South Africa v Australia |1st Test | Jo'Burg | 26 Feb-2 Mar 09

[saffer]

If ponting goes now Aussie could get rolled over here.

 

[natalia]

Hussey gone as well

 

[saffer]

You mean the Australia that you lot couldn't manage to better?

Yes. It was more fun then......seriously. I enjoy being the underdog.

 

[jaspa888]

Racism....did an Australian just lecture me on racism ?

The problem with Aussies is that they are very magnanimous when winning (which is unfortunately nearly always), but are rotten sports when they lose or become infallible.

 

[Romali_rotti]

OZIE OZIE OZIE, damn they suck lol....

 

[Random Aussie]

A bit rich coming from an Aussie.

What about the Aussies always complaining about Britain's colonial attitude, and then seemingly half the under-25's from that country moving to London?

Dude if you know anything you are pretty lucky.

Generally can we leave this discussion alone now? You too Saffer.

Cricket FTW

 

[Sparhawk]

I expected more fight from Australia, Ponting and pup might put up a big partnership now.

 

[Romali_rotti]

The problem with Aussies is that they are very magnanimous when winning (which is unfortunately nearly always), but are rotten sports when they lose or become infallible.

god forbit lol

 

[saffer]

Interesting to see three aussies still in the top 10 batting...and only 1 saffer despite the top 6 all averaging over 50 for over a year (some closer to 60). That system needs to keep a little closer up to date.

 

[saffer]

Dude if you know anything you are pretty lucky.

Generally can we leave this discussion alone now? You too Saffer.

Cricket FTW

Fair enough. Let's watch some cricket. Mostly all in jest as always gents...

 

[Random Aussie]

Interesting to see three aussies still in the top 10 batting...and only 1 saffer despite the top 6 all averaging over 50 for over a year (some closer to 60). That system needs to keep a little closer up to date.

I don't think anyone takes those rankings seriously, except for the top 1 or 2 in each category.

 

[jaspa888]

I cant believe KP is only #6.

He has consistently performed against all the good teams, home and away.

 

[saffer]

Morkel hitting something resembling his pace of old (was slow as a mule in australia)...high 140's now.

 

[MoNkEy]

A bit rich coming from an Aussie.

What about the Aussies always complaining about Britain's colonial attitude, and then seemingly half the under-25's from that country moving to London?

Mate, I think that you will find that most of those types are on reasonably short-term working holidays.

You also need to remember that when last given the opportunity in a referendum to decide whether or not to cut our colonial ties and become a republic, the people decided to remain part of the Commonwealth.

That doesn't particularly indicate that we, as a nation, are too unhappy with "Britain's colonial attitude."

 

[Random Aussie]

Fair enough. Let's watch some cricket. Mostly all in jest as always gents...

Well we were 3/15 in the first Test in Perth, now 3/38 here. We are improving.

Confidence is a massive thing in cricket, Australia have lost it and South Africa have it now.

 

[Random Aussie]

Morkel hitting something resembling his pace of old (was slow as a mule in australia)...high 140's now.

He seems to be a pretty shy and mellow guy, I think he bowls best when he feels comfortable and he did not look comfortable in Australia.

Bowled some great deliveries but no consistency in line or length.

 

[saffer]

Well we were 3/15 in the first Test in Perth, now 3/38 here. We are improving.

Confidence is a massive thing in cricket, Australia have lost it and South Africa have it now.

Yes!! That's why I love the game. The psychology is everthing !

 

[dblock]

All the momentum is with South Africa.

 

[jaspa888]

Mate, I think that you will find that most of those types are on reasonably short-term working holidays.

You also need to remember that when last given the opportunity in a referendum to decide whether or not to cut our colonial ties and become a republic, the people decided to remain part of the Commonwealth.

That doesn't particularly indicate that we, as a nation, are too unhappy with "Britain's colonial attitude."

My last word on this as it is getting a bit serious...

I lived in West London for 6 years amongst Aussies, NZ and SA's. It is a myth that the Aussies are all bar workers - that may have been the case once but many I met were in middle manager posts in the City and fair play to them.

Mostly great people but with a massive chip on their shoulders when it came to England. In fact, most adopted the 'Anyone but England' attitude when the national team was playing - much to the annoyance of the local population.

 

[saffer]

He seems to be a pretty shy and mellow guy, I think he bowls best when he feels comfortable and he did not look comfortable in Australia.

Bowled some great deliveries but no consistency in line or length.

Yeah ...a little timid for my liking. Bring back big bad Nel I say ...if morkel is not going to bowl fast then may as well play nel...cause it's the same thing , except Nel's got more "heart" and he's always going to entertain you.

 

[saffer]

Really need to get one of these two out....they both have excellent records against us.

 

[saffer]

Ball still doing a little .....

 

[Random Aussie]

Yay! We have 50 runs for only 3 wickets down

 

[asifp]

hahahahah, just looking at Aussies bowling attack. Norht/Mcdonald their 4th bowlers, wow!

 

[jaspa888]

I still have a doubt if SA will dominate world cricket for the next five years in the same way the Aussies did.

They are missing a world class spinner, meaning that they may struggle to get results in India and SL.

 

[saffer]

hahahahah, just looking at Aussies bowling attack. Norht/Mcdonald their 4th bowlers, wow!

Siddle and Johnson mind you are half decent. This track quickens up and they'll be a handful.

 

[MoNkEy]

In fact, most adopted the 'Anyone but England' attitude when the national team was playing - much to the annoyance of the local population.

That's exactly the attitude that most Kiwi's, Indians and Sri Lankans living over here (and there are no shortage of them) seem to have towards our national teams!

Yes, it is very annoying!

Anyway, back to the cricket (yawn).

 

[saffer]

I still have a doubt if SA will dominate world cricket for the next five years in the same way the Aussies did.

They are missing a world class spinner, meaning that they may struggle to get results in India and SL.

Botha is world class...actually spins it a lot and bowls a doosra. Also we have whatshisname (the pakistani leggie) about to qualify to play for us in april.

 

[MoNkEy]

They are missing a world class spinner, meaning that they may struggle to get results in India and SL.

Are you saying that Paul Harris isn't world class?

 

[Random Aussie]

Siddle and Johnson mind you are half decent. This track quickens up and they'll be a handful.

It is just that the attack is so inexperienced. Our most experienced bowler MJ has played about as much as South Africa's rookie bowler Morkel.

 

[saffer]

That's exactly the attitude that most Kiwi's, Indians and Sri Lankans living over here (and there are no shortage of them) seem to have towards our national teams!

Yes, it is very annoying!

Anyway, back to the cricket (yawn).

The saffers who are afrikaans come back from their gap year with nothing good to say abot england or the english....the english ones like the english but hate the country. It is a bit of a hell hole to be honest compared to beauty , climate and friendliness of soth africa. You english sometimes don't know how much you suffer through and what awful lifestyles you live , even as middle classed people compared to your average middle classed South African.

 

[asifp]

It is just that the attack is so inexperienced. Our most experienced bowler MJ has played about as much as South Africa's rookie bowler Morkel.

well basically they are in with 3 regular bowlers and 2 part timers.

 

[saffer]

well basically they are in with 3 regular bowlers and 2 part timers.

I don't rate that hilfenhaus much....but he's got opportunity to prove me right. Johnson is full of potential and pace and will go a long way.

 

[Random Aussie]

I don't rate that hilfenhaus much....but he's got opportunity to prove me right. Johnson is full of potential and pace and will go a long way.

Hilfenhaus is a bowler for the long form, he is not really suited to ODI cricket so hard to judge him on that.

But who knows how debutant bowler is going to go?

 

[saffer]

Here comes Paul "turns is a mile" Harris. Watch out square leg and point, you might be fielding them straight off the pitch.

 

[jaspa888]

Botha is world class...actually spins it a lot and bowls a doosra. Also we have whatshisname (the pakistani leggie) about to qualify to play for us in april.

I dont think Botha is anywhere near world class - international class perhaps. My definition of world class is someone who wouldnt look out of place in a World XI.

The beauty of the Australian attack of the last decade and the Pak attack of the mid 90's was that they had world class bowlers for all occasions and all wickets. And we all know bowlers win matches.

I think the Saffas fall just short in the spin department currently.

Are you saying that Paul Harris isn't world class?

Destroying Pak back in 2007 and being world class arent the same thing ...

 

[Random Aussie]

Here comes Paul "turns is a mile" Harris. Watch out square leg and point, you might be fielding them straight off the pitch.

Harris was very good in Australia though, credit to him.

Mark Nicholas proving yet again what a moron he is "Steyn...always bowls mid 140's" as he is bowling mid 130's.

How about you keep him over there Saffer?

 

[saffer]

I dont think Botha is anywhere near world class - international class perhaps. My definition of world class is someone who wouldnt look out of place in a World XI.

The beauty of the Australian attack of the last decade and the Pak attack of the mid 90's was that they had world class bowlers for all occasions and all wickets. And we all know bowlers win matches.

I think the Saffas fall just short in the spin department currently.



Destroying Pak back in 2007 and being world class arent the same thing ...

I understand your definition. I'm serious though...Botha turns it a mile and put him on an Indian pitch and he's rip through teams. Trouble is...between you and I.....he throws the ball. (Bowls a doosra too).

 

[saffer]

Harris was very good in Australia though, credit to him.

Mark Nicholas proving yet again what a moron he is "Steyn...always bowls mid 140's" as he is bowling mid 130's.

How about you keep him over there Saffer?

Yeah...but steyn does average out around 142 an innings. Not lighting but quick enough....last ball 145 for example. But so far tghis match he's averaging like 138....he's been out the game a month ...so give him time.

Soetimes he'll bowl a freakish spell where everything is in the 150's , but it's not often. He's capable of it when he' fired up.

 

[Random Aussie]

Yeah...but steyn does average out around 142 an innings. Not lighting but quick enough....last ball 145 for example.

Yeah not saying Steyn is not quick, just the brains of Mark Nicholas saying he always bowls mid 140's right as he is bowling mid 130's.

Steyn is very smart with his pace actually. He is good enough that he does not need to bowl flat out every ball.

 

[saffer]

look...at 2 for 6 I don't care how "fast" he bowls....I'l take that anyday.

 

[Random Aussie]

3/61 after 22 overs. Ten minutes to go to lunch so we are behind the over rate already.

No doubt Aus team will be miles behind too.

 

[saffer]

Shot.! These two fighting back now. 100 for 3 and aussie are on top I'd say becase I think day 2 will be great for batting and the pitch will be difficult come last innings.

 

[saffer]

Are you getting the Aussie comms in Aus ...or these boring saffer ones ?

 

[jaspa888]

I understand your definition. I'm serious though...Botha turns it a mile and put him on an Indian pitch and he's rip through teams. Trouble is...between you and I.....he throws the ball. (Bowls a doosra too).

One man's chucker is another man's Shaun Tait. )

South Africa does not really have a recent history of quality spin bowling, and it can be difficult to be a trailblazer. Perhaps he needs some guidance.

There is more to the art of spin than just spinning the ball. it is about variation and when to bowl which ball. Botha doesnt seem to have the variation or even the ability to outthink quality batsmen at the moment.

Perhaps Botha will improve as he learns to bowl on different surfaces all around the world.

 

[saffer]

94 000 tickets sold in adcance..!!!


NOOOOOO !!!! Smith drops Ponting !!! Huge let off there !!

 

[Muhammad]

The pitch is a disgrace for this match, way too much in it for the bowlers, the batsmen just aren't able to get forward with full confidence, they don't know whether the ball is going to move in the air or off the seam and also which way the movement is going to be.

It's not at all fair!

 

[saffer]

And then he hits a 6 !!

Could this be the little luck needed to change the momentum ?

 

[jaspa888]

Ponting would never have dropped that.

And a sixer next ball to pour salt in the wound.

 

[asifp]

Smith drops a sitter of Styen, an absolute sitter and Punter smashes the next one for six!

 

[Imran_The Man!]

Botha is world class...actually spins it a lot and bowls a doosra. Also we have whatshisname (the pakistani leggie) about to qualify to play for us in april.

Imran Tahir, one of the best bowlers in the English Championship last year, and Hampshire's best bowler last season. 36 wickets at 17.25 in six matches at one point, took us from the bottom of the championship table and turned us into title contenders. Top class leggie.

Talking of top class leggies, Paul Harris is on I see

 

[asifp]

The pitch is a disgrace for this match, way too much in it for the bowlers, the batsmen just aren't able to get forward with full confidence, they don't know whether the ball is going to move in the air or off the seam and also which way the movement is going to be.

It's not at all fair!

Maybe we can get one like that in Pakistan

 

[saffer]

The pitch is a disgrace for this match, way too much in it for the bowlers, the batsmen just aren't able to get forward with full confidence, they don't know whether the ball is going to move in the air or off the seam and also which way the movement is going to be.

It's not at all fair!

Are you kidding ? This is almost flat by South African standards.

 

[saffer]

Ponting dropped by a sitter is a hard pill to swallow...that's one guy you don't want to drop.

 

[Random Aussie]

Smith you legend

 

[Random Aussie]

Are you getting the Aussie comms in Aus ...or these boring saffer ones ?

The Saffer ones. They are fine by me, at least they are no Channel 9 with Tubs and Slats and Heals and the rest.

If only Mark Nicholas was not there

 

[saffer]

The Saffer ones. They are fine by me, at least they are no Channel 9 with Tubs and Slats and Heals and the rest.

If only Mark Nicholas was not there

No ...I much prefer the chanell nine boys. This lot are horribly irritating and dull.

 

[Imran_The Man!]

Just watched a replay of Smith of all people, dropping that dolly, shocking is not the word! If Ponting cracks on Smith is going to having nightmares about that moment for a long time.

And just to rub it in they are constantly replaying it, nightmare!

 

[Random Aussie]

No ...I much prefer the chanell nine boys. This lot are horribly irritating and dull.

I guess familiarity breeds contempt.

For me it is interesting to hear different perspective, especially from a country with a similar way of viewing sport as we do.

 

[saffer]

Just watched a replay of Smith of all people, dropping that dolly, shocking is not the word! If Ponting cracks on Smith is going to having nightmares about that moment for a long time.

And just to rub it in they are constantly replaying it, nightmare!

Yeah...shocker ! Changed momentum of the game.....now Aussie probably feel the game is 50/50.

 

[Muhammad]

Just watched a replay of Smith of all people, dropping that dolly, shocking is not the word! If Ponting cracks on Smith is going to having nightmares about that moment for a long time.

And just to rub it in they are constantly replaying it, nightmare!

What happened, was the hand position wrong, was he too casual and taking his eye off the ball at the last second, was his mind on what's for lunch, what's the explanation for such a clanger?

 

[saffer]

Aussies on the move now. Could still make this their day.

 

[saffer]

50 partnersip. S.A need a wicket badly. Remember 300 + is a good score on saffer wickets.

 

[saffer]

String of boundaries since the break. Momentum has swung aussies way.

 

[saffer]

That dropped catch really hurting S.A now.

 

[Oxy]

That was a 'Pakistan-esque' drop at slip by Smith!

Ponting WILL make him suffer!

 

[Oxy]

I would like to say that I think SuperSports are the GREATEST sports channel in the WORLD!

Only wish I had access to it 24/7 in the UK! (hint hint)

 

[Oxy]

114-3

Ponting looking in supreme form after the break

 

[asifp]

catches win matches!

That was the great thing about the Aussie team, yes they were humans and dropped catches, but when it was a clutch catch that could change the game, they never seemes to falter.

I know someone might bring the Warne catch off Pietersen at the Oval in 2005, but hey thats why they lost the Ashes that year.

If SA want to replicate Aussies they better learn how to kill off opponents which means grabbing all the cluth catches

 

[Oxy]

Oh what a beauty from Ntini!

Inswinger - left alone by Ponting - and he is bowled for 83!

151-4

 

[Muhammad]

The Aussie debutant North has apparently played for 5 different English counties!!!

 

[asifp]

Oh what a beauty from Ntini!

Inswinger - left alone by Ponting - and he is bowled for 83!

151-4

there was nothing beutiful about that ball. Punter just had a brain fart!

 

[saffer]

Much needed wicket by Ntini. 1 more and S.A are back on top.

 

[Informer]

there was nothing beutiful about that ball. Punter just had a brain fart!

I thought it was a fantastic ball

 

[saffer]

looks like a bit of a rain break...

 

[saffer]

I thought it was a fantastic ball

It was.....a freakish ball actually.

 

[saffer]

North looks steady for a man on debut.

 

[Oxy]

there was nothing beutiful about that ball. Punter just had a brain fart!

When is the last ball you saw like that - exaggerated swing movement, and uproots the stumps?

What Ponting did or didnt do is immaterial!

 

[saffer]

When is the last ball you saw like that - exaggerated swing movement, and uproots the stumps?

What Ponting did or didnt do is immaterial!

Agree. Amazing ball.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Aussies 160/4 and in trouble.

They need atleast 300+ here.

North has started well. Haddin/mcdonald still to come. Clarke needs to get a ton.

Hussey in a rut at moment.