Who will win SA vs AUS 2005/06??!!

South Africa's chances in the test series (all those ODI's are ridiculous and I'm not commenting on those) will depend a great deal on their use of the new ball. First up , Ntini needs to bowl fuller and straighter or he'll go for plenty. Pollock has lost his zip and could well lose the 1st use in favour of Nel or Steyn (good prospect this lad , sharp too!). If the Aussies get off to a flier they'll make big totals and the South Africans will be under pressure from the start. That will mean Smith having to score big , along with Kallis. Gibbs at 4 hasn't quite settled on a gameplan just yet - he seems to have fallen between two stools. His natural aggression seemingly held back for a more controlled approach . I like him at 4 though and maybe Micky Arthur will remove the shackles and we'll see the old Herchelle again.

It'll be good cricket , but I suspect the Aussies will be really fired up after their Ashes disaster. Warne will be crucial and if McGrath keeps fit I think they'll be a little too strong. It's a first visit to Aussie for a number of the South Africans and they'll quickly learn what a hostile crowd is really like!

I'm glad they're playing at the WACA , something denied SA in the past (Donald was the reason they backed off). That's probably SA's best chance of a win out there - they will lose in Sydney and Melbourne looks drawish to me. So 1-1 is very possible , if not I'll go Aussie 1-0.

At home the South Africans have a decent chance, I just hope the locals get out there and support them! (Cape Town excepted , the crowds have been very poor for some time now). Late in the season , we could see bad light rearing it's ugly head again in Durban , which suggests a draw there. Newlands always favours batting , good weather and big totals - another draw perhaps? They got slaughtered there the last time the Aussies visited , Gilchrist a blazing 140 .But the gap between the teams has definitely closed. On the highveld any result is possible and I suspect the Aussies will fancy their chances there. It should be close , but I worry about the South Africans getting the 20 wickets.

All in all I'll go with Aussie 1-0 with two high scoring draws.

Sorry for being a touch negative Superbokkie , but until they take the field I have no idea how Micky Arthur wants the lads to play. He was a cautious player himself , will he be the same as coach?

Originally posted by flipper Love to see SA take this one, should be another tight series.

If they do Flipper , we'll never hear of John Buchanan ever again!!

Originally posted by saadadvanced7 don think that SA should be a chalange at all for australia.

Don't write off South Africa Saad , they might not win the series , but they'll fight until they drop! Graeme Smith is one tough cookie and has a real hard unit behind him. If the Aussies haven't recovered from their Pommie bashing they could disappear without trace!

I can update you saadadvanced7 on South Africa's progress. 2003/04 must rate as South Africa's worst ever season since readmission to international cricket. They lost 10 ODIs on the trot, dropped to 6th in the test ratings and looked for all intents and purposes, history.

However, they bounced back well in 2005/06. They did lose 1-2 to England at home, but the deciding session of the series was one afternoon of madness when SA went for the win instead of the draw, and lost all 10 wickets. They really should have drawn 1-1. And to think that this same English team then went and beat Australia 2-1! South Africa followed that up with 9 consecutive ODI wins, a thumping test series win over West Indies in West Indies (and Zimbabwe but that doesn't count).

So, SA are on the comeback, and looking good to at least challenge Australia. Maybe the Aussies will thrash them, but I somehow think it will be close.

If south africa are not even capable of beating england, how do you expect them to beat australia. and even though australia just lost the ashes series, they are still the number 1 side in the world so u can't underestimate them just because they lost one series.

I like your attitude Sledger. I know I'm being patriotic when I say I think SA will win. But whereas last time SA were coming off the Hansie debacle and Australia were arguably the best team on the planet in 40 years, this time Australia look vulnerable.

I think the biggest key, the key to unlock all doors for South Africa ... is the fitness of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. If they miss matches ... go SOUTH AFRICA!

And might I add, plan for a little grey weather in the final match when you're already up in the series, aye Sledger?

Originally posted by Superbokkie And might I add, plan for a little grey weather in the final match when you're already up in the series, aye Sledger?

It can't be unhelpful Bokkie ! But after Pietersen's blitz , if time hadn't been lost, I'd have fancied us to knock 'em over for a 3-1 win mate!

Edited by Sledger

Originally posted by saadadvanced7 well as i already mentioned i haven't been keeping up with any of the SA matches for 5 years.so can u go easy on the criticism.

I'd be happy to , but you mustn't make statements that are inflammatory (SA not be able to beat even England!) - give your opinion , but with a little more care.

South Africa to win the 20:20 as they have a domestic competition whereas the Australians I believe don't.

Originally posted by Sledger Don't bet on it though JP - the 50 over game is boring , 20/20 is plain silly !

Don't worry, I never bet on cricket

australia are back in form, they jus white washed world 11 so they have momentum and i think that SA will have some trouble dealing with australia.

Originally posted by surenj Australia's batting has been pretty dodgey for a while now, .........I think South Africa have a good chance, but it will depend on whether the Aussies can find form in the three tests against the Windies

Not sure if their batting is that dodgy Surenj , England's bowling was just too good.

The Aussies won't need much form to take The Windies. Their bowling is distinctly average and their batting so inconsistent. I can't see Australia drawing any of the tests , nevermind losing one....

australia can't bat against an england bowling attack!!!??? then how come they can bat against a world 11 bowling attack. i agree that england won the ashes because their bowling was amazing but they also won because some of the australian players such as mathew hayden and adam gilchrist were out of form and they didn't contribute to the australian team very much. now that gilchrist and hayden are back in form, look at how the australian team is performing, they have white washed the world 11 in the ODI series and are winning the test right now. so australia can bat and they can bat really well, so they already have momentum going into the series against SA and i think they should perform good but SA is a very good side and they got young talent.

Edited by saadadvanced7

If I can add my say ... from what I have been seeing of the World XI vs Australia series, I have this to say about the South Africa vs Australia series...

For South Africa to win, they need:
a) to win the tosses in all three games, most importantly to win the toss and bat first at Sydney.
b) Pollock to find form with the ball
c) Nel, Ntini and Kallis to find the form to back up Pollock in the way that the English backed up Flintoff
d) The batsmen, particularly Smith and Kallis, to be in their hundred scoring form
e) Preferrably one or both of McGrath and Warne to be injured for at least one or two of the matches.

Quite a lengthy list of requirements, but that said, McGrath and Warne are old...