Rabada & Nortje along with Jansen & Mulder at PE looks a far more formidable attack than with the 2 spinners who were disappointing from an SA perspective.
Depends on the nature of the pitch at PE. If it is a green top does Boland get a run at Lyons expense?
Reckon he should,BUTTTTT,…they won’t drop Lyon now.
They did rest him before on a Horses for Courses pitch,last Season if memory serves,…
South Africa will come out snarling
expect fireworks with Rabada back in
it will be a pace quartet and a spiced pitch for sure
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I think the Saffers would be more concerned about their batting. Apart from Markram and perhaps Bedingham it looks very shaky
What a joke, all the Hoo Ha from the media and ex players about the South African crowd really giving it the Aussies. The crowd was like a West Coast v Peel WAFL match, and about as much atmosphere and passion.
Yeah I was surprised at how many empty seats were there. Not sure if it was the ticket prices or whether people there have just lost interest. There has also been some civil unrest in Durban recently
Hopefully better crowds in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town
They usually play their home Tests around Christmas/New Year
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Are they playing India at Home this Summer?
Listening to Mcdonald, it seems like he is open to the idea of Renshaw opening the batting in the next test depending on the conditions. I think new ball bowlers have worked out that if they give Travis Head no width, he is going to get frustrated and either chop the ball onto his stumps or hit a ball in the air. I think he would be better off back at number 5. Maddinson is going to get the whole series I reckon so the XI for the 2nd test may look like this
Renshaw
Maddinson
Marnus
Smith
Head
Green (if fit) or Inglis
Carey
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood
Boland would come in for Lyon if its a green top
Green is out again mate
news already broken
So either Inglis or Webster? Harper might even get a look?
Its interesting, sure South Afrika will be formidable if the pitch is fast and green, but their batting is fragile as Mikeh pointed out so I’m sure they will have concerns facing Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins on bowler assisted pitches. I also don’t think the Aussies would be worried to rest Lyon if it’s a green momba.
Interesting this test starts on a Sunday - it won’t be a high drawing crowd test if 4 days are working days
Webster.
Josh doesn’t bowl that much.
Webster didnt either in the last test. Renshaw bowled more
What’s going to stop the bowlers frustrating Head at 5 mikeh? The guy is an experienced player, needs to adapt his game plan…but he won’t, because he can’t…because that’s Head in a nutshell.
Webster didn’t do anything wrong, can’t see him losing his spot, especially with Green out again supposedly. No changes I reckon, but hopefully bowler rotation comes into place for the 3rd test…Boland and Neser to freshen things up at some point.
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With Rabada supposedly coming back,how’s the 2nd Test Wicket going to behave?
Renshaw,Inglis won’t be bowling too much here,unless we need to break glass,…
The pitch is expected to be tailored to the 4 SA quicks
Mulder being an all-rounder may see them retain one of Harmer and Maharaj
Inglis would be still touch and go with that fractured digit
Webster to bolster that batting & Lyon out?
That seems the most logical but then it is McDonald & old mate
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SA
Rabada & Breeztke in
Verreynne & Stubbs out
Surely they wont take 2 spinners into the next test so Rabada will replace one of them. Rickleton will keep wickets bat at 7 and De Zorzi will come in a opener. That would be my guess. Breeztee will replace Stubbs at 5