

[Haz95]

Philtrundler trundled and was a lot more dangerous with the bat, kinda says a lot

 

[Buffet]

Philander needs green tops to be effective.

The wicket in this test match looks like an ODI wicket.

He does need pitch to help him but I have seen bowling well even on not that green wickets.

Also, SA needs to bat for more than 50-60 overs otherwise Aus bowlers will be always fresh. SA needs to keep them out for 110-120 overs to tire them out even if they don't score at a fast clip.

 

[Safar55]

Philla was unlucky with some poor fielding... But generally did not live upto expectations or ICC rankings for that matter.

Can't wait to see MJ bowl again. I just think now as long as he's fit he will be in the batsmans heads... The only way SA can save themselves is if steyn and the gang can turn up and dish it out to the aussies - who IMO still are suspect with the bat