South Africa v India, 3rd Test, Johannesburg, 24-28 January, 2018

The Bannie bowlers have been doing the job (other than perhaps Ashtray) but their top order has been poor. Might Shastri shake up the top 7?

The SAffers look very settled having won the series.

Aye, it is the Bannie bats who have lacked the skills and application, E-Coli aside.

Are the Saffies on top of the Test "League" yet, following these two victories?

I can't get that stupid website to work ...

Will be surprised if the Joburg curator doesn't produce a tailor-made pitch after reading Faf's comments following the Centurion match.

"I was very concerned when I got here, leading up to the Test match," Du Plessis confirmed.

"It didn't look like a Centurion wicket that I know. That is a concern, to be honest.

"I am very honest about good things and when we get it right but it’s also fair to comment on where we can get better. I believe this was an opportunity that we missed."

The blame fell heavily on rookie curator Bryan Bloy, who was made to endure a long five days of public attention, but Du Plessis pointed to the process rather an individual.

"We can blame the groundsman but we also have to blame ourselves," he said.

"We made a process where we make sure CSA has someone that looks after the groundsmen to get the right kind of pitches when we play against teams."

The man Du Plessis was referring to is CSA consultant Hilbert Smith, who is there to assist whenever South African venues encounter problems, whether it be with the pitch or the outfield.

It is not his job, though, to physically prepare the wicket, and that is all part of the proces that Du Plessis wants to get to the bottom of.

"We never wanted something ridiculous, we just wanted a pitch with pace and bounce," he continued.

"I think there is concern that we are not getting it right and this is not the first time. I can think of three or four occasions over the last 12 months.

"We need to be better as a collective. That’s something I will be taking up and making sure we can improve."

lardbucket wrote:Are the Saffies on top of the Test "League" yet, following these two victories?

I can't get that stupid website to work ...

Evidently even a 3-0 result to SA will still see India as #1.

Red wrote:Will be surprised if the Joburg curator doesn't produce a tailor-made pitch after reading Faf's comments following the Centurion match.

"I was very concerned when I got here, leading up to the Test match," Du Plessis confirmed.

"It didn't look like a Centurion wicket that I know. That is a concern, to be honest.

"I am very honest about good things and when we get it right but it’s also fair to comment on where we can get better. I believe this was an opportunity that we missed."

The blame fell heavily on rookie curator Bryan Bloy, who was made to endure a long five days of public attention, but Du Plessis pointed to the process rather an individual.

"We can blame the groundsman but we also have to blame ourselves," he said.

"We made a process where we make sure CSA has someone that looks after the groundsmen to get the right kind of pitches when we play against teams."

The man Du Plessis was referring to is CSA consultant Hilbert Smith, who is there to assist whenever South African venues encounter problems, whether it be with the pitch or the outfield.

It is not his job, though, to physically prepare the wicket, and that is all part of the proces that Du Plessis wants to get to the bottom of.

"We never wanted something ridiculous, we just wanted a pitch with pace and bounce," he continued.

"I think there is concern that we are not getting it right and this is not the first time. I can think of three or four occasions over the last 12 months.

"We need to be better as a collective. That’s something I will be taking up and making sure we can improve."

What's Faf bitching about?? He won, FFS.

Did he want a wicket that would have the match over in 3 days?? Sook!!!

Curator appears to be heeding Faf's call for a green pitch.

Looks like with a lot of cloud around, SA may opt for seven batsmen, recalling Bavuma at the expense of Maharaj.

Bavuma would be useful. Otherwise no changes for the Yarps who have all done pretty well.

Well what about the Bannie selections. Surely they must be thinking about adding in Sacred Cow (Bhuvi-Bovine) for Ashtray, given the deck will favour swing and seam. The problem with this is extending an already long tail.

The real issue is the inability of the Bannie batsmen to counter the fast moving ball. E-Coli prospered in T2 on a deck that suited him (much to the chagrin and sniffing of Test cricket's biggest whiner since Sniffy). The deck and conditions do not auger well for another heroic E-Coli effort.

If the Bannies are to avoid a whitewash then batsmen such as Puttanesca need to show greater guts against the Yarp quicks. The lack of fight among the Bannie batsmen has been disappointing if not unexpected. Maybe NoHit has to go.

It seems that Bavuma has a fractured finger, so if they opt for another bat, de Bruyn looks likely. Markram is facing a fitness test on his quad. Would be surprised if India does not recall Kumar and one wonders if the deck and conditions will suit Nohit.

Why would Bavuma be useful?

useful for horrie's racist ramblings

taipan wrote:Why would Bavuma be useful?

In fairness he is a gun fielder. Over our journey we've played some specialist fielders.

embee wrote:useful for horrie's racist ramblings

Valid.

W S's

MB, any idea what he is on about now?

It made as much sense as usual

Nige is a grand wazir WS, Embee is a neophyte WS

Still making no sense.

Is horrie a racist? Gutted, I thought he was sound.

ozzie racists are sound

horace wrote:Nige is a grand wazir WS, Embee is a neophyte WS

some sort of racist slang

Oz is built on racism. National Racist Day is celebrated this Friday, 26 Jan.

embee wrote:

horace wrote:Nige is a grand wazir WS, Embee is a neophyte WS

some sort of racist slang

Ah, so rambling again. He really must cut down on the paid meds.

Have another early Sundowner Taips.