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

[Buzzard Breath]

Good innings by Marsh and support from Steve Smith. I bet Graeme Smith now wishes he batted first.

 

[Scott]

Great effort from Marsh & Smith. Will be a big first session on day 2. still a lot of hard work to be done.

My thoughts on Clarke moving down a spot are that it is a bit gutless to be frank. He should have stayed at #4. If Marsh had of failed, he would have looked silly, but Marsh didn't fail so it doesn't get mentioned in the media. Not really a surprise considering he is a protected species.

 

[Pete Cash]

Just on philander he is very good when conditions suit but is a touch on the slow side without the additional bounce of say a McGrath to make up for it when conditions aren't favourable. He didn't bowl great in Australia where slower bowlers can be punished.

 

[Pete Cash]

Also I can't remember smith giving up a single chance. Marsh gave away a few he was dropped at least once. The funniest was a run out chance where he would have been gone by miles if McLaren had done the right thing and stood behind his stumps but he was too busy sulking in the middle of the pitch about a fielding error.

 

[jargan83]

Also I can't remember smith giving up a single chance.

Neither can I actually.

The improvement in Smith has been talked about recently but yesterday was a great knock from him. Really starting to cement his spot

 

[typicalfan]

Marsh could be to this series what Johnson was to the Ashes. I think it was a gutsy knock considering he wasbelow par and dug in when it mattered unlike Watson.

 

[herbert henry1908]

I genuinely don't think marsh will play another test this series.


His calf looked to be giving him heaps of trouble and given its a carry over injury I doubt they take him in to another match with it.

These three matches are pretty much back to back as well. 4 days between tests.

 

[BunniesMan]

I genuinely don't think marsh will play another test this series.


His calf looked to be giving him heaps of trouble and given its a carry over injury I doubt they take him in to another match with it.

These three matches are pretty much back to back as well. 4 days between tests.

If he can score a century on his calf I'm sure he'll play the series.

 

[Twizzle]

Watson will replace him.

 

[ek999]

Surely if Watson is to replace someone it will be Doolan, you can't drop Marsh after his performance this innings, unless his calf injury keeps him out of course

 

[jargan83]

If he can score a century on his calf I'm sure he'll play the series.

That would depend on whether he was passed fit to play the First test and re-injured it yesterday or if he and the selectors knew he was taking the injury into the Test.

 

[Patorick]

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

He's a better bowler...

 

[Pete Cash]

Smith didn't take it easy on Marsh with the running between the wickets I might add. Really pushed him. I bet he will be sore when he wakes up.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

We can't even discuss whether Clarke should bat at 4 now? :lol:

 

[Hutty1986]

Brilliant partnership, if these two can get through the morning session unscathed we are looking pretty good. Smith showing again he's a man for a crisis

 

[BunniesMan]

Watson will replace him.

Contouris said Watson is no guarantee of being fit for the 2nd test.

And if/when Twatto comes back he'll be in for Doolan, not Marsh.

That would depend on whether he was passed fit to play the First test and re-injured it yesterday or if he and the selectors knew he was taking the injury into the Test.

My point was whatever this injury, it hasn't stopped him from performing. Unless it's the type of injury that can get aggravated he'll play.

 

[herbert henry1908]

If he can score a century on his calf I'm sure he'll play the series.

You never go into a test match with a player having an injury like this. Doesn't matter what he did the match before.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Surely if Watson is to replace someone it will be Doolan, you can't drop Marsh after his performance this innings, unless his calf injury keeps him out of course

Also depends on what do doolan does in the second innings.

 

[Pete Cash]

Here is a stat I have never heard of (but I like stats)

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-australia-2013-14/content/story/718377.html

Not only did South Africa fail to take a wicket after the 34th over, they also seldom looked threatening. During the partnership between Marsh and Smith, the two batsmen had a control factor of 94%, which means only 6% of the deliveries they faced beat the bat, or were edged or mistimed. Smith was especially secure, achieving a control factor of 97%, while for Marsh it was 91% during the partnership and over his entire innings.


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Smith faced 178 balls so he missed, edged or was beaten 5 times in his innings. That is pretty fantastic.

 

[herbert henry1908]

My point was whatever this injury, it hasn't stopped him from performing. Unless it's the type of injury that can get aggravated he'll play.

It hasn't stopped him because he was warm.

Starting out cold with a leg injury is a totally different story.