South Africa in Australia (2012)

Firstly, I'd like to congratulate the Proteas on a series win. To win a series in Austarlia is never easy and this series certainly was hard fought. In the end, it was South Africa who won the crucial moments.

Having said that, this tour also highlighted a few areas of concern. The main concern is the bowling which was pretty ordinary in the first two tests. I know the wickets were flat and Clarke and Hussey batted really well but this attack, particularly that of the pacemen is supposed to be the best in the world. In my view, the true test of how good a bowling attack is, is how they perform on batting friendly tracks. At the very least, they should be able to control the run rate, something which did not happen in Adelaide in particular. The only bowler who was consistent throughout the series was Morkel, although Steyn and Philander did bowl superbly at Perth. To say Tahir was terrible would be an understatement which was such a pity given that he was initially supposed to be South Africa's answer to an attacking spin bowler. Robbie P bowled well in his only test, but there is still some way to go.

The batting generally was good. du Plessis played one of the best match saving innings you will ever see, particularly from a debutatant. Amla continued his good form from England and de Villiers played a vital role in saving the test in Adelaide and the victory in Perth not forgetting his contribution as a wicket-keeper. The only concerns would be that of the number six position, with both Rudolph and Elgar hardly contributing, but with the return of Duminy the batting lineup looks strong.





Edited by vize - 06 December 2012 at 7:25pm

South Africa confirm their status as the best side on the planet with a fine win in the final test. Behind the 8 ball in the 1st two tests , they sent Australia packing in quick time to win by a huge margin of over 300 runs.  Amla and a returning to devasting form , de Villiers scored big hundreds 2nd time around to leave Australia reeling.  No dream conclusion to his career for Ricky Ponting as he failed yet again with all the SA bowlers contributing to the big win.
                 So SA go unbeaten throughout 2012 - and all away from home - fantastic effort and they'll take some beating on current form.
                  Not all doom and gloom for Australia - Clarke's form has been extraordinary and the bowling is coming on leaps and bounds. 10 tests against England next year will show exactly where they are.

by the way saw a funny quote/stat by someone "Only the third time in the history of Test cricket that all 10 wickets have fallen to the same first name, after those two pals of mine, Jim and Anil"

Lyon took a great catch to see Smith's back, now SA 206 for 2 in second innings with a lead of 268. Amla blazing all guns right from the start.This is just Day 2 and 12 overs to go.

I'm not feeling well today so I can't write much, will just say well done RSA, this is why they are the No.1 side in the world and this is why I think they'll stay there for a long time!!! 

Tough task for RSA, although AB and Faf are there and Kallis to come it looks way too difficult a task to bat out the entire day tomorrow, RSA have played poorly though, they'll have to win at Perth to hang on to that No.1 ranking, and they will be going there without Kallis.

Aussies set 430 to win for SA. Pattinson and Hilfy were having fun of SA bowling attack, Clarke should have extended it. 

At 55-3 Aus were reeling, then two big partnership take them to 481 for 4, experts say this could be a run fest at both the ends. 

Honestly Sam no matter how good you are its always difficult to comeback in the game while 700 runs in on the board plus i really don't think its a flat pitch if you bowl well you will get rewards. I am sure once Australia comes on to bowl it will look a very different pitch.

Anyone 400 for Clarke?

Edited by mystery - 22 November 2012 at 7:26pm

Australia are back and back in a BIG way !!!   It's been a long time since I've seen an attack dismantled throughout 2 and a half sessions !  That the attack is South Africa's makes todays effort all the more extraordinary.  Steyn was okay without really threatening , Kallis was excellent before breaking down , but Morkel and Tahir got the hammering of their careers!
    At the close of play Australia had taken the total to 482-5 when Hussey was out to Steyn 0 a run rate of 5.5 per over!!   This was achieved after floundering at 55-3 !   That wicket of Ponting was a serious error by the visitors because it brought the magician that is Michael Clarke to the wicket.  He must be seeing that ball like a football becuase he caned all bowlers from ball one , recording his 4TH double century of the year - something that's NEVER been done in test cricket before !!  His strokeplay was out of the top drawer and I have to say he's now approaching one of the classiest batsman I've evr seen - truly brilliant!  Strokes all around the wicket , my personal favourite being his inside out drive through the covers - a thing of real beauty.    Not to be outdone , Warner and Hussey also completed their centuries in double quick time too - it really was a slaughter out there!    The pitch is a belter and I'm not saying SA are dead and buried yet , but it's looking like 700 and Kallis won't bowl again. Even Steyn went off with a pulled hamstring , but did come back in the afternoon.   Clarke is still there and a triple century cannot be discounted.  Tahir won't sleep tonight and Morkel will toss and turn as well!
                  I'llbe up at 2am tomorrow - watching Clarke bat is as good as it gets - imagine if they'd made him captain 3 years ago , England wouldn't have won 2 Ashes series !!


Edited by Sledger - 22 November 2012 at 12:07pm

Right at this moment, as in very, very recent performances, I rate Sanga and Clarke. IN terms of the last 12 months I dare say Amla is no.1.

Why are you directly comparing him to Amla? I never said he was performing better than Amla, all I said was that he is in the top 5 and you can't mention top batsmen without mentioning him. You'd especially mention him before Kohli...

They can pick a 4th seamer, but he needs to be quality. Kleinveldt was barely hitting 130kph at times, looks so out of shape and was bowling a lot of no balls. I don't know if it was nerves or that he simply is not good enough. Philander and Morkel can both bat, so have them at 8 and 9 - SA has good batting depth in their top 7, especially with AB keeping rather than a keeper-batsman.

Also Sam, you're living under a rock if you haven't seen Kumar in tests lately and adjudged him to be right up there! In his last three tests against Pakistan he scored 192, 199no and 74! C'mon Sam, where are you hiding!?

Edited by Mikey - 15 November 2012 at 3:06am

I really don't know what special Sanga has done, I do watch SLN cricket but may be I just didn't notice, I really was surprised when he got the player of the year award, I know he is good but I haven't noticed him as much as I have noticed Hashim, Kohli and Clarke. As for Kallis, he is always there, a true legend.

Edited by sam_ahmed - 14 November 2012 at 5:30pm

Originally posted by sam_ahmed The thing is Mikey that these days every time you see Hashim Amla or Virat Kohli go out there to bat you'd expect them to get a hundred, such has been their consistency, I'm talking about both ODI's and Tests, clarke hasn't done that well in ODI's as much as he has done in test matches. But anyways I agree, Clarke, Hashim and Virat all of them are pretty much at par at the moment. I won't cpunt Sanga in the same tier, I don't know, I really don't think he has been that consistent.

Yes Sam but i guess than the same situation is for Kohli too he has done nothing in Test so solo on Odi's cant be good enough that is why -

Amla/Kallis for me are the top 2 players i would want to see they pick in any team and really Kallis is not a single player he is 2in1 be it 1 over match or 100 still Kallis would be good enough. Honestly people say there wont be another Bradman but really if anyone can get half of what Kallis has done he should be given a special award -