Australia Vs South Africa

South Africa take on the mighty Aussies (not so mighty anymore) in their own backyard tonight and it should be a very competitive series, seeing as they are the top 2 ranked team in world cricket.  Nevertheless, SA has a history of choking against the Aussies.

So, Ricky Ponting wins the toss and decided to bat.  Both teams have the same balance really, 6 batsmen, wicket keeper, spinner and the 3 prong pace attack.

3 wickets down and Hussey who's normally so reliable for the Aussies has quacked and now the Australians are under real pressure. Katich and Clarke at the crease with both Steyn and Ntini looking to really rip through this batting lineup.

Edited by The Tyke - 17 December 2008 at 3:08am

That's what I like to hear.

Gutsy stuff from Katich and Clarke to take the home side through to lunch with the total on 74-3. Wonderful start by the visitors and some fine slipping by AB - they look really up for this.
        Anyone had a bet on Ponting and Hussey going without troubling the scorers ?  Funny ole game isn't it !

299 for 7 now, which Australia will be relatively happy about I would imagine.

It could have been better if Symonds, having got well set, hadn't allowed his ego to get the better of him - having seen Haddin just hit a big 6 he just had to show what he could do, and duly holed out.

Haddin is gone now too but Lee is going well.

Terrific day's play and I expect much of the same tomorrow. SA need to knock over that last stick quickly and then get stuck into Smith and company. It's a good pitch and there's little margin for error for the bowlers - they'll be plenty of boundaries tomorrow , if they stray.

Lunch on day 2 and SA have lost McKenzie early and are 26-1. Worse still  for the visitors , the last pair for Australia took them to 375 before Ntini had Siddle nick one behind. But that was not before he'd scored 23 and Krejza was left unbeaten on 30.
         The pitch is a good one , little movement off the pitch and no noticeable swing either.  The total's not that imposing and SA have made some big totals on wickets considerably worse than this one in the last couple of years. It wasn't the Aussies bowling though and Ponting and company will still feel they can take a 1st innings lead.  That the Aussie tail all made runs should encourage the visitors - plenty of time because of the Aussie scoring rate , the SA batsmen can get in , play risk-free cricket and look to get past 400.  I've a funny feeling that we might see a return to form of Kallis.

Yes Bondy , that was a much needed wicket , he was playing very nicely. Quickly followed by Smith , out playing an expansive drive that he could only drag on.  Good match in the offing !

     150-3 at tea with Kallis 28*  De Villiers 16*


Edited by Sledger - 18 December 2008 at 7:15am

I'm still out on Johnson. His control is questionable and he seems to take wickets with poor deliveries.  I suppose it's the results that count and he always seems to have decent numbers in the wickets column.
     172-3 and going nicely are the visitors.  Maybe Fletcher's work with Kallis is bearing fruit.

I didn't realise quite how poor SA's record against the Aussies is. Just 2 test wins since 1996. I imagine that they would be pretty happy if they managed a series win in the next year or few.

They look pretty well matched at the moment and it wouldn't surprise me if they produced at least one classic to match the drama in India this week. Pity they're only playing 3 Tests really, particularly as they're finding time for 2 2020s and 5 ODIs.

I'm looking forward to it too. Australia in SA will be a fascinating contest.

Johnson gets the break-through and has a close shout on Duminy with his first ball at the crease. The ball to dismiss McKenzie was an absolute beaut!! Well taken by Haddin too.

Another wicket here and Australia are on top as I don't see the SA tail contributing in the same way the Australian's did.

 Some turnaround here after the South Africans were cruising. AB and Kallis gone to that man Johnson , who now has 4 wickets!

      237-5 with 5 overs left in the day .    Class act , Johnson ! 

Glove or not mate , another's gone!  7 down now and it's that man Johnson again !   Just look how fast a test can turn around , the visitors must be stunned.

Originally posted by Sledger It's effectively 6 tests BP - they play three here in SA from February onwards.

Excellent, really pleased to hear that. It's like us and the Kiwis this year. It's actually a really good model for planning series'.

Looks like we're in for some good stuff this winter.

Stunning turnaround from Johnson this morning...