1st Test: South Africa v Australia at Cape Town Nov 9-13, 2011

[Hallatia]

*sigh* play has officially been called off.

 

[beads6]

Epic knock from Clarke... Happy we batted first it wasn't the pitch they just bowled superbly. Our batsmen just didn't knuckle in but got some good bowling as well.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Lol Clarke Haters, eat that neanderthal pie.

Michael Clarke is looking better than me. Supreme batting.

That's not too hard.

Dave Warner is aswell. Still not too hard.

 

[aussies1st]

Looks like a brilliant knock by Clarke, that should shut up his critics however his time at 4 is well and truly over.

 

[beads6]

Looks like a brilliant knock by Clarke, that should shut up his critics however his time at 4 is well and truly over.

Agreed, he just bats well at 5. Doesn't make sense that he couldn't score runs at 4 though. SUPER KNOCK...

 

[hineyrulz]

Great knock by the captain, and at 5. The batting has failed once again with a little bit in the pitch. So can someone tell me why a suckhole like Langer is still in the set up?? Let alone being interviewed for the
Top job??? :crazy: our batting has been gash since the super suck came on board.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Great knock by the captain, and at 5. The batting has failed once again with a little bit in the pitch. So can someone tell me why a suckhole like Langer is still in the set up?? Let alone being interviewed for the
Top job??? :crazy: our batting has been gash since the super suck came on board.

wtf has happened to Haddin? He's going backwards at an alarming rate in a key position. It's like he's done the Alan Donald and forgotten how to bat

Ponting dead set needs to be dumped.

 

[Fast Eddie]

There must be a good younger keeper batsman coming through right? Haddins old, lost form with bat and was/is never a good keeper anyway.

 

[Eelsman18]

That is a great captain's knock!
Let's hope that Clarke and Siddle can get the total as close to 300 as possible, if not more.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

There must be a good younger keeper batsman coming through right? Haddins old, lost form with bat and was/is never a good keeper anyway.

Tim Paine for starters. Clarke stood up, still think he's a showpony but credit where it's due - hopefully the days of him coming out to bat and fiddling around for an hour trying to play himself in are over.

 

[TheParraboy]

There's some drizzle and they look likely to call stumps soon.
The good news is, early start tomorrow -7pm Sydney time, much better forecast for the rest of the test at any rate and we should get a result with time to spare judging by how this pitch is playing.

Yes, forecast seems pretty good next 4 days, so a result is a definate I would imagine.

Greak knock by Clarke. Got a brilliant and important half ton in the 1st test vs SL on a deck that was a bowlers paradise, and now this ton in another awkward time he came in. The captaincy looks to have matured him a lot

Test match is even stevens for mine. In fact I reckon we will destroy SAs batting. all out under 110 IMO

 

[Big Pete]

No more predictions!!!

This is going to be like MCG 08 all over again...

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Tim Paine for starters. Clarke stood up, still think he's a showpony but credit where it's due - hopefully the days of him coming out to bat and fiddling around for an hour trying to play himself in are over.

lol Tim Paine is average at best.

 

[aussies1st]

Wade has been killing it with the bat although sounds like his keeping needs work.

 

[Red Bear]

Tim Paine is just about the most over rated youngish player around (maybe Mitch Marsh).

But just about time to stick a fork in Haddin. I've been a big fan of him but his form has plummetted post world cup and at 34 only so long you can carry someone.

Punter is also done.

What a knock by Clarke though, good to see

 

[hineyrulz]

Wade>>>>>>>>>>>> pretty boy Paine.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Tim Paine is just about the most over rated youngish player around (maybe Mitch Marsh).

But just about time to stick a fork in Haddin. I've been a big fan of him but his form has plummetted post world cup and at 34 only so long you can carry someone.

Punter is also done.

What a knock by Clarke though, good to see

The worst part is that Paine is 26 and has been annointed a long term future. I hope we don't get stuck with him for 10 years :x

The problem with Haddin/Ponting is when do you dump them? After the SA series is ideal imo I don't rate the Indian team too highly and they would be better served playing a home summer first up I believe. They have become a terrible liability in the team.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

lol Tim Paine is average at best.

Notice I said for starters.

Anyone is better than Haddin.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

The worst part is that Paine is 26 and has been annointed a long term future. I hope we don't get stuck with him for 10 years :x

Hopefully the Tasmanian cartel that influenced team selections is over and Paine slide down the rankings. I can see Haddin with the gloves for another 2-3 years, unless one of the younger brigade does something that can't be ignored.

Or, Clarke is allowed to get his broom out and sweep away the dead wood.

The problem with Haddin/Ponting is when do you dump them? After the SA series is ideal imo I don't rate the Indian team too highly and they would be better served playing a home summer first up I believe. They have become a terrible liability in the team.

There will be runs galore in the India V Australia series and Ponting and Haddin will be amongst them. Ponting will no doubt be allowed to choose his time to go. As I said earlier, we'll probably be stuck with the anti-Gilchrist for 2 or 3 more years.

 

[Valheru]

The day definitely could have been worse for Australia. I am hoping Clarke and the tail can push the score past 250 which may be competitive given the pitch.