Cricket in South Africa February-March 2014

[drron]

Well the Proteas didn't start well at 2 for 11 but now moving along to 76 with no further wicket.

 

[turtlemichael]

Even first day. Slow play on an ordinary unhelpful pitch. The Aussies made the most of their chances. At this point I'd favour the Proteas a little as it might be a funny pitch to bat on last.

 

[JohnK]

Is there a prize for the fastest run rate?

 

[serfty]

This thread's slowed down a little - I wander what sort of reception reverse-swing Warner will get Tomorrow night ...

 

[Rallo]

This thread's slowed down a little - I wander what sort of reception reverse-swing Warner will get Tonight ...

Unless his team mates dislike him quite a warm one , the match starts tomorrow.

I do wish he would shut up though!

 

[turtlemichael]

Great atmosphere in the city for the Test. Everyone (well almost everyone) hates the Aussie cricketers - Warner in particular and Johnson and Clarke and..... There has been a bit of rain today (Friday) and the possibility of showers over the next few days. It promises to be a great Test.

 

[Warks]

Some stats to ponder - Aus have beaten SA 3-2 in the Tests at Newlands since readmission but SA have won 8 and drawn 2 of the last 10 Tests played there. Our last Test there was the infamous 47. Still we did come back and win the next Test after that to draw the series.
Stats: 8-0 to South Africa in the last ten Newlands Tests | Cricket News | South Africa v Australia | ESPN Cricinfo
Note the team batting first usually loses. Which means SA have batted second nearly every time.

In any case it's not likely to be a draw.

 

[docjames]

Note that "traditionally" (local opinion) is that when the suns out and winds light, it's a great batting wicket, but it can seam like crazy when the clouds roll in.

So 2/350 or 10/50 are possible scores.....

 

[turtlemichael]

Well the early morning on match day is bright, sunny and no wind and predicted top is 25C. Tomorrow is said to be cloudy showers/rain are forecast for late in the afternoon.

 

[JohnK]

This thread's slowed down a little - I wander what sort of reception reverse-swing Warner will get Tomorrow night ...

After our crash back to down to earth? Good cricketing lesson for the one man cricket team. They need some more lessons in humility.

Good start in this test though.

 

[QF WP]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Warner just scored a century and Australia 2/158. Clarke on 8. Brilliant start on Day 1

 

[turtlemichael]

Great first day at a beautiful ground in the shadows of Table Mountain. More hard work needed tomorrow. The pitch was placid which made it a good toss to win but Warner and Clarke were superb.

 

[QF WP]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Went to bed hoping the Aussies wouldn't crumble after such a good start on Day 1. Woke up and checked cricinfo and YES!!! 3/331 with Warner scoring 135, Clarke unbeaten on 92 and Smith 50. Nice one

 

[Major]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Went to bed hoping the Aussies wouldn't crumble after such a good start on Day 1. Woke up and checked cricinfo and YES!!! 3/331 with Warner scoring 135, Clarke unbeaten on 92 and Smith 50. Nice one

Yes...I was pleasantly surprised as well. This should set them up for a big lead in the 1st innings

 

[Shelf]

Great first day!

The highlights of Morkel's spell to Clarke were super.

 

[Rallo]

Great first day!

The highlights of Morkel's spell to Clarke were super.

If anyone wants to see courage view the full highlights (not the snippets on the news) of Michael Clarke getting hit by Morkel it was true courage to stay on and bat,this wil be one of if not his best centuries yet.

 

[Warks]

Yes it will be interesting to see if MJ can give SA some chin music the same way that Morkel has given Clarke. Pretty gutsy stuff and he didn't lose his wicket. Good to see Warner get another ton. People still say he's just a T20 slogger but he has 7 Test centuries, quite a few more than some other fancied players. Commentators have noted that when Smith dried up the boundaries he kept scoring at a run a ball average with 1s, 2s and 3s. The sign of more than a slogger. So what if he shoots his mouth off now and again - the game needs 'characters' who can back up the talk.

If Smith and Clarke can go on Australia should be able to get 500 plus and put SA out of a win. Not to say they couldn't draw it though as they have two of the best batsmen around in ABDV and Amla.

 

[turtlemichael]

Yes it will be interesting to see if MJ can give SA some chin music the same way that Morkel has given Clarke. Pretty gutsy stuff and he didn't lose his wicket. Good to see Warner get another ton. People still say he's just a T20 slogger but he has 7 Test centuries, quite a few more than some other fancied players. Commentators have noted that when Smith dried up the boundaries he kept scoring at a run a ball average with 1s, 2s and 3s. The sign of more than a slogger. So what if he shoots his mouth off now and again - the game needs 'characters' who can back up the talk.

If Smith and Clarke can go on Australia should be able to get 500 plus and put SA out of a win. Not to say they couldn't draw it though as they have two of the best batsmen around in ABDV and Amla.

I've been a critic of Warner too but yesterday's innings was mature, near chanceless and will long live in my memory. Clarke was unbelievable. He took everything. If he gets a century this morning it will be one of the great ones. The morning has started cloudy and rain is forecast for late in the day. I'd think that a bit less than 500 is needed and it will be a lot harder batting today. Pattinson, Harris and Mitchell might be very interesting. The pitch is uneven in bounce already so I'm looking forward to as great a day of cricket as yesterday. Chin music indeed.

 

[drron]

But just remember 2011.Australia led by 188 on the first innings.Still lost by 8 wickets.Siddle and Lyon being the only 2 to reach double figures.All out for 47 after being 9 for 21.
1st Test: South Africa v Australia at Cape Town, Nov 9-11, 2011 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[turtlemichael]

I'm hoping Australia has had their 9 for 20 something moment in Port Elizabeth.