Cricket season

Scary Smith...

Truth is, I have played some decent cricket... actually even with a few of the current Protea's.... well, more on the opposition team then my team, but I did have 2 ... anyway, reason for this post...

Steve Smith... yes Aussie, and maybe a little arrogant BUT.....
got chosen to play for Aus as a bowler with a decent lower order batting technique.
Didnt /couldnt make it ad a bowler so did some hard yards in the nets and changed his batting technique... Was ripped hard by every rx cricket pro ever to play the game... yes, EVERY ONE... yes,his set up looks like shit,and yes his unorthadox style does put one a little off,but shit, he is just blady scary talent.... I have become a fan of just being able to view the pure talent... Smith and Kohli, 3 notches above every international team in my humble opinion....

I do not quite understand why after winning the toss we chose to bat first... India are proven chasers.... They capitulate (at times) when setting totals.... Why the fuck do we bat first on a Durban wicket where it was raining cats and dogs the night before???? Yes, the spinners took wickets, but it was two paced from the beginning.... Imvho,if Faf selected the opposite after the toss, different result..............

Karma, I'm not an ardent cricket fan as you guys are, but from what I do remember it's always best to bat first in durban Something about the ball swinging in the evenings?

Lionel, yes.... You are correct.... However , when there has been moisture the night before / morning before the game, there is always something in the wicket..... Whether it be odd pace or lateral movement, it is always greater in the first innings.... If it has been sunny /great weather, the pitch won't deteriorate too much, but the side batting first will have a slight advantage... You do get the odd occasion of due etc....

Been watching a bit of the U19 world up... India have yet another Viral Kohli... Shubman Gill.... Not to long until he is in the India team... Oozes with talent....

Karma wrote: Lionel, yes.... You are correct.... However , when there has been moisture the night before / morning before the game, there is always something in the wicket..... Whether it be odd pace or lateral movement, it is always greater in the first innings.... If it has been sunny /great weather, the pitch won't deteriorate too much, but the side batting first will have a slight advantage... You do get the odd occasion of due etc....

Interesting thoughts ... I agree that batting first was not the best idea ... given that they chase so well .... but the way we played did not inspire much confidence and I suspect we would have been beaten anyway.

Tomorrow will be interesting .... we were already on the backfoot without AB and now Faf is out as well ... I believe Behardien (and Klaasen) have been added to the squad, so bit of a teaser ito team selection ... I'd open with Markram and de Kock (need to build his confidence before the Aussies arrive) with Amla at 3, Duminy at 4, Miller at 5 and Behardien at 6 .... as Phillander is not in the squad (Zondo :ohmy: :ohmy: ), for 7 & 8 sort of pick themselves, Morris and Phehlukwayo, Rabada at 8 ....and then I'd give Shamsi a chance as Tahir did not make any impact in Durban, with maybe Ngidi on his home ground; Amla will have to play the anchor and hopefully de Kock, Markram, Duminy and Miller can get enough to help us to 300 + , which I believe is minimum

I agree with you about tomorrow Frodo.... One of the positives I have about having Gibson as our coach, is he was part of the England set up when the transformed their one day team and went "against the rules" aiming for all out attack with Root and at times Morgan playing the anchor role... Hopefully with Faf out, he does the same with the Protea's, and Amla and to an extent Duminy play the same roles... Again u agree that Berhardien will be selected :sick: but I would love to see Klassen given a run... I really like the titans Batsman/keeper/bowler :woohoo: I think he is a super competitor and we could use a few of them.... Plus, he really deserves it after the last season or 2....

Aiden Markram new captian.

He is the captain incumbent in all formats, however, I do feel it is too soon... I would have rather seen Amla or Duminy been given the role, but consulted with Markram on all decisions.... Just my personal opinion, but I do feel he has the world at his feet....

Karma wrote: He is the captain incumbent in all formats, however, I do feel it is too soon... I would have rather seen Amla or Duminy been given the role, but consulted with Markram on all decisions.... Just my personal opinion, but I do feel he has the world at his feet....

totally agree he isnt even a regular in the one day team and played cos ab is injured plus he is an opener and is batting out of position at 4 ..he has enough responsibility just batting at 4 and now lumped with captaincy and for rest of both one day and t20 series against india...very harsh on him

Looks like the Proteas have booked an afternoon tee off time with AB

A huge round of applause for the ground staff... Not all praise needs to go to them, as we have been terrible... But they have obviously realized the wickets in England for the world cup are going to be slow and low and are now trying to give us the most preparation possible :whistle: after all, the highveld is known for slow turning wickets :whistle: :whistle: