Aust. vs Sth Afr Third Test *Official Thread*

[kretchy]

Australia have won the toss and batted at Sydney and are 0/16 Pollock has caused Langer a few problems Donald isn't bowling that well.

MacGill has come into the side for Bichel two form the two pronged spin attack.
South Africa have dropped Nantie Hayward for Nicky Boje, meaning South Africa are playing two left arm orthodox bowlers. Justin Ontong is also in for his test replacing the holidaying Lance Klusener.

 

[Robbo1]

Well, it's lunch day 1 and the aussies have made a very promising start. 0/93 at the break, Langer on 46 and Hayden on 42. Once again, South Africa have failed to make an early breakthrough. 13 boundaries and a six is showing the aussies confidence, against a pretty poor bowling attack.

 

[kretchy]

Samething continuing after lunch both Langer and Hayden have bought up their 50s 0/129.

Kallis is getting smashed around after lunch.

 

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

Australia:
0/187

J.Langer: 100* Great knock champ
M.Hayden: 80*

Cruising...

 

[Robbo1]

Langer has just posted his century. Well done mate. Off just 145 balls, hitting 16 4's and 1 6, great performance. Lets just hope that Hayden can bring his century up soon as well. Hayden is currently on 80 so his century probably won't happen until after the tea break.

 

[BW]

Great knock. But i got this feeling that Haydens gonna get out be4 his ton. hope im wrong

 

[Robbo1]

Hayden is pretty close now 97*, go son, do it for your country

 

[Robbo1]

Another ton for Matty Hayden, well done mate.......

 

[Robbo1]

0/215 at tea....
how f*cken good are we???

 

[oh_my_hat]

Originally posted by Robbo1
0/215 at tea....
how f*cken good are we???

This is getting quite ho hum!!

 

[hawkfan5]

Its getting boring dominating!

Maybe we should give South Africa a chance...

Nah, we'll keep dominating.

Bloody crowd has been brilliant so far, the standing ovations for both batsmen's centuries was great.

 

[London Dave]

Pretty reasonable preformance by the openers so far, although to be fair, it looks like Glen McGrath would be good for a 50 on this deck. SA quicks seem to have the plan of tossing in the odd wide one hoping for a mis hit drive.

 

[HahnPremium8]

Hayden is out but great effort...and Ponting is IN

 

[eagleskickass]

Great Innings for hayden, played very well for his 105
Punter got off the mark with a very good 4
1/223

I hope Punter goes on to score a ton, and Langer a double ton

 

[kretchy]

Now 4/302
Steve Waugh just bowled by Pollock

Ponting run out earlier by Langer and Langer caught at silly point off of Boje who has bowled pretty well. Which has made me wonder why it took so long for him to be bought on.

 

[Bomber Spirit]

5/308 at stumps. Mark Waugh c Boucher b Donald 19

 

[Damp Squarie]

Matt Hayden

I havent seen a ball bowled today but by all accounts MH has scored another century!!}

I remember absolutely bagging him a few seasons back when he was bowled by not offering a shot { Twice I think}

But now as I choke on humble pie he seems to have arrived.
Welldone Matthew Hayden -I was one of your detractors

 

[play on]

Never underestimate a Queenslander. Hayden has been my favourite player for QLD for years, and I always knew he would come good. He has been my favourite player for Australia since his first game, right up until now, and he certainly is not letting me down.

 

[wagstaff]

Certainly Hayden and Langer have been the star Australian players of the summer. I suspected that Langer may have been found at some point of the summer but I was wrong.

Yet, once again Australia's top order fail to capitalise on a 200+ opening stand. Of the four times this has occurred this summer, today was the third time that Australia lost their next 5 wickets for less then 100.

But Australia should still win.

 

[iceman]

Its been awesome seeing Langer and Hayden combining this summer!!

Its just a pity that once they get out so many wickets start to fall in quick succession (like we saw today)

 

[Bomber Spirit]

It's happened several times this season. Complacency possibly?
I was at the MCG for the 3rd day last week, and quite a few of the shots players got out to were lazy and undisciplined.
Still, you can't be too critical, when they've got South Africa on the ropes again.

 

[anchor man]

Yet again the LITTLE AUSSIE BATTLER has come to the fore.It still amazes me that there can still be knockers out the who do not believe that he is a class player.Oh by the way i am talking about Justin Langer.He was crucified a few years back after his first test against the Windies and then the following tour of NZ.He should have gone to England but the selectors believed that there were too many LEFT handers in the side at that stage for him to go.What a load of crap.
Go for it JL,load em up and fire away.

 

[Joe Mama]

Ah good, honours are even at this stage considering that it's a flat track from what i've seen

 

[The Hippie]

Originally posted by wagstaff
Certainly Hayden and Langer have been the star Australian players of the summer. I suspected that Langer may have been found at some point of the summer but I was wrong.

Yet, once again Australia's top order fail to capitalise on a 200+ opening stand. Of the four times this has occurred this summer, today was the third time that Australia lost their next 5 wickets for less then 100.

But Australia should still win.

I was another who thought the SA seamers might find Langer out, but he's come through well.
Now, if he can only get the 'Graham Wood' syndrome out of his game and stop running Punter out, I'll be even happier for him.

On those middle order collapses, my theory is subconsciously the 3-6 batsmen relax a little when they see the openers score so easily and aren't totally switched on when their turn comes to bat. Except Ponting, who doesn't get a chance to settle, he get's called through for suicidal runs by a maniac hell bent on keeping the strike!!!

 

[Robbo1]

I think the main reason for the aussie middle order collapsing after such great opening stands is because the guys who come in (ponting, waugh brothers etc) arn't getting any time in the middle with the bat. It's not that they are out of form, they are just out of match practice if you know what i mean. It's also hard to come in and bat once you have seen hayden and langer smashing the ball around for four and a half hours. If i was in ponting's shoes, i would no doubteldy just sitting back relaxing and watching the great performance. So by the time they have to bat, they arent mentally prepared anymore and just assume that they will score and heap of runs too.