1st Test: South Africa v Australia at Centurion Feb 12-16, 2014

[JJ]

How does Vernon have an average of 18??

The same way McGrath averaged 20 or so - by being a very high quality bowler... FFS

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

So much for this Williamson dud being light years better than smith :lol: stupid kiwis

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

We all had a go at Cook for his negative captaincy but G. Smith has seriously been waiting for the new ball for about 15 overs. They have been in a holding pattern for about an hour not really trying to do much.

I mean its not Cook bad but they have been pretty flat.

Not only that but he brought the spinner on extremely early when we had Doolan on debut and Marsh who had terrible struggles the last time he was in the team and had his place in the team questioned, both relatively new at the crease. That was a shocking decision and really highlighted there is no killer mentality in Smith.

They may have got Doolan but Marsh is there at the end of the day. With 4 quicks that was inexcusable decision.

You can get away with that decision when your spinner is Shane Warne but there's no way Steve Waugh, Mark Taylor or Michael Clarke would bowl Peterson in that situation.

 

[TheParraboy]

the mediocre batting line up carving up vs the best bowling line up in their own back yard
dear oh dear


We need to go on with it and post 450 plus at the very least, 500 would be better. If all our bowlers replica what we did to the poms (unlikely), the South African wont know what hit them

great to have test cricket back


btw abc radio was covering the cricket, very nice tuning in to the last session snuggled up in bed with ear phones on of course

 

[TheParraboy]

Not only that but he brought the spinner on extremely early when we had Doolan on debut and Marsh who had terrible struggles the last time he was in the team and had his place in the team questioned, both relatively new at the crease. That was a shocking decision and really highlighted there is no killer mentality in Smith.

They may have got Doolan but Marsh is there at the end of the day. With 4 quicks that was inexcusable decision.

You can get away with that decision when your spinner is Shane Warne but there's no way Steve Waugh, Mark Taylor or Michael Clarke would bowl Peterson in that situation.

What about Ricky?

 

[hineyrulz]

The same way McGrath averaged 20 or so - by being a very high quality bowler... FFS

He looked pretty average once the ball stopped moving, his record is fantastic i know but his figures are flattered by playing in seaming conditions against sides who are too scared to attack him. He didn't do much out here last summer either, an unwell Steyn was still their most dangerous quick by far. Morkel also looked dangerous early but faded as the day went on.

 

[Twizzle]

gee as mush as we all bagged Marsh, me included, he batted well but apparently suffering a calf strain already.

big fan of Smiffy but even I never expected him to be this good, his recent form has been awesome

long way to go

 

[Meth]

I feel like I should front up, considering it was just a few days ago that I was talking Smith down. A very gritty innings against a quality attack, after coming in with Australia in a bit of discomfort.

 

[Meth]

And good to see Marsh go well to. I always like to see an Aussie that the Aussies bag go well.

 

[JW]

Pleasantly surprised to see Darsh still there at stumps after seeing him go past 50. Well played.

Meanwhile, Bunniesflog just can't take a trick at the moment.

 

[hineyrulz]

Pleasantly surprised to see Darsh still there at stumps after seeing him go past 50. Well played.

Meanwhile, Bunniesflog just can't take a trick at the moment.

:lol: Imagine the tears in Coffs when mummy got him out of bed this morning and he saw the news????

 

[El Diablo]

:lol: Imagine the tears in Coffs when mummy got him out of bed this morning and he saw the news????

happy days :lol:

 

[8Ball]

Watson likely to slot straight back into the team in the next test if Smarsh is injured too. Poor Hughesy.

 

[Twizzle]

Watson likely to slot straight back into the team in the next test if Smarsh is injured too. Poor Hughesy.

could be poor Doolan and Marsh stays at 3

 

[age.s]

I'm happy for Marsh, but I'm still not sold. He's always had a fantastic innings in him, it's a question of whether he has the mental application to do it consistently.

That said he's done far better than I thought he would. Fully expected him to fall for single figures so all credit to him. Hope to see him doing it more regularly rather than just when he feels like it.

Smith is just awesome. So happy he's come on well.

 

[hineyrulz]

Darsh can Pizza, and Darsh can french fry!!!


The Darsh will go on and dominate world cricket.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Didn't they select Marsh on a gut feel?

And even if he's done his job, they can flick him for 2nd test, or if injured replace him, or keep him depending on their gut again.

LOL.

 

[The Charlatan]

Fair play to Darsh, well hit ton. Smiffy starting to look like that batsman the team goes to when they need the game pulled from the fire. Hopefully they kick on day 2 and we can post 400+.

 

[HevyDevy]

And good to see Marsh go well to. I always like to see an Aussie that the Aussies bag go well.

I always like seeing an Aussie who isn't particularly good still manage to score a 100 against the world's top ranked team. Bodes well for the series.

No doubt Smith has played a higher quality innings but good to see Marsh dig in despite looking awful when he first came to the crease.

 

[BunniesMan]

Very happy to be proven wrong by Marsh. He did not deserve his selection. But I'm glad he led our fightback and put us in a very good position. Hope he gets many more hundreds.

At this stage all indications suggest Hughes will only return as an opener when Rogers retires.