Test Squad for South African Tour - predictions & discussion

[Panther Pack]

Okay with the South African Tour on the Horizon I thought I would have a crack at trying to name the Squad:

I will pick 15 as this is how many I believe they will take on the tour.

First 10 pick themselves after the Ashes whitewash

Warner
Rogers
Watson
Clarke
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Lyon

Faulker - 12th man for Ashes, seen as Watsons back up
Pattinson - Returning from Injury rate him as future leader of the attack
Bird - Also returning from Injury will be picked as a back up bowler who can keep it tight
Doolan - Brought into squad for SCG test so clearly selectors think he is next in line.
Bailey - I think the selectors will stick with him and give him 1 more series to prove himself.

Have not picked backup keeper as I think if Haddin went down they will just fly someone over and no backup spinner as conditions in South Africa are more seam friendly.

[Grahaml]

One of the easiest selections for some time. Can't see any reason to deviate form your selections.

[UK Fan]

Phil Hughes has an excellent record in South Africa. Id take Hughes and leave bailey at home

[Squids]

Hughes will travel as a backup batsman and backup keeper in the case of disaster, ie. Haddin injuring himself in the warm up. Bad for the Redbacks.

[Rik E Boy]

Fair bit of talk from our players and ex-players regarding the South African tour and I reckon it's premature in the extreme. Siddle reckons we have the best attack in World Cricket but South Africa has the best pace attack for mine. Saffies don't have a Nathan Lyon so technically Siddle is correct but you know he isn't talking about Gazza when he makes that statement.

Meanwhile Haydos reckons we'll smash South Africa. Hmmm, not too sure about that. I reckon we will draw this series. Here's why.

- Our away form is rank
- We had trouble with Broad at 138 and the 140 Stokes got a bag. We'll have as much dificulty against pace as the Saffers
- I sense an overly generous declaration from Pup. South Africa won't get bowled out in 30 overs and a second innings chase of 350 plus could result in a test loss. After a five zip win you can't blame Pup for continuing to be attacking but the Saffers are in a different class
- Pup appears to be out of form. Three tests in a row now without a yelp. Obviously you can't hang the man on that but it would have been good to see at least one score towards the latter end of the Ashes series
- We are a batsman short. Sadly, Bailey doesn't appear to be up to the job. Another lamb to the slaughter in Doolan?
- Warner has been Big Bashed. Hasn't made a score since CA foolishly let him play a meaningless teeball clash. Ridiculous
- Ouch Rino's knees. Putting off surgery. Hope we don't see him playing before they head to the Republic.
- DeVilliers = Haddin > Prior + Bairstow

We play well over there in comparision to England and India but even with Kallis' retirement I reckon it will be a 1-1 result in the series.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Hughes will travel as a backup batsman and backup keeper in the case of disaster, ie. Haddin injuring himself in the warm up. Bad for the Redbacks.

Bad news for Australia. That would make two hit or miss merchants plus Watson in the top six against the best pace attack in the world. But dear oh dear what to do with Bailey?

regards,

REB

[tigerpie]

If there are no injuries keep the same xi for the first test and if bailey fails he's gone. If Harris doesnt come up then Patto in.
Hughes has had plenty of goes in test cricket, i think someone else needs an opportunity.

[Squids]

LOL at Dave Warners record outside Australia

[Grahaml]

Fair bit of talk from our players and ex-players regarding the South African tour and I reckon it's premature in the extreme. Siddle reckons we have the best attack in World Cricket but South Africa has the best pace attack for mine. Saffies don't have a Nathan Lyon so technically Siddle is correct but you know he isn't talking about Gazza when he makes that statement.

Meanwhile Haydos reckons we'll smash South Africa. Hmmm, not too sure about that. I reckon we will draw this series. Here's why.

- Our away form is rank
- We had trouble with Broad at 138 and the 140 Stokes got a bag. We'll have as much dificulty against pace as the Saffers
- I sense an overly generous declaration from Pup. South Africa won't get bowled out in 30 overs and a second innings chase of 350 plus could result in a test loss. After a five zip win you can't blame Pup for continuing to be attacking but the Saffers are in a different class
- Pup appears to be out of form. Three tests in a row now without a yelp. Obviously you can't hang the man on that but it would have been good to see at least one score towards the latter end of the Ashes series
- We are a batsman short. Sadly, Bailey doesn't appear to be up to the job. Another lamb to the slaughter in Doolan?
- Warner has been Big Bashed. Hasn't made a score since CA foolishly let him play a meaningless teeball clash. Ridiculous
- Ouch Rino's knees. Putting off surgery. Hope we don't see him playing before they head to the Republic.
- DeVilliers = Haddin > Prior + Bairstow

We play well over there in comparision to England and India but even with Kallis' retirement I reckon it will be a 1-1 result in the series.

regards,

REB

On current form I'm with Siddle. Our bowlers are the best unit around. But you've got to give SA huge credit for the length of time they've been very good and that's mostly Steyn.

Terrible call re Broad and Stokes. It's the bounce with Broad while Stokes got a lot of charity wickets. Far too little evidence (ie, none) to simply say it's down to pace.

Clarke made runs when it mattered.

Warner got into form playing one dayers.

Long bow to draw that Clarke's declarations are an issue. Clarke's declarations are a huge asset to Aus. The timing has earned many an extra wicket IMHO.

No doubt SA are a different kettle to England. They have better batsmen and the combination of Steyn/Philander craps all over Broad and Anderson. But our bowlers can't be going any better and made even Bell look second rate despite starting the series in top notch form. And right now even Steyn can't match what Johnson is doing. Left arm pace, movement and control hasn't been seen like he dished up since a young Akram.

[Squids]

Steyn took 9 wickets in the last test he played.....made 44 with the bat too.


It will be a battle of who can make the most runs, I see lots of scores <200 if the conditions are favorable to bowling. I think the pitches for this series will be more lively than the ones prepared for the Indian series.


If Michael Clarke can outscore AB De Villiers then I think Australia will win the series.

[Squids]

Steyn took 9 wickets in the last test he played.....made 44 with the bat too.

Did it with a fractured rib too

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-08/d ... ib/5189874

[The Dark Knight]

Steyn took 9 wickets in the last test he played.....made 44 with the bat too.


It will be a battle of who can make the most runs, I see lots of scores <200 if the conditions are favorable to bowling. I think the pitches for this series will be more lively than the ones prepared for the Indian series.


If Michael Clarke can outscore AB De Villiers then I think Australia will win the series.

Agreed Squids, some good points there.

If our batsman can stand up and make big runs then there's no doubt we can win the series, they have a huge job ahead of them. I'm sure Warner will rise to the challenge while Watson is the weak link at number three, his performance will be the most important to us IMO. If the great man Dale Steyn can get early wickets then we don't stand a chance. I'm tipping a 1 all drawn series.

[Trader]

Is rain expected?

Prediction of a lot of scores under 200 yet then also think there will be a draw?

[LaughingKookaburra]

Pat Cummins will go to South Africa if he makes it through the BBL from next week. Been very carefully managed currently and Langer on the radio said there are plans from Cricket Australia otherwise he'd be playing already....

[Panther Pack]

Hughes along with North have been the 2 form batsman of the shield comp this season. However I reckon the selectors won't take him to South Africa as it is pretty obvious he is an opener and with Warner and Rogers in form there just isn't a spot for him.

North could however fill the no 3 spot if Boof wants to move Watto down to 6. But given that Doolan was called into squad prior to 5th test he appears to be ahead of North in selectors mind.

If the selectors don't pick Hughes i reckon it will be good for him in the long run as he can continue working on his game.

I also wouldn't mind seeing Hughsey help South Australia to a shield premiership

[whufc]

Im really worried about this tour.

Yes we smashed England and were brilliant in doing so but I think the players are talking the talk a tad to early.

My biggest fear is how inconsistent our batting line up is, with Warner, Watson, Smith, Bailey and Haddin (who batted brilliantly but good luck slapping like that that against Steyn, Morkel, Philander and Smith as captain.)

This tour will really sort out the boys from the men when it comes to who really are test quality bats.

I'm picking SAF 3-0 (is it a three test series) with us not making over 300 in the series.

Hope im wrong.

[mal]

Which 2 players will SA have to pick to cover Jaques Kallis !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, is there an adequate replacement for Jaques ?

[whufc]

[code][/code]

Which 2 players will SA have to pick to cover Jaques Kallis !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, is there an adequate replacement for Jaques ?

I think they will go will either a specialist batsmen as the amount Jaques was bowling was getting less and less.

Or they will go a young all rounder who will bat or 6 or 7 with either Faf or Duminy to move up the order

[MatteeG]

Pat Cummins will go to South Africa if he makes it through the BBL from next week. Been very carefully managed currently and Langer on the radio said there are plans from Cricket Australia otherwise he'd be playing already....

Can we give up rushing this bloke straight back into tests. Let him play a full domestic season first!

[valleys07]

2-0 to SAf.