1st Test :: AUS defeated RSA by 162 runs @ Wanderers Stadium :: Feb 26-Mar 2

[Collingwood Storm]

McDonald isn't a bad alternative to a spinner if they think the conditions and pitch is going to help swing/seam bowlers and then provide variable bounce as the game goes on. If it's more of a flat pitch with not much help for the quicks than McGain is a must.

 

[lockyno1]

McDonald is no more than a part timer and if he can't bat 6- which he can't as North s..ts on him in terms of batting, he is not in the side.

 

[Tommy Smith]

Solid perfomance to close it out today.

pretty amazing victory when you think we had 3 players on debut , 1 player with one match and siddle who has played only a handful.

So , who's the number 1 team in the world again?

Umm, India.

 

[Twizzle]

Umm, India.

not even in the top two Tommy, they dont win enough away from home

http://icc-cricket.yahoo.com/rankings/rankings.html

 

[hineyrulz]

Great win by Australia, our best test win since India in 2004 IMO. Everyone bar Hussey contributing to the win. Good to see Siddle stick it up the Saffa's and rattle their cages. Bring on the next test!!!

 

[Tommy Smith]

not even in the top two Tommy, they dont win enough away from home

http://icc-cricket.yahoo.com/rankings/rankings.html

Im not talking about official rankings. According to the ICC rankings RSA were number one for a brief period a few years ago which was ridiculous. I recall Australia then beating them 5 nil or 5-1.

Australia are officially number one but IMO India are currently the best Test side in the world atm. They have the most balanced side with quite arguably the best batting line up, bowling line up and wicket-keeper.

 

[Twizzle]

and they can only win at home

not to mention a few of them will be hanging up the boots soon

 

[Big_Bad_Shark_Fan]

Paper doesnt mean anything.
I really think its up in the air between Aus, Saf, India and the next 12-24 months is there for anyone to take.

 

[simmo1]

They have enough runs already.

Said this after the third day when Australia were leading by 298 (or thereabouts).

I await my promotion to captain.

 

[Tommy Smith]

Paper doesnt mean anything.
I really think its up in the air between Aus, Saf, India and the next 12-24 months is there for anyone to take.

You're right, but whooping a team 2 nil does.

Australia had a great win in Jo'burg but let's see if they can back it up before everyone jumps back on the bandwagon. It wasn't that long ago that they went 6 live Tests (including 4 losses) without victory against both India and RSA. And that included 300 run, 150 odd run, 6 wicket and 9 wicket losses.

But now one win and they're the best again. If they win this series then you can say they're equal first with India.

 

[Y2Eel]

You're right, but whooping a team 2 nil does.

Australia had a great win in Jo'burg but let's see if they can back it up before everyone jumps back on the bandwagon. It wasn't that long ago that they went 6 live Tests (including 4 losses) without victory against both India and RSA. And that included 300 run, 150 odd run, 6 wicket and 9 wicket losses.

But now one win and they're the best again. If they win this series then you can say they're equal first with India.

2 Wins ;-)

 

[Tommy Smith]

Haha Fair enough.

I don't count dead rubbers!

 

[TheParraboy]

lol @ india no1 ranked test side

they got bent over by SL, and couldnt beat SA at home, they beat the poms , but so are the WI ,lol

over the last year SA have been n01 easily...unofficially of course ;-)

 

[Tommy Smith]

lol @ india no1 ranked test side

they got bent over by SL, and couldnt beat SA at home, they beat the poms , but so are the WI ,lol

over the last year SA have been n01 easily...unofficially of course ;-)

Yeah its difficult that isn't it;-)

The important thing though is that they raped Australia at home. Even the great Chappelli reckons India are no1 atm.

 

[Twizzle]

Yeah its difficult that isn't it;-)

The important thing though is that they raped Australia at home. Even the great Chappelli reckons India are no1 atm.

you mean their ex coach is patting himself on the back, funny that

 

[JJ]

you mean their ex coach is patting himself on the back, funny that

eh? Are you getting your Chappell bros mixed up?

 

[Twizzle]

I assumed he was talking about Greg Chappell

 

[Tommy Smith]

you mean their ex coach is patting himself on the back, funny that

I did say 'great'.

Ian Chappell is great. Greg's just a clown, even if he was a better batsman.

 

[Tommy Smith]

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/392791.html

He doesn't neccessarily say India are the best side in the world (unless you read between the lines) but he's right that a combined RSA-Aus-India team would contain 6 Indians.

 

[JJ]

I assumed he was talking about Greg Chappell

Chappelli was always Ian, no?

Both are clowns Tommy, Greg was the only greeat player though