SA fight for survival
9 Mar 2009
An unbeaten 164-run partnership between Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers has left South Africa with hope of saving the series.
The Aussies added 39 runs in 40 minutes to their overnight total and declared on 331-5, with Phil Hughes eventually out for a career-best 160.
In chasing an imposing target of 546, Neil McKenzie survived an early scare on three when he countered Billy Bowden’s lbw decision. TV replays showed it was too high and after the reprieve McKenzie soldiered on to a patient 31 in an opening stand of 63 with Hashim Amla, before Peter Siddle produced a seaming delivery to break the partnership.
Amla – forced to open due to Graeme Smith’s hand injury – once again looked at ease in his knock of 43 but threw it away due to a lack of concentration. Amla hasn’t struggled to get starts all summer against Australia, and this time he foolishly flayed at a wide ball from Siddle and edged straight to Ricky Ponting at second slip.
Immediately after Siddle then cut a dejected figure as Kallis was dropped first ball by Marcus North at slip.
This miss halfway through the second session proved costly as Kallis and AB de Villiers made the Aussies work for any further reward adding an unbeaten 164.
The new ball is due first thing tomorrow, and this will be the defining period if the hosts wish to save the series against a fresh-again Siddle and Mitchell Johnson.
Australia 352 (1st innings)
Phillip Hughes 115, Simon Katich 108, Michael Hussey 50, Dale Steyn 3-83.
South Africa 138 (1st innings)
JP Duminy 73*, Mitchell Johnson 3-37, Andrew McDonald 3-25.
Australia 331-5 declared (2nd innings)
Phillip Hughes 160, Ricky Ponting 81, Jacques Kallis 1-21.
South Africa 244-2 (2nd innings)
Jacques Kallis 84*, AB de Villiers 68*, Peter Siddle 2-39.
South Africa trail by 301 runs
Click here for full scorecard.
80 Comments
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9 Mar 2009, 09:41 am
SA is in “Hughes” trouble.
9 Mar 2009, 09:56 am
Our chances of drawing this game is 30% since their is a 30% chance of rain today and tomorrow in Durban according to weathersa.
9 Mar 2009, 09:58 am
If only we could clone….”sigh”
A squad of 12 JP Duminy’s would’ve been nice… );
9 Mar 2009, 10:01 am
#2 It is just a game: Shame to rely on God of Rain for 2 straight Tests at home to avoid defeat. I suspect Aussies will declare as soon as Hughes gets 150 and bowl them out before any rain comes.
Sort of total anti-climax after glory in Australia.
9 Mar 2009, 10:06 am
… or declare when Hughes finally goes out.
9 Mar 2009, 10:06 am
I really can’t understand why JP only bowled 3 overs???
Anyway…I know it’s harsh, but it seems like there’s some underground things going on, I mean 20 runs from 9 batsmen.
And another thing, why not let 9 batsmen play 20/20 style cricket, let JP bat through the innings and we might have a chance to reach 250 for a change.
And if they then get bowled out for under 150 in an innings, I’ll still support their style of cricket, hehe.
Make JP captain!!!
9 Mar 2009, 10:09 am
#6 Double Edge: Mite as well let the one day squad play the third test with a one day mindset so that they can get some practice.
9 Mar 2009, 10:09 am
#6 Double Edge: That would be nice to see Proteas batsmen trying surpass this huge deficit and going for a win anyway instead of simply trying to protect wicket till 5 day ends or rain comes to save them.
9 Mar 2009, 10:09 am
#4 Nils: I still think Aussies played bad in Australia rather than we playing well. I still think this isn’t our best squad by far. There is some awesome talent out there and in form and they need a chance, like Duminy.
9 Mar 2009, 10:13 am
#7 It is just a game: If we lose this test (which we most probably will and deserve too), then this is the most logical approach, but do we have logical selectors? But the Aussies will most probably do this and still beat us.
9 Mar 2009, 10:15 am
#9 Double Edge: Who would you include in the curreent squad?
9 Mar 2009, 10:17 am
#9 Double Edge: Sure, SA have talents and will get stronger. And so will Australia, some current newbies are looking quite promising.
More good SA-Aus battles ahead.
9 Mar 2009, 10:21 am
#12 Nils: Are you guys watching?
9 Mar 2009, 10:25 am
#13 hater: Unfortunately, this time – no. Could not find any live streaming I can see.
Have to rely on cricinfo.com text commentary.
9 Mar 2009, 10:26 am
Hughes out, Ponting should declare now, if he will be too greedy, he may end up with a draw.
9 Mar 2009, 11:07 am
What’s happening??
9 Mar 2009, 11:14 am
How difficult could it be…#16 Dawn: ons pomp hulle nog al die pad.
Player Runs
BC Lara 400*
ML Hayden 380
BC Lara 375
DPMD Jayawardene374
GS Sobers 365*
L Hutton 364
ST Jayasuriya 340
Hanif Mohammad 337
WR Hammond 336*
MA Taylor 334*
DG Bradman 334
GA Gooch 333
Inzamam-ul-Haq 329
A Sandham 325
V Sehwag 319
CH Gayle 317
Younis Khan 313
RB Simpson 311
JH Edrich 310*
V Sehwag 309
RM Cowper 307
DG Bradman 304
LG Rowe 302
9 Mar 2009, 11:40 am
We will not surrender. Go Proteas.
9 Mar 2009, 13:13 pm
#18 shooter: I like your attitude
9 Mar 2009, 13:16 pm
We’ll have to pick up the run rate a bit if we want to win the match.
9 Mar 2009, 13:28 pm
#11 Corndog: Well, there is players like: Bosman, Van Wyk, Van Jaarsveld, Henderson, Ackerman, Hall, Deacon, Abdullah, Reddy, Dawson, v/d Wath, Kleinveldt that could be considered to be given a chance.
9 Mar 2009, 13:30 pm
And what did Hall do wrong to not deserve his place in the squad? I’m not too sure if he doesn’t want to play tests, but if this is not the case, why not?
9 Mar 2009, 13:36 pm
#21 Double Edge: Players like Van Wyk, Ackermann, Van Jaarsveld have been given chances and just don’t seem up to it at that level. I agree that Henderson and vd Wath had limited chances and might make a contribution to the side. The guys like Deacon, Abdullah, Reddy and Kleinveldt have shown promise but not sure if they are iternational standard. Regarding Hall I have never been a fan even though he has done good things, just don’t like the guy, but that’s just me.
This team has not lost a series since 2006 and are good players each one knowing their role in the team. The changes I would make is Boucher dropped for Prince with AB taking the gloves (it does not matter whether he wants to do it or not). The other spot up for grabs is Mckenzie if he does not perform in the 3rd test.
9 Mar 2009, 13:39 pm
Gggggrrrrrrrrrr. Why why why does Amla choose this moment to lose concentration! And McKenzie…his loss of form after a brilliant run is disturbing. Come on guys, show the grit you did in Australia!
9 Mar 2009, 13:43 pm
It would have been nice to have had Prince’s grit out there. It seems that his behind-the-scenes value has been missed, apart from the presence he gives on the field. Smith made up for this in Australia but his (Smith’s) own bad luck has exposed a weakness.
South Africans needs to remember one thing – it took a while for Australia to really crack through to the No. 1 spot even after they had been knocking at the door for a while. That experience is what built their mental strength. SA need to build on what they have done over the last year and a half, build that mental toughness to challenge the Aussies home and away.
Also, they need to get Morkel firing!
9 Mar 2009, 13:48 pm
23 And Harris out, yes he bowled well yesterday, but that was on a pitch with huge cracks in it. Useless in field, kuk with bat. Bring in Botha, he proved himself in Oz…
We need a left arm seamer… Parnell/Tsotsobe
Its a good start to the day. Lets keep it ticking over!!
GO BOYS!!
9 Mar 2009, 13:52 pm
24 Mike Brass
Agreed, If Smith is sitting out next test, Prince should slot straight back into team.
Im still not entirely convinced by Morkel, think Albie offers more…
9 Mar 2009, 13:59 pm
I still think current form should be considered when selecting a squad. Look at Duminy, he’s the stand out, consistent performer in the squad. And how long did he have to knock on the door before he got his chance?
I don’t say give all of them a chance at once, but look at the current form of 1 or 2 players in the SA squad, drop them and select one of the guys who is in good form. We might just end up with another JP.
This might just let the guys in the squad think twice as well and push them that extra bit harder to perform. I sometimes get the feeling some players are a bit too comfortable with their potition – that they’ve got it, now it’s theirs, no matter how they perform in the next 10 matches. Maybe they just need a bit of a wakeup call and get dropped after 3 bad games to give a youngster a chance.
9 Mar 2009, 14:01 pm
I was impressed with Botha in Aussieland. He offered a lot in his bowling, batting on onfield leadership. Replace Harris.
Albie offers more in the batting stakes but I am not convinced he is as good a bowler in test cricket and we need to maximise the chances of taking wickets. Botha coming in would strengthen the tail for batting anyways.
I would say bring in Prince and Botha for the third test.
A left arm steamer can’t replace anyone right now and Tsotsobe just underwent an operation. Boucher needs to stay. Making too many chancges will upset the dynamics of the team.
9 Mar 2009, 14:02 pm
And if we lose this test, the 3rd would also be a great opportunity to give a few guys a chance, but then again Australia will take the 3rd test as a practise run for the upcoming 1 day matches and we should probably do the same.
9 Mar 2009, 14:04 pm
#29 Mike Brass: Dynamics Shmamics! After a batting performance like the 1st innings, is there any dynamics left?
9 Mar 2009, 14:14 pm
I just wonder what happened to the Proteas on the flight back to SA after their highly successful tour of Australia. I can’t believe this is the same team that beat Australia 2-1 in Tests and 4-1 in ODIs. Are these guys imposters? Were the real team members abducted by aliens on the flight back from Perth? If not I recommend that South African based fans book your tickets for their next Australian tour. Home advantage doesn’t seem to be worth anything to the Proteas.
9 Mar 2009, 14:15 pm
One **** performance does not make a team **** after everything they have done and nor is it cause for panic selections. The latter is a recipe for ensuring we lose the third test!
9 Mar 2009, 14:40 pm
That’s fine by me. If we lose this test we’ve lost the test series. I’d rather lose the 3rd test as well and win all the 1 day matches, than win the 3rd test and lose the 1 day series.
9 Mar 2009, 14:41 pm
#33 Mike Brass: And it’s not one, it’s two.
9 Mar 2009, 14:53 pm
#29 Mike Brass: Yes bring in Prince and Botha for the test at Newlands. We need to bat lower down the order than we are doing at the moment. Right now Kallis and Ab batting really well but if one of them go out we only have JP to come, the rest just add a few runs.
We really need a opener with GS for the future. Thats our problem we don’t have a opener to score the runs.
142/2 at the moment. Would be awesome if we could make a draw here. Just cant see that happen.
9 Mar 2009, 15:02 pm
This match is ongoing and it would be a fine rear-guard action as well as a psychoological blow to the Aussies if the match was drawn.
It will only be two after this match is complete and if SA loses.
The one day side has a different make-up. Saying that a number of changes to the test side and losing the match that way wouldn’t impact on the one day side is silly.
9 Mar 2009, 15:04 pm
McKenzie was that partner for smith. He scored over 1000 test runs in a calendar year which was a fantastic achievement. The Aussies have worked him out but it does not mean he should be discarded. He still has another year or two left in him.
The problem instead is that the selectors need to be grooming a successor to McKenzie as a squad member, ala Duminy.
9 Mar 2009, 15:10 pm
Boucher needs to make a contribution with the bat again, dammit.
9 Mar 2009, 15:21 pm
Im sorry, but as Puma has put it, if JP or Kallis get out the rest just add a few runs – this includes our keeper, Can anyone remember when Boucher made decent runs for us?
Mike, I dont see why if we have already lost the series, some changes could be made. This is the perfect oppurtunity to blood some new players against some serious competition. We usually do that against lower order teams (Bangladesh).
I think by mixing up our bowling attack instead of having 3 fast/medium right hand bowlers will strengthen the attack.
I would give Parnell a run. He captained the younger SA team, so he must have some talent, he got a limited run in Aus,
My team for CT;
Alma
Prince (c)
Kallis
AB (Wk)
JP
Albie
Botha (v/c)
Steyn
Ntini
Parnell / Abdulla
Morne Morkel ??
7 main bowlers. Duminy can assist if needed.
Batting down to 7 / 8 if you decide to lose Morne – cant think of anyone to fill in… Maybe Puttick
9 Mar 2009, 15:23 pm
or Ihmran Kahn – played extremely well against Aussies in the SA Presidents Board XI
9 Mar 2009, 15:41 pm
It is to do with team dynamics. You would break up a team which has been extremely successful in recent times, not lost a series since 2006 and beat Australia in Australia simply because of what might be two loses in a row. To institute the changes you suggest would result in a set back to team dynamics and confidence. You ease youngsters into successful teams against ; you don’t make wholesale changes,
9 Mar 2009, 15:55 pm
Fair enough, but to keep players with the skills that JP has shown waiting in the wings for 18 months is criminal, it makes me think “who else is waiting for a chance to prove himself?”. If we are to become the no1 team in the world we will need to think about the future, and this lies with the younger players. The problem is that we as South Africans dont back ourselves, where as the Aussies will risk putting a 20 year old into the team – and he excels.
We may not have lost a series since 2006, that does not meant that there is no room for improvement in our team.
Plus the changes I made were for players already in the squad, besides the estranged Prince. And the left arm seamer which I think is paramount (abdulla / parnell
9 Mar 2009, 16:09 pm
#42 Mike Brass: NM has to go. No question about it he is just very average at the moment. Now that Smith is injured he will probably still be there for the Cape Town test. Pity as he is just not playing well at all. Bring back Prince. Also play J. Botha he can bowl and bat or play Albie Morkel he can bat and bowl too.
We also don’t bat far down. Once JP is out that is it. The rest just don’t contribute much.
9 Mar 2009, 16:24 pm
Shark, JP developed into the player he is now through exposure to the squad environment, learning off senior players and putting that learning int practice in the lesser provincial competitions. He needed to pay his dues and he did so successfully.
Now they need to follow a similar process with other players, starting with an identified successor to McKenzie.
9 Mar 2009, 16:27 pm
I don’t agree McKenzie should go. He has only played badly against Australia and his average since coming back into the team is good.
He cannot go anyways as it would mean a new opening pair for the third test. It’ll never happen.
I would personally shift De Villiers or Amla to open with McKenzie, and bring in Prince and Botha (for Harris). Botha for Harris is a “like for like” and Prince is a necessary replacement.
9 Mar 2009, 17:21 pm
Good boys! More of the same tomorrow please:-)
9 Mar 2009, 17:46 pm
Mike, you make some valid points. And I agree that we wont being many changes from the line up that is playing at kingsmead. However, Botha’s contribution with the bat and in the field (not to mention leadership) means that he is head and shoulders above Harris in all depts. This is the kid who was banned because the Aussies had a problem with his action. That in itself is enough – its sorta like Cullinan and Warne – any advantage against such fierce competitors is to our advantage.
Yes JP has learnt a lot from our senior players, but he would not have played in Oz if Prince was fit. I dont want players with such talent waiting for someone to get injured to have a shot at the big time. We need to back the youth!
Imran Kahn should play instead of NM – he proved himself in the Prseidents XI. Enough said.
Brilliant performance from our Boys today, Lets keep it going. If we make it through the morning and newball we are in with a shot at the draw!!
9 Mar 2009, 17:51 pm
Botha should come in.
Yes JP had to wait – everyone bar Kallis had made over 1000 runs in a calendar year! You don’t go around dropping those sorts of players for someone who has never been involved in the squad and who needs exposure to cricket of a higher standard than the absymal rot dished at provincal level.
We know who the backup bowlers are. We don’t know who the backup opening pair are and that needs to be fixed. smith will be around for a long time but McKenzie won’t be. Identify and train so the person or people will be fully prepared when they need to step into the breach. There is no one with that capability yet – we need players who will succeed the moment they step into the team.
9 Mar 2009, 17:51 pm
What a performance! I am touched! Well done AB and King!
Maintain this for a full session – if both AB and King survives, they will score 80-90 in it without any problem. That means we have to make 210-220 in 60-65 overs.
Go Proteas Go!
I think its time to keep an eye on Imran Khan, this guy is making runs consistently, he just scored a ton few days ago as well. Elegant lefty can be given a chance for the 3rd test if we lose this Durban test. McK should go!
My team for 3rd test :
Imran Khan
Hashim Amla
Jacques Kallis
Ashwell Prince [ c ]
AB de villiers
JP Duminy
Mark Boucher [ w/k ]
Paul Harris
Morne Morkel / Lonwobe Tsotsobe
Dale Steyn
Makhaya Ntini
Both is an ODI material so…
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