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[PM7]

If any of you were watching this was a fantastic days Test match cricket. Although England are not playing im sure some of you are appreciative of quality Test match cricket at its best and I havent seen a better opening day for a while. Steyn was quite unbelievable, scary at times and simply confirms his status as the best pace bowler around. Ive never liked watching Clarke bat but this was a stunning hundred at almost a run a ball in difficult batting conditions, a genuine captains knock. Roll on day 2!

[Wills]

It would have been interesting to see Clarke's approach had there been a genuine batsman at the other end and if he still would have kept up his scoring rate.

[The_Bird]

Quite right a top days cricket, very classy ton from Clarke after a shaky start against the short ball. I did think they overdid it tho and got him into nick and from there on it was faultless with everyone falling around him. Fascinating series but why only two tests?

[bigboy]

It would have been interesting to see Clarke's approach had there been a genuine batsman at the other end and if he still would have kept up his scoring rate.

His batting didn't change, was the same from his partnership with marsh till the end.

[PM7]

 It beggars belief that the cricket boards from 2 top countries playing at the highest level cant agree or disagree on more than 2 Test matches. I can understand Zim vs Bangladesh playing 2 Tests and 5 ODIs but get real this shouldnt be happening.

[Manormanic]

Quite agree.  Aside from the iconic status this series poses so many questions that five tests would be ar better placed to resolve - is Hughes really test class? is Ponting finished? can the Aussies bowl top sides out yet? will South Africa choke again? do they have anything beyond those two great quicks?  how will Imran Tahir fare in the Test arena?

[The_Bird]

Surely it affects the Aussies chances of progressing back up the rankings, do you get more World ranking points for beating a lower ranked team 4-0 as opposed to say beating the No.1 team 1-0?? Because of the fewer tests

[Nickauger]

Is that Jacques Rudolph back playing, or another Rudolph?

[Manormanic]

Is that Jacques Rudolph back playing, or another Rudolph?

nope, it is the Yorkshire legend!

[Nickauger]

Happy days, glad to see him back. I like him as a player.

[petehosk]

Good to hear the JR is back playing Internationals.

Been following it on cricinfo, and noticed following quote...........

Chris: "Morning: Has anyone else noticed that, from the back, the Australians look as though they are wearing sports bras?" Hadn't noticed, will look now.

Could someone who is watching confirm whether they are indeed wearing sports bras? I can't imagine they are, although for the likes of Warne and Gatting, the sports bra came too late! 

[Manormanic]

Could someone who is watching confirm whether they are indeed wearing sports bras? I can't imagine they are, although for the likes of Warne and Gatting, the sports bra came too late! 

Noticed that yesterday - think it is the underarmour built in to their new kit - you get it some times with rugby kits.

[bigboy]

No it's just the cut of the new asics shirts, they have mesh sections in the back.

[alba caerulea]

Quite agree.  Aside from the iconic status this series poses so many questions that five tests would be ar better placed to resolve - is Hughes really test class? is Ponting finished? can the Aussies bowl top sides out yet? will South Africa choke again? do they have anything beyond those two great quicks?  how will Imran Tahir fare in the Test arena?

So many questions! I think its fair to say that Pontings best days have gone although he is probably still good enough to get into the side. Would like to see some of these promising youngsters we keep hearing about - particularly in the bowling department. And what on earth has happened to Khawaja and Ferguson?? I'm sure Marsh is capable of opening to get one of these guys into the middle order - theres no future in Hughes in the test side.
Tahir is no doubt something that South Africa haven't had for a long time - an attacking spinner, whether he can get out good batsmen when set remains to be seen. Can definately see him running through the middle/lower order on wearing pitches though. Impressed with Philander yesterday, moving it feet off the seam - would also like to know the origins of his surname!

[Manormanic]

So many questions! I think its fair to say that Pontings best days have gone although he is probably still good enough to get into the side. Would like to see some of these promising youngsters we keep hearing about - particularly in the bowling department. And what on earth has happened to Khawaja and Ferguson?? I'm sure Marsh is capable of opening to get one of these guys into the middle order - theres no future in Hughes in the test side.

Good enough - probably, though I think its a risk when they also have Hussey in there that it blocks younger talent.  Personally I whint to him that he jumps before getting the push.  As for the younger talent, I wonder if they've considered Warner - as was frequently noted in the CLT20, he plays classical shots whilst hitting the ball hard and may actually be the nearest thing to Hayden that they have available.  Just a thought...