The Official Cricket Thread

[Jairzinho]

I'm guessing South Africa won't bother batting beyond lunch with a bit of rain forecast for the last day.

[A_S]

It's actually a cracking series so far. Some quality batting and bowling from both sides, as well as periods where both teams have enjoyed utter dominance.

 

South Africa in the box seat here but the rain forecast for Monday is a spanner in the works. Parnell not being able to bowl doesn't help either. Personally though, if Steyn, Philander and Morkel bowl like the first innings and they hold some catches Australia won't get near the total even as it stands. That was fast bowling at its best, especially Morkel. If that guy had as much cunt in him as Mitch Johnson, he'd be fucking fearsome. By all accounts he is too nice though!

 

Great chance for Australia's top order to stand up as a group and perform in what will be a crucial start to the Aussie innings.

[Yozzer]

Amla and his glorious beard brings up his hundred, some brilliant stroke play from him in this innings.

 

Really enjoying this series, great to see two teams go at each other with  aggressive bowling from Morkel, Steyn and Johnson mixed in with some brilliant counter attacking batting. All set up nicely for the very last game if SA win this.

[A_S]

Fantastic start by Warner and especially Rogers, then e rest of them collapse like a house of cards in a hurricane. Hanging on for dear life and praying for rain tomorrow.

 

Fuck me, it has been a stressful last couple of hours viewing on the telly!!

[Navman]

Good Australia lost

 

Enough of this garbage that this is a good Aussie team (and Lehman is good)

 

Steyn also put Johnson in his fucking box with that spell

 

Steyn average of 22 takes some beating

 

Note to A Cook - watch AB first innings on how to grow some balls and face upto Australia.

 

 

Wish Australia bought Patrick Cummins on this series as he is ace.

 

This Cape Town will be a seaming wicket so think SA (minus Parnell) are favourites

 

 

Special mention to the SL legend umpire who seemed to extend play for no apparent reason

[A_S]

6 LBWs in an innings. Fucking 6. 2 of them were maybe clipping leg stump and one was off an inside edge, yet as the system stands all this is allowed to pass so the umpires don't feel bad. Fuck sake.

 

All the batsmen save for the openers were embarrassing. The least they could have done was shown some guys and forced a 5th day. Pathetic.

[Yozzer]

I think Steyn's glare during his thunderous spells would finish me off whilst batting.

[Jairzinho]

He's different class that lad. Best quick bowler of this generation by a country fucking mile.

[Red Banjo]

He's different class that lad. Best quick bowler of this generation by a country fucking mile.

 

Truth. He literally never seems to have an off day. Absolutely brilliant.

 

He, Morkel and Philander are about as good bowling attack as there has been in the past 20 years.

[Jairzinho]

If they had a half decent spinner they'd win every series for the next three years.

[A_S]

If they had a half decent spinner they'd win every series for the next three years.

 

Honestly, Duminy did fairly well with his off-breaks and they showed him bowling a while back and he has definitely changed his action somewhat, so it would appear he is taking the bowling part of his game more seriously, given they don't have a reliable spinner and he can obviously bat too. Elgar offered yet more variety with his SLA. Again, far from the worst.

 

For me, the one that would genuinely complete their attack is Parnell. He shows glimpses but is still a bit erratic at times. But given the support he has around him, they should be able to absorb some of his loose stuff as his good stuff is really good.

 

What was said about Steyn though, the guy is fucking awesome. He does have off spells occasionally but rarely do you see him have an off day and almost never on off Test. Did fuck all with the new ball yesterday, came back with a much older ball and got the cunt reversing like a mofo. I think even strong batting line ups would struggle with that kind of bowling, let alone one as flaky as Australia, especially with a struggling Clarke.

 

For all that, each team has enjoyed a 200+ run victory in this series thus far. Nicely set up for the 3rd Test. Unfortuntately, SA will be favourites given they are both at home and the most recent victors in this series.

[lifetime fan]

So Kirsten has ruled himself out but revealed the ECB haven't even approached him despite them insisting it'll be a thorough and full process to replace Flower.

 

Bollocks is it, they're just hoping for a half decent showing in the Windies to announce Giro.

[s(k)aturation]

 

For all that, each team has enjoyed a 200+ run victory in this series thus far. Nicely set up for the 3rd Test. Unfortuntately, SA will be favourites given they are both at home and the most recent victors in this series.

 

It's 1-1.

Australia can most definitely still win the series.

[Jairzinho]

Softest. Aussies. Ever.

[s(k)aturation]

Softest. Aussies. Ever.

 

Jairz, you're too young to remember some bad old days methinks.

 

My point is, I don't think the First Test result can be passed off as an accident, and the Second Test result be taken as gospel.

 

I could be wrong, and we'll find out soon enough.

 

I can't wait. I love Cape Town Tests.

[A_S]

Jairz, you're too young to remember some bad old days methinks.

 

My point is, I don't think the First Test result can be passed off as an accident, and the Second Test result be taken as gospel.

 

I could be wrong, and we'll find out soon enough.

 

I can't wait. I love Cape Town Tests.

 

Yeah, as I said earlier, both have dominated a Test each. However, I think by virtue of the fact that this is in South Africa, they will be very confident of winning this last Test. It has been a great series to watch though, love playing the Saffers.

[s(k)aturation]

Yeah, as I said earlier, both have dominated a Test each. However, I think by virtue of the fact that this is in South Africa, they will be very confident of winning this last Test. It has been a great series to watch though, love playing the Saffers.

 

I'm sure they'll be confident and have every reason to be.

Doesn't mean we can't win though.

Might come down to who bats first and makes a score.

Or which of Johnson, Steyn etc puts in a devastating first innings spell.

 

Intrigue.

[Jose Jones]

Australia always seem to play pretty well against the Saffers - apart from the odd 47 all out collapse. 

I wouldn't be surprised to see them nick the series.

JP Duminy is the other way round.  He must average about 70 versus the Aussies and about 12 against everyone else.

[Vincent Vega]

Why is this not a five match series? It's the same when South Africa play England, we're lucky if we get a four match series. Test series against the very best nations should be over five matches. Too much focus on one day and T20 bollocks because there might be an extra 10,000 on the gate, but nothing compares with test cricket as a test of the players and the ICC should grow some bollocks and prioritise and preserve the longer format.

[Jairzinho]

Jairz, you're too young to remember some bad old days methinks.

 

My point is, I don't think the First Test result can be passed off as an accident, and the Second Test result be taken as gospel.

 

I could be wrong, and we'll find out soon enough.

 

I can't wait. I love Cape Town Tests.

 

That was my fucking point!

 

It's 1-1 with one to play, I'd expect a little more confidence from Aussies, a little more bravado.

[RobbieOR]

Why is this not a five match series? It's the same when South Africa play England, we're lucky if we get a four match series. Test series against the very best nations should be over five matches. Too much focus on one day and T20 bollocks because there might be an extra 10,000 on the gate, but nothing compares with test cricket as a test of the players and the ICC should grow some bollocks and prioritise and preserve the longer format.

 

It's because of the T20 world cup Id say.

 

That and Australia are just off the back of a 5 match Ashes series.

[s(k)aturation]

That was my fucking point!

 

It's 1-1 with one to play, I'd expect a little more confidence from Aussies, a little more bravado.

 

Ah yes, but you well know I'm slow on the uptake, Jairz.

 

And a shrinking Aussie violet.

[AJBlaikie]

Why is this not a five match series? It's the same when South Africa play England, we're lucky if we get a four match series. Test series against the very best nations should be over five matches. Too much focus on one day and T20 bollocks because there might be an extra 10,000 on the gate, but nothing compares with test cricket as a test of the players and the ICC should grow some bollocks and prioritise and preserve the longer format.

 

Isn't there some daft rule that says countries can only play 5 match series if the series is classed as legendary? I could be some complete bollocks but that what the ICC specialise in. More test please.

 

Kohli has hit another 100+ in a winning chase. He is in some unreal form at the moment and with this ton has now equalled Lara record of 19 hundreds of which 13 have come in chases and only one was a failed chase.

[lifetime fan]

Jonathan Trott is set to make his comeback for Warwickshire in April and is determined to force his way back into the England team.

The batsman, 32, left England's Ashes tour with a stress-related illness.

But Dennis Amiss, chairman of Trott's Warwickshire benefit committee, said the player will face Gloucestershire in a friendly and is "raring to go".

"He's still very hungry," said Amiss. "He wants to continue succeeding both for Warwickshire and for England."

Trott, who has scored 3,763 runs in 49 Tests for England at an average of 46.95, has been granted time for a family holiday while Warwickshire are on their pre-season tour in Barbados.

But he will join up with the squad on their return and has been earmarked to play against Gloucestershire at Edgbaston on 1 and 2 April, in the first-class match against Oxford University from 7 April and the Bears' County Championship opener against Sussex from 13 April.

Former England batsman Amiss, who was Warwickshire chief executive when Trott joined the county from South Africa in 2002, has spent time with the player recently and is encouraged by his state of mind.

"He's doing very well," Amiss added. "He's had a great rest, which is very important, and he is raring to go again.

"Cricket is his passion and I believe he has qualities, as we've seen, to be able to score a mass of runs for Warwickshire to get himself back into the England side and regain his position."

Trott, who scored a century on his England debut in the 2009 Ashes against Australia, has not spoken publically since he left England's disastrous Ashes tour on 25 November, stating: "I don't think it is right that I'm playing knowing that I'm not 100%."

Amiss added: "I think it was essentially burnout. The England & Wales Cricket Board has helped him while he has been back. Everybody has given him a lot of help. Rest has been the most important thing."

Trott, who has a one-day average of 51.25 from 68 matches, is understood to have held talks with England & Wales Cricket Board managing director Paul Downton.

England's first home fixture of the summer is a one-day match against Sri Lanka on 20 May.

[Yozzer]

England have made a decent start to the game, Joe Root doing a good job opening the bowling.