South Africa v Sri Lanka, 3rd Test, Cape Town, 3-7 January, 2012

I reckon Prince will be dropped for Petersen, with Rudolph dropping down to number six. Also, Philander will replace Tahir to give the Saffies four seamers plus Kallis, and the pitch will be a green top.

Smith(c)
Petersen
Amla
Kallis
de Villiers
Rudolph
Boucher+
Philander
Steyn
M.Morkel
de Lange

South Africa to win inside three days.

Henry wrote:I reckon Prince will be dropped for Petersen, with Rudolph dropping down to number six. Also, Philander will replace Tahir to give the Saffies four seamers plus Kallis, and the pitch will be a green top.

Smith(c)
Petersen
Amla
Kallis
de Villiers
Rudolph
Boucher+
Philander
Steyn
M.Morkel
de Lange

South Africa to win inside three days.

Probably right on the batting but I can't see us going to Newlands without a spinner. If Philander is fit he will probably come in for de Lange.

Would love to see the Lanka side winning this too. Seems a bit tough tho. Nice to see it's not a 2 test series.

Should be interesting.

I also see Dean Elgar has been picked for the ODI squad.

Nice tits Red.

Apologies. Even looked for it.

Fark me, I even posted in it.

Been at the New Year grog a bit early, taips?

I shall wave my magic merging wand.

And no doubt make both threads look shite.

Dello wrote:Been at the New Year grog a bit early, taips?

Just opened the first one Jay.

Prince dropped, Petersen will play.

Jaya suggested that the Proteas choked during the Durban test. The Lankans claimed that Wessels suggesting that a Saffie second XI could beat them motivated them.

Just on matters Prince, that should be the test game up for him. He's last two years have been very poor and produced no tons. At thirty-four it's hard to see why they'd go back to him in preference to a youngster.

Speculation is that De Lange will be 12th man in spite of his great debut.

mynah wrote:Speculation is that De Lange will be 12th man in spite of his great debut.

Obvious choice depending on Solly's fitness.

On form, Morkel should be dropped. But he is a guy who needs overs under his belt and he hadn't had that prior to the Centurion test. He started to bowl better at Durban. They're also worried he'll burst into tears, sulk back to his local church, and never be the same bowler again if they leave him out.

Hopefully Mathews can play well in the next match. Obviously a good player, as he showed in the tough pitch at Galle, but not consistent and a crock.

Petersen will open and Rudolph will have his chance to shine at #6. Morkel bowled well at Durban and was unlucky at times. He took yet another wicket off a no ball and would have had Sanga for three in the second innings but for Boucher's incompetence.

Red wrote:Petersen will open and Rudolph will have his chance to shine at #6. Morkel bowled well at Durban and was unlucky at times. He took yet another wicket off a no ball and would have had Sanga for three in the second innings but for Boucher's incompetence.

A new year, but the same old sh!t.

Wow, being "dropped" after taking a 7-fer in your first Test is akin to Dizzy being dropped after his 201*.

Looks like good weather for both new year tests.

Does Trevving apply to meteorology?

Probably.

taipan wrote:

Red wrote:Petersen will open and Rudolph will have his chance to shine at #6. Morkel bowled well at Durban and was unlucky at times. He took yet another wicket off a no ball and would have had Sanga for three in the second innings but for Boucher's incompetence.

A new year, but the same old sh!t.

Could say the same for you. It's a case of whose reality. In your reality Boucher is a decent, irreplaceable keeper, in mine (and many others) he's over the hill.

Unlucky for de Lange but they seem to have faith in Tahir. Philander might offer more balance and control to the attack after it constantly leaked runs with four attacking bowlers in Durban.

Chandimal in some doubt with a bruised elbow. Fernando (sore knee) likely to be replaced by Prasad, while Kallis chalks up his 150th test.

SOS

Lankans to bowl first.

From Cricinfo

10.00am Toss time Heads is the call, Sri Lanka win and opt to bowl. Dilshan says "there's a little bit of grass", and the rain over the past couple of days prompted him to choose to bowl. Dilhara Fernando is ruled out with injury, and Dhammika Prasad replaces him. Chandimal is fit and he will play. The other change is that Lahiru Thirimanne replaces opener Tharanga Paranavitana.

Blue skies and the sun's out.

Already some cracks at the Wynberg end but Dilshan obviously influenced by the grass.