Finally after what seems an eternity of that awful pyjama stuff, we have a proper contest.
This is one of my favourite match-ups. Australia take on South Africa is a mouth watering Test Series. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, it's only 3 tests, but hopefully the weather will hold out in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.
You have to fancy SA, with Amla, Steyn, Philander on top of the world, plus Kallis, Smith and De Villiers as reliable as ever, but I think Australia will run it close.
They've been rejuvenated in the test arena. Warner is an effective brute, Clarke is as good as anyone in the world right now, and we all know what Ponting can do in what must be one of his last Test Series'. Further more, Pattinson is as exciting as Steyn was early in his career, and even Siddle looks alright.
My prediction; 1-1. SA to win in Brisbane, draw at Adelaide, and SA to crumble against the bounce at Perth.
Real Cricket Is Back
posted on 9/11/12
Looks like run machine Amla with his old foe Kallis have made it SA's day.
Hazsa he was over in August but was one dayers and in silly temperatures so probably a little harsh to say i dont rate him but when it comes to test Pattinson has only bowled in Austrailia and against a poor NZ side and an even worse India side. I rate Starc more cos he can swing it both ways at 90mph and that's on either side of the wicket as well as being a tall bowler. He has also mastered reverse swing and can dig those yorkers in at will very much like Akram.
posted on 9/11/12
As a fast bowler myself, I can tell you that Pattisnon has the best fast bowling action amoungst all young quicks and thus going to be the most accurate while consistantly maintening pace. This is a very dangerous combination.
I rate Pattinson above above all young fast bowlers in Australia. The only issue with him is the front ankle, knee, heel etc. He hits the crease very very hard and needs to find a way to soften the landing somehow.
posted on 9/11/12
comment by Singh_Saab (U1432)
posted 56 minutes ago
As a fast bowler myself
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posted on 9/11/12
Poor display from Australia, Hilfenhaus and Siddle were bowling far too short. Amla and Kallis are far better than the Indians who were here last year. This test could be out of sight already, Aus need to make major inroads tomorrow morning or else it could be curtains for this test.
posted on 9/11/12
india have really dissapointed me. made the likes of ponting who had seriously no chance of coming back to form even against a bangladesh attack scored tons of runs.
reall dont know how india didnt manage to draw a single test match. a real missed opportunity
posted on 10/11/12
Can't even rely on Australia for 5 days of sun
posted on 10/11/12
hazsa.........we can rely on the sun when we go fishing/camping etc. but when a defeat in cricket is looming come tea on the first day we get our indigenous Bro's to do a rain dance....
posted on 10/11/12
posted on 12/11/12
kash,
Instead of the ad hominem, why don't you point out the fallacies in my argument?
And yes, some of us do play cricket, some of us ARE fast bowlers.
posted on 12/11/12
Agree with the OP. Personally it does not get better than the South Africans touring in Australia and then England having another go at trying to play good cricket in the Sub C.
I don't like winters and long cold dark evenings but these cricket matches will certainly take away some of the pain.
Well done to Australia yesterday for turning around what was looking like a bad situation for them, and now they are favourits in this match, even though time will run out for both teams.
Great start to some mouth watering test match cricket matches.