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South Africa vs India | 1st Test | Cape Town | Jan 5-9, 2018 | Day 1 | Discussion Thread

Kohli has selected an ODI side. No Rahul or Rahane but Rohit and Dhawan. We may get an embarrassing match result.
 
We could learn from this.

If this was our batsmen we'd have gone into a shell and invited more pressure.
 
As much as I like this pitch...I'd be dreading it if they produce this track for our series later this year :))
 
Too many runs being leaked (4.45 rpo), either India should have restricted the run rate a bit (scoreline of 120/5 or something) or should have got them all out or 8 wickets down! We can't be happy if South Africa gets to 250+ they we will have a lot of time to attack Indians and may bat well in the next innings. Indians have lost many overseas tests like this. Team composition is hurting... Kohli cannot trust Ashwin. At least Jadeja could have bowled 10 overs by now and restricted some runs or should have Kuldeep as an attacking option... Ashwin proving neither....
 
Surprised that South Africa picked 7 white players for this match, might face ramifications later this season. Haysman on comms with a charming story on how Steyn took matters in his own hands after being told he likely won't be picked. Evidently he marked his full run-up in the nets and bowled at full pelt at Elgar and Markham who couldn't cope, which raised a few heads. Marvellous. Steyn hasn't played long-form cricket since November 2016, so it's a risk but he is the kind of cricketer that we desperately need to be playing test cricket consistently to keep the format relevant.
 
De Kock gone now, reckon any score under 300 on this wicket and India would have done exceptionally well.
 
Finally the edge ...........de Kock c Saha b Bhuvneshwar 43
 
Great start of a cracking series. I think both teams are damn happy so far - obviously IND, but SAF should be happy as well to reach this position after that start. I think, 250-300 is an in between situation - under that, IND should be happy, SAF should take over happily.
 
Has SAF moved away from 5 non white policy or De Kok is considered as non white?
 
Didn't know Maharaj had two FC centuries, but he's showing why there. Great six.
 
Has SAF moved away from 5 non white policy or De Kok is considered as non white?

I think it's an average over the course of a season, par exemple they selected 6 non-whites in the test against Zimbabwe so I guess it would even out. I'd wager they won't be able to select this team for all 3 matches.
 
Has SAF moved away from 5 non white policy or De Kok is considered as non white?

I think its taken as an average over a season - its not necessary that six "coloured" players must be present in every match.
 
Has SAF moved away from 5 non white policy or De Kok is considered as non white?

The whole thing is counted after end of the season, you can play more white in a test match providing you keep up the average after the season is over
 
Has SAF moved away from 5 non white policy or De Kok is considered as non white?

They need to maintain average of 5 non white players over 1 year period. So I guess they can up the average in T20s and dead rubbers.
 
Btw, what was the logic behind opting to bat?

It would be an ultra defensive to field first in your home turf. They are a team that can pile up lot of runs in the 2nd innings put pressure on team batting second. This is the right call.
 
MIG,

I feel SA now have enough runs on board with their bowling line up to win this match
 
Rabada and maharaj should just attack now no need to play dots at this moment get quick 50 60 runs
 
Get Bumrah in and polish off the tail.

Pandya is not going to scare these tailenders.

India should shut SA for under 250.
 
Regarding the quota - THEN why there was so much bashing going on? I find it perfectly acceptable to promote non white players in “softer” matches and pick best possible XI where it’s worthy.
 
I think, batting 1st was the right call. This is not an Asian track that pacers do well in 1st morning for the moisture. This track should crack later and both sides have taken one less batsman, which makes chasing (batting 2nd) tougher. I am sure IND would have batted first as well.
 
India's session but they must clean up the tail.
South Africa have kept plugging away, scoring at 5 to the over. If we can push this to 280 I'll be happy, 250 is par and decent though. Any runs after that would be valuable.
This match has moved at the speed of knots, one would think 60-70 overs have been bowled.
 
They must do something for over rate. This is simply not acceptable to bowl 53 overs in 4 hours, when 63 is quite possible. No way, they are going to bowl 37 overs (34+ 10 minutes, in case of SAF being all out) in 150 minutes after tea.

Teams are not punished enough. If this is allowed to drift, we’ll watch 85 overs in 6.5 hours.
 
I think, batting 1st was the right call. This is not an Asian track that pacers do well in 1st morning for the moisture. This track should crack later and both sides have taken one less batsman, which makes chasing (batting 2nd) tougher. I am sure IND would have batted first as well.

Don't see the surface cracking and too much grass for spin to play a part, if Indian batsman hold their nerves SA could be in for some trouble this pitch is already easing out and barring good bounce which most Indian batsman like will offer nothing. Those early wickets costing SA big time here, 350 should have been minimum 1st innings score.
 
I dont know why Bumrah was selected here.

He is a bowler who seams the ball a little.

Such bowlers generally find it difficult in SA.

Umar gul and junaid khan found it tough too on their last tour to SA.

Swing bowlers lile steyn, bhuvneshwar kumar, anderson etc thrive there.

Vern is a seamer and has a good record in SA. Jimmy swings it but has no record to speak of in this country. If you bowl well in South Africa you get your dew rewards.
 
Don't see the surface cracking and too much grass for spin to play a part, if Indian batsman hold their nerves SA could be in for some trouble this pitch is already easing out and barring good bounce which most Indian batsman like will offer nothing. Those early wickets costing SA big time here, 350 should have been minimum 1st innings score.

Lol, what game are you watching. The ball has been moving around all day. Not a single batsmen looked in.
 
India are playing with three batsmen. If it continues to swing, even 230 is enough. The selection is really laughworthy.

Rohit and Dhawan in top5? It doesn't get worse.
 
Only if AB had got a 100, this was SA game. But as usual he continues to be the same AB and leave the job half done.
 
Lol, what game are you watching. The ball has been moving around all day. Not a single batsmen looked in.
Ab got out tamely misjudging the ball amla's wicket was worse. If those 2 stuck around 350 would have been easily achievable, SA are as much responsible for the score as the pitch or our bowlers.
 
I suspect that this wicket will even out tomorrow and India should be disappointed if they don't get a lead of around a 100 here. Historically, batsmen tend to cash in at Newlands on Days 2 and 3 as the wicket quickens up after the moisture disappears, which allows the ball to come nicely on to the bat. De Villiers and Du Plessis threw away their wickets today and should really have gone on to score hundreds.
 
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If SA crawl their way to 300, they would be at an advantage.
 
I suspect that this wicket will even out tomorrow and India should be disappointed if they don't get a lead of around a 100 here. Historically, batsmen tend to cash in at Newlands on Days 2 and 3 as the wicket quickens up after the moisture disappears, which allows the ball to come nicely on to the bat. De Villiers and Du Plessis threw away their wickets today and should really have gone on to score hundreds.

India has just 3 decent batsmen unlike SA which seems to have 9 decent batsmen. And SA has an ATG opening the bowling for them.
 
Brave decision for S.A to bat 1st but if they can some how get up to 300 then it will be a semi-decent score on this surface. On pitches like this 1st inns leades are vital so Indias 1st inns batting effort needs to be a good one in reply. I can see this wicket once suns been on it for a few days being a little easier to bat on, but may get uneven on day 5 as some of the softness in pitch may turn into divots on day 5.
 
Need 2 more wicket in this session. After that bumrah too good for tailender. That's why probably he is playing.this is really good pitch for test cricket ..

It is isn't it?
Makes a mockery of people comparing green wickets with rank tuners.
SA has lost wickets but scored runs. Bowlers have bowled well and got something for their efforts. The bounce has been true, even the likes of Vern were leaving back of length deliveries that were headed for the stumps. Incredible cricket wicket. If batsmen are brave and knuckle down there are runs on offer.
The rate is 4.20 which will please the neutrals and attending fans.

South Africa produces the best cricket wickets by far imo.
 
You simply cannot let Tailender like Maharaj score 30runs at almost run a ball.

Any good bowling lineup would have polished these last 3 guys easily. If SA can get to 300, India will be in trouble.
 
India has just 3 decent batsmen unlike SA which seems to have 9 decent batsmen. And SA has an ATG opening the bowling for them.

India has Kohli and Pujara, they should really be pressing home the advantage. We keep getting told they are the best team in the world, and have definitely bowled like it today.
 
As usual South Africa choke under pressure. Playing for so long but still can't handle pressure. SOuth Africa needs a psychiatrist rather than coach.

Wha........? What's your favourite format? Don't answer that, just stick to it.
This is an absorbing match. Tests are about sessions, SA sneaked the first one, with India edging ahead in the second. What's that got to do with choking?
 
True dhawan will be a walking wicket and dont rate rohit in test

Or sometimes such volatile not so technical players like Dhawan, Warner, Rohit can score blindly quickly on greentracks.
 
Has the pitch become flat or something?

These two tailenders have a pretty useful partnership going.
 
Has the pitch become flat or something?

These two tailenders have a pretty useful partnership going.

Nevermind, that last ball from Shami to Maharaj bounced and seemed.

Will be fun to see SA pace attack on this wicket.
 
India has Kohli and Pujara, they should really be pressing home the advantage. We keep getting told they are the best team in the world, and have definitely bowled like it today.

They would be up against Morne, Steyn, Philander and Rabada. Definitely not a walk in the park. If Kohli fails I expect India to be dismissed under 200.
 
why is bumrah playing ahead of yadav? yadav has looked good recently, bumrah is awful
 
Some stubborn late order resistance but its over with a run out. Useful runs from Maharaj.
 
That's the only way Ashwin would get his name in the wickets column
 
Nice bouncer that from Shami

I think if SA can get a total of near 280-300, with there pace attack, will be very interesting.
 
also ishant sharma was good against sri lanka? why are neither playing?
 
Now the fun starts steyn and rabada will go all out now to get close to 300
 
They would be up against Morne, Steyn, Philander and Rabada. Definitely not a walk in the park. If Kohli fails I expect India to be dismissed under 200.

True.

If SA get 2-3 wickets early, they would be in the tail with Rohit Sharma coming at 5.
 
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