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

[TheParraboy]

Can we bat first again please Smithy?

Am expecting SA to come hard this test

Also expecting us to go 2-0

 

[JJ]

yeah, two things cost the Jaaps the captain's decision, and more importantly Johnson who is simply outstanding atm

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

I don't think it'll matter who bats first, the kind of form that Johnson is in, it may even be a blessing for us to bowl first.

 

[Meapro Ham]

Agreed. Batting first won't help SA. Mentally they are gone, terrified of Mr Slave. That's why they bowled first. Batting first just means they'll have to face Mr Slave sooner.

 

[hineyrulz]

Mr Slave>>>>>>>>>>>>> World cricket.

 

[Twizzle]

I predict they will prepare a road to try and tame Mr Slave.

Also the Aussie selections will be very interesting, I'd keep the same team.

 

[JJ]

They should summon Scotty Styris, he can tell them how to bitch slap Mr Slave

The African's response will be interesting - as above, the decision at the toss cost them a lot, but Johnson cost them even more - they need to address how to play him - obviously it can be done, but at the moment it ain't easy!

Hopefully the Aussies keep same team - Watson surely doesn't demand a place, and on that performance Clarke was the worst performing top-order bat - very harsh on Doolan or Marsh to put Watson in ahead of them after that... unless Watson is reinvented as an opener?

 

[typicalfan]

A road will suit us as well given our bowlers bowled fewer overs in the lead up and Johnson can extract bounce on nearly anything.

 

[Meapro Ham]

Can't see the point of SA preparing a road when they are 1 nil down and were only able to take 14 wickets on the first test.

They have to keep giving us sporting wickets and hope they can find a way to cope with Mr Slave. But I don't like their chances.

 

[lockyno1]

SA's best chance is to prepare an absolute greentop. Might lose it in 4 days but it is their ONLY chance, they need to get conditions that suit Philander.

 

[man2iel_]

The Mitch Johnson form turnaround from being left out of the Test team due to poor form to what it is now is as big a turn around in form than I have seen in following the game for 25 years. Johnson right now is scary good.

 

[HevyDevy]

They should summon Scotty Styris, he can tell them how to bitch slap Mr Slave

The African's response will be interesting - as above, the decision at the toss cost them a lot, but Johnson cost them even more - they need to address how to play him - obviously it can be done, but at the moment it ain't easy!

Hopefully the Aussies keep same team - Watson surely doesn't demand a place, and on that performance Clarke was the worst performing top-order bat - very harsh on Doolan or Marsh to put Watson in ahead of them after that... unless Watson is reinvented as an opener?

I still think Watson's bowling would be handy - perhaps in for Rogers? Again, we need to address our top order first innings issues. Not that Watson is a solution but I'm willing to tinker a bit.

 

[TheParraboy]

Bring back Jacques...

 

[8Ball]

Johnson's career strike rate has now dropped to under 50..

 

[BunniesMan]

I still think Watson's bowling would be handy - perhaps in for Rogers? Again, we need to address our top order first innings issues. Not that Watson is a solution but I'm willing to tinker a bit.

The last thing we need is a 5th bowler. Our bowlers are consistently winning us games. Our top order is consistently struggling to give us a good start. In both innings it was only 1 big partnership that turned an average innings into a great innings. That was the case for a lot of the Ashes aswell. Our priority has to be picking the best 6 batsmen we can and not worrying about a "handy" 5th bowler.

And about Rogers specifically, people are well aware of me being a fan of a particular player outside of the current XI, and that none of the other 5 batsmen are going to get dropped in the forseeable future. But even I think there should be absolutely no talk of dropping Rogers in this series.

At the very least he should be a lock for the next two tests. His Ashes form has earned that much.

I would guarantee the selection of Clarke (obviously), Warner, Doolan, Marsh and Smith for the rest of the year. And I would guarantee Rogers the 2nd and 3rd test of this series.

Watson (and Hughes) should not be considered in this series barring injury.

 

[umina panther]

People aren't seriously suggesting that Watson should open the batting are they? He shouldn't ever bat higher than 6

 

[umina panther]

And if he's not capable of bowling 15 overs an innings he shouldn't be near the team

 

[jargan83]

I think Australia will go in unchanged

I heard on the radio commentary at some stage that Watson may not be declared fit for the second Test.

Extra day off will be gold for our bowlers especially Harris and the fact that they only bowled 120 overs for the match compared with South Africans bowled 195ish.

Would love to see some runs come from our top order in the first innings to really set a platform instead of second innings runs and the pressure isn't as intense when you already lead by 200.

Rogers will want to have more time in the middle after a disappointing first Test

 

[lockyno1]

People aren't seriously suggesting that Watson should open the batting are they? He shouldn't ever bat higher than 6

Well unless you are punting Doolan after making 89 and 20 odd, who else is going to be dropped? Marsh made 148 and 40 odd..Clarke is the captain, Smith made a ton...

 

[jargan83]

The Mitch Johnson form turnaround from being left out of the Test team due to poor form to what it is now is as big a turn around in form than I have seen in following the game for 25 years. Johnson right now is scary good.

Agreed

The turn around by Johnson from pie thrower with little control to fast bowling monster has been amazing