SA v SL, 3rd Test debate

First topic message reminder :

Just noticed there is no thread started on the 3rd test between SA and SL although the match has already started.
Lanka won the toss and are bowling.
Lahiru Thirimanne in for Tharanga Paranavitana, and Damika Prasad in for Dilhara Fernando.
For South Africa, Alviro Petersen returns to the top in place of Ashwell Prince, and Jacque Rudolph is moved down the order. Vernon Philander comes back in for Marchant De Lange.

[quote="Demon Racer"]Again missed all the Test thus far, but watching the highlights great knocks by King Kallis, AB, Petersen and an overdue 50 from Rudolph. I think the selectors where correct to keep Rudolph in the mix.

I have to say I was very disappointed that Marchant de Lange was dropped and Morne Morkel was retained. Some of you may have guessed that I'm Morne's biggest fan, but he's all out of sorts and needs to go back to F/C to get his rhythm back. de Lange was mighty impressive on debut and deserved to retain his spot. What a difference the Pro has made, he was the key difference at Durban. His control is excellent.[/quote]

Morkel seems to be through the worse of his bowling slump but if he doesnt get back to his best and needs a rest then de Lange looks a more than worthy replacement.

Congrats to Alviro Petersen his comeback looks a good one and I can only think that his time at Glamorgan has battle hardened him with positivity and confidence.

good to see Tahir bowling well. Kept things tight and picked up wickets...also kallis's catch to get sangakarra off the bowling of tahir was very good. Brilliant reactions from him fantastic stuff.

Stellar Key wrote:

Morkel seems to be through the worse of his bowling slump but if he doesnt get back to his best and needs a rest then de Lange looks a more than worthy replacement.

Congrats to Alviro Petersen his comeback looks a good one and I can only think that his time at Glamorgan has battle hardened him with positivity and confidence.

I'm hoping Morne is getting back to his best, as we need Steyn, the Pro and Morne in England. With King Kallis bowling less these days, we can't afford to have Morne leaking runs. He does seem to have upped his game since his buddy de Lange took 8 on debut.

I think Petersen was unlucky to be dropped in the first place. He all ways looks pretty solid, just gets in then out again. But the spell in England and the great form in the SuperSport Series has made him a more complete batsman.

Biltong, what happened to the lad who took a fifer against England and nearly won SA the game when we were last over there? De Wet I think it was. Has he played since that series, or has he just disappeared back to FC cricket?

On a sie note, is pace bowling enjoying a bit of a resurgence with England and SA both having great strength in depth at the moment, and also AUS have Pattinson and Cummins coming through at the very least.

JDizzle, injury and a total loss of form, Friedel de Wet is way down on his performance.

sri lanka lost 2 quick wickets and are 255-6 trialing by 86...

dissapointing size crowd today, considering its a hot day.

I think this thread is quiet today because everybody more then likely feels that this match was over some time ago.


And well done SA on ending the home win hoodoo.

The lad Philander is doing it again isnt he. Fair play.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:The lad Philander is doing it again isnt he. Fair play.

Yep, surprising me. On this batsmans track, he has 6 wkts at around 16.47, but maybe the from debut consecutive 5-for chance as gone.

to Samaraweera on 2nd 100 this series.

SL at least looking likely to avoid an innings defeat.

Or maybe not:

NLTC Perera c Morkel b Imran Tahir 30

SL 305-7

A double century, 6 catches, and 3 wickets. What a match for Jacques Kallis!.
South Africa needs 2 to win their first home series after 2008!.

pointless tea interval. they only need 2 to win!

SL avoid innings defeat, just.

Wondering what goes through the minds of these tail-enders sometimes. Sure, it was a desperate situation, but with Samaraweera on 100 not out at the other end, maybe it would have been worth sticking around a bit (or at least trying to).

Also, Tahir's celebrations when he gets a tail-ender caught in the deep look a tad silly.

Tahir's celebrations may be a touch over the top, but I think he has proved himself to be deserving a few more chances.
In his 5 test matches so far, its here he got a reasonale chance to put up his case. He didn't set the world on fire, but enough to earn more opportunities.

Kallis after his performance should have enough points to take him back to top of the all-rounders list.

What teh comeptition for Tahir like?
He keeps his place.

POhilanders continuing to do the job.,

Kallis....what a legend. Double century, 3 wickets and 6 catches. Are there any challengers to him as the all time greatest South African test player?

SA very much look like the main challenge to England despite the previous tests disaster.

I agree that Tahir should be persevered with. I've said it before, but SA are just not used to having an attacking spinner in their side (Harris, Botha, Boje, Symcox, etc. were mostly defensive bowlers), but Smith over the last couple of tests has shown signs he's learning how to use Tahir properly, and this understanding should only improve with time.

congrats to Jaywardene though....he did go past 10,000 test runs during this series

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:What teh comeptition for Tahir like?
He keeps his place.

POhilanders continuing to do the job.,

Kallis....what a legend. Double century, 3 wickets and 6 catches. Are there any challengers to him as the all time greatest South African test player?

SA very much look like the main challenge to England despite the previous tests disaster.

Peter the only real challenge for Tahir is Harris, and we all know he is not an attacking spinner.

What is good from a South African perspective is the drought of seam bowlers seem to have been resolved, after the retirement of Pollock and Ntini the cupboard looked bare for a while.

Now we have Steyn, Philander, Morkel and a promising looking young man in Marchant de Lange.

I am still not convinced by Tahir though, but harris is not the answer either.

Batting, hopefully Petersen can stick around now and it can be between Prince, Rudolph and Duminy who will be the other middle order batsman.

oh dear sri lanka