Cricket:1st Test Sa v Aus

[Dakink]

Cant wait for this - the real stuff starts with a close series beckoning!!

Pitch delays Test team
From Greg Buckle in Cape Town
March 16, 2006

AUSTRALIA has delayed naming its team for today's first Test with South Africa to avoid any hasty judgments on how the Newlands pitch will play.

South Africa had been hoping for a seam-friendly wicket but the pitch has a brown and dry appearance, indicating that Australia's likely selection of leg spinners Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill will pay dividends late in the game.

"I'll have a closer look at it today. I don't like making too many judgments about it too far out from the game," said Ricky Ponting.

"Both ends are a little bit bare which is quite good for us.

"It won't have to be that bare. In Melbourne and Sydney (in December and January against South Africa) we went in with both spinners on wickets that were quite juicy on day one, and as it turned out we ended up winning both of those games.

"The wicket will have a bit to do with that, but we've just got to pick the four bowlers we think are most likely to take 20 wickets for us in the Test."

Ponting added that world record-holder Warne has shown he doesn't need everything in his favour.

"It doesn't matter what the wicket looks like. He's a class performer in all sorts of conditions," he said said.

Merv Hughes is Australia's selector on duty for the first Test.

South Africa is facing a nervous wait overnight with leading paceman Shaun Pollock battling to shrug off a back injury. He could be replaced by Andrew Hall.

Fellow quick Andre Nel appears to have overcome a foot complaint, according to captain Graeme Smith.

South Africa spinner Nicky Boje has a bout of food poisoning, but is expected to play.

Possible teams:
SOUTH AFRICA: Graeme Smith (capt), AB De Villiers, Jacques Rudolph, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock , Nicky Boje, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini.
AUSTRALIA: Ricky Ponting (capt), Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Damien Martyn, Mike Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Michael Kasprowicz, Stuart MacGill.

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0...-23212,00.html

[Dakink]

Ill post the starting line ups as soon as they are released!!

Cant wait for this - though what the heck were the selectors thinking sending Bracken home? The one bowler that has really troubled SA!

Proteas ridicule Bracken absence
By Ben Dorries
March 15, 2006

GOBSMACKED South Africa coach Mickey Arthur has ridiculed Australia's decision to order swing specialist Nathan Bracken home before tomorrow's first Test.

The Proteas batsmen were expecting to face the left-armer but will instead probably confront evergreen Queensland player Michael Kasprowicz as Brett Lee's new-ball partner in a two-man pace attack.
Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill are almost certain to play together in Cape Town despite South Africa ordering local curators to prepare a well-grassed pitch to negate Australia's dual-spin threat.
Cape Town is known as a fast bowlers' graveyard and Warne bowled 98 overs at the venue in 2002, including 70 in the second innings, as Australia claimed a four-wicket win.
South Africa is expecting to face two spinners but was also preparing to face Bracken.
Arthur claimed to be astonished when told Bracken, who took 5-67 in the remarkable one-day game this week, had been left out of the Test squad.
"Has he gone home?
Has he really?," Arthur asked.
"That really surprises me because I think Bracken is a really good bowler.


"He was the one guy we thought would stay. "I've looked at the squad closely but I didn't realise he wasn't in it."
With Warne and MacGill set to join forces, all rounder Andrew Symonds will be Australia's third seam option on a pitch expected to have more bite than the usual surface.
It is an area South Africa believes it has an advantage as it prepares to load its team with seamers.
"It will be interesting to see the wicket because I don't think there's any secret we'll be looking for wickets with a little bit of grass on," Arthur said. "We want to try and negate the Warne and MacGill factor because we do think Australia will play two spinners in Cape Town. The third seamer is going to become very important."
The No.4 batting spot remains a headache for Australia after casting aside Brad Hodge. Recalled veteran Damien Martyn appears to have the inside running over young gun Michael Clarke.
It is possible both could play later in the series if Australia bolsters its batting when it does not play two spinners.

The Courier-Mail

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0...-23212,00.html

[Coaster]

The day Aussie selectors start listening to the South Africians is the day Bennett starts listening to the supporters

[DeeGan]

No MacGill - disappointing is all I can say, SA would of had no answer for both Warne and MacGill. Play your best wicket taking bowlers IMO - on this tour, that will be Warne, MacGill, Lee and Kasper with Symonds the third seamer.

Cannot wait for the test match to start

[DeeGan]

Australia lose the toss, Smith elects to bat on a wicket that is a little damp apparently.

Tough decision to bat or bowl according to Smith.

Let's go BINGA and KASPER!!!!

[Steelers]

I still can't believe Bracken was sent home.

[DeeGan]

I still can't believe Bracken was sent home.

Or that Gillespie was not the guy who replaced him...don't get me started on Hohns and his merry men... :curse:

[DeeGan]

Kasper gets the first wicket for Australia after a most frustrating start where he bowled 4 no balls in his first two-three overs.

[Steelers]

Kasper gets the first wicket for Australia after a most frustrating start where he bowled 4 no balls in his first two-three overs.

Just a few Test-return nerves... hes got it out of the system and is firing

[DeeGan]

Stu Clarke has two for! Looks like the decision not to play MacGill is working out thus far with the "horses for courses" selection here.

@ Graham Smith - another budding "Test Great" seeing his career average pinned back by the Aussies

[DeeGan]

Scorecard thus far...

G. Smith: . c. Gilchrist, A b. Clark, S - 19
A.B. De Villiers: b. Kasprowicz, M - 8
H. Gibbs: 16*
J. Kallis: . c. Hayden, M b. Clark, S - 6
A. Prince: 1*

Andrew Symonds doing a good job too - go the Queenslander

[Steve Dangerous]

MacGill should definately be playing ffs

but that said, Clarke is having a dream debut. 3 already!


i think the thing going against Stuey was with him they'd only have two true pacemen, as roy's bowling isn't exactly something you'd rely on. they wanted a frontline first change seamer i guess.

[Steelers]

SAF are 6/104 with Clark's figures at a staggering 4/29!!! Top stuff mate

[MOPL]

SAF are 6/104 with Clark's figures at a staggering 4/29!!! Top stuff mate

Good stuff Hope Clarke has some success he has copped a bit of a bagging and a hammering in lead up games.

OH AH Stuart Clark just doen't sound right!!!!!!

[Steve Dangerous]

Clarke and Kaspa are really makin sure the selectors don't regret their selections. top stuff the both of em.