Cricket : India vs SA - 2008

[alf101]

Kirsten names India squad

Bangalore - New India coach Gary Kirsten has named a 14-man squad for the first two Tests of the three-match home series against South Africa.

The first Test will be played in Chennai from March 26-30, the second Test in Ahmedabad from April 3-7 and the third Test in Kanpur from April 11-15.

Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was named as cover for Harbhajan Singh who will undergo a fitness test on March 21.

India:

Anil Kumble (captain), Wasim Jaffer, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Venkatsai Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Irfan Pathan, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Rudra Pratap Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Kartik.

[chiskop]

No Ishant Sharma?

Okay:

Ishant had suffered an inflammation to his big toe during India's recent tour to Australia, apart from a finger injury, and was advised complete rest for three weeks. His selection for the second Test, starting in Ahmedabad on April 3, is subject to another fitness test. (http://content-rsa.cricinfo.com/indvrsa/content/current/story/342851.html)

[alf101]

SA 109/0 at lunch

[sox63]

SA 109/0 at lunch

I would not want to be a bowler THAT pitch. No movement whatsoever!

[alf101]

I would not want to be a bowler THAT pitch. No movement whatsoever!

Yeah, looking good for us right now, that pitch apparantly breaks up after the 3rd day.

South Africa 176/1 (46.5 ov)

[chiskop]

Damn, MacKenzie just missed his century. :(

ND McKenzie c Dravid b Harbhajan Singh 94 (156b 18x4 0x6) SR: 60.25

[Toffee]

Great start and we are scoring at a good rate which is important. We need to bat for at least 2 days and then we can only win or draw (if the pitch does not break up).

[alf101]

A score of 500+ may be good enough to win the game if the pich cracks up a bit.

South Africa 263/3 (70.0 ov)


Batsmen R B 4s 6s
HM Amla 72 113 9 0
AG Prince 5 12 1 0

[mccrack]

297/4 ..

Need Amla, AB or Bouch too get a few more ...

[chiskop]

Amla on 82 atm, looking good.

We've made a really good start - but remember that we've got to put this out of the reach of Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman, Sehwag, Dravid etc. :eek:

[Ecco]

300 up!

[alf101]

304/4 at stumps.
A pretty good day for the underdogs.

[sox63]

Amla on 82 atm, looking good.

We've made a really good start - but remember that we've got to put this out of the reach of Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman, Sehwag, Dravid etc. :eek:

:eek:

Talk about a batting line up.

[alf101]

:eek:

Talk about a batting line up.

1 x Steyn. :D

[sand_man]

1 x Steyn. :DOn this track he had better use that slower yorker of his, the faster you bowl on this pitch the further it will travel...

[alf101]

On this track he had better use that slower yorker of his, the faster you bowl on this pitch the further it will travel...

When I first saw him bowling he reminded me of Waqar, let's see.
If he bowls a fuller length, he'll be expensive, but that's his best chance.

I'm starting to become an Amla fan.:)

South Africa 404/5 (113.0 ov)

Batsmen R B 4s 6s
HM Amla 124 218 15 0
MV Boucher 26 47 5 0

[JK8]

When I first saw him bowling he reminded me of Waqar, let's see.
If he bowls a fuller length, he'll be expensive, but that's his best chance.

I'm starting to become an Amla fan.:)

Steyn to Waqar? Nah uh.... Thats just wrong... Waqar is/was far better!

[alf101]

Steyn to Waqar? Nah uh.... Thats just wrong... Waqar is/was far better!

I agree with u there.
Give Steyn another year or two and we'll see.
He hasn't broken any toes yet.:)

[chiskop]

Waqar: 87 matches, 373 wickets, 23.56 avg. 22 5W.
Steyn: 21 matches, 105 wickets, 21.8 avg. 7 5W.

Sure, Waqar had the longer career, but it looks like Steyn will be the better bowler (if he continues the way he is going).

Okay, he hasn't broken any toes, but he's broken cheeks.

[mercurial]

Live scorecard (http://content-rsa.cricinfo.com/indvrsa/engine/current/match/332911.html)

[killadoob]

steyn has the potential to be one of the great test bowlers of all time

fast bowler that is haha

[JK8]

Waqar: 87 matches, 373 wickets, 23.56 avg. 22 5W.
Steyn: 21 matches, 105 wickets, 21.8 avg. 7 5W.

Sure, Waqar had the longer career, but it looks like Steyn will be the better bowler (if he continues the way he is going).

Okay, he hasn't broken any toes, but he's broken cheeks.

I was actually talking about bowling style, Waqar invented and perfected the in swinging yorker!! He was a tail enders worst nightmare!!

Steyns last 15 matches was against Bangladesh, West Indies, New Zealand... He's new on the scene, he hasnt played against the big boys, but now the big boys will watch out for him...

He's very good and exactly what SA needed. The proteas should keep him at peak and not use him all the time, fast bowlers dont have lengthy carreers, and thats all Steyn is.

IMO Steyn shouldnt try to go all out in this series, especially on this pitch. the last news I heard was that hes gunning for Ahtars 161 kmph record...

[chiskop]

Who cares about style, I'm talking about wickets! :D

I disagree that Steyn is just a fast bowler. Nel is just a fast bowler, Steyn is wilier than that. He's been talking about Pollock and McGrath being his role models, so I think he's a little more concerned with control than absolute pace.

I agree though that he needs to be looked after. I don't think that you can ask a sportsman to represent his country and hold back though.

[alf101]

I was actually talking about bowling style, Waqar invented and perfected the in swinging yorker!! He was a tail enders worst nightmare!!

Steyns last 15 matches was against Bangladesh, West Indies, New Zealand... He's new on the scene, he hasnt played against the big boys, but now the big boys will watch out for him...

He's very good and exactly what SA needed. The proteas should keep him at peak and not use him all the time, fast bowlers dont have lengthy carreers, and thats all Steyn is.

IMO Steyn shouldnt try to go all out in this series, especially on this pitch. the last news I heard was that hes gunning for Ahtars 161 kmph record...

Only 7 years max for high speed bowling. But he has got some variety.

Steyn should just aim for 150km/h, otherwise he's gonna hurt himself.
He's just talking like a normal fast bowler.

Waqar and Wasim together were incredible to watch, esp with the older ball.:)

[chiskop]

Dammit. Amla run out on 159.

[mercurial]

456/6 nice. 500 is on the cards here.

[alf101]

Boucher on 51, long time since he saw 100...

[Toffee]

Must say that when Steyn first came on the scene I thought he was just full of himself and his bowling was just based on speed. However this past summer he has been awesome. He is developing into a clever bowler. A lot of his wickets were due to setting up the batsmen and varying his bowling. His slower ball is particularly good. If he can stay relatively injury free he will get as good as Waqar. The problem with Pakistan teams of the past is that they show very little backbone when the chips are down. Steyn has that SA fighting spirit as well. I am also glad they stuck it out with Amla. He seems to improve with every match. He will turn out to be one of our test greats and the best no 3 we have had for many years.

[chiskop]

501/6 at tea.

:)

[xzibit]

Current time: 14:15 local, 10:45 GMT+2

SA 501/6 ....Looking Emphatic

[alf101]

Didn't think we'd have many opportunities to declare on this tour.
But, wtf lets go for 600.

[xzibit]

At this point, I think declare at about 12pm, then have a 10 over shot at the end, perhaps get a wicket or 2 from Steyn

[chiskop]

Would be nice to put the Indians in to bat this afternoon, but I don't think we should be in a rush to declare. While we've made a good start, we've still got to deal with an Indian team packed with really good batsmen.

[alf101]

Would be nice to put the Indians in to bat this afternoon, but I don't think we should be in a rush to declare. While we've made a good start, we've still got to deal with an Indian team packed with really good batsmen.

And if we have a lot of runs, Steyn can pitch it up and not worry about giving runs away.
would be interesting to see him and Morkel with the old ball.

Harris won't have much pressure, the Indian spinners didn't too too well.
He can only do better.

[mercurial]

I think we should declare now.

[sox63]

I think we should declare now.

Oh no, we should put it out of reach of those talented batsmen of theirs. :D

I say bat for the rest of the day.

[mercurial]

Oh no, we should put it out of reach of those talented batsmen of theirs. :D

I say bat for the rest of the day.

Putting them in to bat now would be a good idea, seeing that they've been out on the field all day(they must be tired physically and mentally) and it's nearing the end of the day, which would be good if we can grab a quick 2 or 3 wickets. No one wants to bat late in the day with only a few overs left. They will be on their nerves to try and avoid losing early wickets, whichi will increase our chances of getting those wickets.

[alf101]

Putting them in to bat now would be a good idea, seeing that they've been out on the field all day(they must be tired physically and mentally) and it's nearing the end of the day, which would be good if we can grab a quick 2 or 3 wickets. No one wants to bat late in the day with only a few overs left. They will be on their nerves to try and avoid losing early wickets, whichi will increase our chances of getting those wickets.

They'll be even more tired if we biff another 100 runs and they know they can't win.
40 overs to bowl in this session...

[sox63]

Am I the only one that thinks this game is heading for a draw?

Oops Boucher just got out, declaration should then come soon. I don't see Harris pilling on the runs. :D

[Devill]

we should bat for as long as we can, the pitch will hold up for 3 days "those who know" say, thus give them as little time as possible to use the "good pitch"

Also Mckenzie said that the ball bounced more than he expected so i cant wait to see morkel and steyn bowl :):):)

[killadoob]

yea but we need to start smacking the ball not blocking

[mercurial]

They'll be even more tired if we biff another 100 runs and they know they can't win.
40 overs to bowl in this session...

40 overs? Geez Louise that's a lot. What happened to those days when a session used to be 25 - 30 overs? I think we should bat for another 20 overs and put India in to bat for the last 20. The only reason I said we should declare is because I thought there were only 20 odd overs left in the day.

Update: 520/8.

[alf101]

It's hot and they take 2 drinks breaks per session.
Guess we won't have to worry about declaring now...

9 down and 29 overs to go.

[chiskop]

529/9 - forget declaring.

[xzibit]

Dale Steyn goes !!! All Out

South Africa are 540 all out

[chiskop]

Good timing too. :) Gives us a couple of overs at the Indians.

[xzibit]

At this point, I think declare at about 12pm, then have a 10 over shot at the end, perhaps get a wicket or 2 from Steyn

Not bad predicition, 11:57am and the team is down, just 3 minutes off hey ;)

[alf101]

Not a bad score

[chiskop]

25 overs left in the day.

[alf101]

Predictions?
India 90/2 at close.

[chiskop]

I'll go for 70/2

[xzibit]

80/2 !!! Between 90 and 70 lol...

[JK8]

Who cares about style, I'm talking about wickets! :D

I disagree that Steyn is just a fast bowler. Nel is just a fast bowler, Steyn is wilier than that. He's been talking about Pollock and McGrath being his role models, so I think he's a little more concerned with control than absolute pace.

I agree though that he needs to be looked after. I don't think that you can ask a sportsman to represent his country and hold back though.

110/0 :o

[xzibit]

110/0 :o

I guess you're a supporter of India !! :eek:

I don't have that much confidence in them

[mercurial]

Aah, what the heck. 77/3.

[xzibit]

Aah, what the heck. 77/3.

Now you talking my language ! :D

[native]

looks like India are to a flying start -

I just wish we can get 2/3 cheap wickets before the close of day

[xzibit]

2nd Over : Sehwag Smashes Ntini for 4 and then a 6

[mercurial]

Ntini - 2 overs for 12. Steyn 2 overs for 6. Sehwag has already hit a 6 and a 4.

A 4 and a 6 has gone through 3rd man. Smith has no 3rd man in place. What an idiot.

[xzibit]

Ntini - 2 overs for 12. Steyn 2 overs for 6. Sehwag has already hit a 6 and a 4.

A 4 and a 6 has gone through 3rd man. Smith has no 3rd man in place. What an idiot.

AGREED !!! :eek:

[xzibit]

4.5 overs- 26/0

[Fuma]

Excuse me for my ignorance. What is the benefit of declaring when u can bat until u get 800 plus runs?

[chiskop]

Excuse me for my ignorance. What is the benefit of declaring when u can bat until u get 800 plus runs?

The test is limited to five days - so if you spend three and a half days to get 800 runs, you've only got a day and a half to get the other team out, twice. Basically it is a tactical choice.

:o Indians are 60/0 - I think I may have been a little optimistic in my prediction.

[sox63]

Ntini - 2 overs for 12. Steyn 2 overs for 6. Sehwag has already hit a 6 and a 4.

A 4 and a 6 has gone through 3rd man. Smith has no 3rd man in place. What an idiot.

You would be hard pressed to find a captain that will have a 3rd man in at the beginning of an innings.

[alf101]

You would be hard pressed to find a captain that will have a 3rd man in at the beginning of an innings.

yep, new ball...

[Fuma]

You would be hard pressed to find a captain that will have a 3rd man in at the beginning of an innings.

So is @mercurial the real IDOIT? :D

[JK8]

I guess you're a supporter of India !! :eek:

I don't have that much confidence in them

Yip I support India.
My 110/0 predictions looking good.:)

[mercurial]

While that may be true, I find it quite stupid that if many runs are being scored in that region, that the captain does nothing about it. Even though runs are not the issue in this instance, you would want to restrict as many runs as possible. Or perhaps they were encouraging the Indians to throw the bat at it, to get a cheap wicket or two.

[killadoob]

draw

wicket is to good for anything else

[sox63]

While that may be true, I find it quite stupid that if many runs are being scored in that region, that the captain does nothing about it. Even though runs are not the issue in this instance, you would want to restrict as many runs as possible. Or perhaps they were encouraging the Indians to throw the bat at it, to get a cheap wicket or two.

I think for most captains, 3rd man is a run saving position and not attacking (though in ODIs it can be attacking), and the emphasis when the ball is new is attack, attack!

Does anyone know why the new balls used in this match are darker than normal? It looks maroon than red.

[alf101]

... perhaps they were encouraging the Indians to throw the bat at it, to get a cheap wicket or two.

That's pretty much it.
Want to keep the slips and gully in play.
The cover region will normally have a nice wide gap as well to encourage the drive (and the edge to slip).
Sometimes it costs runs...

[mercurial]

That's pretty much it.
Want to keep the slips and gully in play.
The cover region will normally have a nice wide gap as well to encourage the drive (and the edge to slip).
Sometimes it costs runs...

Yeah. It is worth the risk.

[The Cosmos]

Kirsten names India squad

Bangalore - New India coach Gary Kirsten has named a 14-man squad for the first two Tests of the three-match home series against South Africa.

The first Test will be played in Chennai from March 26-30, the second Test in Ahmedabad from April 3-7 and the third Test in Kanpur from April 11-15.

Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was named as cover for Harbhajan Singh who will undergo a fitness test on March 21.

India:

Anil Kumble (captain), Wasim Jaffer, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Venkatsai Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Irfan Pathan, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Rudra Pratap Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Kartik.

Good god,
Gary Kirsten against South Africa..... :eek::eek::eek:

[Juggy]

draw

wicket is to good for anything else

That's what I said to a mate of mine yesterday at the close of play.

[stefan9]

draw

wicket is to good for anything else

Pitch will crumble on day 4 and 5. Have seen that in many an indian test match. Way too early to call this a draw.

[xzibit]

Good god,
Gary Kirsten against South Africa..... :eek::eek::eek:

That is no shocker ! :D

If you want the money, face your friends. I guess thats how it works with them :D

[chiskop]

India 146/0. :o

I think we did really well to put up the score that we did, but the Indians have a helluva batting lineup, and I'm not sure that our score is as good as we thought yesterday.

[dominic]

truth but it is at least what we will need to stay in the game

[mercurial]

It's still a long way to go. If you look at who's actually doing the damage here, it's Sehwag. Get him out and things will quiet down. We just need to take a few wickets. The rest will follow.

[JK8]

It's still a long way to go. If you look at who's actually doing the damage here, it's Sehwag. Get him out and things will quiet down. We just need to take a few wickets. The rest will follow.

Well you need one to get the rest:p

[mercurial]

Look at the contrasting stats for the current batsmen:




Batsmen Runs B 4s 6s SR
*V Sehwag 110 133 16 1 82.70
W Jaffer 60 143 5 1 41.95




Just get Sehwag out the run rate will slow down dramatically.

[JK8]

Look at the contrasting stats for the current batsmen:




Batsmen Runs B 4s 6s SR
*V Sehwag 110 133 16 1 82.70
W Jaffer 60 143 5 1 41.95




Well thats how test matches work, its called handing over the strike...

[chiskop]

52.6 Harris to Jaffer, OUT, caught! finally South Africa have the breakthrough! Harris tosses one up outside off stump, Jaffer leans forward and plays a loose drive, the ball takes the outside edge and goes straight to Kallis at first slip who remains alert to take a straightforward catch

W Jaffer c Kallis b Harris 73 (166b 6x4 1x6) SR: 43.97

[mercurial]

URG Finally!

[chiskop]

Yeah, just a pity it was Jaffer and not Sehwag. But at least we've made a start.

[alf101]

Excuse me for my ignorance. What is the benefit of declaring when u can bat until u get 800 plus runs?

The way Sehwag's going, India will probably get there.:)



Sehwag reaches out for it and drives powerfully through cover to reach 150, his last ten hundreds have all been scores of above 150, that's an unmatched record

[alf101]

[QUOTE]Gibbs released on R500 bail
28/03/2008 09:28
Proteas batsman Herschelle Gibbs has been released on R500 bail after being arrested for alleged drunken driving in Cape Town, according to police.
QUOTE]

Bet he wishes he was in India right now...

[chiskop]

[QUOTE]Gibbs released on R500 bail
28/03/2008 09:28
Proteas batsman Herschelle Gibbs has been released on R500 bail after being arrested for alleged drunken driving in Cape Town, according to police.
QUOTE]

Bet he wishes he was in India right now...

Well, he's also got bail problems in India. :)

[alf101]

[QUOTE=alf101;1616087]

Well, he's also got bail problems in India. :)

:DForgot about that.

Sehwag on 191

[chiskop]

Sehwag on 202 now :o

[mercurial]

Runs Balls 4's 6's SR
V Sehwag 202 194 32 2 104.12

[sox63]

Am I the only one that thinks this game is heading for a draw?



Yep, this is gonna be a draw.

[chiskop]

Sehwag's just hit another six and a four off the next ball :( India 303/1.

cricinfo:
Sehwag's on strike, buckle up. It's his fourth double hundred in Tests. This is the third fastest double hundred in Test history, only behind Nathan Astle's 153-ball innings in Christchurch and Sehwag's own 182-ball innings in Lahore in 2006.

[alf101]

If India get a lead of 100 runs or so, then either a draw, or Indian victory.
We get them out for under 450, we have a chance...

Pretty impressive:

Sehwag's on strike, buckle up. It's his fourth double hundred in Tests. This is the third fastest double hundred in Test history, only behind Nathan Astle's 153-ball innings in Christchurch and Sehwag's own 182-ball innings in Lahore in 2006.

[mercurial]

URG This is just sad. We need 4 wickets in the next session or it's overs.

[chiskop]

15 runs to Sehwag in the four balls he faced in the Ntini over just before tea.

[mercurial]

Ntini needs to go. He is past his best.

[alf101]

Doesn't appear to be any reverse swing with the old ball. and new ball is coming up again.
Sehwag's batting like a revolving door, so probably wouldn't matter...

[Ecco]

Sehwag just got 250.

Either a draw or a victory for the indians.

[mercurial]

Sehwag just got 250.



WTF. Geeziz crysis.

[Devill]

Ntini needs to either dicover that a slower ball can be bowled or go!

(fast bouncy pitches he will always feature:) )

[xzibit]

Sehwag got more than run-a-ball ....

He hit around 40 4's and 3 6's ....

[mercurial]

Live scorecard (http://content-rsa.cricinfo.com/indvrsa/engine/current/match/332911.html)

[UnoPanelvan]

Two words

No NEL!

[Highflyer_GP]

Ntini needs to go. He is past his best.
Been saying it for ages. Although to be fair, that is a pretty sad and useless pitch that they've prepared.

[mercurial]

Been saying it for ages. Although to be fair, that is a pretty sad and useless pitch that they've prepared.

Yeah. Batsmen's paradise. I guess the real criticism is now on us for not making 800 :o

[UnoPanelvan]

Been saying it for ages. Although to be fair, that is a pretty sad and useless pitch that they've prepared.

Still they are outscoring the Boks by a huge margin on the same or worse pitch. Forget Sehwag, we cannot even get another wicket, like Dravid?

[Devill]

Test wickets should really favour the bowlers so we could see more results in the 5 dayers :)

Dont care how this is done (either green and pacy, or if it crumbles on the last 2 days)

[spidaman]

Sehwag just got 250.

Either a draw or a victory for the indians.

I did under estimate those indians, but no way smith is going to let his boys loose, its going to be a draw

[sand_man]

Dismal day for SA, test heading for a draw yes. It was interesting to hear the commentators lambasting Harris and SA for their negative tactics of bowling round the wicket and wide of the batsman’s leg stump but I would suggest that the Indians preparing a wicket of this nature have done more to bring the game into disrepute than Harris's defensive bowling...

[spidaman]

As for ntini, he needs to disappear for a while and come back strong-it's working for mackenzie

[sand_man]

As for ntini, he needs to disappear for a while and come back strong-it's working for mackenzieYeah he is really battling. Can't help thinking that a more astute coach would have got him out of this slump a long time ago...

[alf101]

Sehwag's best is 309, and Lara's 400 record may be broken at lunch tmrw..

[chiskop]

India 437/1, Sehwag 291.

HRG says: "Another world record, this one relating to partnerships. Jaffer and Sehwag put on 213 runs for the first wicket and Sehwag and Dravid crossed 200 for the second wicket. This is the first time in Test cricket there's been partnerships of 200-plus runs for the first two wickets"

And then, if we manage to get one of these guys out, Tendulkar's coming in. :eek: God, I'm so depressed I can hardly blink.

[alf101]

300 out of 451 runs. Two-thirds of them...
Well played old chap.

[mercurial]

And then, if we manage to get one of these guys out, Tendulkar's coming in. :eek: God, I'm so depressed I can hardly blink.

LOL.

[chiskop]

Well, at least its over for the day.

[mercurial]

South Africa 540
India 468/1 (106.0 ov)
India trail by 72 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

Stumps - Day 3 India RR 4.41
Last 10 ovs 42/0 RR 4.20




Batsmen Runs B 4s 6s SR
*V Sehwag 309 292 41 5 105.82

[alf101]

Well, at least its over for the day.

Yeah, a draw, or an Indian win to look forward to over the next 2 days. :(

3rd triple century made against SA, Jayawardene and Gayle the other 2.

[11masoodt]

guys i think it'll be a draw,

[rpm]

Draw indeed - but do you guys think Sehwag will break the world record? Only 100 more runs...

[chiskop]

Sehwag hasn't looked like he can be beaten. I wouldn't bet against him.

[mercurial]

I think at this point we are all hoping/wishing for a draw. India can still win this one :(

[alf101]

400 around lunch probably.
Lara's 1st class record of 501* may be in danger, just after tea.

[chiskop]

400 around lunch probably.
Lara's 1st class record of 501* may be in danger, just after tea.

Thanks for cheering me up. :(

[milomak]

guys i think it'll be a draw,

provided the pitch doesn't break up it should be a draw. At the rate India is going they could bat for 75-80 overs and get a lead of 280-300. Might mean we bat for a bit tomorrow. And then have a full day to save the test. A day is enough time for a team to crumble. Just ask India.

[JK8]

Yoh!!!
I would play till they reach SA score, go wild after that for 30-40 overs Yuvraj style then send in the Proteas.

[mercurial]

Yoh!!!
I would play till they reach SA score, go wild after that for 30-40 overs Yuvraj style then send in the Proteas.

If you call that wild then how would you describe what they are currently doing?

[alf101]

If you call that wild then how would you describe what they are currently doing?

:D:D:D:D

[chiskop]

If you call that wild then how would you describe what they are currently doing?

Depressing.

[killadoob]

you guys think he will break brian lara's record?

[mercurial]

you guys think he will break brian lara's record?

Nope. I think he will fly early tomorrow morning.

/me prays :o

[JK8]

If you call that wild then how would you describe what they are currently doing?

Hes just playing his natural game:p
If they can score another 280 + tomorrow they can win this.

[stefan9]

India are now in the driving seat. The pitch will start to turn tomorrow and become difficult on day five. Thanx to Sehwag they now have what they want and that's bowling last.

[chiskop]

Today started much better for us. Sehwag gone, Tendulkar gone. :)

Apart from these two wickets this morning, we've been completely outbatted - and we batted well. :o

[alf101]

Steyn just got his 4th wicket, but alas, we cannot win this one.

[Boodles]

Shyte pitch. How is a team supposed to win on this crap. I want to see a result, not a squillion runs scored on a meaningless game.

[alf101]

Yep, Smith already has 26 of 14 balls.

[chiskop]

Wow! I left the house shortly after Ganguly's wicket fell this morning. Get home now, and was completely gobsmacked when I turned the cricket on. i certainly didn't expect to see Amla and the caption 54/1.

What happened to the Indians? Was it the wicket or the bowlers?

[milomak]

a result other than a draw here will be miraculous

[killadoob]

if you can get out india's top 4 you will take the rest really quickly

they dont bat very down the order

[Highflyer_GP]

My god, Dravid is the most boring batsman to watch in a test match! I thought that the days of Kepler Wessels were long gone, but Dravid seems to bring it all back.

[dominic]

Wow! I left the house shortly after Ganguly's wicket fell this morning. Get home now, and was completely gobsmacked when I turned the cricket on. i certainly didn't expect to see Amla and the caption 54/1.

What happened to the Indians? Was it the wicket or the bowlers?wicket certainly seemed to have a little more spite (not consistently) and maybe the cooler weather / breeze / bit of cloud helped

we seemed to have a plan and stuck to it - bowling and fielding was tight
i think steyn is going to become a lower order nightmare for other teams

[AirWolf]

Interesting game:)

[poffle]

Its a great game but i know its gonna be a draw unless we crumble tomorrow. Its stupid though, its a pro20 pitch for a test match :( kinda ruins it completely, but we can still win it !!!!! :P

[Matrix-Solutionz]

Current Score:

(51.4 overs) 189/1

Neil McKenzie 75*
Hashim Amla 72*

[alf101]

Neil McKenzie not out 102 190 11 0
Jacques Kallis not out 10 19 1 0

Draw for sure.

[PostmanPot]

Nice catch. :(

[chiskop]

Nice catch. :(

Yeah, almost makes up for RP Singh's own poor bowling and atrocious fielding up till now.

Great to see MacKenzie scoring another century.

Overall, I think SA should be the happier team. We were beaten on one day by an astounding performance by one indian batsman, but other than that I think we had the upper hand. (Sure, and Dravid got a century, but there's no way that he would've had the luxury of playing himself in the way he did, had he not had Sehwag at the other end.)

[AirWolf]

Indian didn't even bat a second time. Is that the way tests are supposed to be played?:rolleyes:

[chiskop]

Indian didn't even bat a second time. Is that the way tests are supposed to be played?:rolleyes:

Its the way that tests often turn out - and means nothing really.

India would've liked to have established enough of a first innings lead so that they didn't have to bat a second time. Unfortunately for them their batsmen < Sehwag/Dravid couldn't manage that.

[AirWolf]

Its the way that tests often turn out - and means nothing really.

India would've liked to have established enough of a first innings lead so that they didn't have to bat a second time. Unfortunately for them their batsmen < Sehwag/Dravid couldn't manage that.

Which is why the shorter versions get more enthusiastic support.

[chiskop]

Which is why the shorter versions get more enthusiastic support.

That may be. I enjoy 20/20 and ODIs as well as Tests, but they're different. FWIW, I think SA did very well yesterday to achieve the draw today, and that kind of fight back is something that you won't see in a shorter game. You may not enjoy it - but you don't have to watch it.

[alf101]

Which is why the shorter versions get more enthusiastic support.

It's like choosing between a game of tic tac toe and chess.

[AirWolf]

It's like choosing between a game of tic tac toe and chess.

Chess is even more exciting than having to watch someone score at century at a strike rate of 30-40%

[alf101]

Chess is even more exciting than having to watch someone score at century at a strike rate of 30-40%

True, but depends on the bowling.
Donald vs Atherton used to be quite entertaining,
.

[chiskop]

Chess is even more exciting than having to watch someone score at century at a strike rate of 30-40%

So watch chess :rolleyes:

[WonderBob]

I have watched many many tests in my life (and I mean every ball of the match) and have only been bored a handful of times. There is so much to watch in a game. Test cricket is the ultimate game of cricket and test players (and spectators it seems) abilities to the max.

If you don't enjoy watching test matches, stick to the ODI's and 20/20. Otherwise you will be bored plenty.

Or watch some chess (as chiskop suggested), I hear its quite exciting these days :)

[alf101]

Hope the next game isn't a 3 day affair, with the ball turning sideways.
Have a feeling that we need to win the toss, or we lose the test.

Tendulkar is out injured.

[alf101]

India bowled out for 76.
Steyn 5/23


India proved why they are the Twenty20 champs - bowled out in exactly 20 overs. You lay out featherbeds, you get 500 plus scores at will. You dish out a seaming surface and you get a capitulation inside a session. That's the beauty of Test cricket.

[iDOL]

I am still in a state of shock, the guys need to buckle down and play now, so that we can win this match . the 2nd match is also going to be played on this ground.

Silly single over before lunch, they should just have allowed us to have an early lunch before smith and mac have to go out to face the indians.

[mercurial]

India bowled out in 20 overs.




Bowling O M R W Econ
DW Steyn 8 2 23 5 2.87
M Ntini 6 1 18 3 3.00
M Morkel 6 1 20 2 3.33



This is our chance to bat for a few days and put on a massive score and win the match and possibly win the series.

Live scorecard (http://content-rsa.cricinfo.com/indvrsa/engine/current/match/332912.html)

[alf101]

This is still the 1st session of the match, and SA are batting.

[iDOL]

India bowled out in 20 overs.

Yeah also loved this tit bit from cricinfo :

India proved why they are the Twenty20 champs - bowled out in exactly 20 overs. You lay out featherbeds, you get 500 plus scores at will. You dish out a seaming surface and you get a capitulation inside a session. That's the beauty of Test cricket.

[chiskop]

I have never seen a smugger looking bastard than Mickey Arthur at the end of the Indian "innings". :D

[iDOL]

I should imagine him looking right royally smug, they have the momentum now and should follow through with a solid batting performance.

[mercurial]

Yeah also loved this tit bit from cricinfo :

India proved why they are the Twenty20 champs - bowled out in exactly 20 overs. You lay out featherbeds, you get 500 plus scores at will. You dish out a seaming surface and you get a capitulation inside a session. That's the beauty of Test cricket.

Lol.

[iDOL]

it's gonna be rough out there now, india is gonna be all fired up after lunch , we have to take the game ot them now and bat them out of contention.

[mercurial]

it's gonna be rough out there now, india is gonna be all fired up after lunch , we have to take the game ot them now and bat them out of contention.

I don't think they will be fired up. I think more than anything, they are in the gutters.

[alf101]

They picked 3 seamers and 2 spinners. So they'll be praying to get us out for under 100.

Last time we played here in 1996, we lost on a dustbowl.
Now we have the opposite.

[dominic]

:)

you wake up feeling a little on the crusty side and quickly fire up cricinfo, a couple of scenarios running through your head as to who batted first & how it is going

then you see Steyn flattens India for 76

and that is just soooooooo sweeeeeeet

[alf101]

:)

you wake up feeling a little on the crusty side and quickly fire up cricinfo, a couple of scenarios running through your head as to who batted first & how it is going

then you see Steyn flattens India for 76

and that is just soooooooo sweeeeeeet

Yep :D:D

[chiskop]

Got two phone calls before 7:30 - one saying loadshedding, don't come to work; and the other saying watch cricket.

I will comply with both.

[alf101]

Got two phone calls before 7:30 - one saying loadshedding, don't come to work; and the other saying watch cricket.

I will comply with both.

I'm late for work because of this.

20/0
Good partnership...

[chiskop]

The amazing thing is if we hadn't had load shedding, I could've watched the Indian innings and been on time for work. That didn't happen in the first test.

[alf101]

And in other news, Mugabe admits he has lost the election.
Back to cricket.

[mercurial]

Chiskop, in which province are you situated?

[alf101]

Confirmed.
Lorgat is going to take over from Speed .

$500 000 a year job.

[iDOL]

35/0 and kumble off the field kaif on as substitute for him. It's going to be really really rough for india now

[dominic]

halfway to the indian total in 8 overs :)

enjoying my coffee and this beautiful work from home in the hammock listening to the cricket day in cape town

[iDOL]

Mac & Smith steadying the ship and takign their time to get settled,

[alf101]

Mac & Smith steadying the ship and takign their time to get settled,

at 5.09 runs per over.
wait till they get in...

[Devill]

Got two phone calls before 7:30 - one saying loadshedding, don't come to work; and the other saying watch cricket.

I will comply with both.

wish i could say the same :(
anyway make the most of your day i.e. have a nice cold beer and watch some cricket!

[iDOL]

indeed, I mean fatboy oops sorry scratch that, Smith racing to 26 off 27 balls Sreesanth and RP Singh don't seem to be bothering them too much

[iDOL]

Mac back to back 4 fours off of Singh, Smith did the same to Sreesanth earlier in the day as well

[iDOL]

50 up for SA in 10 overs

[sox63]

50 up for SA in 10 overs

They make it look like the Indians were playing on a different pitch. :D

[alf101]

Totally pwned
And they can look forward to more Steyn on day 3.

[chiskop]

And there it is - first innings lead after 14.4 overs :D

[alf101]

Once the ball is older then 25 overs, it gets easy.
We played spin well so far...

[iDOL]

india's 76 surpassed in the 15th over, Now the South African innings really starts

[iDOL]

darn fatboy out

[alf101]

Oops.
100/3.
Spinners are doing well.

[PostmanPot]

145/4.

[mercurial]

Live scorecard (http://content-rsa.cricinfo.com/indvrsa/engine/current/match/332912.html)

[PostmanPot]

Live scorecard (http://content-rsa.cricinfo.com/indvrsa/engine/current/match/332912.html)

:D :D :D

[mercurial]

160/4. Kallis seems to finally be getting some score.

[alf101]

We've got more than double there score.
In theory we could declare tonight and bowl them out again tmrw morning.

[alf101]

South Africa 295/4
AB 97
Kallis 95

No wicket in the morning session, same session in which india lost 10.

[iDOL]

Just before lunch, Ganguly bowling last over - De Villiers 4 off Ganguly, his 100 up ,Kallis on 97 still 2 balls before lunch.

SA Leads by 230 with 6 wickets in hand

[alf101]

Kallis got his 30th 100.

[iDOL]

Ganguly to Kallis 4 - 100 up for Kallies

[iDOL]

I liked this one :

Batsmen Runs
*JH Kallis (rhb) 103*
AB de Villiers (rhb) 103*

[Fuma]

Kallis out. We r looking good, I think.

[mercurial]

Live scorecard (http://content-rsa.cricinfo.com/indvrsa/engine/current/match/332912.html)

[mercurial]

SA 403/5. De Villiers has 153*. Prince has got to go. Has done absolutely buggerall for a while now. SA lead by 327.

[alf101]

Kallis out. We r looking good, I think.

Yeah, extremely good.
unless india get 500 + in their 2nd innings, which they did against the Aussies once.

[milomak]

Yeah, extremely good.
unless india get 500 + in their 2nd innings, which they did against the Aussies once.

if say it takes them two days to get that. surely we would back ourselves to score 100-150 runs in a day?

[mercurial]

We currently have 413/5. There's about 36 overs remaining today. If we can bat out at the same rate, we will reach 539, a lead of 463, with 3 days to play.

[iDOL]

I am certain they would back themselves to chase down 100-150, only problem is the pitch needs to hold out till then , with Harbajan and Kumble on song, they can make that 150 really rough for us.

None the less, I think we will bat out the day and send them in tomorrow morning, with a lead of at least 400-450. So that we can benefit from the early morning moisture in the pitch.

[alf101]

if say it takes them two days to get that. surely we would back ourselves to score 100-150 runs in a day?

Yeah, would take a miracle, like this one:
http://content-rsa.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/match/63920.html
watched a lot of it on tv.

But not likely to happen.
Although we have been bowled out for under 150 a few times.

[dominic]

that was an absolute classic
vvs hoiking warne out of the rough again and again and again :D

[milomak]

I am certain they would back themselves to chase down 100-150, only problem is the pitch needs to hold out till then , with Harbajan and Kumble on song, they can make that 150 really rough for us.

None the less, I think we will bat out the day and send them in tomorrow morning, with a lead of at least 400-450. So that we can benefit from the early morning moisture in the pitch.

that would be my thinking as well.

[mercurial]

The only way we can avoid that is to get a lead of 600. If we bat out today and another 2 sessions tomorrow, we will have that lead at least. Then we have 2 days and a session to bowl out India.

[Highflyer_GP]

Harbhajan Singh 31 5 92 3
So out of 121 overs, one guy has bowled more than a thrid of the overs. And they're wondering why they are being whipped. Wtf happened to rotating bowlers? :/

And Harbhajan is bitching about things as usual, this time about the pitch.

[mercurial]

Because as usual, they depend on their spinners to do everything for them. Harbhajan and Kumble probably bowl most of their innings. Is there no internet streaming video of the cricket? Something that's free?

[iDOL]

Boucher and AB under the yoke of Harbajan and Kumble after tea, run rate plummeting, hoping we can push on from here.

350 lead established now , 30 overs to go for the day.

[Highflyer_GP]

Is there no internet streaming video of the cricket? Something that's free?
http://72.233.32.226/abc

Boucher gone :(

[mercurial]

http://72.233.32.226/abc

Oh Highflyer, you bloody beauty :D

[dominic]

http://72.233.32.226/abc

Boucher gone :(

stunning thank you - will now need to go home to watch with a decent connection

[iDOL]

Harbhajan Singh to de Villiers, SIX, on the roof!

[iDOL]

De Villiers has now surpassed his own individual highest score of 178 v West Indies.

South Afirca still require 28 runs for 400 and there's 22 over remaining in the day, with 6 wickets down,

[mercurial]

stunning thank you - will now need to go home to watch with a decent connection

Yeah, slow connection here at work :(

EDIT: It's working now :D
Pressed stop and restarted it.

[mercurial]

AB's got 203*

[alf101]

http://72.233.32.226/abc

Boucher gone :(

frikkin websense blocking it.:mad:
tx, will try at home.

[iDOL]

Drinks , I think that Biff and Mickey should have declared right now, cloud cover and light drizzle, hate to see this match rained out.

AB has his double there's still 13 overs left in the day , would have been perfect, b

[iDOL]

Kumble to de Villiers, SIX

[alf101]

Smith's record of 277 may be in danger.
AB on 215*, only 3 wickets left though.

[iDOL]

bugger - the rain starts to pelt down a little heavier and the covers are on

[iDOL]

Don't these okes think that it would be safe to declare now, I mean really ,

[Syzygy78]

If there were 2 days left, I would declare. But remember, there are 3 days left in the test!!! SA must keep batting. If we declare now and India replies with a sizable second innings, which is possible, we dont want to be batting on the last day trying to make 150. The pitch could be an absolute nightmare to bat on.

[alf101]

If there were 2 days left, I would declare. But remember, there are 3 days left in the test!!! SA must keep batting. If we declare now and India replies with a sizable second innings, which is possible, we dont want to be batting on the last day trying to make 150. The pitch could be an absolute nightmare to bat on.

yeah, think Smith will only declare when AB gets to 270.

[Fuma]

yeah, think Smith will only declare when AB gets to 270.

Bwahaha. Scared that AB will break his 277 record. Good one.

[chiskop]

Yeah, agreed Syzygy, there's no reason to think of declaring. This is the first innings, there's still three days left.

Bat until we're done.

[iDOL]

I still say we should declare by now and have at them, but biff and mickey will hold out till India finally manages to get the last 3 wickets.

I know there is time enough yet in this match , but I prefer we play for a win first and a draw 2nd, with these two at the helm it seems, we play for a draw 1st and a win in a best case scenario.

We need to take cognisance of the prevailing weather conditions and take that into account when planning our next step. Ideally I would prefer to see the Indians at bat tomorrow morning. But with the weather threatening it would have been better if we could have had them facing up to some exciting seam bowling in preferential seam bowling conditions.

[alf101]

I still say we should declare by now and have at them, but biff and mickey will hold out till India finally manages to get the last 3 wickets.

I know there is time enough yet in this match , but I prefer we play for a win first and a draw 2nd, with these two at the helm it seems, we play for a draw 1st and a win in a best case scenario.

We need to take cognisance of the prevailing weather conditions and take that into account when planning our next step. Ideally I would prefer to see the Indians at bat tomorrow morning. But with the weather threatening it would have been better if we could have had them facing up to some exciting seam bowling in preferential seam bowling conditions.

Play starts 30 min early tmrw. I.E. a 2 1/2 hour 1st session.
If it's overcast, well then it's a no-brainer for Smith.

[chiskop]

How long are Harris, Ntini and Steyn going to last? I say bat. We'll bat till lunchtime-ish, leaving ourselves 2.66 days to take ten wickets.

[iDOL]

How long are Harris, Ntini and Steyn going to last? I say bat. We'll bat till lunchtime-ish, leaving ourselves 2.66 days to take ten wickets.


2.66 days weather permitting. i would hate to snatch a draw from a very clear cut winning position is all and all

[alf101]

How long are Harris, Ntini and Steyn going to last? I...

Probably 30min.

[ToxicBunny]

Tis raining now...ffs

[iDOL]

I would also prefer Steyn and Ntini fresh and ready to have at em, but I think biff and mickey should consider their options, but only let the Indians know shortly before start of play. I don't want to give them any advantage to prepare themselves.

[mercurial]

yeah, think Smith will only declare when AB gets to 270.

Lol. Imagine he declares when AB has 276 :eek:
I hope he gets a triple century. They should bat as long as they can. There's 3 days left.

[milomak]

probably should look to bat through. i don't imagine there will be a strong rearguard action from the remaining fellas. either that or tell AB to blitz it tomorrow morning and see what happens.

[mercurial]

Does anyone know what the weather is gonna be like there tomorrow? I hope it doesn't rain there.

[iDOL]

Clear Sunny Skies forecast for Saturday and Sunday

[mercurial]

Clear Sunny Skies forecast for Saturday and Sunday

Excellent. Thanks :)

[alf101]

Smith declared overnight. 418 ahead.
India 16/0.
Sehwag smacked Steyn for 2 sixes in the 1st over.

Got him
V Sehwag lbw b Ntini 17 (20b 1x4 2x6) SR: 85.00

[chiskop]

India 90/3.

Okay, if I was Smith which, thanks god, I'm not, I wouldn't have declared. Either way though, this test is only going one way, and we won't be batting again.

[alf101]

India 90/3.

Okay, if I was Smith which, thanks god, I'm not, I wouldn't have declared. Either way though, this test is only going one way, and we won't be batting again.

i wouldn't either.
Fortunately India are 3 down, and they're only playing 5 batsmen.

[killadoob]

why would u not declare?

im glad smith is looking to win tests finally

declare and chase down what they post

418 is massive lead and not declaring would be stupid