2nd Test: South Africa v Australia at Port Elizabeth Feb 20-24, 2014

[herbert henry1908]

Wasn't the main reason for our top order woes Watson anyway?

He is the only batsman in the top 4 that hasn't gotten a big score apart from a slog in the boxing day test. The rest have all gotten 100s.

Watsons ton was in Perth , he scored 83 not out in Melbourne.


His biggest problem is he doesn't play the slog all the time IMO.

That's when he does his best batting.

 

[TheFrog]

Three fast bowlers and a spinner is likely to spread thin if South Africa manage to make a big score, which is bound to happen, really. Not to mention if a bowler gets injured.

If Watson is able to bat and bowl he should play. Doolan would be unfortunate to lose his spot but he'll get another chance before long.

 

[TheParraboy]

I don't think Sunshine will be fit, they dont need to risk him playing till the 3rd test

 

[madunit]

Boof has said that he doesn't think Watson will play because he doesn't like to change a winning side.

Gee I hope we go undefeated for another 4-5 years. Any chance we can organise some test series against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Ireland, France, Portugal, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, Jupiter etc?

 

[JJ]

:lol:

There's no bigger bully of extremely favourable pitches Vernon Philander and how did he go?

Theoretically they had the best of this hand grenade Kiwi green top and we were what, 4/300 on day 1? South African mental collapse at its finest.

Go through the 4 wickets on day 1 and 3 were playing horizontal bat shots and another was gloved to short leg. They're not the dismissals of a seamers pitch.

you mean Tasmanian green top? :lol:

Theoretically yes, but in reality/hindsight it was a bat first pitch... but again in reality the Jaapies were completely outplayed in every facet...

Do agree on your top order, it's not good... 1st innings are a worry, but they seem to find a way to get a decent total time and again, so I think Lehmann's right to persevere

 

[Twizzle]

Boof has said that he doesn't think Watson will play because he doesn't like to change a winning side.

Gee I hope we go undefeated for another 4-5 years. Any chance we can organise some test series against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Ireland, France, Portugal, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, Jupiter etc?

Just saw the interview, he doesn't sound too keen to make any changes whether Watson is fit or not.

The surface is a road, its been compared to Adelaide where Notch actually got 7 wickets against the poms.

 

[clipser]

Sadly the saffa's will get spanked again cause they are too gutless to make changes outside of the initial 15 members of the squad.

the following need to be replaced: Petersen, Peterson, McLaren

They need to bring in some youngsters like De Kock - who cares about RSA policy, they will be embarrassed when they should be rebuilding

 

[Bigfella]

You can't seriously say Dolan was under no pressure.

He came in at 1-0 in the second innings of his first test knowing Watson is ready to come straight back on if he fails, at a venue where aust got rolled for 47 in the second innings last tour, and against one of the best attacks in the world out for revenge on a pretty hot bowling wicket

 

[Red Bear]

You don't become the best team in the world without showing a bit of fight, would be very cautious about any chicken counting regarding the next test match. They had a shit match but AB De Villiers form was scary and Amla was showing signs of his best in the second innings. Dangerous side.

Got some confidence in the way the Australians are playing at present but this is still a very dangerous Saffa side.

 

[clipser]

Thoughts on this Saffa side being thrown around on cricinfo threads?

1. De Kock (WK)
2. Smith (C)
3. Amla
4. De Villiers
5. Du Plessis
6. Elgar
7. McLaren - Duminy
8. Philander
9. M Morkel
10. Steyn
11. Tahir

 

[hineyrulz]

You can't seriously say Dolan was under no pressure.

He came in at 1-0 in the second innings of his first test knowing Watson is ready to come straight back on if he fails, at a venue where aust got rolled for 47 in the second innings last tour, and against one of the best attacks in the world out for revenge on a pretty hot bowling wicket

I agree, I thought his innings was very good. To say he scored runs under no pressure is a laughable for all the reasons you outlined.

It was a new ball wicket and he did his job with Warner to get through that.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Keep the same team with Watson carting the ice.

 

[Timbo]

The spinner they should look at is a bloke named Simon Harmer, really high quality offie who can bat a bit as well.

But their coach says Australia is not the right opponent to give a bloke a debut - what a ridiculously weak excuse. Play your best XI and who cares how many caps they have.

It was logic similar to that that got us Bobby Ninely!

 

[woodyk2]

Please please PLEASE get rid of Watson. PLEASE.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

And just like that the love for Robin Peterson around here is dead.

 

[Horrie Is God]

Bring back the great man Imran Tahir..

His performance at Adelaide was Kerrigan-esque..

 

[chigurh]

ROFL @ Tahir

 

[TheParraboy]

Bring in Kallis De Kock and South Africa are favourites...

 

[TheParraboy]

Please please PLEASE get rid of Watson. PLEASE.

have PM you my off shore bank account...

 

[TheParraboy]

You can't seriously say Dolan was under no pressure.

He came in at 1-0 in the second innings of his first test knowing Watson is ready to come straight back on if he fails, at a venue where aust got rolled for 47 in the second innings last tour, and against one of the best attacks in the world out for revenge on a pretty hot bowling wicket

Hopefully an unchanged line up

Watson from all reports cant bowl yet, so no point chopping and changing guys who did well.

I just hope guys like Doolan and Marsh can go on with it, their domestic record suggests they cant. Makes me wonder if they can hold down their test spots medium to long term. Hopefully they have turned the corner in consistency, similar to Johnson