South Africa v Australia 2nd Test debate

First topic message reminder :

This huge game for both teams gets under way tomorrow morning at 08.30. After that astonishing 1st Test, will the Aussie's frame of mind be in the right place for them to bounce back, are they tough enough?. Can South Africa omit Vernon Philander after stunning figures of 8-78?. Johannesburg, is not as bowler friendly as Newlands so will either team leave out their spinner?. Will this be the great Ricky Pontings last Test match. If he does not get a biggish score, i think it may well be. Lot's of big questions to be answered by both tems in this match, which way do you think the result will go?.
Rearly looking forward to this match, as posted many times before, it is a sin that there are only two Tests.

South Africa need a wicket, ASAP. Tahir into the attack, and straight away there is some turn.
But Hussey has already reached 32, and Haddin too, looks better with the bat, than he did at any other point in the series.
Mitchell Johnson is sourte of a batting all-rounder these days. Is the game slipping away from the South Africans here?

is Mitchell Johnson the new harbajan Singh ? Started off as a bowler who could bat a bit but is now in the side as a batsman who gets the odd wicket...

I think Oz can make this.

That drop, think that's it for South Africa. You can't, just can't, drop Michael Hussey in sucha situation. He'll only walk away with the win now. SA felt it in the past, anyone remember his last wicket partnership with Glenn McGrath? Or for that matter with Peter Siddle against Pakistan?

these 2 games have just shown that its an outrage that a series of this magnitude only has 2 tests!

it's been an absolutely gripping test match that's for sure. All four innings (probably) between the 250 and 350 marks, good contest between bat and ball, just about the perfect test match pitch (well done to that groundsman )

Mad for Chelsea wrote:is Mitchell Johnson the new harbajan Singh ? Started off as a bowler who could bat a bit but is now in the side as a batsman who gets the odd wicket...

Loved it MFC!!.

Brad Haddin is atempting a few absolutely terrible shots out there. He hasn't even been getting those edges!. incredibly lucky, it has to be said!.
Now this game is Australia's to lose.

Phillander traps Hussey LBW with one that nips back. Hussey reviews but to no avail, that pitched in line, and it was the only thing that could possibly have saved him there. SA right back on top now!

msp you definitely jinxed Australia there !

With Hussey's departure I think we can say one more wicket will do the trick for SA.

The two men under most pressure for their spots now at the crease ...

Tahir gets an official warning for running on the pitch

Tea on day 5:

Australia need 88 to win, SA need four wickets. All four results still possible (esp. if bad light plays a part, as is likely if the first four days are anything to go by - though a draw would be a disappointing end to a compelling test match certainly)

South Africa hot favourites with the Hussey wicket just before tea. Not sure the tail will be able to cope with Tahir that well.

Aus back to their ways of getting themselves into potential winning positions but not quite pulling through (think Ashes 2009, SA tour of Aus before that, latest India tour, and of course the first test here).

If Aus (unlikely) get close to winning, say 10 runs to win with 2 wickets left ,and then it gets dark. Would the umpires come off for bad light with the same light reading as in previous days. No discretion these days.

interestingly SA take Tahir off and open up after tea with Philander and Steyn, with the new ball just eight overs away is this a bit of a gamble. Thought Tahir was troubling the Australians before tea, so I'm a bit surprised by this I must say. Maybe SA are not used to having a (potential) match-winning spinner on their side...

Aus off to a flier after tea, and straight away Tahir is back on

If this were England batting, i would be chewing my nails right now, still exciting though!

Aus 67 to win.

Johnson has done his left foot a mischief, that's a blow for Aus...

I love these 5th day close matches, so much pressure on both teams. Aus now need less than 50 to win.

Preying, the umpires don't come into it.

crikey this ones shapeing up to a rela classic isnt it.
Nice to see players who have been heavily critisized stand up and make a case for tehmsleves.

Go on the Aussies!

Great stuff from this pair, on the counter-attack since tea, and it's paying off handsomely. New ball due in a bit, could be the last chance for SA

50 for haddin, from zero to hero

Remarkable turnaround since tea and Australia now all but home safe ...

Seems SA were the ones to crack first...they no longer look as if they expect to win , are just bowling in hope of a mistake.

One last shot with the new ball but I don't see them taking 4 wickets now.

Woahhhhhhh Haddin gone, 23 needed, Aussie nails well chewed

It isn't over as yet, Haddin goes!, Philander gets another fifer!!!.

Siddle gone too, SA back on top!

Siddle hits a 4, and gets out 2 balls later!!.

Keppler Wessles "and they say Test cricket is dying"

Aus 295-8

Wow wish I was able to watch this, a nervous England fan in a Test between Saffers and Aussies, what is the world coming to!!

C'mon Aus...

Fists of Fury wrote:Wow wish I was able to watch this, a nervous England fan in a Test between Saffers and Aussies, what is the world coming to!!

C'mon Aus...

LOL FoF, i am watching, very tense stuff. go Aussiessssss.

Cummins keeps nicking strike, mental! Guess its time to take whatever runs you can now though!

woahhhhhhhh Steyn drops a catch, and it went foe a boundary

yeah I think when you need ten to win you take every run you can get, not as if it's Don Bradman at the other end either...

Costly drop???

Man I love Test cricket.

Another tough chance put down by Steyn, and it then goes for 4. Surely that's it?

One hit will do, and we have a review here against Cummins, and he just got saved!.

Yukkkkkkk; Well done Aus, good mental spirit shown, very good Test match.
SA still can not win a series against Aus.
Eng gonna stay No1, until they play again

And the young man has finished off here in style.

South Africa failes to win yet another home series!.

Yes! Well done Australia (never thought I'd be saying that), incredible Test match cricket.

And, for the doubters...England are still by far the best Test side in the world

All those wickets gifted away, have come back to haunt South Africa here.
But will this give Mitchell Johnson another career extention?

great win for Aus, Cummins did so well at the end there, and a great little knock from Johnson to see them home against the odds...

shame we won't have a deciding third test...

1-1 a fair result between two (surprisingly?) even matched sides. Great couple of tests and Aus have got home for the first time in a long time in tests in a tight match. Cummins is a cool customer as everyone who watched him in the CL well knows. Knew his gameplan (if it's up I'll have a go, if it's short I'll knock it down), trusted it and went for it.

MotM guesses? I'd go Cummins TBH...

has to be Cummins doesn't it? wickets and a calm little knock at the end.

Cummins indeed, and towers over the person presenting him his cheque by about a head and a half!

looks like punter has got himself the NZ series now, after that 62.

Huge shame we don't have a decider.

Well done Cummins, well done Johnson (with the bat), well done Haddin and especially well done to Punter, pleased for him.

He surely deserves the NZ series, maybe a chance to either bow out with some runs or to rediscover a hot streak of form. Probably the former, but he is still deserving and they owe him that courtesy, at least.