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[Gerry SA]

Would be a good series to blood De Cock, would he keep Gerry?

Yeah mate QdK keeps if he's batting at 6/7.

AB's only recently have surgery on his hand. And has taken a few bad blows on that hand today.

We can't afford AB to break that hand, he's far too important.

[uknsaunders]

I wouldn't be surprised if we are starting to see the decline of SA in this series. Kallis/AB allowed SA to play 5 bowlers and 7 batsman but when you have McLaren at 7 it doesn't look great. I personally think Australia are on a hot streak that will finish as soon as Harris falls apart and Watson quits test cricket (must be coming with his fitness record). Mitch is pushing 34 and will do well to bowl 95mph in a couple of years time. Let's not even go there with Clarke's back. Australia have some great reserves but SA, Eng and Aus will be much changed teams over the coming years. I like how India have moved on under Fletcher and NZ have the makings of a very handy test team.

[cleanbowled]

Mitch is only 32 - so he still has another 2-3 years at least and maybe a little more if he stays fit. Harris and Watson will be a loss though to be fair Watson has not really bowled much in recent times, and he's not that much of a loss in terms of batting either. The Aussies have some talent in terms of fast bowlers so I think they should be ok. Their batting reserves are a bit of a concern. Agree though that the landscape will be very different in say 4-5 years time.

[smilley792]

It seems Mitchell Johnson run of form, is gonna change the entire test format as we now it.

Destroying teams not only during games, but also off the pitch,

Test Careers are being ended.
Sides and roles are being changed
And the ranking are going out the window.



As anyone players form ever had such an impact?

[The_Bird]

Lots a better bowlers than MJ have destroyed people's careers.

Let's not forget the SA skipper has put 3 England skippers to the sword also, eras can change in a heartbeat. The previous two ashes proved that.

[ppccopener]

Credit to the aussies they look like they are developing a top side after a couple of years in the wilderness
Anyone think watching the last two days puts a slightly different slant on the Ashes series just gone?

[tim2000s]

Frankly, Johnson is doing what the Windies bowlers did to hick. Fast bowlers have done this throughout history.

[13th Man]

Well batted warned,well batted Doolan.


Too big partnerships in each innings do aus well.




How long is Watson expected to be out for? You'd be gutted to havea. Decent debut like Doolan, or a great comeback like Marsh and be dropped.

Brad Hodge probably thought the same, think he got a double ton and dropped for return of established player - Marto I think!

[Vic Nicholas]

It seems Mitchell Johnson run of form, is gonna change the entire test format as we now it.

Destroying teams not only during games, but also off the pitch,

Test Careers are being ended.
Sides and roles are being changed
And the ranking are going out the window.



As anyone players form ever had such an impact?

Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee in tandem.

West Indies at their peak.

If we go back far enough...Lindwall and Miller, Larwood and Voce and Gregory and McDonald scared the bejeezus out of guys.

So, yeah, MJ is just showing us what aggressive fast bowling can do.

In the pre helmet era, MJ would have been even more scarier.

[cleanbowled]

Frank Tyson, Fred Trueman are a few other names that come to mind. Wes Hall as well.

[Vic Nicholas]

Frank Tyson, Fred Trueman are a few other names that come to mind. Wes Hall as well.

Hall, Gilchrist and Griffith - yes.

Tyson - yes.

Snow - yes.

Trueman - no.

[cleanbowled]

Thought he was called Fiery Fred for a reason, but you might be right, will have to dig into the cricket books again lol!. Certainly a great fast bowler.

If I remember correctly Griffith was the one with the suspect action.

[Vic Nicholas]

Thought he was called Fiery Fred for a reason, but you might be right, will have to dig into the cricket books again lol!. Certainly a great fast bowler.

If I remember correctly Griffith was the one with the suspect action.

Fred was fiery and a GREAT fast bowler...as was Statham.

Scary? That was Tyson.

[Jenko]

How's that ball Mitch just pinged Amla with!! Good thing he has a lid on

[Cedrictoad]

That was a ripper.

12/2... how unlucky is Smith!

I hope SAF can dig in and take it to the 5th day!