Cricket: South Africa tour to India 2010

[sox63]

And even worse is that Steyn probably won't get swing with the old ball, because Sehwag has moered the crap out of it already.

There is hope yet...



42.1
Steyn to Sehwag, no run, some reverse swing on offer there. IT moved in late, on the middle and leg. Sehwag jabs it away to the on side.

[sox63]

Where was Kallis? Who the fsck's idea was it to put a non-slip fielder on first slip?!?!?!

Ps Not making any excuses for duminy, if you are playing international cricket then you need to take all the catches wherever you field.

He was fielding at his customary 2nd slip...

[stefan9]

Great so in addition to not scoring, Duminy is now putting down catches and possibly just cost us the match. And there's no such excuse as he's not a slip fielder - you're a fielder, you take catches. It's as simple as that. AB has fielded in the slips too.

Its not an excuse its a fact. AB has fielded in the slips for ages and has also been a wicketkeeper so he is used to the position that is needed for that position. JP has virtually never fielded there for the cobras or proteas and was probably only told the day before the test that they need him to field there because bouch is out and smith can't field in the slips for this test. Slips is a specialist position. He should have taken the catch but he shouldn't really be fielding there as well.

[killadoob]

Guys people drop catches, i have seen the best fielders in the world put down easy chances, surely being in the slip when you are not normally would not lead to dropping catches i mean it is still about catching the ball :D.

So i think we are getting a bit much here, he dropped a catch can happen to any player. Excuses get a bit much, prince is opening that is why he cannot bat anymore, jp dropped a catch because he was at slip.

[Devill]

He was fielding at his customary 2nd slip...

Yes but what I mean is they should have moved Kallis to first, Prince or whom ever normally fields at 4th slip after AB at 3rd in.

See it is always 1st->Smith; 2nd-> Kallis, 3rd->AB; 4th->Prince/(think I saw amla in there as well once.).

WTF have duminy at 1st slip?! just keep the natural order.....

[phoneJunky]

Things are looking bad. Hope we get Sehwag soon, he really likes playing against us...

[sox63]

Its not an excuse its a fact. AB has fielded in the slips for ages and has also been a wicketkeeper so he is used to the position that is needed for that position. JP has virtually never fielded there for the cobras or proteas and was probably only told the day before the test that they need him to field there because bouch is out and smith can't field in the slips for this test. Slips is a specialist position. He should have taken the catch but he shouldn't really be fielding there as well.

I would have put Prince in at 1st slip, because at least he fields at gully most of the time.

[sox63]

Yes but what I mean is they should have moved Kallis to first, Prince or whom ever normally fields at 4th slip after AB at 3rd in.

See it is always 1st->Smith; 2nd-> Kallis, 3rd->AB; 4th->Prince/(think I saw amla in there as well once.).

WTF have duminy at 1st slip?! just keep the natural order.....

The problem is that AB is keeping...

[phoneJunky]

And Smith's finger is fractured, he shouldn't be playing in the first place...

[Devill]

The problem is that AB is keeping...

erm read my post. I am fully aware of it. See where I ask about prince or whomever is called in for slip-duty after AB?

Also note I asked why would you have a more athletic duminy on first slip where "hands" is the most important feature?

Nvm I will spell it out :) This is how it should have been.

1st -> Kallis; 2nd -> Prince (or whom ever normally fields at 4th slip); 3rd-> If duminy was required he should have been fielding here!

[Smooth Criminal]

Where was Kallis? Who the fsck's idea was it to put a non-slip fielder on first slip?!?!?!

Ps Not making any excuses for duminy, if you are playing international cricket then you need to take all the catches wherever you field.
Kallis was at second slip. Who else would you have put in the slips with AB playing as keeper? Probably a toss up between Prince and Duminy. It's pointless blaming the captaincy with two of your usual slip fielders out of it. Perhaps Smith wanted Duminy to contribute something to the game, seeing that he hasn't contributed anything all series. Who knows?

The point is you're an international fielder, you have to take the catches. Even more-so when you're part of one of the best fielding teams, with all the fielding practice that they do. It was an absolute dolly, and you can actually see him snatching at the ball (something that you learn NOT to do from junior cricket).

[Devill]

Like I said not making excuses for him. But the new guy at first slip? Fscking stupid.


and you can actually see him snatching at the ball (something that you learn NOT to do from junior cricket).

Not if you field at point ;) There you do snatch at the ball:)

[Devill]

The problem is that AB is keeping...

erm read my post. I am fully aware of it. See where I ask about prince or whomever is called in for slip-duty after AB?

Also note I asked why would you have a more athletic duminy on first slip where "hands" is the most important feature?

Nvm I will spell it out :) This is how it should have been.
.
1st -> Kallis; 2nd -> Prince (or whom ever normally fields at 4th slip); 3rd-> If duminy was required he should have been fielding here!.

[Devill]

Harris to Sehwag, no run, AB misses a stumping chance What a mess. Harris can't believe it. Sehwag had charged out for the big lofted drive to a delivery that pitched outside leg stump but completely missed it and AB couldn't collect it cleanly. It was just outside leg stump and he messed it up.

//cries

That is going to hurt....

[Stephen]

Harris to Sehwag, no run, AB misses a stumping chance What a mess. Harris can't believe it. Sehwag had charged out for the big lofted drive to a delivery that pitched outside leg stump but completely missed it and AB couldn't collect it cleanly. It was just outside leg stump and he messed it up.

:mad::mad::mad:

[stefan9]

If you want to win you need to take your chances. AB has no excuse he has kept before and that's regulation.

[alf101]

There is hope yet...

Yeah, Sehwags strike rate is only 100 now.
He tends to get over 150 when he gets past 100, unlike our batsmen.

[Devill]

Replays now show that at the end of that over of the missed stumping, Harris walked across and gave a big hug to AB

That is the way to go. Have him put it behind him now. There are 3 and a bit days left in this test so he should not be distracted by it further.

[Stephen]

Well there goes AB being keeper that people have been calling for

[Mamajyot]

Yeah, Sehwags strike rate is only 100 now.
He tends to get over 150 when he gets past 100, unlike our batsmen.

Last test match, our batters made 250 and 170 plus.

Really, cut them some slack.

[Devill]

Well there goes AB being keeper that people have been calling for

Lol :D

One missed stumping the 2nd time he keeps for SA and you judge him to not be good enough?

Ps he does not want to play keeper but imo he would have been great.

[killadoob]

Yea wow you okes go nuts, dropped catch and you call for duminy's head, missed stumping and ab sucks :D.

Let's try be positive here :D. We all make mistakes and things can go horribly wrong. We do tend to make things very hard for ourselves but this is not over just yet although a win is very unlikely :(.

[Smooth Criminal]

Yea wow you okes go nuts, dropped catch and you call for duminy's head, missed stumping and ab sucks :D.

Let's try be positive here :D. We all make mistakes and things can go horribly wrong. We do tend to make things very hard for ourselves but this is not over just yet although a win is very unlikely :(.
I agree that people are being a bit harsh on AB. But Duminy hasn't contributed anything of note this series, the least he could have done was take that catch.

[stefan9]

The reason people are upset is because the side is making the exact same mistakes as the previous tour vs india. Also went in 1-0 up in that test also won the crucial toss and also just like in this test threw everything away because of a poor batting display.

[Devill]

Morkel to Sehwag, FOUR, similar delivery and this time Sehwag moves his front foot across to drive to cover where Amla makes a complete mess

Wtf is happening to us.
We clearly must have had some nice indian beer last night :p:D

3 very good fielders making silly mistakes.

[Stephen]

Yea wow you okes go nuts, dropped catch and you call for duminy's head, missed stumping and ab sucks :D.

Let's try be positive here :D. We all make mistakes and things can go horribly wrong. We do tend to make things very hard for ourselves but this is not over just yet although a win is very unlikely :(.

Regarding JP, he has been poor for a long time now to be fair

[Picard]

India is pounding us up the bum.

.... sorry, i've been posting in that other gay thread. It's starting to get to me. I think i'll head towards Apple's website to see what new "hard"ware they have.

[Mamajyot]

Wtf is happening to us.
We clearly must have had some nice indian beer last night :p:D

3 very good fielders making silly mistakes.

wtf is happening to us is that it's the familiar south african cricket C word.

[raoul]

overheard in dressing room before start of Indian innings.

What Dhoni said: Guys, let us take game 20-overs at a time
What Sehwag heard: Guys, let us play like T20.

[Rustum]

wtf is happening to us is that it's the familiar south african cricket C word.

Complacency? over-Confidence?

[Stephen]

There goes Sehwag past 100 runs since the dropped catch

[Londo]

India is pounding us up the bum.

.... sorry, i've been posting in that other gay thread. It's starting to get to me. I think i'll head towards Apple's website to see what new "hard"ware they have.:D:D:D

[Mamajyot]

Complacency? over-Confidence?

Ch Ch Chokers!
Only we can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory!

[alf101]

BMT - we aint got it.

India lead by 7 runs with 8 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

En nou *** ons

[Devill]

Well at this pace india can have a lead of 300 with more than two days left to play :(

[Esea]

kinda the 1st test whit us in the dogbox this time

[alf101]

Well at this pace india can have a lead of 300 with more than two days left to play :(

20 overs left today, so add another 100 runs.
300 lead by tea tmrw.

[Smooth Criminal]

There goes Sehwag past 100 runs since the dropped catch
Well at least Duminy finally scored a century, even though it came of Sehwag's bat.

[Devill]

kinda the 1st test whit us in the dogbox this time

Jip.

Think we have batted two days to save a test in the last decade or so in india :)

Here is to hoping we can do it again.

[killadoob]

Remember i said not to let that win go to our heads :D. Happens every time :(. Anyways hopefully we draw atleast.

Remember all those people going on about england saving matches and how boring they are, i hope if we need to do it those same people say the same about us. Saving this test match is all that matters even if it means blocking for 2 days :D.

[Devill]

I love how the umpire is calling harris on wides down the leg side. It is negative bowling and it deserves a wide being called if it goes down leg.

Well doen mr white-"jas" :)

[Rustum]

Sachin's 47th century in Tests.

LOL @ Devill's "umoire", the French for umpire.

[alf101]

Sachin's 47th century in Tests.

LOL @ Devill's "umoire", the French for umpire.

That's a lot of 100's and probably won't make 100 in 1st class cricket.

[Rustum]

LOL at Duminy now taking Sehwag.

[Smooth Criminal]

LOL at Duminy now taking Sehwag.

Lol that is pretty funny :D :D

Hopefully that'll be the breakthrough that will spawn Steyn to take another 7!

[Devill]

70.2
Duminy to Sehwag, OUT, Duminy, who reprieved Sehwag earlier, takes his wicket now! It was floated well outside off stump, from round the stumps,Sehwag reached out to drive and couldn't keep it down; he hit it low to right of short cover. Sehwag falls after yet another fine hundred and after putting India in a commanding position

V Sehwag c Prince b Duminy 165 (174b 23x4 2x6) SR: 94.82

Now if we can get them either to bat a lot slower or get them out before they get a lead of 200+ we are still in with a good chance to draw this match.

[alf101]

Yup, India are good at collapsing after a big Sehwag 100. It's our only hope.

[Rustum]

Out!

Tendulkar 106

b Harris, c Kallis

[Stephen]

The Windies tour is in May, I noticed the next round of first class games start in March that is the same time the darn IPL starts. I guess Duminy will be playing IPL instead of regaining form.

http://www.cricinfo.com/sss-09/content/series/420004.html?template=fixtures

[Smooth Criminal]

Haha Harris gets Tendulkar. I'm hoping for a collapse of epic proportions.

[Smooth Criminal]

Predictable move from Smith bringing Dale on (I would have done the same), so let's hope it works again!

[Devill]

71.5
Harris to Tendulkar, OUT, Harris takes out SRT twice in a row now! From round the stumps, flighted on a length outside offs tump, Tendulkar tries to drive inside-out and edges it to right of first slip where Kallis swallows it. Two quick wickets, both set batsmen are gone in a blink and the game roars back to life again. Immense fun. What a ride this Test has been. Can South Africa press on? Will India get ahead again?

SR Tendulkar c Kallis b Harris 106 (206b 12x4 0x6) SR: 51.45

:)

Hope we can restrict them to a below 150 lead.

[alf101]

Into the tail now. :)

[Devill]

Into the tail now. :)

Laxman and Dhoni your idea of a tail? Damn the Don must have been your idea of a guy that can hold a bat but do nothing great then :p:D

[Rustum]

Out!

Badrinath 1, b Steyn

[Smooth Criminal]

Dale you beauty :)

[phoneJunky]

Well done Steyn. There is hope still...

[Rustum]

Dropped! Kallis.

Sorry, didn't get a hand to it.

[Devill]

74.6
Steyn to Badrinath, OUT, Steyn you beauty! It was the vicious off cutter,cutting in from just outside off stump, Badrinath is clueless as he pushes out tentatively and the ball rushes through the bat and pad gap to crash against the off stump. Badri totally exposed there; Steyn has been working him through that over. Totally outclassed. And South Africa are back in the hunt. The game is alive and kicking. What more can one ask?

S Badrinath b Steyn 1 (8b 0x4 0x6) SR: 12.50

Go steyn! :D

Awesome we will see the new ball in the first overs of the day :D

[phoneJunky]

End of play 342-5. Stopped because of bad light.

[Devill]

If only Kallis had taken that catch and we had Laxman.....

Then we really would have been into the tail barring dhoni :)

Indian tail VS New Ball = SA with a chance.

[stefan9]

If only Kallis had taken that catch and we had Laxman.....

Then we really would have been into the tail barring dhoni :)

Indian tail VS New Ball = SA with a chance.

It was wide of him. You needed a gully for that. Don't think we will take the new ball, dale is getting the old to reverse. Tailenders struggling more vs reverse than conventional swing.

Graeme should have introduced duminy earlier imho.

[Smooth Criminal]

26/3 in the last 10 overs. Pretty good effort, but we need to restrict the lead to under 150.

[McT]

A really frustrating day all-in-all, but we can pull it back with a few quick wickets tomorrow morning and get back into this game.

Got to be a bit worried about our extremely fragile middle order. JP and Prince, I really like them both, really have to score some good runs in the 2nd innings.

Anyway, I am quite nervous about tomorrow :(

[McT]

26/3 in the last 10 overs. Pretty good effort, but we need to restrict the lead to under 150.

Dropping Sewag was not good and really impacted on our chances. He's too good a player to give too many chances.

[sand_man]

A really frustrating day all-in-all, but we can pull it back with a few quick wickets tomorrow morning and get back into this game.

Got to be a bit worried about our extremely fragile middle order. JP and Prince, I really like them both, really have to score some good runs in the 2nd innings.

Anyway, I am quite nervous about tomorrow :(
Yip it must be close to last chance saloon for JP and Prince but I would persist with them. Show a bit of faith in them and they'll come right. Form is temporary, class is permanent. Both players are a knock away from regaining form... Law of averages...

I also think JP should be used more to bowl. He does quite well for a 3 over an innings type bowler...

[killadoob]

Sandman what class has jp shown though? A good aussie tour? When does one good tour make you a permanent fixture even when you fail game after game after game?

I could agree with prince has he has a proven track record but duminy? When does one tour make you a permanent fixture for the next few years?

[superskully]

Against England, Duminy was brought on way too late to bowl.
And when he did, he took key wickets.
Again, noew he took the key wicket.
Why does Smith bring him on so late, when it is too late.

[alf101]

Sandman what class has jp shown though? A good aussie tour? When does one good tour make you a permanent fixture even when you fail game after game after game?

I could agree with prince has he has a proven track record but duminy? When does one tour make you a permanent fixture for the next few years?

2009 was a loooong season.
He was in and out of form multiple times.
Vs Aus - he was great.
In the IPL - played a few great knocks.
Champions League - he kicked butt, scored a 100 and a 50 or 2.
Vs Eng - not so great.
In domestic cricket - some great knocks as well.

2010 - still getting started - but bowling looking good.

He'll have to get some runs in the Windies though.

Someone will be dropped when Boucher gets back...

[sand_man]

Sandman what class has jp shown though? A good aussie tour? When does one good tour make you a permanent fixture even when you fail game after game after game?

Yip, to do well in Aus is enough of an indication that the kid can play. Bear in mind that Aussie tour is when he made his debut so in effect he has only been playing test cricket for a year, 9 tests in total, he is still green yet showed enough on debut to indicate the pedigree... Selectors should persist with him but pressure will be mounting to drop him..

EDIT: Smith should really bowl him more. Even if he isn't scoring runs he can steal a couple of wickets here and there. Very useful part time bowler..

[killadoob]

Anyone can have a good run against the WI :D, i think kenya would give them a run for their money at this point in time.

[alf101]

It was wide of him. You needed a gully for that. Don't think we will take the new ball, dale is getting the old to reverse. Tailenders struggling more vs reverse than conventional swing.

Graeme should have introduced duminy earlier imho.

Boycott's mum would've caught that one!!!

[stefan9]

I would stick with JP till after the west indian tour.

Some interesting stats for those who want to drop JP comparing him and the great JK at the same point in there test careers.

Batting: After 19 test innings kallis was averaging 25.47 with one hundred and 2 fifties. JP after 19 innings is averaging 30.11 with one hundred and 2 fifties.

Bowling: Kallis 11 wickets at 34.18 compared to JP's 11 wickets at 30.81

[Kilgore_Trout_Redux]

I think that since we are struggling to find backup pace bowlers for Steyn the camp are trying to keep the rest of the team consistent. They can't afford to shuffle the rest of the team too much. You need some consistency.

Having said that what do you folks think of Morné Morkel? I have the feeling that he doesn't have the temprement to play at this level. He's all over the place and by now he should have settled down. I'm not sure if he is just trying too much or whether he is just out of his league.

[sand_man]

I would stick with JP till after the west indian tour.

Some interesting stats for those who want to drop JP comparing him and the great JK at the same point in there test careers.

Batting: After 19 test innings kallis was averaging 25.47 with one hundred and 2 fifties. JP after 19 innings is averaging 30.11 with one hundred and 2 fifties.

Bowling: Kallis 11 wickets at 34.18 compared to JP's 11 wickets at 30.81
That's very interesting indeed....

[stefan9]

I think that since we are struggling to find backup pace bowlers for Steyn the camp are trying to keep the rest of the team consistent. They can't afford to shuffle the rest of the team too much. You need some consistency.

Having said that what do you folks think of Morné Morkel? I have the feeling that he doesn't have the temprement to play at this level. He's all over the place and by now he should have settled down. I'm not sure if he is just trying too much or whether he is just out of his league.

Give the guy a break most fast bowlers struggle in india, steyn is the exception. Both lee and johnson struggled as much as morkel. He had a brilliant series vs england taking his wickets at 22. Also it doesn't help when he gets sehwag to nick it and it gets dropped.

[Smooth Criminal]

I would stick with JP till after the west indian tour.

Some interesting stats for those who want to drop JP comparing him and the great JK at the same point in there test careers.

Batting: After 19 test innings kallis was averaging 25.47 with one hundred and 2 fifties. JP after 19 innings is averaging 30.11 with one hundred and 2 fifties.

Bowling: Kallis 11 wickets at 34.18 compared to JP's 11 wickets at 30.81
It doesn't mean that it worked for Kallis that it will work for Duminy. That's the exception rather than the norm.

[killadoob]

Right now we have nobody to replace morkel and i think if duminy and prince can maintain their positions with such terrible form why replace morkel? Stick with them as mentioned but JP had better come right soon and prince i honestly think needs to go, he is an epic failure at the moment. Sometimes it is actually better for a man out of form to get dropped. They either get back in the team stronger or they fade away. Prince to me looks like a man in serious need of knowing he can and will be replaced and using the opening bat as an excuse for him just does not cut it for me. Maybe he proves me wrong in the next innings with a big 100 but on current form i would be delighted if he contributed just 20.

[phoneJunky]

South Africa always stick long with players that fail a few times - Kallis, de Villiers, Amla, McKensie etc.

[Kilgore_Trout_Redux]

My concern with Morkel is that he has been struggling since his inclusion in the team. He was very erratic in SA too.

[killadoob]

When did they stick with mckensie? he has been in and out of the team. He did not get the support amla, kallis, jp,prince and de villiers have been afforded when playing poorly.

[stefan9]

It doesn't mean that it worked for Kallis that it will work for Duminy. That's the exception rather than the norm.

There's a reason why duminy averages nearly 49 in first class crciket. Class rises to the top. JP is just going through that second season phase, happended to a lot of great players.

[Kilgore_Trout_Redux]

Yep, the opposition have figured Duminy out, now we see how good the coaching staff are at working on his weaknesses. Give the guy a season or two.

[thriel]

do we take the number one spot if we draw or win ?

or do we only take the number 1 spot if we win ?

[killadoob]

Only a 2-0 victory will give us number 1.

[Smooth Criminal]

Or 1-0.

[stefan9]

do we take the number one spot if we draw or win ?

or do we only take the number 1 spot if we win ?

If we win the series we take number 1. We need to either win this test or draw it to get the number one spot and the icc test champions lance and $750 000. Side who finishes top of the rankings on april 1 receive that.

[stefan9]

Only a 2-0 victory will give us number 1.

No 1-0 is enough. 1-0 will mean we end up 0.3 ahead of india, 2-0 is just a bigger gap.

[Bizkit87]

I would stick with JP till after the west indian tour.

Some interesting stats for those who want to drop JP comparing him and the great JK at the same point in there test careers.

Batting: After 19 test innings kallis was averaging 25.47 with one hundred and 2 fifties. JP after 19 innings is averaging 30.11 with one hundred and 2 fifties.

Bowling: Kallis 11 wickets at 34.18 compared to JP's 11 wickets at 30.81

would be cool if you can swing some stats/links our way?????

[killadoob]

Ya sorry my bad read it wrong :D.

[stefan9]

would be cool if you can swing some stats/links our way?????

You guys don't know how to use cricinfo's stats, its quite usefull.

But here you go:

JK batting: http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/45789.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting;v iew=cumulative

JP batting: http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/44932.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting;v iew=cumulative


JK bowling:http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/45789.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling;v iew=cumulative

JP bowling: http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/44932.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling;v iew=cumulative

[thriel]

ok. sorry thats what i meant.

draw or win this match not the test.

so basicly being one up at the moment we only need to draw the current match to take the spot. india however has to win this match to retain the spot.

seems to me there is alot of pressure on india as well, not only us then.

[alf101]

When did they stick with mckensie? he has been in and out of the team. He did not get the support amla, kallis, jp,prince and de villiers have been afforded when playing poorly.

He has played 58 test matches, hasn't he?

[killadoob]

Tests 58 94 7 3253 226 37.39 7744 42.00 5 16 409 22 54 0

:eek: i must admit i do not recall him being a regular.

[Stephen]

There could be some dodgy weather during the remainder of the match. If it actually happens or affects the result of the match we will have to wait and see

[alf101]

Tests 58 94 7 3253 226 37.39 7744 42.00 5 16 409 22 54 0

:eek: i must admit i do not recall him being a regular.

You just want to perve his wife and sister.

[alf101]

There could be some dodgy weather during the remainder of the match. If it actually happens or affects the result of the match we will have to wait and see

40% chance of showers :)

[killadoob]

You just want to perve his wife and sister.

Goodness me his sister is something else hey, the rain never helps us. So the only time it would rain is if we really don't need it :D. The rain GODS hate SA for some reason.

[Morgoth]

Saw in the papers on sunday at Kirsten has to inform the police every time he goes out in India, I wonder what his pay check is at.

[alf101]

Goodness me his sister is something else hey, the rain never helps us. So the only time it would rain is if we really don't need it :D. The rain GODS hate SA for some reason.

Ja, I suppose she's ok

http://www.celebrity-pictures.ca/Celebrities/Megan-McKenzie/Megan-McKenzie-4.JPG

[I am Penguin]

Goodness me his sister is something else hey, the rain never helps us. So the only time it would rain is if we really don't need it :D. The rain GODS hate SA for some reason.

Hell, if she was my sister................never mind!

[Morgoth]

Hell, if she was my sister................never mind!

id have no shame with incest if my sister looked like that!

[killadoob]

It must be horrible to be him though, nobody remembers he is a cricketer they just know he has a super freakin amazingly hot sister :D.

[stefan9]

It must be horrible to be him though, nobody remembers he is a cricketer they just know he has a super freakin amazingly hot sister :D.

and wife. Personally I wouldn't mid too much if I were him.

[sox63]

So many dropped catches and we expect to win this game?

[McT]

So many dropped catches and we expect to win this game?

You still think we have a chance? With the most brittle of middle orders and a tail that doesn't wag and Smith who looks like he can't buy a run...

/looks around for the fat lady :p

[alf101]

Dale Steyn currently has 195 wickets from 37 Tests. If he reaches 200 during the second Test against India, will he be the quickest to reach that landmark? asked Howard Asher from South Africa
Dale Steyn did indeed have 195 wickets from 37 matches before the second Test against India started in Kolkata on Sunday. If he reaches 200 in his 38th Test, he will have equalled the achievement of two great fast bowlers - Dennis Lillee of Australia and Pakistan's Waqar Younis, who both took their 200th wicket in their 38th Tests. But the record is held by a very different type of bowler: the wily Australian legspinner Clarrie Grimmett - the first bowler ever to take 200 Test wickets - got there in his 36th match.

Doesn't look like India are going to bat again, so he needs to take the wickets now.

[Mamajyot]

Doesn't look like India are going to bat again, so he needs to take the wickets now.

127 ahead and counting.
If India had Laxman and Dravid in the 1st test, we would not have won so easily.

[phoneJunky]

Things are not looking to good. Hope we can force a draw here. Will be tough though.

[ryu]

we bragged too much after the first test. it's coming back to bite us on the @$S :)

that said i reallly do hope we can pull off a draw at least !

[sand_man]

Things are not looking to good. Hope we can force a draw here. Will be tough though.
Nah we cruising, Indians will be praying for rain soon...:whistle:

[killadoob]

I really cannot see anything but a loss in this test. even if india get a 200 run lead we will need to bat for about 2 days to save the test. I cannot see it.

[phoneJunky]

I remember vaguely a test where we batted out the remaining days. We can still, Amla and Kallis must just play there "boring" innings we know they can...

[sand_man]

If you consider all the middle order batsman "due runs" we should be okay. Seems a good batting track now and there's the possibility of rain... We would need a lead of around 150-180 to give our bowlers something to bowl with. Would be nice to if we lost a session or 3 to inclement weather..

[phoneJunky]

Duminy is not having a good day, couldn't hold on to one from Laxman.

[sox63]

104.2
Parnell to Laxman, 1 run, 136.9 kph, Dropped by Duminy at backward point. short in length and moving across Laxman who punches it off the back foot and Duminy lunges out front of him but the ball died on him quickly and he couldn't quite get his palms under the ball ..


:mad:

[killadoob]

Why are you upset, sounds like a difficult chance.

[sox63]

Why are you upset, sounds like a difficult chance.

I just cant believe we have not held on to our chances in this game...

[alf101]

Every batsmen has had a 2nd chance so far.
Missed stumping and six catches down that I can recall.

[Mamajyot]

Every batsmen has had a 2nd chance so far.
Missed stumping and six catches down that I can recall.

Innings defeat coming up.
VVS for another 100.

Jai hind!

[Stephen]

Innings defeat coming up.
VVS for another 100.

Jai hind!

Well you said India would win the last one :rolleyes:, so we just have to wait and see




India will triumph!

Jai Hind!

[Smooth Criminal]

So many dropped catches and we expect to win this game?

Heard on the radio this morning that we gave away 167 runs in dropped catches.

We don't deserve to win honestly - poor batting (bar 2 batsmen) and all these dropped catches make even India look good in the field.

[Devill]

Taking 27 wickets is a lot harder than taking 20 :mad:

[alf101]

India RR 4.22
Last 10 ovs 47/0 RR 4.70

We can't even keep the damn run rate down.

[poffle]

Yeah they just hitting us around the park :( They sitting on 535-6.
A lead of 239.

I got a feelign that its all over very very soon.

[Mamajyot]

Well you said India would win the last one :rolleyes:, so we just have to wait and see

I am no fortune teller.....

[Fiekus]

On day 1 the commentators said the pitch would be ideal for batting on day 2 and 3. Seems when we won the toss we wanted to avoid batting last on this pitch .... but it seems we will bat last anyway :twisted:

[Stephen]

I am no fortune teller.....

Well you did say thaey would win the last one

[killadoob]

Stephen that by no means makes him a prophet :D

Yea well 1-1 in india is not that bad :D. Who knows maybe the surface is a batting paradise and we bat out the 2 days :D. Highly doubt it but you never know. Considering we have some seriously out of form batsmen the first 3-4 wickets will determine our fate, prince will go for a duck again, duminy will hang around for 10 so i sure as F hope that someone like amla, smither,kallis, peterson can block well :D

[Mamajyot]

Well you did say thaey would win the last one

I was wrong...... Shoot me.......

[Devill]

Great time for kallis to make his first dubble hundred :D

[Stephen]

I was wrong...... Shoot me.......

Sure

[Mamajyot]

Great time for kallis to make his first dubble hundred :D

Please tell me the name of the stuff that you are smoking. It must be very good as it seems you might actually believe what you say!

[sox63]

135.5
Duminy to Laxman, 1 run, 15th Test hundred comes with a flick shot. Crowd erupt. The team-mates are up and applauding. Laxman shares a laugh with Dhoni. This is his fourth ton in 9 Tests in Eden Gardens. If Dhoni also reaches his century, this will be only the second time, four Indian batsmen would have scored centuries in the same innings.


Only the 2nd time?? With that batting line up, I would have thought there would be plenty more.

[Stephen]

Stephen that by no means makes him a prophet :D

Yea well 1-1 in india is not that bad :D. Who knows maybe the surface is a batting paradise and we bat out the 2 days :D. Highly doubt it but you never know. Considering we have some seriously out of form batsmen the first 3-4 wickets will determine our fate, prince will go for a duck again, duminy will hang around for 10 so i sure as F hope that someone like amla, smither,kallis, peterson can block well :D

I suppose another draw sigh. But people were saying it was like a loss when we drew with England - so I suppose its alright

Still our record against India is Fab, 9 series played, 5 wins and 2 losses

[SlyFly]

I suppose another draw sigh. But people were saying it was like a loss when we drew with England - so I suppose its alright

Still our record against India is Fab, 9 series played, 5 wins and 2 losses

Did you forget we're South Africa? We might just get bowled out for 150 and they win the game, still 2 days left :/

[Devill]

Please tell me the name of the stuff that you are smoking. It must be very good as it seems you might actually believe what you say!

I can not think of a better time for kallis to make a dubble ton..... if you can please tell me.

[killadoob]

Sly i am almost 100% sure we will lose this one. 2 days is very long to bat out. With 2 batsman so out of form we do not have much hope.

[Stephen]

Did you forget we're South Africa? We might just get bowled out for 150 and they win the game, still 2 days left :/

I am talking about series, this is the ninth and I have taken into account that SA will lose this one

At worst we draw the series

[Smooth Criminal]

Even if we draw the series I think we've done well considering all the k@k that went down before the series. And we do better in India than they do in SA - so in December when they tour here, we'll see what they're really made of.

[Mamajyot]

Even if we draw the series I think we've done well considering all the k@k that went down before the series. And we do better in India than they do in SA - so in December when they tour here, we'll see what they're really made of.

Well, the support India gets in SA is incredible.
IPL and past tours bear testiment to that.

[Ecco]

Dhoni should declare now, he has his 100, and almost 300 runs lead

[Smooth Criminal]

Well, the support India gets in SA is incredible.
IPL and past tours bear testiment to that.
Doesn't change the fact that they suck here :P

[alf101]

They will go off for bad light, so may as well bat on.

[killadoob]

Start fresh rather than declare now.

2 days is plenty to win this match.

[Rustum]

I think they'll throw the bat around until both these centurions are out, then declare, or by tomorrow morning.

[alf101]

I think they'll throw the bat around until both these centurions are out, then declare, or by tomorrow morning.

You reckon? :)
147.6
Duminy to Dhoni, SIX, 90.4 kph, Clubbed that. He moved down the track and swung his bat around to send the ball sailing over long-on.

147.5
Duminy to Dhoni, SIX, 92.4 kph, Bludgeon. Dhoni presses forward and brings down his new bat and crashes the delivery from outside off to over long-on

[CHURCHILL]

I suppose another draw sigh. But people were saying it was like a loss when we drew with England - so I suppose its alright

Still our record against India is Fab, 9 series played, 5 wins and 2 losses

Lol.... i thought England was the only team that played for draws and mediocrity.

[Stephen]

Lol.... i thought England was the only team that played for draws and mediocrity.

Yes you are still correct, England are the kings of celebrating mediocrity

[phoneJunky]

things look bad, really bad...

[Rustum]

Don't know why people poo-poo draws. For me a draw in cricket is so quintessentially... cricket. Obviously you want a win, but for a spectator, a drawn test can contain as much cricketing pleasure as anythingl.

[Mamajyot]

"Well that's 4 SA bowlers with a ton against their names - perhaps its Smith that should declare now."

And he has just declared...... Dhoni it is. 347 behind!!!

[Mamajyot]

Don't know why people poo-poo draws. For me a draw in cricket is so quintessentially... cricket. Obviously you want a win, but for a spectator, a drawn test can contain as much cricketing pleasure as anythingl.

Thats always what a loser says.......

[Stephen]

Thats always what a loser says.......

Well India arent exactly going to win the series either, and with there away performance (especially against the top sides) - tut tut

[killadoob]

Lol.... i thought England was the only team that played for draws and mediocrity.

Drawing a game when you look certain to lose is always a win and should be treated as such however england always seem to be hanging on. So they do seem to play more for a draw than a victory which is fine. The rules do not state you must play for victory, so if you go one up in the series you can bat and try draw the remaining tests :D.

[Smooth Criminal]

Stumps called. Tomorrow they're starting early, and have to get 95 overs in. Funny how it wasn't an issue that we lost overs against England :/

[Devill]

Wow won't it be great to force the draw?

Will take some MASSIVE contributions from everyone.

[Stephen]

Wow won't it be great to force the draw?

Will take some MASSIVE contributions from everyone.

How well thay do against The Slapper will be key

[stefan9]

Lol.... i thought England was the only team that played for draws and mediocrity.

Last I recalled your mighty english lost the series india, we will be drawing our series at least. Also at least our captain doesn't take an extended vacation.;)


Stumps called. Tomorrow they're starting early, and have to get 95 overs in. Funny how it wasn't an issue that we lost overs against England :/

They won't get 95 overs in. They will try but bad light will come in again unless the indian spinners run through the overs. We also started early on days vs england but with fast bowlers you never get to the required over rate.

[Rustum]

Thats always what a loser says.......

"for a spectator, a drawn test can contain as much cricketing pleasure as anything"

Note that 'cricketing pleasure' is independent of which side wins.

[CHURCHILL]

Last I recalled your mighty english lost the series india, we will be drawing our series at least. Also at least our captain doesn't take an extended vacation.

/Off topic, i see in your, Location it states : SA for now.

If my ask where are you planning on relocating?

[Smooth Criminal]

We also started early on days vs england but with fast bowlers you never get to the required over rate.
Well I suppose they also had Broad, who wasted a few overs on his own :P

[Stephen]

/Off topic, i see in your, Location it states : SA for now.

If my ask where are you planning on relocating?

I know where you are headed with this, I have seen your previous posts . Maybe he is going to New Zealand or Australia or some other country that is not England

[stefan9]

/Off topic, i see in your, Location it states : SA for now.

If my ask where are you planning on relocating?

That's far off for now. But my plan is to relocate to either the uk,aus or canada. But that is the long term plan, things can change quickly.

Relocating doesn't mean adopting that countries cricket side.

[SlyFly]

Specially if you're going to Canada ;)

[killadoob]

Well if you did support the english if you moved there it would be no different, most of the team is SA anyway :D.

[Sting]

That's far off for now. But my plan is to relocate to either the uk,aus or canada. But that is the long term plan, things can change quickly.

Relocating doesn't mean adopting that countries cricket side.

If you can hold a bat they might select you for the England side!!!:D:D:D

[killadoob]

The heard the english are being questioned for trafficking good SA cricketers, big scandal going on there. They pay top dollar/pound for us :D.

[poffle]

FFS pitched outside the line and smith was given LBW :(

[raoul]

FFS pitched outside the line and smith was given LBW :(

is it really? From cricinfo.

Mishra to Smith, OUT, Trapped in front. Mishra takes out the big wicket of Smith in his first delivery and boy... is he mobbed by his team-mates or what. It landed on the off stump line, turned in, Smith tried to play it with the turn but played all around it and was struck in front of middle and off. It would have spun into middle and leg stump. Gone! Huge wicket this. Eden Gardens erupts.

GC Smith lbw b Mishra 20 (33b 2x4 0x6) SR: 60.60

[superskully]

FFS pitched outside the line and smith was given LBW :(

Pitched is different from hitting.
Only if it pitches outside leg can it never being given out or pitching on leg stump but bowling over the wicket.
Otherwise hitting has to be in line of the wicket unless u dont play a shot (but the rule above still applies).

So i dont get how u see it pitched outside line and that was wrong (it pitched on the off side and hit on off-mid stump).

In any case, yet again Smith goes when under pressure.
Yes he can drive SA to win, but not to 'not lose'.

[poffle]

ah sorry, my bad ^_^

Anyway, peterson is out.

[Kilgore_Trout_Redux]

And so the slow bleed starts.

[killadoob]

Are there people in this thread who actually have hope left?

1-1 series drawn, don't be shocked when it happens :D. No team on the planet could hold out against india for 2 solid days, not even draw specialists england.

[poffle]

At the rate we going it looks like we dont want to just sit and draw it out. We are only 230 behind now and if kallis n amla pull off what they did in the1st test (play positively and score runs like they are now) then i think we could even post a 100 or 200 run lead.. maybe that is what will save us. **crosses fingers**

[poffle]

**** as i say that we go and lose kallis. tosser

[alf101]

I figured we'd be bowled out for under 200 runs today.

If we do better than that I'll be very surprised.

[killadoob]

Poffle there is nothing that can save us, we know blocking for 2 days will end in a lose. So they must just try and push the run rate a bit and see if someone can get a big 100. If not we go down fighting not defending. Far better to lose trying to get runs than lose blocking.

Let's hope the prince out there is a the great batsmen and not the duck lover.

[Stephen]

Off for bad light and rain

[sand_man]

Let's hope they off for the day... And let's hope more of the same tomorrow!!!! It's about time the weather saved SA from defeat!!! We dew... eh due... :)

[alf101]

Let's hope they off for the day... And let's hope more of the same tomorrow!!!! It's about time the weather saved SA from defeat!!! We dew... eh due... :)

yeah, I'm actually trying to think of a time when rain helped us...

[Stephen]

Let's hope they off for the day... And let's hope more of the same tomorrow!!!! It's about time the weather saved SA from defeat!!! We dew... eh due... :)


yeah, I'm actually trying to think of a time when rain helped us...

I think the last time we were sort of saved was Durban 2004 against the Poms, although being Durban everyone knew about the bad light situation.

Unfortunately I think ithe weather is looking fine for tomorrow - pity about Kallis - darn if he was there tomorrow I would have rated our chances

[superskully]

Even if we dont play today, there is still a whole day tomorrow.
Prince and Duminy better come good as Amla nor De villiers can do it themselves.

Or, it rains tomorrow :D
The bad thing about rain though is it can favor the bowlers:(

[phoneJunky]

Looks like they will come on again and tomorrow there is no rain expected.

[alf101]

Probably won't be more than 30 min of play even if they do go on, they'll be off for the light again.


2.57 pm The main covers too are coming off. The light is a bit dull, though. Supersopper is going around the ground. No official word yet on the commencement of play. I will be back in a short while with more news from the ground.

2.38 pm The covers are coming off. The Supersopper is still doing the rounds, though. It will take a while to get the game started.

Says T-Storms Early tonight and tmrw is partly cloudy.

[phoneJunky]

3.05 pm The umpires are walking around, picking spots where saw dust could be sprayed mostly on the edges of the inner circle. Zaheer Khan who went twice before tea had some problems with his right knee. He was back on the field post tea, though. The umpires are walking back now

Looks like it will start soon

[phoneJunky]

They were out for an over and bad light stopped play again - Amla hit a four, all that happened in that over...

[alf101]

cool
That means another 30 min wasted.

I feel like a Pom today.

[Stephen]

cool
That means another 30 min wasted.

I feel like a Pom today.

No, I think thats it for today

[killadoob]

Good, let's prey tonight to rain GODS and tell them it would be nice for once if they helped us and not the opposition :D.

Ya prince and duminy owe us massive innings, let's hope the aussie tour duminy comes back tomorrow and the awesome prince can get off the mark.

[alf101]

Maybe some lightning will fcsk the pitch up as well.

[superskully]

What has happened to SA.
Really, we praying for rain. Thats not the SA we use to be.
Even England managed to salvage a draw twice.

Its seems the SA under Smith is a go big or go home team.
And the only draws we salvage are ones we winning or wickets that is a batting paradise.

Correct me if i am wrong, but when last did we salvage a draw (when we faced more than 90 overs btw).

Ans yes, i am biased cos i am a Smith hater, he is a top batsmen but not captain. he cannot pick the team up when he is failing.

[phoneJunky]

Well, with 7 wickets in hand we might be able to bat the day out. Hope we get ahead anyway for just in case.

[Kilgore_Trout_Redux]

I just wish Smith wouldn't insist on playing with broken fingers.

[Devill]

Even if we dont play today, there is still a whole day tomorrow.
Prince and Duminy better come good as Amla nor De villiers can do it themselves.

Or, it rains tomorrow :D
The bad thing about rain though is it can favor the bowlers:(

100% what I was thinking. Rain = Seam when the covers come off. But on the other hand the pitch might then not be as spin friendly :D

[Stephen]

What has happened to SA.
Really, we praying for rain. Thats not the SA we use to be.
Even England managed to salvage a draw twice.

Its seems the SA under Smith is a go big or go home team.
And the only draws we salvage are ones we winning or wickets that is a batting paradise.

Correct me if i am wrong, but when last did we salvage a draw (when we faced more than 90 overs btw).

Ans yes, i am biased cos i am a Smith hater, he is a top batsmen but not captain. he cannot pick the team up when he is failing.


The one problem I have with a certain type of South African "supporter" is they like to run down our team pretty quickly and conveniently forget important facts.

How about Lords 2008 - Smith scored a 100

[superskully]

The one problem I have with a certain type of South African "supporter" is they like to run down our team pretty quickly and conveniently forget important facts.

How about Lords 2008 - Smith scored a 100

What do you mean by "supporter".
I am a Smith-hater, always will be - he is a arrogant ...
One of my icons was Klusener btw (just so understand y i hate Smith).

In any case, Lords 2008, actually adds to my point.
Smith performed - so the team performed.
So my opinion is (its my opinion not a fact and i have right to say it) that when Smith's head is down, so is the teams.

[killadoob]

Hmmm how much did smith make when amla smashed 250?

I never used to like smithers but he has grown on me :D. Good captain great opening bat. Not his fault the selectors keep selecting out of form players.

[alf101]

What do you mean by "supporter".
I am a Smith-hater, always will be - he is a arrogant ...
One of my icons was Klusener btw (just so understand y i hate Smith).

In any case, Lords 2008, actually adds to my point.
Smith performed - so the team performed.
So my opinion is (its my opinion not a fact and i have right to say it) that when Smith's head is down, so is the teams.

Have to agree with that.
He likes to be the hero, one of the reasons that Kemp, Klusener, Hall etc get left out the team.
Albie Morkel doesn't get many chances to perform either - WTF does he only come in with under 2 overs to go in T20's?

[stefan9]

Have to agree with that.
He likes to be the hero, one of the reasons that Kemp, Klusener, Hall etc get left out the team.
Albie Morkel doesn't get many chances to perform either - WTF does he only come in with under 2 overs to go in T20's?

Kemp was crap whenever he played on slow pitches which is why he got dropped. Was useless in the west indies and sub continent. Not smith's fault that he and hall chose the easy route of icl cricket instead of trying to fight for their spots.

The titans also happen to send albie in way too late in 20/20 cricket, so pierre joubert also smokes the same stuff as smith. Only at the super kings under dhoni does he get in early, number 4 or 5.


I just wish Smith wouldn't insist on playing with broken fingers.

He was declared fit to bat, he just didn't bat very well. He is hardly the first player to play with a sore finger.

[Stephen]

What do you mean by "supporter".
I am a Smith-hater, always will be - he is a arrogant ...
One of my icons was Klusener btw (just so understand y i hate Smith).

In any case, Lords 2008, actually adds to my point.
Smith performed - so the team performed.
So my opinion is (its my opinion not a fact and i have right to say it) that when Smith's head is down, so is the teams.

Ah, the reinvention of the word Arrogant. The new meaning of Arrogance is- "Standing up for the team, complimenting the players and thinking positive." Hmm let me think, oh wait every captain does it.

What is Smith suppose to say, "My players are rubbish,we are going to lose, we should just give up and go home."

I feel sorry for the new captain, he just dare compliment his own team and people will be screaming "arrogant!!"

[Devill]

Kemp was crap whenever he played on slow pitches which is why he got dropped. Was useless in the west indies and sub continent. Not smith's fault that he and hall chose the easy route of icl cricket instead of trying to fight for their spots.

The titans also happen to send albie in way too late in 20/20 cricket, so pierre joubert also smokes the same stuff as smith. Only at the super kings under dhoni does he get in early, number 4 or 5.



He was declared fit to bat, he just didn't bat very well. He is hardly the first player to play with a sore finger.

I will send in albie at 4... Nothing to lose in Pro 20

[Esea]

screw 4 let him open, then he has 100% of the powerplays to score runs

[alf101]

Kemp was crap whenever he played on slow pitches which is why he got dropped. Was useless in the west indies and sub continent. Not smith's fault that he and hall chose the easy route of icl cricket instead of trying to fight for their spots.

The titans also happen to send albie in way too late in 20/20 cricket, so pierre joubert also smokes the same stuff as smith. Only at the super kings under dhoni does he get in early, number 4 or 5.



He was declared fit to bat, he just didn't bat very well. He is hardly the first player to play with a sore finger.

On Saturday, Kemp batted on a very slow Newlands pitch and was rather good. His bowling in the Windies was pretty good, he didn't get much of a chance to bat.
The guy is still a good player.

Using Morkel as a specialist number 8 or 9 batsmen makes no sense to me.

[Devill]

screw 4 let him open, then he has 100% of the powerplays to score runs

Funny enough I will love to see this tried once or twice.



Using Morkel as a specialist number 8 or 9 batsmen makes no sense to me.

+100

HTF do they expect to play an extra specialist batsman(morkel) but then 90% of the time send in the keeper before him? WTF?

[Smooth Criminal]

Well, with 7 wickets in hand we might be able to bat the day out. Hope we get ahead anyway for just in case.
Not very likely if you ask me. Right now Prince and Duminy are walking wickets, but I really hope that they prove me wrong and come good again.

[alf101]

Funny enough I will love to see this tried once or twice.



+100

HTF do they expect to play an extra specialist batsman(morkel) but then 90% of the time send in the keeper before him? WTF?

It's like he is being set up to fail.

He is a batsmen who can bowl a bit - therefore he goes into the top 6 and he shares the 5th bowler duties with Kallis, Duminy and whoever.

At #9, he is expected to bowl a full quota of overs and if he fails there, he'll be dropped. much has been said about his bowling already.
And batting low down the order he isn't going to score many runs and won't average much more than 20. He just has to slog.
Rather use Roelof for that.

[paddy_za]

Guys, SA are gonna pull off a memorable draw to win the series tomorrow! Prince & Duminy to make a ton each

[Stephen]

Quick someone in the team needs to call the England side for some time wasting tricks ;)

Now is the time for JP, Prince and even AB to come to the party they owe South Africa a good performance. If they can survive until tea then things will become interesting

[stefan9]

On Saturday, Kemp batted on a very slow Newlands pitch and was rather good. His bowling in the Windies was pretty good, he didn't get much of a chance to bat.
The guy is still a good player.

Using Morkel as a specialist number 8 or 9 batsmen makes no sense to me.

Was referring to his international career. In asia he averages only 29 with a strikerate of 65 and in the west indies he averages 31 with a strikerate of 66.

http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/45797.html?class=2;template=results;type=batting

I agree that albie should be batting higher but I don't believe smith is too blame, if it was only him that albie would be batting higher at the titans as well. For me he has always been a batting allrounder and not a bowling all rounder. Needs to bat in the top 6.

[killadoob]

Dude i have no idea who was to blame for albie coming in after boucher most of the time but someone was to blame and i sure as F hope they fix it. Might have been arthur doing things by the book but it was idiotic.

[battletoad]

Damn, SA and India are kinda exactly the same...

One match, they don't have the fast bowlers to compete, the next we don't have the spinners to compete.
In both matches both lineups had a couple of hundreds for different players.
Our harris in this match is their sharma in the last (well...maybe this one as well)
Our Steyn in the last match is their harbhajan in this one...

At least we have a claim for no. 1 status with us playing over there and worse case draw the series.

Duminy is gonna fail, he was swann's bunny last time round, harbhajan's gonna own him again. We must really be looking for that spinner if duminy's only in the side to add that backup option. Send him back to work on his technique, let him work to get into the team again. Prince...sigh... just hope something clicks for him, just a 50 from him would make me happy

Great tour, pity there isn't a decider if we can't bat it out tomorrow. Who knows, the BCCI may wanna shut everyone up by touring HERE!

[Mamajyot]

Damn, SA and India are kinda exactly the same...

One match, they don't have the fast bowlers to compete, the next we don't have the spinners to compete.
In both matches both lineups had a couple of hundreds for different players.
Our harris in this match is their sharma in the last (well...maybe this one as well)
Our Steyn in the last match is their harbhajan in this one...

At least we have a claim for no. 1 status with us playing over there and worse case draw the series.

Duminy is gonna fail, he was swann's bunny last time round, harbhajan's gonna own him again. We must really be looking for that spinner if duminy's only in the side to add that backup option. Send him back to work on his technique, let him work to get into the team again. Prince...sigh... just hope something clicks for him, just a 50 from him would make me happy

Great tour, pity there isn't a decider if we can't bat it out tomorrow. Who knows, the BCCI may wanna shut everyone up by touring HERE!

India will be touring here in december - january.

Exact Tour dates and fixtures still to be confirmed.

[phoneJunky]

61.4


Harbhajan Singh to Prince, OUT, 79.7 kph, Done in by the flight. Harbhajan suddenly shifted the line from the leg and middle to outside off and also tossed it up more. Prince seemed lured to his demise as he sort of stabbed it across the line, checked his drive and the ball ballooned to mid-off. India break through.


AG Prince c Sharma b Harbhajan Singh 23 (80b 1x4 0x6) SR: 28.75

Thought it would turn out better...

[phoneJunky]

68.1


Mishra to de Villiers, OUT, Dead plumb. Mishyyyyy! AB didn't pick the googly. It turned in from the off and middle line and broke back in. AB pushed outside the line and to his horror the ball turned in to catch him right in front of the middle. Gone! Amla stands alone. South Africa are wobbling here in Eden


AB de Villiers lbw b Mishra 3 (16b 0x4 0x6) SR: 18.75

Looks like the bad form continues...

[sand_man]

Indian spinners cleaning up on this deck.. Worrying on so many levels.

[killadoob]

Wow prince got 23, he must be celebrating like there is no tomorrow, that is a huge score for him :D.

Come on duminy, show us why you are being selected game after game :D. Amla wow what a legend he is going to be in test match cricket.

[phoneJunky]

We still have 63 overs to bat out, I am very doubtful - Amla might is able to do it, but who will do it with him.

[killadoob]

Got a sneaky feeling for duminy today, he enjoys being in this position well atleast that is how it went down in aus. He does not enjoy batting when when we are on top or atleast i hope my theory is a sound one for our sake :D. Once duminy or amla departs it is a matter of time.


COME ON BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! show some fighting spirit.

[R13...]

WTH?
2 wickets down already?! There I had hoped Prince & Amla to lunch at least with AB & JP taking us home. Now it's down to Amla?!

[sox63]

I'm pretty sure that Amla will be there at the end, the only problem is whats going to happen at the other end...

[R13...]

Then he needs to farm the strike... surely Duminy can at least manage that:(

[sand_man]

Yip, Duminy needs to show his metal today!!! Proteas are playing for the number 1 ranking today!!! They don't deserve the ranking if they are unable to dig in and save crucial test matches such as the one they playing in today!!!

It's the ultimate test for the ultimate position of worlds best!! By 1pm today that ranking either way will be vindicated... SA or INDIA??!!!

[sox63]

I see we 8 overs or so until the 2nd new ball. I dont think it will be taken, the spinners are looking like taking a wicket.

[sox63]

There goes Duminy. Is being number 2 really that bad? :o

[silkman]

Duminy's last few innings:
6,0,9,7,36,0,0,4,11 !!!!
1 century in 20 innings!

smith flying home today...at least there is some justice for Amla cos he now gets to play. He shouldn't have been dropped in the ODI squad in the 1st place.

[sand_man]

There goes Duminy. Is being number 2 really that bad? :o
That's very disappointing!!!! Simply not good enough!!! One realistically doesn't expect SA to survive for 2 days but one would expect us to come close!!!

Considering we lost the best part of 2 sessions yesterday we should be taking this test into the last hour on day 5. Capitulating in this fashion is bitterly disappointing...

[alf101]

Duminy's last few innings:
6,0,9,7,36,0,0,4,11 !!!!
1 century in 20 innings!

smith flying home today...at least there is some justice for Amla cos he now gets to play. He shouldn't have been dropped in the ODI squad in the 1st place.

Yep, for those comparing him to Kallis...
Kallis' average went up - and he bowled pretty well.

[OzzieCapie]

I think they need a "Dominee" to pray for rain instead.

[Devill]

I am not happy at all with the way we batted in this second test. Wth?
We want to come win a World Cup here (yes yes ODIs are far from tests) but barring Steyn and Morkel we do not really have a great bowling attack on a pitch like this one.
Our batsmen who performed in the last test are not regular features in the ODI team.... (Amlaa and Petersen).

[Mamajyot]

I am not happy at all with the way we batted in this second test. Wth?
We want to come win a World Cup here (yes yes ODIs are far from tests) but barring Steyn and Morkel we do not really have a great bowling attack on a pitch like this one.
Our batsmen who performed in the last test are not regular features in the ODI team.... (Amlaa and Petersen).

AB De Devilliers is tooo much hype and not much action.
Averaging 43 after almost 60 tests means he is mediocre in the mould of Rudolph and Dippenaar. He seems part of the old boys club so no one (commentators etc) talk about his place in the team coming under scrutiny!

SA will continue to be perennial chokers!

[Mamajyot]

Yip, Duminy needs to show his metal today!!! Proteas are playing for the number 1 ranking today!!! They don't deserve the ranking if they are unable to dig in and save crucial test matches such as the one they playing in today!!!

It's the ultimate test for the ultimate position of worlds best!! By 1pm today that ranking either way will be vindicated... SA or INDIA??!!!

What about that turkey AB Devilliers???

[SlyFly]

AB has to be keeper to be in the team, I think a few years back he could have said "He wanted to concentrate on his batting" but atm he can't even score runs or keep behind the wickets... So he'll just have to do both okay'ish... Duminy should be given a rest, he isn't performing at all...

How is the weather looking ;) Maybe the rain gods will be on our side for a change...

[SlyFly]

http://www.weatherforecastmap.com/india/kolkata-(calcutta)/

Partly cloudy...

http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/42809.html

Scattered Clouds

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/145

Sunny


Guess not :/ O well GG India, you're number one..

[Stephen]

What about that turkey AB Devilliers???

Yawn, ab has been poor, but nowhere even close to the poor form as Prince and Duminy.

India choked in the first test big time

[Mamajyot]

AB has to be keeper to be in the team, I think a few years back he could have said "He wanted to concentrate on his batting" but atm he can't even score runs or keep behind the wickets... So he'll just have to do both okay'ish... Duminy should be given a rest, he isn't performing at all...

How is the weather looking ;) Maybe the rain gods will be on our side for a change...

Well said, I got respect for you!

[killadoob]

How could anyone expect us to hold out with prince and duminy in our team? before we batted with those 2 you could say we were 2 wickets down.

Seriously how is duminy still getting a game? it is beyond me and prince as well. One good tour should not mean you are a regular for the next 5 years.

Between prince and duminy they both contributed a whopping 25 runs in this test :eek:

[Mamajyot]

Yawn, ab has been poor, but nowhere even close to the poor form as Prince and Duminy.

India choked in the first test big time

India were useless in the first test and got a good klap!

SA was winning this game at 218-1 and then choked.......
CH CH CHOKERS!!!

I still have the Donald Klusener runout from 1999 on my desktop........ Priceless oscar winning choking...........

[OzzieCapie]

Why doesn't Amla just slog and get a 100 ...that's the only good that can come of this, a century in each innings


....and AB, the reason no-one notices that he just has an 'ok' average, is because all believe in his own hype that he wants to be the best batsman in world...as I said in a post before he is technically not up there so he will be found out.

[sand_man]

Hell man, AB, JP and ASH aren't firing at the mo lets be honest. Kallis, Amla and Smith are carrying the batting at the mo but I'm confident that they'll turn it around. I don't think dropping the 3 of them is the solution!!

AB brings a lot more than batting to the team. He is a superb fielder and can keep wicket too. Same as JP, he is developing into more than just a part time bowler and when his batting form returns he'll be a formidable opponent.

Patients gents, patients...

[sox63]

For those who are optimistic, Parnell has a First Class top score of 90!

Maybe he can hang around for a while...

[killadoob]

No sandman ab must stay, JP and prince have got to go. They are not just out of form dude, Sticking with them sadly means we are batters short. They need to go prove themselves and fight to get back in the team. Cannot believe how duminy still has a spot. One tour and you become a sa legend and get picked in every game because of one tour :eek:

[Stephen]

India were useless in the first test and got a good klap!

SA was winning this game at 218-1 and then choked.......
CH CH CHOKERS!!!

I still have the Donald Klusener runout from 1999 on my desktop........ Priceless oscar winning choking...........

Once again yawn, you can repeat that a million times,

I dunno India pretty choked big time. Why do you come here if you hate the proteas, I could never understand these people. I am sure there is an anti-Protea forum somewhere where you can post with your hearts content.

We will see the usual patheic display by India when they come to South Africa, brave at home, but weak away

[Mamajyot]

Hell man, AB, JP and ASH aren't firing at the mo lets be honest. Kallis, Amla and Smith are carrying the batting at the mo but I'm confident that they'll turn it around. I don't think dropping the 3 of them is the solution!!

AB brings a lot more than batting to the team. He is a superb fielder and can keep wicket too. Same as JP, he is developing into more than just a part time bowler and when his batting form returns he'll be a formidable opponent.

Patients gents, patients...

Good mature comments.....

[OzzieCapie]

Patients gents, patients...

Yep...send the ambulance, they are hospital cases

[Rustum]

I think maybe the top order should all grow long beards. I am convinced that Amla's beard distracts bowlers on their run-in.

[killadoob]

Well 1-1 in india is not bad considering we only have 8 possible batsmen, i have more faith in our last batsmen getting off the mark than i do for duminy and prince :D.
Parnell almost has more runs than duminy and Jp together over the 2 innings :eek:

Yikes thats gotta hurt.

[sand_man]

No sandman ab must stay, JP and prince have got to go. They are not just out of form dude, Sticking with them sadly means we are batters short. They need to go prove themselves and fight to get back in the team. Cannot believe how duminy still has a spot. One tour and you become a sa legend and get picked in every game because of one tour :eek:Prince has an average of 42, that's pretty damn good and that includes current failures. He is a top quality batsman, we must persist with him!!! JP is in danger, 29 average, but I still believe he has the pedigree and the selectors must show faith in him...

[alf101]

For those who are optimistic, Parnell has a First Class top score of 90!

Maybe he can hang around for a while...

He gets around 70, and we can save the game.

[Mamajyot]

Once again yawn, you can repeat that a million times,

I dunno India pretty choked big time. Why do you come here if you hate the proteas, I could never understand these people. I am sure there is an anti-Protea forum somewhere where you can post with your hearts content.

We will see the usual patheic display by India when they come to South Africa, brave at home, but weak away

I dont hate the proteas. I want to support SA since I am a 3rd generation south african but the team and team selections is so racially biased its not funny.
If a white player is out of form people turn a blind eye.........

I support Bafana and the rugby team but this cricket team I will never support!