South Africa vs Australia, 3rd Test, Cape Town, 19-23 March

No tour match in between?

Just 8 days of kip?

Alright for some.

Anyway, the market favours a draw, at present.

Can South Africa pull off a Dead rubber revival, similar to what the Aussies did in the last Series?

Chances are it'll be a draw; or an emphatic Australia Victory or a close SAF win.


First Draw in Six Games maybe?

They will surely prepare a dirt road to frustrate the poorly performing Australian batsmen, and demoralize the multitude of missfiring aussie bowlers.

Another Aussie win would be nice. I reckon 3-0 there would almost make up for losing 2-1 on our own pile.

Couple of new faces in the Jaapan team, they'll be looking to impress, and I'm sure the possibility of 3-3 across the six matches will mean they want to end the series on a high.

What's the latest on Siddle? Last night they were talking about him having a Lee like foot injury which could put him out of action for 3 months.

In any case, surely the MacDonald era is now over?

JGK wrote:What's the latest on Siddle? Last night they were talking about him having a Lee like foot injury which could put him out of action for 3 months.

In any case, surely the MacDonald era is now over?

I thought Big Mac picked up a few key scalps?

JGK wrote:What's the latest on Siddle? Last night they were talking about him having a Lee like foot injury which could put him out of action for 3 months.

In any case, surely the MacDonald era is now over?

Haven't heard or seen anything further on Siddle.

And what's wrong with picking an all-rounder who can't really bat or bowl? A lot of commentators were talking up the way the Ranga held up one end while the other bowlers were rotated at the other. Personally, I'd rather see a spinner in the side. One who actually turns the ball would be nice. Failing that, another attacking bowler would be my preference.

I agree. My thought on "holding up an end" was that you probably prefer a spinner to do it rather than a RH Medium. Hauritz is probably as good with the bat as well.

Geeves might actually be a good bet if Ranga is the alternative - he's a better bowler, probably as good with the bat. On the other hand, I do like Ranga's attitude to the game.

A spinner, even a moderate spinner, plants some degree of uncertainty in the batsman's mind. A military medium always leaves open the prospect of a bloke with his eye in suddenly deciding the belt the bejeezus out of two or three in a row to release the pressure.

DJ_Smerk wrote:Chances are it'll be a draw; or an emphatic Australia Victory or a close SAF win.

Good analysis, although I think a close Australian victory and an emphatic South African victory are also both possibilities. A tie is a prospect as well...

Ross wrote:

DJ_Smerk wrote:Chances are it'll be a draw; or an emphatic Australia Victory or a close SAF win.

Good analysis, although I think a close Australian victory and an emphatic South African victory are also both possibilities. A tie is a prospect as well...

Is Bubbles fit?

McGain for Ranga
Bubbles ( or the Butler if Bubbles isn't fit) for Cot Death (if he has any sort of foot niggle)

You Aussies have some random nicknames for your Cricketers.

What's random about those?

Cot Death? Sounds quite ominous to me.

Siddle ... SIDS ... Cot Death.

Poor taste? Sure, quite possibly. Random? No.

DJ_Smerk wrote:Cot Death? Sounds quite ominous to me.

Only because you're a baby

embee wrote:

DJ_Smerk wrote:Cot Death? Sounds quite ominous to me.

Only because you're a baby

Wah Wah Wah.

"In any case, surely the MacDonald era is now over?"

What are you talking about? His 3 for 25 in the first innings set the match up for us.

DJ_Smerk wrote:

embee wrote:

DJ_Smerk wrote:Cot Death? Sounds quite ominous to me.

Only because you're a baby

Wah Wah Wah.

Keep crying ...it means you are still breathing

Ranga.must.go.

If Cot (I like it - nice work MB) is unfit I'd play Geeves and bat him at 9 after Midge, p!ss Ronnie off and give Sausage a go as well.

Other than the Test, what have we got to lose? The debutants so far have been stellar.

I'd like McGain to play a Test before the Ashes ...and the Saffies play wrist spin as well as the poms do ...to see if he worth a trip to Pomgolia

"If Cot (I like it - nice work MB) "

I was going to suggest Darth but I guess Cot will do.

embee wrote:I'd like McGain to play a Test before the Ashes ...and the Saffies play wrist spin as well as the poms do ...to see if he worth a trip to Pomgolia

Looks like you've got your wish mb. The SSPFSP is giving the team this morning as McGain in, Ronnie out.

Ollie is ill so Ronnie may play.

Three Vics in the Test team?