Topic: SA Vs Aussies (Read 2662 times)

Zacked · « **on:** April 25, 2007, 02:16:27 AM »

Need to restrict Aussie top three
Greame Smith

For us, this is what the World Cup is all about, a clash between the two biggest teams, and only one way to go for the loser. As contests go it doesn’t get much bigger, and yet haven’t seen our boys as confident as this before a match in a very long time. All of us know what a huge game it is for us, but the pressure seems virtually nonexistent. In fact, I think it is Australia that is feeling the pressure, because we are actually going into the game as relative underdogs, which I must say is a novel feeling.
Throughout this tournament, Australia’s strength has been the batting, and such has been the dominance of the top three in particular that the bowling attack has faced virtually no challenges, except when it came up against us at St. Kitts on March 24. We haven’t forgotten that little nugget, and neither, I am sure, have the Australians.
However, the fact remains that Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist have helped Australia rattle up some truly impressive scores, and we will have to bowl out of our skins if we are to restrict them to manageable levels. We are coming off a very good bowling performance against England at Barbados, and that was a high-pressure match for us too. So we really have to concentrate on getting the top three out early and exposing the Australian middle order, which has hardly had any match practice in this tournament to our bowlers. We are definitely considering playing Makhaya Ntini because the St. Lucia track seems pretty similar to the one at Antigua, excellent for batting with just that little bit of moisture early on. Our seamers would definitely fancy their chances should we bowl first. And chasing a big target against Australia is a situation that we are familiar with.
AB de Villiers and I will look to build an attacking partnership, much like the one we did against England. Personally, I have always believed in getting on top of the bowling as early as possible, and particularly with Shaun Tait, we will look to exploit his tendency to go for early runs. My knee, which I had injured a couple of days ago, is still fairly sore, but as far as the team and I are concerned, it is a minor issue. It would take considerably more than a sore knee to stop me taking the field for a World Cup semi-final against Australia. I will be there no matter what.
Way back in my first article, I had observed that our group match against Australia was probably looking ahead to a later, bigger clash. Well, that clash is upon us now, and we will try as hard as we can to poop Australia’s World Cup party. There’s a sense of occasion here: we are conscious that after 1999, this is our best chance to beat Australia and reach the final of the World Cup, and we don’t want to waste it. GAMEPLAN

Zacked · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:18:41 AM »

We should get Smith and De Villiers out early

RICKY PONTING

When we played South Africa in the first round of the tournament, I remember predicting that we would be meeting them one more time. That is exactly what’s happening, with the Proteas pitted against us in the semifinals. It’s going to be a tough match, with no second chance to redeem one self. The whole team has been waiting for the semi finals, and it seems like an eternity since we played our last Super Eight game against New Zealand.
The key to winning against South Africa is getting their openers out early. Graeme Smith and AB De Villiers have the ability to take on the open ing bowlers with a lot of aggression, and once they get going, they give a tremendous platform for Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis to build on. The biggest plus for the South African is the fact that they bat really deep. They have plenty to multi-tal ented players, and the at tacking batting of Mark Boucher, Andrew Hall and Shaun Pollock allow the top order to take risks freely. They back them selves to chase down tar gets, and we know that af ter ending up on the los ing side after scoring 434
The weaker suit for the South Africans has been their bowling Makhaya Ntini has not been in the best form and Shaun Pollock too looks like he is struggling a bit. Should they bat first, they will feel the ab sence of a spinner, some thing that has cost them a couple of games al ready. However, we re spect the fact that they are a quality One-day side which has won a lot of games in the recent past. They have nothing to lose and will come hard at us. GAMEPLAN

Zacked · « **Reply #2 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:23:16 AM »

Waugh Zone
STEVE WAUGH

SA must target Australia’s bowling

ASouth Africa-Australia World Cup match always has an edge to it. The former have been really unlucky in the last two editions, and they must feel their time has come. In 1999, they were one of the favourites, and were denied entry into the finals in Edgbaston. In 2003, they were hosts and again one of the top contenders. Yet, they fell short of the second round.
This year, they entered the World Cup as the top-ranked One-day team, and will be desperate to get past the defending champions. I have a feeling that this semifinal will be the tougher one, and will decide the winner of this World Cup. I am sure that the Australians would have preferred to meet either New Zealand or Sri Lanka in the finals. South Africa have the ability to make this the toughest encounter Australia have had so far. They start as underdogs and have nothing to lose, which makes them dangerous.
The Australians have been playing outstanding cricket, and have not been
threatened even once over these five weeks. Both Sri Lanka and New Zealand had the capability of extending Ricky Ponting’s men, but chose to shield their match-winners. I have no problem with Sri Lanka’s decision not to play Muralitharan and Vaas, and I understand where that decision came from. They were keener to avoid the Australians in the semi-finals, and they also knew that it is difficult to play Murali after a gap of a few months, in a must-win game. I give full marks to Tom Moody and Mahela Jayawardene for their smart, courageous gameplan, and am sure they were not too upset by the criticism.
Coming back to the second semifinal, the key player for the Australians is Matthew Hayden. He has been in great form, charging the bowlers from the first over itself. His will be a highly-prized scalp, but there are others who are also in great form. Ponting looks good and enjoys big games, and Michael Clarke, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson have also been playing really well.
From the South African point of view, the only way to break Australia’s streak would be to target the bowling. Shaun Tait has done well, but can spray it around if attacked. They might also have a go at Brad Hogg as well as Watson, who has not had too much bowling. Kevin Pietersen targeted Glenn Mc-Grath, and it will be interesting to see whether Smith and company adopt a similar strategy.
I expect the game to be a closelyfought one because Australia have had it too easy so far. World Cups are not won this easily, and there has to be at least one close shave, one big challenge. For South Africa it is a nowor-never situation. For too long they have been falling short under really tragic circumstances, and I expect them to come out with nothing to lose and everything to gain. The player I will be watching is Herschelle Gibbs. He famously dropped the World Cup in 1999 when he grassed a catch from me. These things have a way of coming back, and this might be his big, big chance to make amends. GAMEPLAN

fineleg · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:05:38 AM »

Why waste time...Aussies

keep-it-cool · « **Reply #4 on:** April 25, 2007, 04:43:28 AM »

I think Waugh hit the nail on the head. Aussie bowling is weak. It is their batting that has bailed them out ... put up such huge totals that the bowlers have always been bowling to batsmen under pressure.

If SA get to bat first, game on.

If Aussies bat first, even if SA can restrict them to around 270, I think they are in with a chance. The problem is that the Aussies have regularly been reaching close 350

poondu · « **Reply #5 on:** April 25, 2007, 01:25:15 PM »

Quote from: keep-it-cool on April 25, 2007, 04:43:28 AM

I think Waugh hit the nail on the head. Aussie bowling is weak. It is their batting that has bailed them out ... put up such huge totals that the bowlers have always been bowling to batsmen under pressure.

If SA get to bat first, game on.

If Aussies bat first, even if SA can restrict them to around 270, I think they are in with a chance. The problem is that the Aussies have regularly been reaching close 350

SA win toss and bat...

TheWall · « **Reply #6 on:** April 25, 2007, 01:48:05 PM »

And Ponting gets his wish of wanting Kallis in early

An excellent delivery + poor stroke from Graeme Smith....

this will be an interesting game cos Aus is chasing...

keep-it-cool · « **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2007, 01:54:55 PM »

Choke is well and truly on ... second one down ....

Ponting will not be happy to see Kallis go back without wasting too many balls

TheWall · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2007, 01:55:55 PM »

McGrath showing why he's king. Totally outsmarted Kallis....

Kallis GONE! Now what his happen to poor Ricky's strategy of wanting him on the wkt for long?

TheWall · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:12:24 PM »

Even Tait has a wicket!!!! what is going on?!

DeVilliers gone nicking a standard ball outside off... no feet movement....

kingcool1432 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:12:48 PM »

Quote from: TheWall on April 25, 2007, 01:48:05 PM

this will be an interesting game cos Aus is chasing...

You would think

kingcool1432 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:15:54 PM »

8.3 Tait to de Villiers, no run, slower ball - 91.9mph - and de Villiers is almost early on the attempted pull. It did keep low outside off

TheWall · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:16:24 PM »

McGrath and co on FIRE!!!!!!!!!! Prince gone, chasing a wiiiiiide one

TheWall · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:17:52 PM »

McGrath on a HATTRICK!!! .... McGrath channel Boucher to Hayden!!!!

27-5 !!!!!

TheWall · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:19:50 PM »

WHY is no one on Chat!!!! Is Aus this boring?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kingcool1432 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:20:45 PM »

I guess we should be glad that not us. Thank God for small favors.

TheWall · « **Reply #16 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:22:04 PM »

BUCKNOR on song too...!!!!

Gibbs nicks Tait to Gilly...easy nice sound... but Bucknor is deaf. Else 27-6!!!!!

TheWall · « **Reply #17 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:25:27 PM »

Quote from: kingcool1432 on April 25, 2007, 02:20:45 PM

I guess we should be glad that not us. Thank God for small favors.

No, if we had dropped Sehwag, picked VVS for 2 drop, allowed SRT to open, bossted HS's confidence ...I think we'd have done fine

icricket77 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:26:26 PM »

I dont think this capitulation is b'coz of mental scars from the 1999 semis :D

sudzz · « **Reply #19 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:27:22 PM »

Quote from: TheWall on April 25, 2007, 01:55:55 PM

McGrath showing why he's king. Totally outsmarted Kallis....

Kallis GONE! Now what his happen to poor Ricky's strategy of wanting him on the wkt for long?

SAF up shyte creek without a paddle-35-5

TheWall · « **Reply #20 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:32:31 PM »

Quote from: sudzz on April 25, 2007, 02:27:22 PM

Quote from: TheWall on April 25, 2007, 01:55:55 PM
McGrath showing why he's king. Totally outsmarted Kallis....

Kallis GONE! Now what his happen to poor Ricky's strategy of wanting him on the wkt for long?

SAF up shyte creek without a paddle-35-5

I am pissed at that the one guy worse than the SAF's on the field... .Bucknor... incompetent bastard. Gibbs gone, SAF would really have been on the mat. And it was a huge nick, huge deviation.

kingcool1432 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:38:05 PM »

All three pacemen hitting their straps for Aus today

proloy · « **Reply #22 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:47:17 PM »

Looks like the South African players too have got a few glitches in their incentive scheme. They learned from India's mistake and instead of paying for the duration of stay at the wicket, they announced a policy of paying for the numbers of balls that the players didn't waste (by not scoring of the delivery).

Sounds like everybody is in need of professional incentive consultancy. Any firms in Australia out there doing that?

indcric · « **Reply #23 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:48:31 PM »

Quote from: TheWall on April 25, 2007, 02:32:31 PM

Quote from: sudzz on April 25, 2007, 02:27:22 PM
Quote from: TheWall on April 25, 2007, 01:55:55 PM
McGrath showing why he's king. Totally outsmarted Kallis....

Kallis GONE! Now what his happen to poor Ricky's strategy of wanting him on the wkt for long?

SAF up shyte creek without a paddle-35-5

I am pissed at that the one guy worse than the SAF's on the field... .Bucknor... incompetent bastard. Gibbs gone, SAF would really have been on the mat. And it was a huge nick, huge deviation.

So many times Aus benefitted from these umpiring errors(they intimidate the umpires too), be it SRT or Lara or whoever is the opposition's best player. One decision against Aus is not going to affect them much.

TheWall · « **Reply #24 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:52:45 PM »

Quote from: indcric on April 25, 2007, 02:48:31 PM

Quote from: TheWall on April 25, 2007, 02:32:31 PM
Quote from: sudzz on April 25, 2007, 02:27:22 PM
Quote from: TheWall on April 25, 2007, 01:55:55 PM
McGrath showing why he's king. Totally outsmarted Kallis....

Kallis GONE! Now what his happen to poor Ricky's strategy of wanting him on the wkt for long?

SAF up shyte creek without a paddle-35-5

I am pissed at that the one guy worse than the SAF's on the field... .Bucknor... incompetent bastard. Gibbs gone, SAF would really have been on the mat. And it was a huge nick, huge deviation.

So many times Aus benefitted from these umpiring errors(they intimidate the umpires too), be it SRT or Lara or whoever is the opposition's best player. One decision against Aus is not going to affect them much.

ok, ok..i'm not in a fairness game here...

i just dont like the SAF's and love what Aussies have done to cricket.

proloy · « **Reply #25 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:56:24 PM »

Quote from: TheWall on April 25, 2007, 02:52:45 PM

love what Aussies have done to cricket.

Yeah, the Aussies have done a variety of things to the cricket of nations.

sudzz · « **Reply #26 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:02:44 PM »

Breaking news We have just seen Malcom Speed and Percy Sonn in the same (empty) stand. Speed was wearing that starched under-siege grin we have grown to love, while Percy was sporting a fetching pair of 1950s braces. They look cool in 90 degree-heat. That's the first time since the tournament started in early January that they have both been spotted together.

"South Africa were probably out with Percy Sonn last night," suggests Tito. Not a chance. They would be in rehab.

CI on a roll here

TheWall · « **Reply #27 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:14:08 PM »

Quote from: proloy on April 25, 2007, 02:56:24 PM

Quote from: TheWall on April 25, 2007, 02:52:45 PM
love what Aussies have done to cricket.

Yeah, the Aussies have done a variety of things to the cricket of nations.

buddy, i know you can write, but will be stop with the bouncers?!!! i dont get you, in other words!!

TheWall · « **Reply #28 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:15:03 PM »

TAIT and Gilly combine again to get Gibbs.... Bucknor must have been sleeping, so raises finger...

87-6

fineleg · « **Reply #29 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:23:28 PM »

Borrrriinnng

TheWall · « **Reply #30 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:28:26 PM »

Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:23:28 PM

Borrrriinnng

Yeah.... SAF shows they are masters at nicking. HALL nicks TAIT... 7 down

poondu · « **Reply #31 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:29:21 PM »

Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:23:28 PM

Borrrriinnng

Amen

fineleg · « **Reply #32 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:32:19 PM »

Quote from: poondu on April 25, 2007, 03:29:21 PM

Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:23:28 PM
Borrrriinnng

Amen

Poondu,
IMO, the most boring WC ever! Lets all join together and pray (well, MT may not pray, but she can atleast sing for us

) - that SL will put up some fight before the cup goes to Aus in Finals.

poondu · « **Reply #33 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:36:18 PM »

Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:32:19 PM

Quote from: poondu on April 25, 2007, 03:29:21 PM
Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:23:28 PM
Borrrriinnng

Amen

Poondu,
IMO, the most boring WC ever!

Agree.

TheWall · « **Reply #34 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:39:23 PM »

Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:32:19 PM

Quote from: poondu on April 25, 2007, 03:29:21 PM
Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:23:28 PM
Borrrriinnng

Amen

Poondu,
IMO, the most boring WC ever! Lets all join together and pray (well, MT may not pray, but she can atleast sing for us ) - that SL will put up some fight before the cup goes to Aus in Finals.

I guess we being Indians doesn't help

TheWall · « **Reply #35 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:45:00 PM »

103-8

Pollock to Hogg

poondu · « **Reply #36 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:46:59 PM »

Quote from: TheWall on April 25, 2007, 03:39:23 PM

Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:32:19 PM
Quote from: poondu on April 25, 2007, 03:29:21 PM
Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:23:28 PM
Borrrriinnng

Amen

Poondu,
IMO, the most boring WC ever! Lets all join together and pray (well, MT may not pray, but she can atleast sing for us ) - that SL will put up some fight before the cup goes to Aus in Finals.

I guess we being Indians doesn't help

Nothing related to being Indian. Matches in general have been one sided, I was hoping for closer semi final matches.

I think the finals will also be one sided like the last 2 finals. SL will thrash the Aussies.

TheWall · « **Reply #37 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:53:10 PM »

Quote from: poondu on April 25, 2007, 03:46:59 PM

Quote from: TheWall on April 25, 2007, 03:39:23 PM
Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:32:19 PM
Quote from: poondu on April 25, 2007, 03:29:21 PM
Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:23:28 PM
Borrrriinnng

Amen

Poondu,
IMO, the most boring WC ever! Lets all join together and pray (well, MT may not pray, but she can atleast sing for us ) - that SL will put up some fight before the cup goes to Aus in Finals.

I guess we being Indians doesn't help

Nothing related to being Indian. Matches in general have been one sided, I was hoping for closer semi final matches.

I think the finals will also be one sided like the last 2 finals. SL will thrash the Aussies.

Agreed... so here is a real good reason to watch atleast the Final - it will the last of great man, McGrath. I'd watch it just to see how he goes out....

But prepare for this kind of cricket, in future, unless the pitches by ICC fiat are all made flat decks from here on, making bowlers inconsequential.

justforkix · « **Reply #38 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:57:51 PM »

Quote from: TheWall on April 25, 2007, 03:28:26 PM

Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:23:28 PM
Borrrriinnng

Yeah.... SAF shows they are masters at nicking. HALL nicks TAIT... 7 down

NIGG(CK)ERS

justforkix · « **Reply #39 on:** April 25, 2007, 04:03:38 PM »

Quote from: poondu on April 25, 2007, 03:46:59 PM

Quote from: TheWall on April 25, 2007, 03:39:23 PM
Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:32:19 PM
Quote from: poondu on April 25, 2007, 03:29:21 PM
Quote from: fineleg on April 25, 2007, 03:23:28 PM
Borrrriinnng

Amen

Poondu,
IMO, the most boring WC ever! Lets all join together and pray (well, MT may not pray, but she can atleast sing for us ) - that SL will put up some fight before the cup goes to Aus in Finals.

I guess we being Indians doesn't help

Nothing related to being Indian. Matches in general have been one sided, I was hoping for closer semi final matches.

I think the finals will also be one sided like the last 2 finals. SL will thrash the Aussies.

Comparing Man to Man (best case scenario):

Sanath = Gilly
Tharanga < Hayden
Jayawardane = Ponting
Sanga = Puppy
Chamara < Symo
Dilshan < Hussey
Arnold < Watson
Murali > Hogg
Vaas = McGrath
Malinga > Tait
Fernando/Maharoof < Bracken

Aussies win 5-2

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AuthorTopic: SA Vs Aussies (Read 2662 times)