So, Australia v South Africa, late 2012. Early predictions?

Of course, too early to know (injuries, for a start). But perhaps not too early to hazard guesses.

(btw: Why the hell again isn't it five Tests, with a traditional Boxing Day and a New Year Test??)


Will Smiff brain Clarke with the golden mace?

Will Oz devise a cunning plan to oust the Champs while they are still bathing in the sunlight, and snatch the bauble from their grip?

Or will it prove to be a "Reichenbach Falls" mini-series - arch-enemies Michael Holmes and Graeme Moriarty locked in a deadly embrace hurtling each other over the edge, with lots of Zim-type legbreaks, stepped-on balls, crushed souls and ended careers?

Well?

(Should be a mighty series, anyway.)

The Boxing Day test has been discussed ad infinitum.

(red) SA will be undercooked (red)

Must have been while I was outta here.

What was the conclusion? The usual one of allowing tons of limited-overs/T20s?

South Africans won't play a Boxing Day Test in Oz, and vice versa.

UnBlinking Blinkmanship.

Zat and I, and a few others have been debating it for years.

i call it 1-1

We are gonna get so smashed.

Aye. I went 2-1 to the Saffies.

me too

Australia lifts for SA. SA lifts for England. England lifts for Australia so it won't necessarily go according to rankings.

Toss might be important too early season in venues like Brisbane and Perth.

1-1, I reckon.

For Aus, it looks like Clarke is going to have a go at number three, with Ponting at four, Hussey at five, and Watson down to number six.

A spinner wont be the top wicket taker.

No clear pattern in the predictions yet.

Nobody backing a FTB Draw Fest.

I'd vote but you haven't put in the Ropes for 3-0.

That was the Tears for Clarkey option.

(Though you're right - unless he is directly and palpably responsible for a debacle, it's a bit unlikely he would bow out relatively soon after taking the reins.)

South Africa still get edgy against the Aussies. The contest with Australia is their 'Ashes' and they feel more anxious in these games than they do against any other team. Often leads to them making silly mistakes, which is why I think they'll draw but not win the series against a team that on paper is inferior to them.

Henry wrote:South Africa still get edgy against the Aussies. The contest with Australia is their 'Ashes' and they feel more anxious in these games than they do against any other team. Often leads to them making silly mistakes, which is why I think they'll draw but not win the series against a team that on paper is inferior to them.

...nonsense...saffies are vastly ahead of Oz in all respects inc captaincy...3-0

Hmmm. Aus won't field complacent dobbers, so I reckon they've got a better chance than England...