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

[Twizzle]

Reading Cricinfo this morning, this was the description of Smith's wicket.

1.4 143.6 kph, ripsnorting short ball, Smith in all sorts of trouble - gone! Johnson packed his jalapeños, as SK Warne would say, bringing the pace and bounce of his Ashes barrage across the Indian Ocean. It was slung down at about 143kph, got BIG on Biff very quickly and he was too late in trying to evade, clattered into the bat handle and flew over the cordon, Marsh did really well to take the catch running, tumbling back 11/1

Biff :lol:

 

[Spot On]

Man Aleem Dar has gone downhill quickly.

He has always been a poor umpire.

 

[JJ]

Johnson gets more believers every test... everything working well at the moment

 

[Twizzle]

I always thought that this series (which has a long way to go) would be a very good gauge of where Australian cricket is at right now. Obviously regaining the Ashes is a feat, but it was hard to tell whether the comprehensiveness of the series win was more to do with Australia being awesome, or England being abysmal, or both.

A big concern was how the top order would fare against a quality bowling unit. Are you guys happy with their performance this time round? 397 is a reasonable total (especially when your bowlers have SA on the ropes at stumps on day 2). 2 batsmen obviously performed exceptionally- 4 didn't. Haddin and the tail didn't underwrite the innings as much as they have in the Ashes series. How are you feeling about 397?

Considering RSA's position its not bad especially when we didn't reply on Haddin

 

[JJ]

How the f**k does Mitchell Johnson go from 90% spastic to unplayable in consecutive series?

f**k it, I don't care how. Awesome to see batsmen genuinely lost because of sheer pace.

The first question is a mystery, presumably McDermott is part of the answer...

It's not just the pace though, he's always been quick and some others are quicker - it's the left arm, the action, and the new found consistency, I think - many fewer bad balls, a very heavy ball, and he's just very confident....

 

[Twizzle]

Its definitely Billy's influence. He was shit under Cough Lollies Cooley

God help us if Notch gets injured atm, he really is making the difference

 

[JJ]

He'd be a hell of a loss, and the likes of Pattinson and Cummins look terrific, but Johnson's in a purple patch that few can match

 

[hineyrulz]

Billy and the Mo are the secrets to Mitch's success, nothing else can explain it.


Hevv mentioned it it earlier but it is like these blokes have never faced face bowling before, i said as much when we were playing England Thommo would be having a field day if he was playing today.

 

[typicalfan]

It helps a lot that Harris, Siddle and Lyon are so consistent. It allows Mitch to bowl super aggressive.

 

[chigurh]

That ball to Faf was almost as unplayable as the one Smith got.

 

[ek999]

It helps a lot that Harris, Siddle and Lyon are so consistent. It allows Mitch to bowl super aggressive.

This. The work by Siddle and Lyon especially goes unnoticed.Without their ability to tie up an end, Johnson would be no where near as effective

 

[TheParraboy]

I went to bed at change of innings but listened to ABC. The South African commentators were in awe of Mitch and really stuck it to Smith for his dismissal saying Mitch embarrassed him. Then got back up til tea to watch. Could have kissed Siddle when he got Amla.

I heard another part earlier where they said he wasn't a batsman, he was a bloke that was just trying to defend his head, lol. Kallis was a smart smart man retiring when he did

On Johnson, I think having a baby changes blokes. He was erratic , all over the shop , a sad sack of a bowler half the time before. With Billy there, a settled family life he is now showing what Dennis Lillee seen in him all those years ago.

He will have his bad days im sure (who doesn't?) but I don't think we will see the old Notch where he bowls like a demon one innings and a parrot for the next 5.

 

[HevyDevy]

I always thought that this series (which has a long way to go) would be a very good gauge of where Australian cricket is at right now. Obviously regaining the Ashes is a feat, but it was hard to tell whether the comprehensiveness of the series win was more to do with Australia being awesome, or England being abysmal, or both.

A big concern was how the top order would fare against a quality bowling unit. Are you guys happy with their performance this time round? 397 is a reasonable total (especially when your bowlers have SA on the ropes at stumps on day 2). 2 batsmen obviously performed exceptionally- 4 didn't. Haddin and the tail didn't underwrite the innings as much as they have in the Ashes series. How are you feeling about 397?

No I'm not happy with it and something has to be done. I mentioned it in this thread I think before the Test started - that our top order failed in the Ashes and had one or two tell me I was obviously wrong, but in EVERY Ashes Test we were in trouble in the first innings. Thanks to the middle/lower order and our bowlers, the top order had the luxury of coming out in the second innings with no pressure and were able to score runs, but top quality batsmen score runs when the going is tough too.

Needs to be addressed.

 

[JJ]

I heard another part earlier where they said he wasn't a batsman, he was a bloke that was just trying to defend his head, lol. Kallis was a smart smart man retiring when he did

On Johnson, I think having a baby changes blokes. He was erratic , all over the shop , a sad sack of a bowler half the time before. With Billy there, a settled family life he is now showing what Dennis Lillee seen in him all those years ago.

He will have his bad days im sure (who doesn't?) but I don't think we will see the old Notch where he bowls like a demon one innings and a parrot for the next 5.

I think his action probably means he will be inconsistent - the mechanics are fragile, all the things you say are true, he is confident, fit etc, and the ball is coming out extraordinarily well atm

 

[hineyrulz]

His action is looking a hell of a lot better than it was about 2 years ago, and his rhythm is outstanding.

 

[Pete Cash]

Yeah if his rhythm is good he will be fine but the facts of the matter is who cares if he does spray the odd one because we can build pressure with Harris and Siddle. What is important is for him to run in and bowl well directed bouncers at 150km/h. Maybe not the best strategy outside of Australia and South Africa but its going to work a treat there.

Could you imagine a side like New Zealand facing those deliveries. They almost died of fright facing Pattinson at the Gabba lol they would just declare for zero.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Just on Clarke, are we still calling him 'gutless' and a 'coward'?

Just good man management IMO.

Loved seeing him yell 'faff off' when Du Plessis fell. LOL! But what was with Mitchell saying 'f*** off you pussies'? Who was he aiming it at? Someone in the crowd, the media box or the Saffas? Geez I PMSL. My lip-reading genteel deaf grandfather would be rolling in his grave.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Yeah if his rhythm is good he will be fine but the facts of the matter is who cares if he does spray the odd one because we can build pressure with Harris and Siddle. What is important is for him to run in and bowl well directed bouncers at 150km/h. Maybe not the best strategy outside of Australia and South Africa but its going to work a treat there.

Could you imagine a side like New Zealand facing those deliveries. They almost died of fright facing Pattinson at the Gabba lol they would just declare for zero.

Last night you could see, smell, taste the fear. There was absolute carnage in those first few Mitchell overs. My wife was laughing, mentioning you could see Amla shitting himself and he's usually cool, calm and collected.

 

[El Diablo]

Just on Clarke, are we still calling him 'gutless' and a 'coward'?

Just good man management IMO.

Loved seeing him yell 'faff off' when Du Plessis fell. LOL! But what was with Mitchell saying 'f*** off you pussies'? Who was he aiming it at? Someone in the crowd, the media box or the Saffas? Geez I PMSL. My lip-reading genteel deaf grandfather would be rolling in his grave.

that was the kiwi troll calling him that

 

[jargan83]

Would love to bowl South Africa out for 200 or less