Pakistan in South Africa

So the test series gets underway in an hour's time and it's a big day for Graeme Smith.  Not only is it his 100th test as captain (remarkable that!) , but it's his 32nd birthday as well.  He's been the skipper for 10 years now and as much as I've  criticised him over the years , he's still there and has an enviable record. That he averages almost 50 as an opener is amazing and 2nd only to Sehwag of modern players - and Sehwag has played most of his tests on those featherbeds in India.   Good luck to Smith , I just hope there are plenty at Wanderers to see him take the field today.
          As for the series (3 tests and any number of one dayers) I think Pakistan's attack will ask plenty more questions than NZ did , but their batting looks pretty fragile.  The visitors haven't much of a record in SA and I can't see them winning a test here. I'll be at Newlands on the 14th to see them up close and really hope they stretch the locals. Really looking forward to seeing the 7 footer in the nets as well - can't wait to get a cricked neck !

ah well, maybe not

I shudder to think what would have been said about England if they had lost 5 wickets for nothing to part time spinners

The possible reason for declaring was because of dodgy weather around Clobs. Joburg has had seriously heavy rain these past two weeks and there was some forecast for Sunday/Monday. Luckily it missed Wanderers and was wet further east.
            To the result though - fantastic bowling yet again by Dale Steyn - he's amazing!  He's matured so well and now thinks batsmen out , rather than just blasting them away. Wanderers always gives plenty fo work to the slip cordon/wicket keeper but 11 catches for AB was still something else!  Of course that equalled Jack Russell's effort back in 1995 - well done AB !  
          So SA continue to hammer all comers and I can't see any way back for Pakistan in this series.  I'll be at Newlands next week and SA's record here is really good. It'll be a good surface to bat on , the weather's been very hot and sunny for weeks now and will be next week as well.  Whilst Pakistan should make better scores , I still see SA making much bigger ones. It might go into the 5th day , but the home side still have too much firepower and will win again.

Younis Khan in my opinion one of the sub continents batsman who always comes up big in SA or Aus. Great technic and cool under pressure. Brilliant knock. If I was picking a subcontinent side (combined ) to face SA or Aus in these conditions Id pick him alongside Dravid as two must have batsmen