1st Test: South Africa v Pakistan at Johannesburg Feb 1-5, 2013

[Hallatia]

lalala

I've been looking forward to this for a while. Good thing our test team is different to the ODI one or I might be a bit worried after the displays in the ODI series. We're in decent form in tests, but Pakistan are a very good side, should be a great contest and South Africa will need to play well as will Pakistan so hopefully we're in for some great cricket

the tour is already under way with a tour match being played by Pakistanis and a South African Invitational XI right now, Pakistan choose to bat first and started well with the bat, but after the first wicket fell, a few went cheaply, but the two in now aren't doing too badly. It's stumps on Day 1 with Pakistan 178/6

 

[attila_the_gorilla]

Finally some cricket with proper teams. At least two quality bowling attacks, bit worried about the Pakis batting, see how they go. Game is under way.

 

[Hallatia]

interesting that Pakistan opted against playing the giant. People in the South African camp were talking about him ahead of the series

these are the sides
South Africa
Smith (captain), Petersen, Amla, Kallis, de Villiers (keeper) du Plessis, Elgar, Philander, Peterson, Steyn, Morkel
Pakistan
Hafeez, Jamshed, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, ul-Haq (captain), Shafiq, Ahmed (keeper), Gul, Ajmal, Junaid Khan, Rahat Ali

it's now drinks, there were 13 overs in the first hour and South Africa after winning the toss are 27/0. A bit slow going but at least there haven't been wickets

 

[AlwaysGreen]

I think this will be the game when Morne comes out of the closet.

 

[Hallatia]

you wish. Fantasise about him all you like, he does not swing that way

 

[Horrie Is God]

Nice grab by Shafiq..

It feels weird wrapping a Paki for his fielding..

 

[Hallatia]

I told you they've amended their ways

 

[BDR]

Amla and Kallis gone, fun's over for this innings.

 

[Hallatia]

I don't know what you mean by that, two in form test batsmen at the crease at the moment. One who especially knows how to stay out there

 

[Hallatia]

the bowling has been really awesome, particularly from Junaid. South Africa should do a lot of damage with the ball too

 

[Fufu Andronez]

What's the jizz fest over Dean Elgar? Has he produced anything yet, surely his spot could be taken by tsolekile and allow AB to be a specialist batsman?

 

[Hallatia]

he got a century in his last test, he can also bowl a bit too, not that he has at test level yet. I think for the balance of the team it's great having AB behind the stumps, it allows so many possibilities. Captaining and keeping at the same time doesn't suit him though. I like the idea of handing over the limited overs captaincy to Faf

 

[Fufu Andronez]

he got a century in his last test, he can also bowl a bit too, not that he has at test level yet. I think for the balance of the team it's great having AB behind the stumps, it allows so many possibilities. Captaining and keeping at the same time doesn't suit him though. I like the idea of handing over the limited overs captaincy to Faf

What a find Faf has been, really enjoy watching him play.


Re Elgar was unaware of his last start century so I guess he has done something..my bad

 

[Hallatia]

the century wasn't really necessary, South Africa already had enough runs when he was 20 or so runs shy but it didn't matter, forever left in the test still another innings up the sleeve, let him get the milestone.

 

[Xfactor1979]

Great spinners the Pakis have (Hafeez, Ajmal)

Now, if only any of them can bowl with a legal action

 

[hineyrulz]

^ No worse than the world record holder.

 

[Hallatia]

that first day was fantastic, I knew this series would make for some great cricket and the grounds that it will be played on have great pitches. Need a strong showing from the attack on day 2 so South Africa won't be behind on first innings runs. Pakistan don't have a long batting order, but their guys who can bat really can bat. 253 is a bit uninspiring, but I'm sure the South African attack have the capacity to make that first innings total look rock solid. Really looking forward to day 2.

 

[Xfactor1979]

After watching the movie Zero Dark Thirty I will never see the Islamic Republic of Pakistan the same way again

However, Pakistan criticizes the way the movie portrayed their country

 

[Hallatia]

I haven't seen that movie, but I think I saw reviews suggesting it was anti Islam propaganda.

Pakistan came into existence because of persecution Muslims were facing in particular parts of India and the particular part of India which was to become Pakistan had a Muslim majority and managed to (I forget the word when part of a country decides to become its own country). Pakistan does have some social and political issues today but ... I forget where I was going because I can't remember that word. The word recede comes to mind but that can't be it

 

[Xfactor1979]

I haven't seen that movie, but I think I saw reviews suggesting it was anti Islam propaganda.

Pakistan came into existence because of persecution Muslims were facing in particular parts of India and the particular part of India which was to become Pakistan had a Muslim majority and managed to (I forget the word when part of a country decides to become its own country). Pakistan does have some social and political issues today but ... I forget where I was going because I can't remember that word. The word recede comes to mind but that can't be it

annexation?

But do go see the movie

Its a hell of a film