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[smilley792]

I meant to put a question mark on the end of that.

Yeah it offers a better balance with him bowling. But surely if he thought he was one of his top 5/6 batsmen he'd be straight back in anyway?


I don't agree with dropping Rodgers, but he is the place at risk currently(alot due to him being a Arthur inclusion, but also the fact he's more suited to English bowlers)
But I doubt Lehmann sees Watson as an opener.

If they had a part time spinner(smith?) Watson would be a good number 7 and leave Lyon out.

[petehosk]

Both Marsh and Doolan looked settled, and looked like they had no pressure on them!
After that knock, I can't see Marsh getting replaced!! And Doolan also looked confortable with the bat! And add to that those two fantastic catches Doolan took, and there is no case for Watson getting in the team!
He can't even get at number 6 with Smith being in form too! And the issue with Watson's LBW problems will simply help to keep him out! Watson's bowling is very handy to have, although the Aus pace attack look to have more than enough at the moment. I would agree that on a wicket that doesn't take spin as well, that will be his chance to drop in at 7 and drop Lyons (who is doing a decent holding job)

Mind you, it must be a great dilemma to have!

[uknsaunders]

It's a great dilemma as long as:-

1. Johnson bowls 90-95mph
2. Harris stays fit, probably the best line and length seamer in world cricket at the moment and nearly hitting 90mph himself

Take them out the reserves aren't as good and Australia will find it difficult to bowl teams out again. The english summer ashes shows what can happen when you stick Aus on a sluggish track without a spearhead. For SA this isn't an option as it nullifies their own pace attack and they have no spinner to even get close to test winning standard.

I digress, my point was Watson will be needed if plan A goes to pot and Australia need control in the seam department. ie. if harris falls to bits and starc get's drafted in

[Gerry SA]

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.

Well McLaren has given a CSA contract, so if he wasn't given ago, it would've raised questions.

[Gerry SA]

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.

I don't think it's baseless Vic.

Smith's original plan was to bow out after the home series vs England in 2015-16.

As of 2014, only Australia and England, haven't lost a series in South Africa when Biff's been skipper.

But time looks to be running short for Biff...

[Gerry SA]

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.

I don't think Robbie has don't enough to maintain his place SFA.

He's neither an attacking spinner. Not can he block up and end. Without Kallis, Peterson isn't viable.

[sfa82]

I don't think Robbie has don't enough to maintain his place SFA.

He's neither an attacking spinner. Not can he block up and end. Without Kallis, Peterson isn't viable.

I think you've hit the nail on the head when you mention the lack of King Kallis. Right now we have to find the best balance for the team without the person who has been the foundation of our batting lineup and a great fourth seamer. I haven't seen Harmer bowl so I cant really talk about him, but for the Wanderers where i think the choice would have been between the spinners with experience, ie Robbie or Tahir, I think Robbie was the right choice.

[Gerry SA]

Andrew Hilditch has confirmed no new faces will be added to the original 15 man squad.

Ryan McLaren is dropped and Dean Elgar will come in as a pure batsman at 7. He offers a little bit of slow arm spin.

Robbie Peterson has basically reached the point of no return, another lacklustre performance will end his Test career.

Morkel is carrying a shoulder injury, so Parnell(little expensive as part of a 4 man attack) or Klienveldt could get the nod.

[Vic Nicholas]

I don't think it's baseless Vic.

Smith's original plan was to bow out after the home series vs England in 2015-16.

As of 2014, only Australia and England, haven't lost a series in South Africa when Biff's been skipper.

But time looks to be running short for Biff...

I am devastated.

Hard to imagine a Saffer line up without Biff.

I am still getting my head around King Kallis not being around.

[Cedrictoad]

If McClaren is being left out of the 2nd test due to the concussion he received from Johnson's bouncer, why did he not retire hurt?

Is this just an excuse to drop McClaren?  He look suspect when playing the short ball and his bowling was probably lacking the cutting edge SAF needed from him.

Why can't selectors be honest?  Like with Watto, he said he was fit earlier but now he remains out due to his calf injury... be honest.  Why can't the selectors just say he isn't in good enough form right now to displace either of Doolan or Marsh.  If either had failed, Watto would be back in the side.

[tim2000s]

If McClaren is being left out of the 2nd test due to the concussion he received from Johnson's bouncer, why did he not retire hurt?

Is this just an excuse to drop McClaren?  He look suspect when playing the short ball and his bowling was probably lacking the cutting edge SAF needed from him.

Why can't selectors be honest?  Like with Watto, he said he was fit earlier but now he remains out due to his calf injury... be honest.  Why can't the selectors just say he isn't in good enough form right now to displace either of Doolan or Marsh.  If either had failed, Watto would be back in the side.

You don't always immediately know you're concussed. Like being in a car crash, you can get out, direct traffic and continue normally, then 4 or 5 hours later, it hits you. I suspect that this is what happened here.

[Cedrictoad]

Yes I hadn't considered a delay onset concussion scenario.

Three changes to the SAF side?

De Kock, Parnell and Egar in for Alviro, Peterson and McClaren?

[FvanN]

Good changes I think... Hope the new faces can step up. Conditions seem to favour batting...

[King pair]

Elgar opening :| whats going on there?
Not an opening bat from what ive seen

[FvanN]

Elgar opening :| whats going on there?
Not an opening bat from what ive seen

He opens for his province so is no stranger to the new ball.