South Africa in Australia
- Thread starter tristo
- Start date
Re: South Africa in Australia
The selection of McDonald is questionable. With Australia's batting being very poor of late, the selectors should be looking at picking a sixth batter rather than focus on this constant obsession with having an all-rounder in the team. With the side losing wickets early more often than not, it is creating pressure on the middle order to perform and with an all-rounder at six, it adds even more pressure on them to score runs despite their batting not being as strong as the other five.
I'd rather see Bollinger, Johnson, Siddle and Hauritz given overs rather than relying on a fifth bowler to bowl here and there. I think four bowlers and a couple of guys bowling part-time is sufficient rather than having a designated fifth bowler.
With the series gone, this would have been the prefect opportunity to blood a batsman, a Marcus North or a David Hussey would have come in very handy. Both players are excellent first-class batters and can bowl some handy off-spinners when required. North's taken eight wickets at an average of about 34 proving he is a handy part-time bowler. With the SCG pitch being a turner, the selection of either of those players would have been even more justified.
Still, Australia are in a decent enough position. They have Clarke and the tail to thanks once again for hauling them out of another disppointing batting display. Johnson should probably bat at eight permanently from now in, he is really showing the top order how to score some runs. Bollinger's been unlucky with the ball and should have at least one wicket, Clarke could have run out Smith early and Siddle's been alright. McDonald's spell was tidy enough. Unfortunately we haven't taken our chances so far, South Africa could have been three down had Australia made the most of it.
South Africa will probably pile on the runs though, Kallis is a sublime player and Duminy and Amla are in good touch as is de Villiers. They will score something similar to our total in my opinion.
The selection of McDonald is questionable. With Australia's batting being very poor of late, the selectors should be looking at picking a sixth batter rather than focus on this constant obsession with having an all-rounder in the team. With the side losing wickets early more often than not, it is creating pressure on the middle order to perform and with an all-rounder at six, it adds even more pressure on them to score runs despite their batting not being as strong as the other five.
I'd rather see Bollinger, Johnson, Siddle and Hauritz given overs rather than relying on a fifth bowler to bowl here and there. I think four bowlers and a couple of guys bowling part-time is sufficient rather than having a designated fifth bowler.
With the series gone, this would have been the prefect opportunity to blood a batsman, a Marcus North or a David Hussey would have come in very handy. Both players are excellent first-class batters and can bowl some handy off-spinners when required. North's taken eight wickets at an average of about 34 proving he is a handy part-time bowler. With the SCG pitch being a turner, the selection of either of those players would have been even more justified.
Still, Australia are in a decent enough position. They have Clarke and the tail to thanks once again for hauling them out of another disppointing batting display. Johnson should probably bat at eight permanently from now in, he is really showing the top order how to score some runs. Bollinger's been unlucky with the ball and should have at least one wicket, Clarke could have run out Smith early and Siddle's been alright. McDonald's spell was tidy enough. Unfortunately we haven't taken our chances so far, South Africa could have been three down had Australia made the most of it.
South Africa will probably pile on the runs though, Kallis is a sublime player and Duminy and Amla are in good touch as is de Villiers. They will score something similar to our total in my opinion.
thommy_rissole
Member
Re: South Africa in Australia
Australia will head into Day 4 still bowling IMO.
South Africa are just too good at the moment.
Ljp86;304105 said:
Australia will head into Day 4 still bowling IMO.
South Africa are just too good at the moment.
a for effort
Active Member
Re: South Africa in Australia
Johnson's (And Lee's while he was in the team) batting is probably part of the reason why the selectors feel they can pick an all-rounder at 6 instead of a specialist batsman. If for instance, the Australian tail was full of genuine number 11's (MacGill, McGrath type batsman) then they couldn't afford to have a bits-and-pieces all-rounder at 6, because more often than not it would be 6 out == all out. Being able to rely on numbers 8 and 9 to chip in regularly with the bat allows them to play a weaker batsman at 6 who can bowl a few overs.
This is not to say I agree with their thinking, I too would much rather have a Hussey/North/Voges/Hodge at number 6
Ljp86;304105 said:
Johnson's (And Lee's while he was in the team) batting is probably part of the reason why the selectors feel they can pick an all-rounder at 6 instead of a specialist batsman. If for instance, the Australian tail was full of genuine number 11's (MacGill, McGrath type batsman) then they couldn't afford to have a bits-and-pieces all-rounder at 6, because more often than not it would be 6 out == all out. Being able to rely on numbers 8 and 9 to chip in regularly with the bat allows them to play a weaker batsman at 6 who can bowl a few overs.
This is not to say I agree with their thinking, I too would much rather have a Hussey/North/Voges/Hodge at number 6
Re: South Africa in Australia
A great day's play.
I think it was an even day and Australia need to make some in roads in tommorow's morning session because if they don't Amla and Kallis will be set and will cash in with big hundreds to put South Africa in the box seat.
Australia must aim to take 3 - 70 all in those lines to be on top.
South Africa will be looking to add on another hundred rus or so in the first session and they would like to lose one wicket in the worst case scenario.
Should be a terrific days play.
A great day's play.
I think it was an even day and Australia need to make some in roads in tommorow's morning session because if they don't Amla and Kallis will be set and will cash in with big hundreds to put South Africa in the box seat.
Australia must aim to take 3 - 70 all in those lines to be on top.
South Africa will be looking to add on another hundred rus or so in the first session and they would like to lose one wicket in the worst case scenario.
Should be a terrific days play.
Re: South Africa in Australia
Possibly. Whilst Australia's attack looked okay today, I think they will struggle to bowl South Africa out cheaply let alone twice. The attack just doesn't have the experience at the moment. Johnson debuted last summer at the Gabba and now he's our strike bowler, that's a huge change.
A good point there. The tail aren't always going to score runs though, Johnson, Lee, Hauritz, Siddle and co won't make handy contributions in every innings so counting on them to make runs to ensure an all-rounder can be played is a dangerous game to be playing. It will eventually backfire, the second innings at the G is testament to that.
They really need to start playing a proper batsman at six and leave the all-rounders for the one-day stuff.
thommy_rissole;304121 said:
Possibly. Whilst Australia's attack looked okay today, I think they will struggle to bowl South Africa out cheaply let alone twice. The attack just doesn't have the experience at the moment. Johnson debuted last summer at the Gabba and now he's our strike bowler, that's a huge change.
a for effort;304124 said:
A good point there. The tail aren't always going to score runs though, Johnson, Lee, Hauritz, Siddle and co won't make handy contributions in every innings so counting on them to make runs to ensure an all-rounder can be played is a dangerous game to be playing. It will eventually backfire, the second innings at the G is testament to that.
They really need to start playing a proper batsman at six and leave the all-rounders for the one-day stuff.
Mark Waugh
Active Member
Re: South Africa in Australia
grapedo;304204 said: