South Africa vs Australia | 2nd Test | Johannesburg | 17-21 Nov 2011

[Conventional Swing]

Match scheduled to begin at 10:30 local time (13:30 PST)

As with Cape Town, the early season timing of the match has created a little doubt about how the pitch will play, with some early inspections suggesting a softer surface than usual. It is expected to provide enough bounce allied to the swing often found in Johannesburg, and could be better for batting. A weather forecast of rain on most days suggests a handful of interruptions across the match.

Probable South African Squad

Graeme Smith (capt), Jacques Rudolph, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher (wk), Imran Tahir, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.

Probable Australian Squad

Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (capt), Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon.

Quote

"Because it was very short, it did take a lot out of the players emotionally. We had two unexpected days off, which was a nice surprise. We were on the right side of that game but the guys are looking forward to the next one." - Hashim Amla on the mental drain of Cape Town

"It's an important Test for us as a team for a little bit of redemption and to show our desire to play for Australia and what it means." - Michael Clarke says his side have much to atone for at the Wanderers

 

[Conventional Swing]

Careers could be on the line after Wanderers

Australia must win to avoid their fourth series loss to South Africa in 109 years. But the ramifications of this Test could be much more far-reaching as John Inverarity begins determining the fate of Australia's cricketers

A tall, thin man has been loitering at Australia's training sessions in Johannesburg, hovering on the fringes and occasionally chatting with players. He casts a long shadow in every way. He is John Inverarity, the new national selector. And in a week's time, he will begin determining the fate of Australia's cricketers.

On the face of it, the Johannesburg Test for Australia is about levelling the series, about redeeming themselves after the three-day horror show in Cape Town. And that is important: Australia must win to avoid their fourth series loss to South Africa in the 109 years since the teams first met.

But the ramifications of this Test could be much more far-reaching. There are players whose careers could be on the line during this match. Within ten days of this Test finishing, the players will take the field at the Gabba to do battle with New Zealand.

It is a fascinating time. Will Inverarity's panel make the hard call on Ricky Ponting, who hasn't made a Test century since January 2010? If they do, will they make it immediately, ahead of the New Zealand series? Or will a hundred at the Wanderers save Ponting?

Will they persist with Brad Haddin, a major culprit in the Cape Town capitulation? Will they keep choosing Mitchell Johnson on the basis that he is occasionally a match-winner? What do they think of Phillip Hughes, a project of Andrew Hilditch's panel but a man whose home-baked technique makes him vulnerable to criticism?

On Tuesday, a most intriguing discussion was taking part in the middle of the Wanderers ground. The participants were Inverarity, soon to be the national selector but without a vote at the selection table for this Test; Hilditch, the acting chairman of selectors, who after this match is nothing but an Adelaide solicitor; Troy Cooley, the stand-in coach and temporary tour selector; and the captain Michael Clarke, the only constant in the group.

Usman Khawaja will replace the injured Shaun Marsh at the Wanderers and Pat Cummins could come in to make his debut but widespread changes are unlikely. They could come soon afterwards. It cannot be easy for the players to put aside questions over their own immediate futures, but Clarke believes they will manage.

"It's not about personal performances, everyone is in different positions in regards to if guys are playing for their spot or whatever guys are thinking mentally," Clarke said. "At the end of the day, it's not about individual performances, it's about this team having success. It was great to see at the first session, blokes are doing that, putting the team first."


The problem was that few men did that in Cape Town. Clarke's first-innings century and Marsh's accompanying innings were fine examples of batsmen playing not for personal pride but gritting their teeth and fighting for the team. Nobody did that in the second innings as Australia were bowled out for 47, their lowest total in 109 years.

"It's an important Test for us as a team for a little bit of redemption and to show our character and to show our desire to play for Australia," Clarke said. "There is nothing more important as a batsman than putting value on your wicket so that's my goal as a batter.

"I'm going to take things one ball at a time and back myself and play my way, but I will put a hell of a lot of value on my wicket because I don't want to give up easily without a fight. Our bowlers have to work hard to make sure they are disciplined in hitting their areas."

One man who didn't do that at Newlands was Johnson. At 30, Johnson is at the age where, if he is dropped in the near future, it will not be easy to fight back quickly. Clarke wants Johnson in the team as a potential match-winner, but every day that he fails to hit his straps, he essentially leaves Clarke a bowler short.

At the Wanderers in early 2009, Johnson collected eight wickets for the match and swung the ball enough in the early stages to put doubt in the minds of the batsmen. He bowled in a similar fashion in the tour match in Potchefstroom a fortnight ago and is expected to play in Johannesburg despite an almost wicketless performance in Cape Town.

"I'm full of praise for Mitchy," Clarke said. "I've said for a long time, he's an unbelievable athlete. He's got potential ... well, potential is not the right word. He's played for long enough. His statistics show how good a bowler he is. He's scored a Test match hundred. He's one hell of a player, but we need him to be at his best."

And if he's not, Inverarity will be watching.

Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at cricinfo

 

[leatherface58]

i hope its 21/9 again(of whichever team)!!!

God that was so much fun!

 

[Random Aussie]

The talk is Cummins for Siddle and Khawaja for Marsh.

Then new chief of selectors gets the gun out.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Good luck Australia however I want SA to win

Hope Khawaja gets a game though.

 

[Conventional Swing]

The talk is Cummins for Siddle and Khawaja for Marsh.

Then new chief of selectors gets the gun out.

David Warner in for Phillip Hughes.

 

[Lara400]

Once again looking forward to the contest and more importantly Hashish Amla's batting it just is mesmerizing to watch.

 

[Random Aussie]

Harris might not play, he is under an injury cloud. Uh oh.

Revising my optimistic prediction of an Oz series win to a Saffer two nil win. SL was yet another false dawn for us, have won two out of the last twelve tests.

 

[Genghis]

The talk is Cummins

Cummins should really come in for Johnson. It's time Johnson was dropped for an extended period.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

i just hope breaks lara's record

 

[Random Aussie]

Cummins should really come in for Johnson. It's time Johnson was dropped for an extended period.

Yes but living in Australia you would be well aware we play favourites at the selection table.

 

[Random Aussie]

Scary rumour running around is Harris out, Cummins in.

Siddle, MJ and Cummins we could concede 400 in a day.

 

[*syed59*]

putting cummins in place of harris won't be a good decision IMO.

btw, will it be cummins debut test if he plays ?

 

[Random Aussie]

putting cummins in place of harris won't be a good decision IMO.

btw, will it be cummins debut test if he plays ?

Yeah its a horrible idea but i am yet to see any indication CA has got a clue so it wouldnt surprise me.

It would be his debut test, after playing all of three first class games.

The only time in recent history we have played a balanced attack with Copeland keeping it medium and tight we won, in SL. So we dropped Copeland.

The last Test series of note we won was in South Africa where guess what, Andrew McDonald kept it tight and medium, and guess who got dropped?

Game after game we play two or three seamers all around the same pace, none of who are express enough to blow teams away and none of who can bowl the same ball on th same spot for half an over or so.

Our batters get regularly mown down for less than a hundred and aer every loss we drop a bowler. And not even the right bowler.

 

[velu]

Harris is synonymous with injury , never seen him playing in all the matches of any series so far.
Cummins will be a gun , will be interesting to see whether he is the fastest test bowler or not.

 

[Random Aussie]

The news here just stated Cummins will be debuting today.

Usman in for Marsh.

 

[AZ]

Aus XI: Clarke (c), Watson (vc), Hughes, Khawaja, Ponting, Hussey, Haddin, Johnson, Siddle, Cummins, Lyon, Copeland (12th) #

 

[Random Aussie]

Cummins in for Harris #%* me

I hope i am wrong but this is possibly the stupidest decision i have seen us make in past few years.
They had to had to pick Copeland to get some control.

He has played three games. The bowling conference will be funny, "so who wants the new ball? MJ? No? Siddle? No? Pat here you go! Watto you take the other end!"

 

[*syed59*]

some time that was, 1935

 

[Ryankhan]

Good luck Australia however I want SA to win

Hope Khawaja gets a game though.

I want the same aswell and hope Khawja performs and gets a spot in the 11 consistently. he should be added in the odi 11.

 

[Poison]

Well this isn't going to be pretty. Johnson has been bowling like crap and Cummins is a debutant, it's seriously all down to the SIDDLE to get all the wickets here.

 

[*syed59*]

Cummins in for Harris #%* me

I hope i am wrong but this is possibly the stupidest decision i have seen us make in past few years.
They had to had to pick Copeland to get some control.

He has played three games. The bowling conference will be funny, "so who wants the new ball? MJ? No? Siddle? No? Pat here you go! Watto you take the other end!"

It is not the right decision, but if somehow Cummins is able to blast through the SA lineup with figures of 7-20... (something I think he might be capable of doing given he bowls super brisk and full).
It will be worth viewing.

EDIT: sunny weather , I doubt any one is going to rip into any lineup, moreso if the pitch isn't juicy.

 

[Random Aussie]

Whats the record score in a days play?

 

[Genghis]

A few players with their test spots on the line here in this test match - Hughes, Ponting, Johnson, Haddin.

 

[Genghis]

Harris will be a big loss, but poor guy is just too injury prone. Has he ever completed a full series?

 

[Random Aussie]

Lol and of course we lose the toss and they bat.....

 

[Poison]

Will be good to see Cummins though. Good Penrith lad.

 

[AZ]

Whats the record score in a days play?

lol, I think 359? Australia vs someone....

 

[Random Aussie]

Harris will be a big loss, but poor guy is just too injury prone. Has he ever completed a full series?

No and doubt he ever will. Just a bowler we have to make the most of when he is fit.

Here we go!

All sooking aside, Cummins is the second youngest Aus debutant of all time. Good luck to the lad!

 

[Random Aussie]

lol, I think 359? Australia vs someone....

Didnt the Saffers hit 400+ against the Desh one time?

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Heard a lot about Cummins and his speed, I know Copeland has more control but really isn't something that I look forward watching Australia play where bowlers were lightning quick from Gilespie, Lee, Taity and MJ. Copeland was bowling from 110 to 120. Cummins I heard is 145 - 155, watching Test after a long time for him.

 

[Genghis]

Cummin has had plenty of hype behind him. Has had some good seasons in the domestic t20 bash and one dayers, but test cricket is a different ball game. Will be interesting to see how he goes!

 

[Random Aussie]

Good season Genghis, not seasons lol

 

[Lightning]

Looking forward to this one. I hope Cummin has a ripper match. One for the future for sure, like a right handed Aamer.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Litmus test for Aussies, they will have to prove their TEST STATUS :rondu

 

[Random Aussie]

About to start.....guess Cummins opens the bowling

 

[Genghis]

Good season Genghis, not seasons lol

Leading wicket taker last season in t20 big bash ... But yeah only one season.

 

[Random Aussie]

So Mitch finally mans up to take the new ball. Woo maiden!

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Cummins opening, let's see how he goes

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

He'll get Smith

 

[chaiwala]

Very interesting to see Jacques Rudolph back in test cricket. I remember he scored a double century on debut, and then disappeared after a while.

 

[AZ]

Only 3 FC matches before this, wow.

Aussies getting desperate. :iamlegend

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

^ Hahaha Hilarious Signature. Just noticed

 

[Lightning]

Cummins really resembles a right handed Aamer in his bowling action and run. Looks stronger but perhaps not as quick.

 

[AZ]

Amir was a lot more upright...Cummins will struggle to get outswing with that action I would think.



Powerful straight drive from Biff.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

:4 by Smith

 

[Ryankhan]

Hope AUS once again gets out under 50, that would be epic.... but first hope SA makes 300 atleast

 

[spoiled]

Cummins really resembles a right handed Aamer in his bowling action and run. Looks stronger but perhaps not as quick.

what's that

 

[AZ]

@Sportsnewsfirst: Ryan Harris set to fly home from SA this afternoon after failing to get up for Second Test , according to ABC radio

Eh?

 

[Random Aussie]

Cummins really resembles a right handed Aamer in his bowling action and run. Looks stronger but perhaps not as quick.

Not sure if serious here. Aamer speed is fairly overrated.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

^ He looks quicker than Johnson, something wrong with the speed gun perhaps.

 

[Poison]

Not sure if serious here. He is clearly consistently a fair bit quicker than Aamer.

Not sure if srs, Amir was bowling about the same pace, Cummins is consistently high 130s-low 140s thus far.

I got to you before the edit muahahaha

 

[Random Aussie]

After an unusually tight start, MJ moving back into his four runs per over mode.

 

[AZ]

Rudolph

Love his batting.

 

[Lightning]

Not sure if serious here. Aamer speed is fairly overrated.

Yeah you might be right. I've only really watched Aamer when he toured Aus and was consistently 145 and into the 150s. In fact a graph showed him as the fastest bowler from both sides at one point.

 

[Random Aussie]

Not sure if srs, Amir was bowling about the same pace, Cummins is consistently high 130s-low 140s thus far.

I got to you before the edit muahahaha

Good get

But PP will rate the average Cummins speed against the fastest ball Aamer ever bowled for comparison.

Kinda like Umar Gul the 150kph bowler, just like Peter Siddle.

MJ you suck!!

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

146.7, slowly getting up.

 

[Random Aussie]

Yeah you might be right. I've only really watched Aamer when he toured Aus and was consistently 145 and into the 150s. In fact a graph showed him as the fastest bowler from both sides at one point.

And he was, for that tour. But not in general.

I dont doubt he could bowl quick but he generally spent his time bowling good not quick, a little like Steyn.

 

[Lightning]

Fantastic last two deliveries from Cummins. Looking better every over.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Johnson should be taken off. Let's see how Siddle fares

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Johnson strikes

Hoping for another low score thriller

I think this is going to be one of Mitch's day where he performs with both bat and ball

 

[chaiwala]

MJ you suck!!

He heard you.

 

[adnan yasin]

Smith caught at slips

johnson took the wicket

 

[spoiled]

finally johnno

taking it away from left handed smith gets the edge

hopefully he gets 7fer

 

[adnan yasin]

upcoming run machine at the crease

hashim amla

 

[Random Aussie]

Wooo! You still suck!

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

hope he breaks lara's 400

 

[Random Aussie]

I guess if Rudoplh gets dropped he goes back to England no?

 

[adnan yasin]

SA 25/1

1st innings

 

[AZ]

Poor stuff from Smith, was sparring at everything out there.

 

[James]

Johnno has had six ordinary tests since the WACA...a good performance now would seem about right!

 

[adnan yasin]

wooooooh ... just look at the bounce

 

[adnan yasin]

Cummins bowling with some pace

mid 140's

 

[chaiwala]

Cummins has a Zaheer Khan-like leap in his action (with a lot more pace of course )

 

[Random Aussie]

Cos i cant watch it atm, how does Cummins look?

 

[Poison]

Very very sharp

 

[Jo_Don]

Johnson's got a wicket, and has now done enough to keep his place

 

[adnan yasin]

Rudolph slashed the half cracker outside off stump from johnson

 

[chaiwala]

 

[adnan yasin]

Super cover drive