***Official*** Australia in South Africa

[Jakester1288]

I think this game could have pretty much ensured a spot in the XI for North in the first test, 50's in both the innings, and six wickets to go with it, if he doesn't get picked after that, then he should consider himself very unlucky.

Both unbeaten 50's as well IIRC.

Pretty good allround game for him, and he impressed me more than McDonald, but to be fair he was ill. From the tour game and past performances, at the moment I would be looking at this team.

1. Simon Katich
2. Phil Hughes
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Hussey
5. Michael Clarke (if fit)
6. Marcus North
7. Brad Haddin
8. Mitchell Johnson
9. Peter Siddle
10. Bryce McGain
11. Doug Bolllinger

McGain and Bollinger can easily be replaced by Hilfenhaus, and North for McDonald if we have any problems. However I would like a batsmen to be called over if Clarke is fit, having McDonald batting too far up the order may not be in the best interests for our team...

 

[NUFAN]

^^ McGain is a better bat than Bollinger.

Also yeah that shot by Hughes look so much like Clarke, unbelievable.

 

[Jakester1288]

^^ McGain is a better bat than Bollinger.

Also yeah that shot by Hughes look so much like Clarke, unbelievable.

Cheers, I had no clue whatsoever.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

He defo does in that pic, but not IRL.

This. Hughes looks absolutely nothing like him when he bats.

 

[Langeveldt]

Predictions

Series Result: South Africa 1-0
Top SA Runscorer: de Villiers
Top Aus Runscorer: Hussey
Top SA Wicket-taker Steyn
Top Aus Wicket-taker Johnson
Player of the Series: de Villiers
Surprise Packet North
Dropped Player(s): McGain, Bollinger, McKenzie
Miscellaneous Event: Look out for me at the games

 

[inbox24]

Predictions

Series Result: South Africa 2-0
Top SA Runscorer: Duminy
Top Aus Runscorer: Katich
Top SA Wicket-taker Steyn
Top Aus Wicket-taker Siddle
Player of the Series: Steyn
Surprise Packet North
Dropped Player(s): -
Miscellaneous Event: -

 

[pasag]

Series Result: SA 2-0
Top SA Runscorer: Kallis
Top Aus Runscorer: Hussey
Top SA Wicket-taker: Steyn
Top Aus Wicket-taker: Siddle
Player of the Series: Kallis
Surprise Packet: Siddle
Dropped Player(s): McKenzie
Miscellaneous Event: Ponting to be suspended for poor overrates

 

[Hoggy31]

Series Result: Aus 3-0
Top SA Runscorer: Smith
Top Aus Runscorer: Haddin
Top SA Wicket-taker: Morkel
Top Aus Wicket-taker: Hilfenhaus (if he plays the 1st, Siddle if not)
Player of the Series: Haddin
Surprise Packet: Hilf
Dropped Player(s): Andy McD, Bollywood
Miscellaneous Event: Hughes to ton-up on debut then not make a run for the rest of the series. Haddin to hit a double-ton.

 

[Langeveldt]

Series Result: Aus 3-0
Top SA Runscorer: Smith
Top Aus Runscorer: Haddin
Top SA Wicket-taker: Morkel
Top Aus Wicket-taker: Hilfenhaus (if he plays the 1st, Siddle if not)
Player of the Series: Haddin
Surprise Packet: Hilf
Dropped Player(s): Andy McD, Bollywood
Miscellaneous Event: Hughes to ton-up on debut then not make a run for the rest of the series. Haddin to hit a double-ton.

If that happens I'll release a facepack

 

[Evermind]

Series Result: Draw 1-1 (that's what I expect, but of course I hope for 3-0 to SA)
Top SA Runscorer: Smith
Top Aus Runscorer: Ponting
Top SA Wicket-taker: Steyn
Top Aus Wicket-taker: Johnson
Player of the Series: Steyn
Surprise Package: Hughes
Dropped Player(s): Hauritz, Hilfenhaus, McKenzie
Miscellaneous Event: Ponting whines about the pitch, substitute fielders, or something or the other. Michael Clarke sledges/gets sledged/gets himself into some kinda ****. Smith's elbow acts up again, causing him to miss the last test.

I still don't understand how Siddle and Johnson are classified as "fast-medium" when they hit 150kph.

 

[Burgey]

Series Result: Aus 3-0
Top SA Runscorer: Smith
Top Aus Runscorer: Haddin
Top SA Wicket-taker: Morkel
Top Aus Wicket-taker: Hilfenhaus (if he plays the 1st, Siddle if not)
Player of the Series: Haddin
Surprise Packet: Hilf
Dropped Player(s): Andy McD, Bollywood
Miscellaneous Event: Hughes to ton-up on debut then not make a run for the rest of the series. Haddin to hit a double-ton.

I hope your scoreline's right mate, but if Haddin is our leading runscorer I can't see us winning tbh.

 

[Something_Fishy]

Predictions

Series Result: South Africa 1-0
Top SA Runscorer: de Villiers
Top Aus Runscorer: Hussey
Top SA Wicket-taker Steyn
Top Aus Wicket-taker Johnson
Player of the Series: de Villiers
Surprise Packet North
Dropped Player(s): McGain, Bollinger, McKenzie
Miscellaneous Event: Look out for me at the games

Agree with this, except that it will be 2-0 and Ponting will topscore for Oz.

 

[Hoggy31]

I hope your scoreline's right mate, but if Haddin is our leading runscorer I can't see us winning tbh.

Backing him to hit two big tons amongst some 40s and 50s, never know.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Series Result: Aus 2-1
Top SA Runscorer: Don't care even in the slightest tbh.
Top Aus Runscorer: The Prince
Top SA Wicket-taker: Ntini
Top Aus Wicket-taker: Johnson
Player of the Series: The Prince
Surprise Packet: As above.
Dropped Player(s): Duminy
Miscellaneous Event: Steyn will do a hammy in the first test.

 

[four_or_six]

Series Result: SA 2-1
Top SA Runscorer: AB
Top Aus Runscorer: Ponting
Top SA Wicket-taker: Ntini
Top Aus Wicket-taker: Siddle
Player of the Series: Kallis
Surprise Packet: Hauritz
Dropped Player(s): McGain
Miscellaneous Event: Smith to get reprieved from a dismissal by replay because Haddin had his gloves in front of the stumps and then to go on and make a hundred.

 

[andyc]

Series Result: Aus 2-1
Top SA Runscorer: Smith
Top Aus Runscorer: Katich
Top SA Wicket-taker: Steyn
Top Aus Wicket-taker: Siddle
Player of the Series: Katich
Surprise Packet: Hughes
Dropped Player(s): McGain, Bollinger
Miscellaneous Event: Ponting to **** up his handling of the referral system and then have a whine about it.

 

[pup11]

Series Result: Aus 2-1
Top SA Runscorer: Kallis
Top Aus Runscorer: Ponting
Top SA Wicket-taker: Steyn
Top Aus Wicket-taker: Siddle
Player of the Series: Ponting
Surprise Packet: Hilfy
Dropped Player(s): Bollinger, McDonald, McKenzie
Miscellaneous Event: Clarke to be sent home with the back injury, White likely to be his replacement..

 

[pasag]

If we win, I doubt we'd have dropped many players, if any.

 

[pup11]

Well D'acosta has had a lot to do with the both of them.

Yeah... Hughes has a pretty different stance, but both him and Clarke have pretty similar driving techniques, and as you said the work both did with Neil D'Costa could be a reason for that, i am really surprised the Aussies allowed a good batting coach like him slip away, he should have been involved either at the COE or with the Australian team.

 

[irfan]

Both unbeaten 50's as well IIRC.

Pretty good allround game for him, and he impressed me more than McDonald, but to be fair he was ill. From the tour game and past performances, at the moment I would be looking at this team.

1. Simon Katich
2. Phil Hughes
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Hussey
5. Michael Clarke (if fit)
6. Marcus North
7. Brad Haddin
8. Mitchell Johnson
9. Peter Siddle
10. Bryce McGain
11. Doug Bolllinger

McGain and Bollinger can easily be replaced by Hilfenhaus, and North for McDonald if we have any problems. However I would like a batsmen to be called over if Clarke is fit, having McDonald batting too far up the order may not be in the best interests for our team...

Me too. David Hussey? About time IMO.


Series Result: SaF 2-0
Top SA Runscorer: Duminy
Top Aus Runscorer: Katich
Top SA Wicket-taker: Steyn
Top Aus Wicket-taker: Johnson
Player of the Series: Kallis
Surprise Packet: North
Dropped Player(s): Bollinger/Hilf, McGain
Miscellaneous Event: McGain misses the flight back. Ponting doesn't let him get on the plane