Australia v South Africa (2nd Test)

[brod]

Team news

The South Africans had optional training. An unchanged team is probable for the hosts, though Paul Harris may consider himself a chance for a recall given that the legspinner Imran Tahir's brief appearance at the bowling crease on his Test debut was less than dangerous.

South Africa (probable): 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Jacques Rudolph, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 AB de Villiers, 6 Ashwell Prince, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir.

Peter Siddle is the man most likely to make way if the Australians elect to choose a different quick, either the highly reliable Trent Copeland or the speedy teenager Pat Cummins. Usman Khawaja will bat in place of Shaun Marsh.

Australia (probable): 1 Shane Watson, 2 Phillip Hughes, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Pat Cummins, 11 Nathan Lyon

Pitch and conditions

As with Cape Town, the early season timing of the match has created a little doubt about how the pitch will play, with some early inspections suggesting a softer surface than usual. It is expected to provide enough bounce allied to the swing often found in Johannesburg, and could be better for batting. A weather forecast of rain on most days suggests a handful of interruptions across the match.

[Jim05]

Ryan Harris under an injury cloud, could be a late withdrawal

[Media Park]

1 Shane Watson, 2 Phillip Hughes, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Pat Cummins, 11 Nathan Lyon

If Rhino is injured, then Siddle would retain his place right? Lyon is inexperienced, Cummins is on debut, Copeland is inexperienced, Johnson is too sporadic...

[Jim05]

Lyon and Cummins are definate starters. Siddle will miss but will come back in if Harris doesnt pull up.

[mal]

WI V EG
2ND TEST 2000

DAY 2
WI resuming their first innings at 9/267


END OF DAY 2 scores
WI 267...WALSH 1
EG 134...WALSH 4/43 [17]
WI 54....WALSH 3 NOT OUT
EG 0/0...WALSH 0/0

EG 8/191 ended up winning this Test match

Back to day 2
All 4 teams batted
Courtney Walsh batted and bowled in all 4 innings
Peter Siddle also batted and bowled all 4 innings in the first Test just completed SA V AU
There were 1.1 overs bowled in the EG 4th innings on day 2, Walsh either bowled 1 over or the 1 ball

[Jim05]

Early reports are that the pitch is a seamer. I wouldnt play Lyon, bring in Warner and play an extra batsmen. No good playing a spinner if the batsmen cant give him enough runs to defend. He bowled 3 overs last test ffs. Clarkey can roll his arm over if required

[test]

Early reports are that the pitch is a seamer. I wouldnt play Lyon, bring in Warner and play an extra batsmen. No good playing a spinner if the batsmen cant give him enough runs to defend. He bowled 3 overs last test ffs. Clarkey can roll his arm over if required

I like your thoughts there, so important that Harris plays, can't take a trick with injury....

[CoverKing]

Drop Johnson and lyon.
Play siddle, copeland, cummins and Harris.

Also drop ponting, open Warner bat Watson at 4

[blink]

Early reports are that the pitch is a seamer. I wouldnt play Lyon, bring in Warner and play an extra batsmen. No good playing a spinner if the batsmen cant give him enough runs to defend. He bowled 3 overs last test ffs. Clarkey can roll his arm over if required

I agree with this. No use playing Lyon if it is a seamer - a green top would rarely take much spin on Days 4 & 5 anyway (if the match made it that far anyway).

Bring in Warner to open with Hughes, Khawaja at 3, Watson down to 4.

[Jim05]

My order is a little differant, id love to see Watto down at 6 or 7, we need his bowling.
Hughes
Warner
Khawaja
Clarke
Hussey
Watson
Ponting
Haddin
Johnson
Harris/Siddle
Cummins
That side would smash the Saffers

[Squids]

Warner against Steyn and co? I would love to see that.

[Jim05]

Warner against Steyn and co? I would love to see that.

Would make more than Hughes and Ponting combined. We were rolled for 47 so it cant get any worse

[Squids]

If Harris is unfit to play...don't pick him ever again..no point having a guy who can't play tests in concession.

Don't play Lyon if its a seamers track, might as well bring in Copeland for Lyon who might get some cut, swing and variable bounce with any luck.

Drop Johnson for whoever we have left...Cummins probably. I don't care if he is young and gets slayed, from all reports he has a good head on his shoulders so it won't be career ruining if he doesn't get it right.

Keep the batting order the same, Kwahja hasn't set the world on fire, don't gift him a game. Hughes is only young and should be persisted with for at least another game. This will likely be Pontings last game abroad...will bow out against the Kiwis (assuming those tests are in Aus). Hopefully he can get a couple of 50's..

This should be Haddins last test.

[whufc]

I would like to see

1. D.Warner (may not be ready for test cricket but his inform, one of the few over there who is)
2. S.Watson (obvious)
3. M.Hussey (pitch is going to have a fair bit in it, would love to see someone who is willing to grind out an innings at 3)
4. M.Clarke (batting well dont change)
5. U.Khawaja (future number 3 for Aus, get him in down the order, plenty of time for him to move to number 3)
6. R.Ponting (personally i think 3 is to high for him the way he is currently batting)
7. B.Haddin (i wouldnt have him in the side but obviously he is so bats at 7)
8. M.Johnson (LAST CHANCE! on his day he is lethal, open him up and let him steam in)
9. R.Harris (best fast bowler in the country if not fit though serious doubts about the rest of his career, cant carry him)
10. P.Cummins (young/quick pitch that will suit give him a crack)
11. N.Lyon/T.Copeland (depending on the pitch i would have one of these two in)

12th P.Siddle (i like the way he goes about his business but he seems to lack penetration and the saffers dont seem to fussed about him steaming in and bowling just short of a length ball after ball.)

Obviously if fit Sean Marsh would be in my side as well.

[steakn]

If Harris is unfit to play...don't pick him ever again..no point having a guy who can't play tests in concession.

Don't play Lyon if its a seamers track, might as well bring in Copeland for Lyon who might get some cut, swing and variable bounce with any luck.

Drop Johnson for whoever we have left...Cummins probably. I don't care if he is young and gets slayed, from all reports he has a good head on his shoulders so it won't be career ruining if he doesn't get it right.

Keep the batting order the same, Kwahja hasn't set the world on fire, don't gift him a game. Hughes is only young and should be persisted with for at least another game. This will likely be Pontings last game abroad...will bow out against the Kiwis (assuming those tests are in Aus). Hopefully he can get a couple of 50's..

This should be Haddins last test.

Succession?

[Rik E Boy]

Australia (probable): 1 Shane Watson, 2 Phillip Hughes, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Pat Cummins, 11 Nathan Lyon

That is a shit side. I only have confidence in two of the top seven batsmen. As for the bowling I have confidence in one of those. ******* shithouse team.
Even Carlton don't have this many passengers.

regards,

REB

[Squids]

Succession?

Yep that's the one.

[Squids]

Cricinfo are reporting


HUGHES AND HARRIS OUT

CUMMINS AND KWAHJA IN

[Media Park]

Cricinfo are reporting


HUGHES AND HARRIS OUT

CUMMINS AND KWAHJA IN

Hughes or Marsh???

[Media Park]

9.35 am The news from Wanderers is that Patrick Cummins, the 18-year-old fast bowler, will make his Test debut for Australia. Ryan Harris isn't playing, he was stiff and sore after the previous match. Cummins received his baggy green from Ricky Ponting. He is Australia's second youngest debutant, after Ian Craig.
Usman Khawaja is slotted to replace Shaun Marsh at No. 3. So two changes to Australia's XI from the Newlands Test.