Sri Lanka v South Africa | 1st Test | July 16-20 2014 | Galle

[fawad_wellwisher]

SL are targeting Tahir. Even Duminy has a better bowling average than him in tests

 

[Aman]

Another 50 for Sanga, he's been untouchable the last 2-3 years.

 

[soso_killer]

What a griping game of test cricket. I've missed this.
Good fight back by Lanka, need 260 tomorrow. They have scored very quickly and have attacked the spinners.
Tahir did pull it back and manage to control his length towards the end, is it too late though with Lanka on the ascendancy?
Do join us tomorrow for what will be a nail biting finale. Goodbye!

 

[soso_killer]

.

 

[Batman_DB]

if sanga stays lankans might go for the win

 

[Electron]

I back Lanka to win this.

 

[Adil_94]

This pitch is a rank turner now but Lankans are masters on playing on those. Will be a tight finish

 

[Buffet]

Game is set up very well. SL may fancy their chances to pull a win form here if Steyn doesn't fire.

 

[Glen77]

Will Steyn give Philander credit when accepting his man of the match award?

Steyn will thank Imran Khan and Co for inventing ball tampering.

 

[Glen77]

Come on Pakistan is not playing.

 

[zabalestmsm]

Come on SL. U have to win this one.

 

[Arsal_AK]

SL to win this and the series.Colombo will be a draw seeing as it is a highway.Of-course unless.....

 

[Energetic]

Stupid decision by Amla even though a brave one. Still had 4 wickets remaining and another 50 runs was possible in next 10 overs. People are forgetting that a draw is still a result. Why did SA play out for a draw in that Indian game where they could've chased that world record score?

 

[soso_killer]

Stupid decision by Amla even though a brave one. Still had 4 wickets remaining and another 50 runs was possible in next 10 overs. People are forgetting that a draw is still a result. Why did SA play out for a draw in that Indian game where they could've chased that world record score?

Simple they lost wickets at key intervals and were left with the tail. India had men all over the boundary so expecting the tail to clear those men would be foolish.
Besides nothing but a series win would have been accepted in this country for numerous reasons.
1. The Horgaat gate ("we can't beat them off field but we can on the field")
2. India were a rookie team: a drawn series at home would have been embarrassing. In hindsight it would have been more embarrassing as they went on to lose a series in NZ.
3. South Africa had a tendency of drawing series [MENTION=71635]H[/MENTION]ome. That would have annoyed everyone.
4. Finally the series was too short to set up a decider of a 3rd test.

Now SA might go on to lose this match but we are talking a different scenario, nothing embarrassing losing to Lanka in their den. Nobody gave the boys a chance coming to this tour, but my word they've fought like warriors.
Win or lose I'm bloody proud of them.

 

[Buffet]

Stupid decision by Amla even though a brave one. Still had 4 wickets remaining and another 50 runs was possible in next 10 overs. People are forgetting that a draw is still a result. Why did SA play out for a draw in that Indian game where they could've chased that world record score?

You are comparing apple to orange here. Two different situations under different captains.

 

[Fastandfurious]

De Kock you beauty!

 

[Shaheerthe2nd]

Sanga dropped! was that the game?

 

[Haz95]

Jayawardene has to be the worst batsman to score 9000+ test runs. Its a shame he's so high in the list

 

[Fastandfurious]

Jayawardene has to be the worst batsman to score 9000+ test runs. Its a shame he's so high in the list

What does that have to do with today's match?

 

[Justcrazy]

244 required , match getting interesting.

 

[Justcrazy]

Jayawardhane and Sanga at the crease now.

 

[Justcrazy]

Reverse swing will play a big role in this game.

 

[Justcrazy]

Morkel strikes

lanka loose their third.

 

[Fastandfurious]

Game on now!

 

[Haz95]

What does that have to do with today's match?

Just a thought after Philtrundler was running circles around him. Again he's gone for a nothing score

 

[Justcrazy]

Things not looking good for lanka here.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Morkel looks deadlier than steyn when he bowls fuller.

 

[Haz95]

Ability wise Morkels deadlier than steyn. Too bad he lacks the aggression and killer instinct.

 

[Fastandfurious]

Hopefully, Imran bhai doesn't ruin the momentum here with his full tosses.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Sang a averaging 59 with the bat. Terrific batsman!

 

[Justcrazy]

Sanga gone

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Sanga gone. SA to win now.

 

[soso_killer]

JP gets Sanga, that dropped catch only cost 11 runs.
Lucky boy de Kock

 

[Justcrazy]

Duminy to Sangakkara, OUT, he stands, he chews his gum, he stares at the pitch. He just can't believe what he has done! Galle is silent

after they watch the worst ball Duminy would ever bowl turn the Test around. Rank long hop, should have been blasted through the off

side because there was so much width, but Sanga decides to pull and hits it straight to short midwicket.

 

[Aman]

Silly declaration from Amla.

Could have ground the Lankans into the dust and still have won with 20 overs to spare

 

[soso_killer]

Spinners are bowling well this morning better control by Tahir

 

[soso_killer]

Steyn back into the attack 30 minutes before lunch.
Fantastic captaincy Amla

 

[Justcrazy]

Styen into attack now , great decision here .

 

[Aman]

Good bowling change by

 

[Smbhayi]

3manne scores 12 ie 1 + 2 = 3..

 

[Justcrazy]

Thiru gone

 

[Justcrazy]

I suppose its over for lanka here.

 

[Justcrazy]

Matthews again has to resist here ....... this will be tough.

 

[soso_killer]

Original was out, morkel should get that

 

[soso_killer]

CHandimal gone, well bowled Morne

 

[Justcrazy]

six down .......

 

[cricket geek]

Sri Lanka 6 down and 2 sessions still left.

 

[soso_killer]

161/6. Lunch

 

[leatherface58]

Goes to show how rubbish the English test side is that lost to this Lankan side at home.

 

[desi_launda]

sanga is carrying this side along with matthews

 

[Haz95]

I really want SA to win here so the Amla haters can have humble pies. A target of 370 is huge and unless ur the 80s windies or 00s Aussies, you're not gonna make it 9.5/10.

 

[desi_launda]

I really want SA to win here so the Amla haters can have humble pies. A target of 370 is huge and unless ur the 80s windies or 00s Aussies, you're not gonna make it 9.5/10.

or you're facing the Indian bowling attack

 

[Glen77]

Amla haters are some of the no logic posters. Never in any other forums, I hace seen Amla hate. Understandable when people hate on KP, Kohli type of players but hating Dravid and Amla type of decent gentlemen reflects poorly on the individuals that hate on them.

 

[soso_killer]

Goes to show how rubbish the English test side is that lost to this Lankan side at home.

Or maybe South Africa are good?
This test is not won yet, but there is a reason why they have not lost away in over 8 years.
I don't think they get enough credit for that.
They are the best side in the world IMO

 

[leatherface58]

Or maybe South Africa are good?
This test is not won yet, but there is a reason why they have not lost away in over 8 years.
I don't think they get enough credit for that.
They are the best side in the world IMO

No kidding. They are probably the only side who can convincingly win in India right now. Even Aussies with super Mitch and Captain Clarke will be beaten as most of their players cannot play spin.

 

[Haz95]

or you're facing the Indian bowling attack

Haha where even #10s are casually making new records
[MENTION=132982]soso_killer[/MENTION] I would agree but losing to Aus at HOME is a real setback.

 

[Glen77]

Losing to Australia was not really a setback. SA haven't beat them in SA for a long time and Australia were in red hot form. It is like when Australia lost to Lara in 1999. They just lost to great batting from Warner. SA losing Kallis and now Smith is a set back though.

Edit-the lose to Australia could well have been a draw with a bit of luck/application from lower order. I thought it was a really close series.

 

[soso_killer]

Steyn has 4 in the 2nd innings.
He loves bowling in Asia a strike rate in the 30's in an era of phattas is unheard of

 

[Haz95]

Losing to Australia was not really a setback. SA haven't beat them in SA for a long time and Australia were in red hot form. It is like when Australia lost to Lara in 1999. They just lost to great batting from Warner. SA losing Kallis and now Smith is a set back though.

Edit-the lose to Australia could well have been a draw with a bit of luck/application from lower order. I thought it was a really close series.

True but he problem is is that its SAs home. In this era, everyones home ks a fortress

And dale steyn proving why he is not only the best in the world, but possibly of all time

 

[soso_killer]

Not really. South africa have beaten Australia in Australia twice. So it evens out.
Hence performances against everyone have to be taken into account. Australia have got some thrashings away from home. 5-0 in India and 3-0 in England. SA has a better win/loss ratio over the last 2 years than Australia never mind the away records.

 

[leatherface58]

The only reason people don't rate Steyn above some yesteryear greats is cause he is of this era. His performances in SC put him above 99.99% of the pacers. A proper legend.

 

[soso_killer]

True but he problem is is that its SAs home. In this era, everyones home is a fortress

And dale steyn proving why he is not only the best in the world, but possibly of all time

South Africa remains a fortress.
Either than losing to Australia every time, only one team has won a series in South Africa and that's England (since readmission).
Australia in that time period have lost to the Windies, England and SA.
England have lost to Australia, India, Sri Lanka and SA (Pakistan?).
India to Australia, SA, England (Pakistan?)

 

[soso_killer]

Herath is counter attacking here

 

[saajidrox]

Hearth gone

 

[Kiri]

SA are just a beastly team away. They are one THE best in my book. I have no shame in losing to them.

 

[saajidrox]

This might be the last wicket. Unless the injured Eranga comes to bat

 

[Aman]

SA are just a beastly team away. They are one THE best in my book. I have no shame in losing to them.

Everyone knows it, even the Aussies.

 

[Kiri]

Eranga probably might not. Chances of the last pair surviving another 50 overs is slim.

 

[Haz95]

Mathews is still fighting. This guys form is immense but I want Steyn to get a 10fer

 

[soso_killer]

Congrats South africa, good cricket. Encouraging to see the new faces playing a role in this match.

 

[Aman]

Good win for SA, this is a 2 match series right?

 

[MarkCooper]

South Africa are now the Number 1 test team in the ICC Rankings.

 

[Aman]

South Africa are now the Number 1 test team in the ICC Rankings.

The world is right again

 

[Kiri]

Congrats SA, you guys thoroughly outclassed SL

 

[SL_Fan]

Congrats Seth Africa. Having said that tho the ball tampering stuff really needs to be looked at seriously. It's cheating no two ways about it. A minor fine and naming and shaming is not going to stop them from doing it again clearly. I mean they have now been caught in the act twice within the space of a few months. That's just not right. There needs to be serious repercussions not just a slap on the wrist.

As for our guys apart from Sanga and Mathews rest have looked flat this whole tour. The fielding, batting and bowling have all been well below par. They have been playing non-stop cricket since Dec last year tho and that might be finally starting to taking it's toll.

 

[SL_Fan]

Good win for SA, this is a 2 match series right?

Yup 2 Tests.

 

[Kiri]

Yup 2 Tests.

SL aren't going to win the 2nd Test with the kind of middle order they have. Thirimanne and Chandimal are in god awful form in all formats.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Steyn's last 14 matches - 79 wickets at 18. He has been phenomenal.

 

[Fastandfurious]

Brilliant bowling by Steyn and Morkel, and I thought Amla captained this match thoughtfully and aggressively. Good signs for SA. Found replacement for ABCD in De Kock as a wicketkeeper and their batting lineup looks settled once again from 1-7 now.

 

[SL_Fan]

SL aren't going to win the 2nd Test with the kind of middle order they have. Thirimanne and Chandimal are in god awful form in all formats.

Yup no chance SA playing very good cricket atm.