South Africa v Australia | 2nd Test | Port Elizabeth | Day 1 | 20/02/2014

[WebGuru]

SA have also won the toss and are batting


South Africa
HM Amla, Q de Kock, AB de Villiers†, JP Duminy, F du Plessis, D Elgar, M Morkel, WD Parnell, VD Philander, GC Smith*, DW Steyn

Australia
MJ Clarke*, AJ Doolan, BJ Haddin†, RJ Harris, MG Johnson, NM Lyon, SE Marsh, CJL Rogers, PM Siddle, SPD Smith, DA Warner

 

[WebGuru]

Alviro is out with gastro. Dean Elgar will open. De Kock will debut, and Parnell will replace McLaren

 

[proteyeah]

Wow the S.A batting looks massively deep.

 

[proteyeah]

S.A need to play out Johnsons first two spells with minimal damage. Then we'll see the Aussie "plan B" if it exists.

 

[SL_Fan]

10.15am Lights are coming on already. It is an overcast day

Ballsy move by SA to bat first but I don't think it's the right call. Again!

 

[Strike Rate]

I think South Africa elected to bat first because Philander is still not 100% fit otherwise i dont see any logic behind electing to bat first one a Green pitch with overcast conditions .

 

[blackanhyellow]

wasnt going to watch but found out the baby faced assassin making his debut. It will be fun watching him against mitch.

 

[proteyeah]

Ballsy move by SA to bat first but I don't think it's the right call. Again!

Might prove to be. But I think S.A need to make a statement.

 

[SL_Fan]

I think South Africa elected to bat first because Philander is still not 100% fit otherwise i dont see any logic behind electing to bat first one a Green pitch with overcast conditions .

Yeah that might be the case. Still I reckon they should have put Aus in given the pitch and conditions.

 

[SL_Fan]

Might prove to be. But I think S.A need to make a statement.

Here's hoping that it doesn't backfire. Wanna see SA take this one out in a close match.

 

[Strike Rate]

Yeah that might be the case. Still I reckon they should have put Aus in given the pitch and conditions.

yes that would mean damaging philander and going out with him in 3rd test. So they thought to take low risk

 

[Strike Rate]

Anyone remember Nasir Hussain epic decision of fielding first in 2002 Ashes? That decision turned out to be the worst in cricket history!

 

[SL_Fan]

Engarrlaand would have got flogged anyhow

 

[Justcrazy]

Harris starts with a beauty here.

 

[London_Lahori]

Good toss to win! Slightly overcast.

 

[Justcrazy]

Big test for SA openers here.

 

[Strike Rate]

Dean Elgar looking in hurry. He is coming to play a Test after playing a T20 tournament

 

[Strike Rate]

Good toss to win! Slightly overcast.

South Africa elected to abt first because philander is not 100% fit to bowl. So they wanted some more time for him.

 

[Convict]

Dean Elgar looking in hurry. He is coming to play a Test after playing a T20 tournament

Same with the players from all the teams.

 

[NZcricketfan]

Doesn't seem to be anything special about the pitch. Even the bounce seems to be low.

 

[Strike Rate]

johno getting into mid 140s

 

[Strike Rate]

Same with the players from all the teams.

ur right

 

[Justcrazy]

SA will need to get 350 here , to put pressure on Aussies.

 

[SL_Fan]

Wickets looks to be a bit on the slow side?

 

[Justcrazy]

Harris has a solid record closing on 100 test wickets

 

[proteyeah]

Let's see if Mitch is as "scary" on this pitch.

 

[Justcrazy]

4 / 0 after 3

 

[Strike Rate]

So far johno isn't looking threatening maybe its because pitch is slow or he is still charging

 

[proteyeah]

So far johno isn't looking threatening maybe its because pitch is slow or he is still charging

I'm hoping when the match goes on you will see that South Africa isn't England.

 

[Justcrazy]

This pitch is slow relatively , spinners will come into play later on.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Vitally important that Smith gets through this early stage and scores big for S.A

S.A 8/0

 

[Strike Rate]

I'm hoping when the match goes on you will see that South Africa isn't England.

South Africa isn't England we all know they can bounce back thats why they are number 1 team.

 

[proteyeah]

South Africa isn't England we all know they can bounce back thats why they are number team.

Have you read any of the build ups ?

The Aussie media and players have said nothing resembling that.

 

[Strike Rate]

This pitch is slow relatively , spinners will come into play later on.

South Africa isn't playing any spinner

 

[Strike Rate]

Have you read any of the build ups ?

you mean the match preview in cricinfo?

 

[Convict]

Have you read any of the build ups ?

The Aussie media and players have said nothing resembling that.

Huh?
Listening to the foxtel blokes the South Africans are going to beat us by two innings

 

[Strike Rate]

Smith gone!

 

[Mr Consistent]

smith gone

 

[Random Aussie]

Rhino gores Smith LBW

 

[Mr Consistent]

again bad start for sa

 

[Strike Rate]

Time for Amla to score some big runs!

 

[Dandango]

Good call to bad first the pitch will get low and slow with lots off uneven bounce. Smith out lol

 

[Convict]

Rhino was always going to be the big danger on this wicket

 

[Amjid Javed]

Smith gone when he struggles so do S.A

 

[Amjid Javed]

Amla in and needs some runs.

Elgar still not off the mark..

 

[Strike Rate]

Amla gone too

 

[Convict]

Yes Johnno.

 

[Strike Rate]

Amla bad patch continues

 

[Mr Consistent]

amla gone first wicket for johno

 

[proteyeah]

Huge trouble here. Two of S.A's big three gone.

 

[Dandango]

Amla gone. Time for rain.

 

[Strike Rate]

zipper boy in

 

[Mr Consistent]

smith and amla bad form continue

 

[Strike Rate]

Elected to bat first )

 

[ChaudrySaab]

2 down!!

 

[ChaudrySaab]

That decision aint looking good now.

 

[Random Aussie]

We are into the tail!

 

[Buffet]

Wow the S.A batting looks massively deep.

Not a bad idea here.

Doesn't seem to be anything special about the pitch. Even the bounce seems to be low.

All grass is gone as expected.

 

[blackanhyellow]

man I love clarke's captaincy, such attacking fields.

 

[style_guru]

Mitch already causing damage

 

[Justcrazy]

2 quick wickets

 

[IndianWillow]

So far repeat of the first test.

 

[Buffet]

Disappointing start from SA here on this wicket.

 

[Dandango]

It funny that south africa pick no spinner. Shuan von berg best leg spinner in south africa and no one talks about him.

 

[Justcrazy]

11 / 2

SA needs a partnership.

 

[ChaudrySaab]

Johnson is a treat to watch when on song and what a beautyyy that was to Amla.

 

[Random Aussie]

Rhinos seam position and wrist. I heart it.

 

[SL_Fan]

It funny that south africa pick no spinner. Shuan von berg best leg spinner in south africa and no one talks about him.

Counting on Duminy to bowl a few I suppose.

 

[cricket sport]

now ab will have to carry the workload of batting again

 

[Justcrazy]

SA looking timid here , they need to try and score and break shackles here

 

[Strike Rate]

It funny that south africa pick no spinner. Shuan von berg best leg spinner in south africa and no one talks about him.

And he can bat too. Averaging 30+ in first class scored 3 centuries and 12 fifties

 

[Justcrazy]

These two need to bat out a session here.

 

[Justcrazy]

14 / 2 after 8 overs

 

[Mr Consistent]

finally elgar off the mark

 

[Red Devil]

:4 by Faf

 

[Mr Consistent]

:4 by faf du plesis

 

[Red Devil]

Lyon into the attack

 

[Justcrazy]

20 / 2 after 9 overs

 

[Mr Consistent]

elgar will perform well

 

[Justcrazy]

Lyon bowling now