4th ODI: Australia v South Africa @ Adelaide (Australia Day)

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Adelaide Oval
1:45pm Monday January 26

South Africa begin the trip home via Perth and firstly Adelaide for the somewhat traditional Australia Day game. A win in one of those games will seal the series for the visitors. Mark Boucher doesn't need those stop overs, he'll go home to give his broken toe the best chance of recover ahead of the return series starting one month today.

He'll be hoping his recovery is a bit quicker than Tasmanian quick Brett Geeves, who would've been in the Australian squad for this game if it had've, after Australia received another reminder of their aging team with number 1 bowler Nathan Bracken out with the old man's injury. Ryan Harris is that replacement but will be 13th man on his old home ground, with Nathan Hauritz 12th having made way for Cameron White. White apparently will be given more overs than his previous games, which is no improvement on Hauritz so hopefully he can fire with the bat. While nobody's spot appears in huge doubt, it would be nice if one of the top 3 could turn a start into something or either Hussey could get out of first gear. The PM's XI game on Thursday will be a chance for a couple of contenders - Callum Ferguson and Michael Klinger in the absence of the WA and Queensland players - to make the selectors think ahead of the New Zealand series. And then there's the death bowling, which will probably fall to Hilfenhaus and Tait. Mitchell Johnson was disappointing on his return, just rusty or is there something in these stats? O R W Ave S/R RPO
v Subcontinent 183.1 760 39 19.48 28.17 4.14
v the rest 148.5 836 27 30.96 33.07 5.61

Australia XI:
Shaun Marsh
David Warner
*Ricky Ponting
Michael Hussey
David Hussey
Cameron White
+Brad Haddin
James Hopes
Mitchell Johnson
Ben Hilfenhaus
Shaun Tait
Subs:
Nathan Hauritz
Ryan Harris
In:
Cameron White
Ben Hilfenhaus
Out:
Nathan Hauritz
Nathan Bracken (calf)

South Africa XIV:
Herschelle Gibbs
Hashim Amla
Jacques Kallis
+AB de Villiers
JP Duminy
Neil McKenzie
Vaughn van Jaarsveld
Albie Morkel
*Johan Botha
Morne Morkel
Wayne Parnell (ODI debut)
Dale Steyn
Makhaya Ntini
Lonwabo Tsotsobe (ODI debut)
In:
Vaughn van Jaarsveld
Wayne Parnell
Morne Morkel
Lonwabo Tsotsobe
Out:
Mark Boucher (toe)

Umpires:
Ian Gould (England)
Daryl Harper (South Australia)
Bruce Oxenford (3rd, Queensland)

Recent History:
April 25, 2007 @ St Lucia
Australia won by 7 wickets
March 24, 2007 @ St Kitts
Australia won by 83 runs
2005-06 in South Africa
South Africa won 3-2
2005-06 in Australia
Australia 14 points, South Africa 4 (4 games)
2001-02 in South Africa
Australia won 5-1 with 1 tie
2001-02 in Australia
Australia 13 points, South Africa 4 (4 games)

Weather:
Dry, not as hot as the rest of the week, sunny, 36 degrees

Session Times
First innings: 1:45-5:15pm
Second innings: 6-9:30pm

Coverage:
http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/9092/99na.gif Live from 2pm AEDT
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7972/abclocalvx4.png - from 2pm AEDT (online Real (http://www2b.abc.net.au/grandstand/streaming/cricket.ram) Windows (http://www2b.abc.net.au/grandstand/streaming/cricket.asx))
Cricinfo's scorecard and commentary (http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausvrsa2008_09/engine/match/351687.html)
Cricket Australia's scorecard and commentary (http://ls.cricket.com.au/HomeFullScorecard83_2348_4.html) or analysis (http://cricket.com.au/?s=cascoreboard&seriesId=2348&matchId=4)

Tickets:
SOLD OUT
(Gates open 11am)

[Cousin Jed]

Mitchell Johnson was disappointing on his return, just rusty or is there something in these stats? O R W Ave S/R RPO
v Subcontinent 148.5 836 27 30.96 33.07 5.61
v the rest 183.1 760 39 19.48 28.17 4.14

Think you got the stats around the wrong way.

And no I don't think there is anything there - yet. But interesting indeed.

He got plastered all over the field in a series in NZ early on his career (remember the ones where we scored 350 and couldn't defend them?) which inflate the stats. Average 16 against England and 23 against West Indies.

[Dez!]

I trust nobody has any problems with White coming in for Hauritz?

[Perth Swans]

I think SA will win.

Here's hoping we can pull off an upset.

[Defina18]

Bracken a big loss for Australia. I think our depth bowling will suffer because there is no Bracken. Good to see Hauritz out of the side lol, i dont rate him as a one-day player. Hilfenaus great to see him back in.

Australia to win this game. Id like to see Australia bowl first.

[Dez!]

Surely Ponting won't win 4 coin tosses in a row? Surely.

[Defina18]

If Ponting does win another coin toss.... BOWL FIRST

[Dez!]

If Ponting does win another coin toss.... BOWL FIRST

Unless the pitch is green and will have a lot of movement for the seamers then yes bowl first otherwise I'd still be inclined to bat first.

[Perth Swans]

I want them to bowl first so I can see them bat at night.

[aussie1st]

I trust nobody has any problems with White coming in for Hauritz?

Just as long as White is bowling 10 overs :)

[beez]

Just as long as White isn't bowling 10 overs :)

Edited for accuracy

[Dez!]

Edited for accuracy

I'd rather White bowl 10 overs than Hauritz.

[didak04]

I'd rather White bowl 10 overs than Hauritz.

I hope you're joking. White's bowling is ordinary and no doubt he has been added to the team to add a bit more meat to the batting line up.

[potatomasher]

I'd rather White bowl 10 overs than Hauritz.
You like big chases? Hauritz is a pretty good one day bowler.

[beez]

I'd rather White bowl 10 overs than Hauritz.
I think it's being shown that your opinion is wrong

[aussie1st]

Edited for accuracy

Lol whoops. Unless Ponting goes crazy he won't let White bowl 10 overs, he has very little faith in him.

[Zarrix]

strange, after ponting lost 5 tosses in a row, he has now won 7 of the last 8.

[Cousin Jed]

strange, after ponting lost 5 tosses in a row, he has now won 7 of the last 8.

Need Ltd to tell us what the odds of him winning another one are :D

If its 36 degrees out no team will bowl first in that heat.

[HBF]

I hope you're joking. White's bowling is ordinary and no doubt he has been added to the team to add a bit more meat to the batting line up.

Of course he has. With the short boundaires square of the wicket, if he has some time at the wicket, he could do some serious damage to the South African attack.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Surely Ponting won't win 4 coin tosses in a row? Surely.

The odds of Ponting winning 4 coin tosses in a row is 1 / 16. Or alternatively 6%.

Those odds are calculated before the first coin toss takes place. So if you were to say what are the odds i can have 4 coin tosses one after the other and win them all. The odds are 1/16.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Aus won the Toss and are batting.

[Perth Swans]

Damn.

[Bombers_Forever]

Aus won the Toss and are batting.

Boring.........I want Australia to chase once in this series.

[Macca19]

Is that a tranny singing the anthem?

[Bombers_Forever]

Cringeworthy assessment from Taylor there about Warner - he says he is good form........4 innings, 2 failures and that is good form? Channel 9's lauding over him is sickening.

[Kahuna]

How bad was Tubby stumbling through the little piece of his, cringeworthy stuff.

[HBF]

Aus won the Toss and are batting.

Given that South Africa have said that they are more comfortable chasing, I just wonder if Ponting might have considered sending them in, and getting them out of their comfort zone?

[abs_of_STEELE]

I reckon we'll get 350.;)

[Speck]

WARNERRRR... WARNERRRR... WARNERRRR... WARNERRRR... WARNERRRR... WARNERRRR...

You've gotta love the crowd!

[aussie1st]

There goes the crowds fun.

[beez]

Booooo

[Black Thunder]

poor shot. smart work ntini.

[abs_of_STEELE]

Warner.:mad:

[Cousin Jed]

Pick him for the ashes!!one!!11!!

[Bombers_Forever]

I am glad Warner is out..........we don't need to hear about him every minute of the coverage.

Cmon Punter!

[Dogs Rule]

I am glad Warner is out..........we don't need to hear about him every minute of the coverage.

Cmon Punter!

Agreed. Warner is not the answer.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Warner is nothing more than a parklands hack. Can't see what the fuss is about. Maybe if he tried batting with his eyes open he may bat better!!!

[didak04]

Absolute rubbish batting from Warner.

Swinging like a rusty gate at balls swinging outside off and then coughing up his wicket with a shot that that should have been hit along the ground.

He may be entertaining with his big hitting at times but he'll be found out at international level quickly if he doesn't develop some patience .

[Bombers_Forever]

Warner - only a matter of time before he was out. It is great seeing bowlers like Ntini bowling to a plan to get him out.

[Speck]

Ouch.

Marsh gone.

[Macca19]

Warner is nothing more than a parklands hack. Can't see what the fuss is about. Maybe if he tried batting with his eyes open he may bat better!!!

Agreed. Just cant see him being any more than a current fad really. He only has one shot.

[Black Thunder]

another rubbish shot.

great catch.

marsh was looking solid too.

[abs_of_STEELE]

Marsh.:mad:

[aussie1st]

There goes Marsh after playing two good shots along the ground he does that...

[Bombers_Forever]

What a catch.

Gee Punter, batting first was a good choice wasn't it.

[Cousin Jed]

Nice catch - we would have won game 3 if our 3rd man could do that :D

[JohnG]

Mannn we have just gifted them 2 wickets.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Well, I've had it on for 3 overs, seen 2 Aussie batsmen get out to attrocious shots. I've got better things top do than watch this CRAP!!!! I've forgotten what good cricket looks like.

[JohnG]

Agreed. Just cant see him being any more than a current fad really. He only has one shot.

Perhaps another Shahid Afridi?

[Kahuna]

Holy crap what a shot by Punter.

[CAS79]

What a catch.

Gee Punter, batting first was a good choice wasn't it.

Hot day in a day nighter on a good batting pitch.

South Africa might be chasers but batting first here is the right call.

Both batsman were caught from shot selection.

[Speck]

Well, I've had it on for 3 overs, seen 2 Aussie batsmen get out to attrocious shots. I've got better things top do than watch this CRAP!!!! I've forgotten what good cricket looks like.Ponting's quickly restoring that! :p

[didak04]

Well, I've had it on for 3 overs, seen 2 Aussie batsmen get out to attrocious shots. I've got better things top do than watch this CRAP!!!! I've forgotten what good cricket looks like.

Off you go, the Aussie team is better off without fair weather fans anyway.

Sook :thumbsd:.

[Jimthegreat]

Laugh at the dills bagging Warner. Few days ago a gun, 3 days later not the answer. And people expect their opinion respected!!! If he makes a score in Perth he'll be a gun again!

Those types will always be like that. Attack and either a fast start or make a low score. That's why they're in the team to try to get off to a start. Even Gilchrist was like that at the top of the order. Blaze or go early. Not that i'm comparing anyone to Gilchrist. Warner at just 22 will be an answer over time in the one day game. Will be ion and out of the side as he develops but will be an answer.

[Bombers_Forever]

Warner is surely just a temporary measure. There are plenty of good batsmen out due to injury - Clarke would probably be opening anyway. Symonds and Watson are out through injury and if fit would arguably be in the top 11. There is plenty of depth, there are a lot of players injured right now.

[Ochre]

Warner is surely just a temporary measure. There are plenty of good batsmen out due to injury - Clarke would probably be opening anyway. Symonds and Watson are out through injury and if fit would arguably be in the top 11. There is plenty of depth, there are a lot of players injured right now.

then y did huss open in game 1? i reckon they want watto to open

[Jimthegreat]

Agreed. Just cant see him being any more than a current fad really. He only has one shot.Remind me how many different shots he played the other day in his 69. Played good shots both sides of the wicket. Went out on a chip, not a slog. It's a one day game. Has to look for runs.

A star one day, a dud the next!!! Love people that forms opinions on nothing.

[beez]

Where is Watto?


Oh wait....injured :rolleyes:

[aussie1st]

I have seen Gilly have a similar inns, miss a few wide ones then chip it to mid on just like Warner did. And you can't expect him to be making 100s every match. Since we have no one coming back that can open I would stick with him for the NZ series. That would be more than enough time to confirm whether he can make it or not.

[abs_of_STEELE]

Nice shot Punter.

[potatomasher]

Nice shot Punter.
Which one, he's hitting a fair few of them.

[aussie1st]

Weird game, Punter was on fire early, hit a patch and now on fire again. Nice running there.

[abs_of_STEELE]

Which one, he's hitting a fair few of them.
Yeah too many nice ones. Nice shots by Punter.:thumbsu:

[abs_of_STEELE]

Haha, as if they didn't appeal for that.

[CAS79]

Boucher would have had the ball in the air and had such confidance in his appeal that punter may well have been in the changing rooms now.

[aussie1st]

Don't get why they don't just appeal for close ones.

Hussey and Ponting almost have another mix up with their running. That is not the way to get Hussey back into form!

[Ochre]

ooh almost run out

[abs_of_STEELE]

Geez, he would've been out by a long way.

[abs_of_STEELE]

Nice 50 Punter.:thumbsu:

[aussie1st]

Solid 50 by Punter now we need him to make a big 100.

[abs_of_STEELE]

Six!

[aussie1st]

Good signs, we certainly could use some of that in the death overs.

[Johnson#26]

Weekend Hussler!

[CAS79]

I hope Australia dont make the same mistakes regarding the power play.

Use it when the batsman are set, not when wickets are falling.

[CAS79]

I hope Australia dont make the same mistakes regarding the power play.

Use it when the batsman are set, not when wickets are falling.

My fault sorry :o

[aussie1st]

Forget the powerplay, Hussey out now.

[tin can sam]

What a shit call.

Missed the Ponting edge and now give THAT out.

quality umpires in this match.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Hussey is one of those batsmen that isnt out of form or in form. Keeps getting starts but cant go on with it, hopefully he can turn it around in the next game. Nice little innings though.

[aussie1st]

I reckon he needs to go back to his favourite spot at 6. We are losing him for the death overs where he is one of the best in world cricket.

[Rob]

What a shit call.

Missed the Ponting edge and now give THAT out.

quality umpires in this match.

Can't entirely blame him for not giving Ponting out - Hotspot barely picked it up, let alone the bat hitting the ground at the same time, let alone the saffers not even bothering to go up.

The Hussey one was a shocker - they obviously learned their lesson re: not appealing.

[potatomasher]

I reckon he needs to go back to his favourite spot at 6. We are losing him for the death overs where he is one of the best in world cricket.
He really was amazing down there. Also, if there is a massive batting collapse for Australia, he's a handy guy to have around if we need someone to play a slower innings.

[Generalissimo]

What a crap decision to give Mike Hussey out. Ball was clearly too high and missing the stumps. Have you ever seen a player get shafted by rubbish umpiring as often as him?

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

What a shit call.

Missed the Ponting edge and now give THAT out.

quality umpires in this match.

How can it be the umpires fault with Ponting when the fielders hardly appealed?

IF the fielders aren't sure then how can the umpires be sure?

[abs_of_STEELE]

Bad decision.

[Xtreme]

I reckon he needs to go back to his favourite spot at 6. We are losing him for the death overs where he is one of the best in world cricket.

Might need to spend some time in the nets.... or go back to state or suburban level before he thinks about batting for the national side again.

[ManWithNoName]

Cameron White's never gonna get a better chance to show what he's capable of than right now.

EDIT: Or we'll just send in Haddin.

[aussie1st]

Here we go again, is it Ponting form or is it presistant bowling by SA?

[beez]

Will the Vics' save us?

[WA ROO]

What a crap decision to give Mike Hussey out. Ball was clearly too high and missing the stumps. Have you ever seen a player get shafted by rubbish umpiring as often as him?Right arm around the wicket,too a left hander.Should be impossible to get LBW

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Damn, Ponting is out.

Really bad position in this match now.

[red+black]

series over :(

[Bombers_Forever]

Gee some of our players get out to dumb shots.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Will the Vics' save us?

I hope so.

[Bombers_Forever]

They will be lucky to get 250 - the batting below isn't that flash.

[Rob]

Right arm around the wicket,too a left hander.Should be impossible to get LBW

Not impossible, but it needs to spin back. Botha aint getting much spin ATM, despite the dubious elbow action.

[abs_of_STEELE]

We're hopeless.

[happy_eagle]

These two need to be in untill at least 35 overs

[ManWithNoName]

Jesus christ Haddin. You f-ing idiot.

[bluechampion]

Why is it that we cannot build a partnership this series? How often have Dhussey and Haddin suddenly found themselves having to restart the innings together without a bloke who'd been in for a while? That's what's been killing us. We keep abandoning our momentum.
Ponting's ability to get a start is admirable, but why does he keep getting out exactly when he should be consolidating a partnership?

[Bombers_Forever]

And another. Stupid shot from Haddin..........