Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 26-30 December, 2022

I wonder how Purple's fitness is going. No matter, ScoBo will be competitive on his home MCG.

Two very potent bowling attacks so this series is shaping as a battle between the two top 7s. On paper Aus looks stronger. However Warner is way out of form, but his stellar international career has earned him some breathing space. And the Saffer team management seems to have done their homework on our batsmen.

The 2nd Test should be a much more competitive and longer lasting affair than T1.

I keep scratching my head about Boland.

He really is the classic honest Shield bowler. Yep he troubles other Shield teams but no more than others who have mastered their craft in their first class dotage. Think Tassie’s pair of opening ‘quicks’.

Twelve months ago when he was selected for the Boxing Day Ashes Test, I quietly feared he would toss in a Mick Lewis type performance. A year on and the bubble will not burst.

He will probably work in an uncomplaining way as a net bowler and drinks carrier in India and then get one Test in Pomgolia.

I fear Bazball will put paid to him and he will be summarily dismissed to the Shield and Grade cricket for hopefully a few more seasons. He will trundle in as ever, ignoring the ‘he was bloody lucky’ jibes with a secret smile cornering the edge of his lips.

Mick Lewis himself could run through us in an Ashes series on your turf…

Boland reminds me of Reiffel, of Alderman in Australian conditions, perhaps even a hint of Stuart Clark. His major assets are accuracy, consistency, and seam movement. Adam Dale was another similar type though he never had the same oppprtunities / success.

Good luck to him.

He’s no Joe Dawes; that’s for sure.

Let's hope the deck is not a bland run-fest. Not the juicy monster of the Gabba, but something a little bit sporting.

skully wrote:Let's hope the deck is not a bland run-fest. Not the juicy monster of the Gabba, but something a little bit sporting.

expecting bland, so CA can recoup some coin. But Boxing Day is supposed to be warm, so that's a plus

Might go to day 4 if it’s the flattest road ever.

I wonder if CA lost a disastrous amount of moulah with the Truncated Test? In two days they got three or four days worth of bums on seats, and didn't have to open the joint on the not usually very lucrative Mon or Tues

I’ve always thought they should put on a one-day match for the ticketholders on an unused day 3 or 4.

Come to think of it, if it ends in two days they could fit an extra Test in!

beamer wrote:I’ve always thought they should put on a one-day match for the ticketholders on an unused day 3 or 4.!

good luck getting both cricket boards to agree these days

Fred Nerk wrote:I wonder if CA lost a disastrous amount of moulah with the Truncated Test? In two days they got three or four days worth of bums on seats, and didn't have to open the joint on the not usually very lucrative Mon or Tues

I doubt they achieved much more of a higher crowd than what would have attended. 2nd point is fair, but I would guess if you're "renting" a venue you're paying for the full 5 days regarding if it's in use or not.

Day 1 was said to be the highest Gsbba attendance on record for a non ashes test. Noticeably smaller crowd on day 2, and I wonder what happened to all the food ordered at the ground (and surrounding venues) on days 3-4. I’d guess a 7 figure loss for stakeholders. A lot of ridiculous whining from the usual quarters though ... the cricket was good to watch, it reminded me of those years of West Indian cricketers steamrolling all before them for totals of 150-200. Better over rates though.

beamer wrote:Mick Lewis himself could run through us in an Ashes series on your turf…

Steady on. Shane Harwood, maybe.

The first day is meant to be 29 and the second 34 so if it only goes two days, the weather is set fair.

lardbucket wrote:

beamer wrote:Mick Lewis himself could run through us in an Ashes series on your turf…

Steady on. Shane Harwood, maybe.

Anyone called Shane, the name itself is enough to provoke an England batting meltdown.

(On second thoughts, maybe TAYne POCson disproved that theory…)

Dave 'More Warne' and his exploits don't bear that theory out much either, esp lately and esp in England

Shane Lee didn’t scare too many, either.

Shane Lee.

Maybe not, then! Though if Jackson Warne had pursued a cricket career…

The women have a Healy and a McGrath, sure that gives England nightmares.

horrie

we had crayfish rolls for lunch today

brought back great memories of boxing day test in 2006

cheers

embee wrote:horrie

we had crayfish rolls for lunch today

brought back great memories of boxing day test in 2006

cheers

Fantastic! Yep that was a great day at the cricket. I can still remember the pained look on Atherton’s face. I remember you guys went to great lengths to ensure Zimmy and I did not sit next to each other. Iirc Zimmy wore his Weazels jumper. Good times.

The S K Warne will be officially opened during the Test. That will bring back memories for everyone there who ever saw him bowl. Warnie put on a classic that day 16 years ago. We were damned lucky.

horace wrote:

embee wrote:horrie

we had crayfish rolls for lunch today

brought back great memories of boxing day test in 2006

cheers

Fantastic!  Yep that was a great day at the cricket. I can still remember the pained look on Atherton’s face. I remember you guys went to great lengths to ensure Zimmy and I did not sit next to each other. Iirc Zimmy wore his Weazels jumper. Good times.

The S K Warne will be officially opened during the Test. That will bring back memories for everyone there who ever saw him bowl. Warnie put on a classic that day 16 years ago. We were damned lucky.

We picked a good day for the only day of Test I've attended in my life, so thank you guys.

unchanged Oz XI.

Proteas hinting at batting changes but bowling to remain the same. They don't have great options though with a back up keeper and TDB the only possibilities to replace RVD or someone else.

According to Manthorp, they have three or four better performed batsmen with better averages and who are younger at home but they have to fulfil quotas. SA is strongest when there are a lot of good black players. With four Africans in the team the target, the preference it is hard to balance the line-up despite no questions being asked about the credentials of Rabada or Ngidi even though they weren't quite at their best last test. One could say the same about Norkia too.

The credentials of Rabada? You’re joking ...

First picked, after the captain.