***Official*** South Africa in Australia 2012

[Jono]

Originally Posted by Burgey

As if Jono would have got into The Establishment.

Originally Posted by duffer

Gone the way of the Ivy. They let anyone in nowadays.

Lol look at these mad ****s.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by Jono

Lol look at these mad ****s.

Bish, please.

[AldoRaine18]

Originally Posted by AldoRaine18

I think so too. Always capitalizes when the bowling becomes complacent after getting the top order.

My prediction about Clarke.

[Briony]

No wickets at all to the bowlers today. Clarke lucky but still nothing much on offer.

Critics said Cowan was a dud but he's tamed the much vaunted pace attack which is looking more like the toothless offerings of last summer.

Australia has wrested the psychological advantage. Big turnaround today but not unexpected.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by AldoRaine18

My prediction about Clarke.

Yeah I agree. In the 38 years I've been playing cricket, whenever I batted in the middle order I always found it easier to come in at 3 fer nothing than 3 for 200.

[Noble One]

Originally Posted by AldoRaine18

My prediction about Clarke.

I fail to believe any high class bowling attack would become complacent after tearing through a top order. Steyn and Philander thrive on taking quick batches of wickets.

[Son Of Coco]

Originally Posted by AldoRaine18

My prediction about Clarke.

Which is why they don't play cricket in France...nobody has any idea.

[AldoRaine18]

I was just taking the piss. Clarke's effort cannot be solely credited to any complacency teh bowlers may have had. It was a very good knock.

[Son Of Coco]

Really happy to see Cowan bring up his first ton. Thought he batted really well yesterday, and to see him go on with it is very pleasing. Haven't seen the run out yet, but I imagine he'd be disappointed getting out like that.

We should be able to rack up 700 by just before tea tomorrow afternoon and then roll SA for 95. Although, at the pace SA bats it'd take them 85 overs to get it...so I'll call it a draw.

[AldoRaine18]

Originally Posted by Son Of Coco

Which is why they don't play cricket in France...nobody has any idea.

isn't it obvious that if I was a native French, I would never even be a part of any cricket discussion, let alone watching a game and predicting events in it? :P

[Briony]

Originally Posted by Son Of Coco

Really happy to see Cowan bring up his first ton. Thought he batted really well yesterday, and to see him go on with it is very pleasing. Haven't seen the run out yet, but I imagine he'd be disappointed getting out like that.

We should be able to rack up 700 by just before tea tomorrow afternoon and then roll SA for 95. Although, at the pace SA bats it'd take them 85 overs to get it...so I'll call it a draw.

A big psychologica advantage for Australia being on top in this test. With Smith bowling SA is in concession mode; not a great sign for a so-called #1 team.

Clarke may not benefit from complacency from bowler but he certainly benefits from facing an older ball and bowlers who are not quite as fresh. It is why he should go in ahead of Ponting who for years had to put his balls on the line in the toughest spot below openers.

[wellAlbidarned]

Smith looks like he wouldn't take a wicket in NZ high school cricket.

[NUFAN]

Clarke has gotten his career average above 50 now, and is really starting to get a brilliant career record.

Average of 50 - tick
Score over 300 - tick
20 centuries - tick
Good record against best bowling attacks - tick
Runs at difficult times - tick

I just think he needs to improve his overseas record a bit, some may say he needs to move up the order but I don't think its necessary.

[Spark]

He came in the 10th over IIRC, don't think "facing an older ball" was any benefit this time around.

Think all this most recent centuries have come from 3/not-many, tbh

[Son Of Coco]

Originally Posted by AldoRaine18

I was just taking the piss. Clarke's effort cannot be solely credited to any complacency teh bowlers may have had. It was a very good knock.

Haha, he's done well. Wasn't that confident we wouldn't be 5 down at the end of play yesterday when he came in.

If I was Clarke I'd bat on tomorrow for a while and see how SA are going to approach it. The more you can make Steyn, Morkel and Philander bowl the better given the short time period for these 3 tests...but if they're just stuffing around with part-time bowlers then maybe get a decent amount ahead and give the bowlers a crack at scaring the SA bats before the next test.