2nd Test :: RSA vs AUS at Kingsmead, Durban - 6-10 March - Phil Hughes 115 and 160.

[Collingwood Storm]

Everybody is quick to slam the selectors when they make a bad decision... but the selection of McDonald instead of the spinner or 4th quick on the pitches which crack-up and have variable bounce has been a masterstroke. He has barely gone at more than 2 rpo and is always good for a wicket or 2 (probably more economical than any spinner and gets through his overs quicker than having 4 fast bowlers). Any runs he makes at 8 is a bonus.

 

[mave]

lol @ Mark Nicholas "we would all get a haircut if that was the result".
As hot chic is rubbing sunscreen into baldy's head.

 

[ElectricEelMan]

Katich and Hughes making batting look easy so far in this inning (knock on wood)

 

[Goey Man]

A crushing victory by an innings to clench the series and enforce our no.1 test nation position was what was needed. Spending a day and a half batting and giving the south africans the chance to try and bat out 4-5 innings to tie the game is quite possibly Ponting's most gutless decision to date.

No it's not needed. You don't need to drive a team into the ground to claim no. 1 status. Give your bowlers a days rest and have them chase 500+ with attacking fields and bowling. Sure, South Africa might still get rolled for 170 and the Aussies may have waisted a day day batting. But not following on was the right choice IMHO.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Everybody is quick to slam the selectors when they make a bad decision... but the selection of McDonald instead of the spinner or 4th quick on the pitches which crack-up and have variable bounce has been a masterstroke. He has barely gone at more than 2 rpo and is always good for a wicket or 2 (probably more economical than any spinner and gets through his overs quicker than having 4 fast bowlers). Any runs he makes at 8 is a bonus.

Mcdonald wouldnt have got a look in unless he averaged 40 with the bat in FC cricket. What he has shown so far with the bat has been pathetic.

As soon as Clark is fit id bring him right back in for Mcdonald. He's 10 times the bowler and not afraid to have a hit with the bat. And clark fills the role of keeping it tight.

 

[Goey Man]

Everybody is quick to slam the selectors when they make a bad decision... but the selection of McDonald instead of the spinner or 4th quick on the pitches which crack-up and have variable bounce has been a masterstroke. He has barely gone at more than 2 rpo and is always good for a wicket or 2 (probably more economical than any spinner and gets through his overs quicker than having 4 fast bowlers). Any runs he makes at 8 is a bonus.

I'll put my hand up to this one. But I won't yet wipe the egg off my face. Big Red needs to do more with the bat in his hand honestly.

 

[IanG]

Something tells me Makahya Nitini has had a few too many Red bulls

 

[hineyrulz]

How good is the Hughes and Kat show

 

[Danish]

No it's not needed. You don't need to drive a team into the ground to claim no. 1 status. Give your bowlers a days rest and have them chase 500+ with attacking fields and bowling. Sure, South Africa might still get rolled for 170 and the Aussies may have waisted a day day batting. But not following on was the right choice IMHO.

There was only 1 possible way for us not to win this test match, and that was by batting again. Soaking up time batting is just a pointless exercise and shows that ponting is still too scared to go after a big victory.

We are likely to still win this test match anyway, its pretty much impossible to lose from here, but inspite of the victory Ponting is still shown to be a weak captain

 

[Bazal]

Everybody is quick to slam the selectors when they make a bad decision... but the selection of McDonald instead of the spinner or 4th quick on the pitches which crack-up and have variable bounce has been a masterstroke. He has barely gone at more than 2 rpo and is always good for a wicket or 2 (probably more economical than any spinner and gets through his overs quicker than having 4 fast bowlers). Any runs he makes at 8 is a bonus.

I disagree. Nothing against McDonald, but his selection is still not one I agree with. In his role, he needs to either be a front line bowler, or a handy batsman lengthening the line up with an all rounder above him. He is performing niether role, and weakens or front line attack. I'd much prefer a front line bowler than McDonald, no question about it. Whether they choose to go with a seamer in Bollinger or one of the others, or a spinner in McGain, we need 4 front liners IMO.

Now, if McDonald was batting at 7 and playing a role as fifth bowler, it'd be a different story. But we can't really drop North and sadly they won't give the out of form Hussey a rest, so I still maintain that McDonald shouldn't be there. Not because he lacks the ability, but because selecting him for the role he's playing is not our best option

 

[ElectricEelMan]

There was only 1 possible way for us not to win this test match, and that was by batting again. Soaking up time batting is just a pointless exercise and shows that ponting is still too scared to go after a big victory.

We are likely to still win this test match anyway, its pretty much impossible to lose from here, but inspite of the victory Ponting is still shown to be a weak captain

You must not have an imagination if you think that is the only way we could lose. In actual fact, i think it was more likely we lose the match enforcing the follow on then not.

 

[Goey Man]

There was only 1 possible way for us not to win this test match, and that was by batting again. Soaking up time batting is just a pointless exercise and shows that ponting is still too scared to go after a big victory.

I'd agree with if it was Day 4 but it's only Day 3 Session 1. There's plenty of time left and the best batting time is now.

We are likely to still win this test match anyway, its pretty much impossible to lose from here, but inspite of the victory Ponting is still shown to be a weak captain

I'd wouldn't say weak captain in the slightest. He is managing his side well. There's a lot of work for his bowlers this year with a jam packed tour schedule.

 

[Bazal]

There was only 1 possible way for us not to win this test match, and that was by batting again. Soaking up time batting is just a pointless exercise and shows that ponting is still too scared to go after a big victory.

We are likely to still win this test match anyway, its pretty much impossible to lose from here, but inspite of the victory Ponting is still shown to be a weak captain

I'm no Ponting fan, I agree he's a weak skipper...but this is a good decision IMO. South Africa are still a very capable batting side who could have got a lead that would have made it difficult for us batting last. Not to mention batting last on this pitch with only 9 wickets to defend is going to really hurt them.

Rather than this decision, what will be crucial is his declaration in this innings. Give them a sniff, make them chase runs, and we win...sadly, I think he'll play us into an undefeatable position, but in doing so leave too much for South Africa and allow them to shut up shop

 

[Danish]

I'd agree with if it was Day 4 but it's only Day 3 Session 1. There's plenty of time left and the best batting time is now.



I'd wouldn't say weak captain in the slightest. He is managing his side well. There's a lot of work for his bowlers this year with a jam packed tour schedule.

You are forgetting the fact that it is forecast to rain for at least part of the day for the next 5 days in Durban. We could easily see the remaining 8 1/2 sessions reduced to 4-5 instead.

If that happens, we will likely not have the time for a victory. Knowing this, and knowing how our bowlers have been ripping through them, we should have simply gone for the innings victory.

 

[snoozer]

I'm no Ponting fan, I agree he's a weak skipper...but this is a good decision IMO. South Africa are still a very capable batting side who could have got a lead that would have made it difficult for us batting last. Not to mention batting last on this pitch with only 9 wickets to defend is going to really hurt them.

Rather than this decision, what will be crucial is his declaration in this innings. Give them a sniff, make them chase runs, and we win...sadly, I think he'll play us into an undefeatable position, but in doing so leave too much for South Africa and allow them to shut up shop

kat gone!

totally agree bazal.

 

[Dutchy]

Katich is awesome

6Kallis to Katich, OUT, Kallis gets the long-awaited breakthrough! Kallis lands it outside off and the ball holds its line, Katich tries to angle it wide of the slips but the ball flies off the outside edge and travels quickly to Katich at gully who takes it low to his left

 

[snoozer]

poor saffa's couldn't get a referal if they were giving them away!

 

[scottyeel]

Shouldn't be out

 

[scottyeel]

Hughes survives a close stumping.

 

[Bigfella]

I disagree. Nothing against McDonald, but his selection is still not one I agree with. In his role, he needs to either be a front line bowler, or a handy batsman lengthening the line up with an all rounder above him. He is performing niether role, and weakens or front line attack. I'd much prefer a front line bowler than McDonald, no question about it. Whether they choose to go with a seamer in Bollinger or one of the others, or a spinner in McGain, we need 4 front liners IMO.

Now, if McDonald was batting at 7 and playing a role as fifth bowler, it'd be a different story. But we can't really drop North and sadly they won't give the out of form Hussey a rest, so I still maintain that McDonald shouldn't be there. Not because he lacks the ability, but because selecting him for the role he's playing is not our best option

4 seamers is a hopelessly negative tactic.

Bollinger didn't show more than McDonald as a bowler in Sydney and McDonald has improved further to show he i a genuine 4th bowler, but a different option.

He has been very successful, contributed when it counts, and balanced the attack more than it has been for ages.

When we get a spinner who deserves a place he will take McDonald's spot. But Haurie and Krezja haven't deserved a spot. McGain iscoming back from injury and his pre-Test form didn't deserve a spot.

Anyone criticizing his selection is trying to justify their pre-match opinion now it has been proven wrong. Should hear from Hevy Devy any time soon.