Print

[Number4]

The fact that Warner bowled a few overs of seam up would suggest to me that they would be keen to get Watson back in somehow

Or they are looking at their options of someone who can get through a couple overs and not bring Watson back in. Personally I don think Watson deserves to be in the team at the moment. His average is low and he can't convert starts into hundreds which, let's face it, is his main job.

[Alvaro]

Agree with Legger123, then again why change a winning team. 
Watson given injury history could probably benefit with more recovery time, we've seen it too often, him pull up in his bowling stride straining something.

You always change a team if it makes you stronger.

[Gerry SA]

South Africa considering two changes for Port Elizabeth.

Quinton de Kock looking like earning his Test debut at 6, and will keep.

Kyle Abbott, debuted last year took 9 poles on debut but overlooked since, also likely to play. Kyle's a high class bowler and from Durban

Ryan McLaren and Robin Petersen likely to be axed.

AB could move up to 4. Faf down to 5. JP down to 7 as the all rounder.

I'd prefer the 7 batsmen plus 4 fast bowler line up.

[petehosk]

He still got it through at 130kph+ with some outswing... faster the Philander really!

Faster than Philander?? What's your point to this post?
Why would you possibly make a comparison of Warner bowling with Philander?
It's chalk and cheese! It's like comparing a number 10 or 11 batsman with the likes of Amla, ABdV or Clarke!!

[smilley792]

South Africa considering two changes for Port Elizabeth.

Quinton de Kock looking like earning his Test debut at 6, and will keep.

Kyle Abbott, debuted last year took 9 poles on debut but overlooked since, also likely to play. Kyle's a high class bowler and from Durban

Ryan McLaren and Robin Petersen likely to be axed.

AB could move up to 4. Faf down to 5. JP down to 7 as the all rounder.

I'd prefer the 7 batsmen plus 4 fast bowler line up.

See I look at that and think,good changes, good line up. Still seems strong in all departments.

Jp has and his issues, but he is as capable as Peterson to bowl IMO, and it is as 5th bowler, plus he's now the 7th batsmen.
So even though people have been calling for his head, just a change in his position and roll has made him a worthy edition and the side stronger.

[Gerry SA]

See I look at that and think,good changes, good line up. Still seems strong in all departments.

Jp has and his issues, but he is as capable as Peterson to bowl IMO, and it is as 5th bowler, plus he's now the 7th batsmen.
So even though people have been calling for his head, just a change in his position and roll has made him a worthy edition and the side stronger.

TBH JP and Alviro are on borrowed time.

We have a Test series against Zimbabwe in August where I'd like to see Stiann van Zyl opening the batting. And Simon Harmer take over as the spinner. Harmer is a good spinner and can bat at 7.

And hopefully Marchant de Lange will be fit by then and he's back in consideration. 

[uknsaunders]

South Africa considering two changes for Port Elizabeth.

Quinton de Kock looking like earning his Test debut at 6, and will keep.

Kyle Abbott, debuted last year took 9 poles on debut but overlooked since, also likely to play. Kyle's a high class bowler and from Durban

Ryan McLaren and Robin Petersen likely to be axed.

AB could move up to 4. Faf down to 5. JP down to 7 as the all rounder.

I'd prefer the 7 batsmen plus 4 fast bowler line up.

Not sure why they didn't do that in the first place. McLaren doesn't strike me as a test number 7 and it smacked of selection compromise to play him in the first test. I like Robin Petersen as a cricketer but is he going to run through Aus?, I doubt it.

[uknsaunders]

Interesting cricinfo article on the same topic by the excellent Jarrod Kimber:-

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/719403.html

[petehosk]

I suspect that McLaren got the nod as he is seen as an allrounder and the powers that be may have been looking at a similar player to Kallis?
The problem is that a Kallis/Botham/Sobers/Khan/Miller of that class doesn't come along very often, and can never be replaced.

I think that changes they are making look good! Only a few days to wait and see.

[Vic Nicholas]

Congrats Australia you ripped us a new one...

Reports back home suggesting Biff will retire at the end of this series...Sad day for South African sport if these reports are proven correct.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

I love Graeme Smith!

He is one of my favourite cricketers outside of the Aussies (along with half the SA team).

I would miss the big lug if he called it a day.

Please let it only be a baseless rumour.

[sfa82]

I think Robbie P has done enough to keep his place. I would think that Alviro is under pressure to keep his place in the side. JP's performances are even more frustrating considering the amount of talent he has, but as it has been shown many times before, one needs more than talent to make it at the highest level in sport. Morkel needs to put in consistent performances as well for us to be competitive.

[uknsaunders]

Or they are looking at their options of someone who can get through a couple overs and not bring Watson back in. Personally I don think Watson deserves to be in the team at the moment. His average is low and he can't convert starts into hundreds which, let's face it, is his main job.

agree - apart from when england decided to feed him fodder at the oval I think he is struggling technically. Doolan and Marsh look more organised players and as you said, there job is to score runs which they did well. England got away with a 4 man attack for several years and if Harris doesn't fall to pieces and nobody gets after Lyon, then Aus will for the foreseeable future.

[smilley792]

Lehmann says no Watson in next test


http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-australia-2013-14/content/current/story/719637.html

He needs to be bowling to be considered, meaning, he doesn't rate him as a batsmen.

[WalkingWicket37]

Lehmann says no Watson in next test


http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-australia-2013-14/content/current/story/719637.html

He needs to be bowling to be considered, meaning, he doesn't rate him as a batsmen.

Doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't rate him as a batsman, might be down to balance of the side.
You'd struggle to justify replacing Doolan who made a good start, or Marsh who made a ton, with Watto the batsman as the balance of the side remains the same.
Watto the all rounder would add a bowing option too so is easier to justify the change to the team.

[uknsaunders]

Part of Australia's bad starts has been down to Watson and his big front foot. Marsh/Doolan batting 3/4 has allowed Clarke to stay at his preferred position of 5. Unless Watson bowls I don't think he's worth his place as a batsman.