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This was the match of a life time.
South Africa have won the greatest one-day international in the history of Cricket. Thats also against the Aussies.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4797004.stm
I dont know whether anyone other than me and Roller in DV watches cricket. So Roller what you say ?
EDIT: Thread renamed
Yeah I couldn't believe it! I was out last night and I watched the last twenty overs of the first innings in the pub, and I thought there would be no way that the Saffricans could chase down 434... I woke up with a hangover and turned on the TV to see that they had done exactly that, and I wished I had watched the rest of the match!
The pitch must have been quite a flat track, but for two teams to make 430+ in one match is unbelieveable... Both sides obviously bowled very poorly, but I think the lack of McGrath was evident for Australia - Aus need to find themselves a precise bowler capable of drying up the run rate when needed. I feel very sorry for Mick Lewis - if ever there was a match in which you wouldn't want to bowl bad, it would have been last night... I can't see him being an option for Australia anymore, he doesn't bring anything special at all to the pace attack.
I can't believe that Aus opted for a pace attack rather than spin - Hogg should have been playing as another spin option, although I don't think the pitch was offering much turn at all. Bracken bowled great at 5/67, and hopefully he can become quite useful for Australia, as he's showing a bit of potential. Gibbs and Ponting both batted brilliantly, Gibbs perhaps more so because of the intense pressure he must have felt chasing down such a massive total.
Both teams batted brilliantly and bowled poorly, but I'm sure the crowd had no qualms about the bowling, especially after being treated to such a batting display. While it was a great match for both teams, evidently Saffrica is going to walk away from this with the most, gaining the confidence and momentum that might carry through into the Test matches, altough tests are completely different. Australia needs to pick a consistent and capable team, and quickly. With batting Aus has great talent right down the order, but the bowling is lacking in consistency and some reliable talent to carry them through (McGrath). While it's boviously going to take a long time to fill the gap left by McGrath, it needs to be attended to quickly. Aus has a batting order capable of winning the next World Cup, but seems to be lacking the bowling talent that can hold it's own.
Saffrica, if it keeps working hard is more than capable of winning the next World Cup, and at the moment I rather think they will.
There was no Pollock for SA also. The pitch was 'chappathi' flat and ground was small. Anyhow I think it is the mindset of SA made them win the match. It is not easy to chase such a total especially against Australia. I think B.Lee didnt rise up to the mark. He was not able to use his experience. Especially in the last over.Quote:
Originally posted by Roller
Both sides obviously bowled very poorly, but I think the lack of McGrath was evident for Australia
And something about the conditions here. Lot of my friends are Aus fans. When their innings ended, they came and said," Look men, how Aus plays the final. They are the heros. This record will not be broken atleast for 10 years." We also thought so. I bet even the SA team might have thought so. And after this victory, all the Australian haters were enjoying and doing fireworks.
Why there is so much supporters for SA in India ? Cool answer. Because their jersey is green !! Yes the muslims will die for green. Sorry to say that. Sorry. But thats the actual reason. If someone 'hates' the Australian cricket team, there is only two reason. First is that he will be an admirer of Pakistan. Second is that he will be a psycho trying to oppose good people and good things.
What do you think of the first test? SA are 8/155 at the moment, doesn't seem to be quite the start they'd have hoped for. When I heard they'd opted for Clark over Magill I was a bit concerned, but it seems that he's stepped up to the mark rather well, couldn't have hoped for a better test debut really. They're at tea at the moment, so could very well have them all out before the day is through, it will be interesting to see where Saffrica go from there...
Are there any other cricket-watchers on this forum? Maybe you could rename this thread as simply 'the cricket thread' Korothism, could make for a decent bit of convo.
How's the Eng vs. India series going anyway, Koro? I haven't been online much recently and haven't been able to keep up with it all.
I just checked that in in cricinfo. Amazing. That is cricket. That is why it so entertaining. It look like Stuart Clark made a good impression. Fine. Lets see what happens in the next days. The Aussies are real fighters :goodjob2:
India is now 1-0 ahead after two tests. First one was a draw. Any how the last day of first test was a thriller with India trying to chase down a score of 200 in 20 overs. And when we lost 6 wickets, changed the game plan and played for a draw. But the England played wonderful cricket. Most of their experienced players are not in the team. The new boys are really promising.
The second test was not played for almost 2days due to bad weather. But we were able to win that match with Kumble's spin magic. And discovered a new fast swing bowler for India - Munaf Patel. Its Chappel effect.
India needs only a draw in the third test to get their testranking to 2. But I think India will win the match, if climate doesnt make any problem. My favorite player Dhoni hasnt played a good innings yet. I expect a BOOM BOOM innings from him. Dont you know that Dhoni ranks third in oneday rankings. He was the man who broke the Australian fortress in the top 4 rankings. (And I look like Dhoni. Thats another thing to admire him. I had strarted to grow my hair. :D . And planning to start a fansite for him. I had met him in one of my lucid dreams.)
So all the cricket lovers, Unite. Post your love and support to cricket.
Hmm, I'll have to do some reading up on India Vs England then... it'd be nice to know India are back in second spot... When Aus lose no. 1 ranking I hope it's to India. It's strange that there's so much respect between Aus and India, I guess it's because no matter who Aus beats, the real measure of successful team is if you can beat India in India, and vice versa.
Good news for the Aussies in SA - tomorrow is going to be hot and sunny, hardening up the pitch and giving them the chance to really cash in on the batting, and rough up a bit more ready for Warnie in the third innings... I guess Saffrica just got a lot of bad luck eh.
For ODI's my fav player is by far Andrew Symonds - the pure athleticism with bat, ball and spectacularly in the field has won him many fans in Aus. It makes you glad to be watching when you see someone put as much effort into their game as he does. In Test cricket, I'd have to say Mike Hussey. There's just something about the way he bats, not flamboyant or agressive, just flawless and confident. I reckon his nickname - Mr Cricket - is a crack-up, and suits him perfectly.
Are there any watchers of American Cricket? I've heard it's starting to pcik up pace a bit in the states, there's even a new cricket oval in NY or something... always good to have more countries in on the action. It'd be good to have some more Test playing nations, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are in need of much improvement.
What do you think about the whole 20/20 debate, Koro? Everyone seems to have an opinion on it, and it doesn't seem like 20/20 is just a fad - it's here to stay.
Reading someone's description of the details of game in a sport you're clueless about is actually pretty entertaining.
I can only imagine what the terms 'overs', 'flat track', 'bowler', 'run rate', 'pace attack and 'spin' could mean...whatever they mean though, it all sounds pretty entertaining.
Yeah, that's the thing about cricket... to the uninitiated it seems like the weirdest passtime ever. I remember I used to think cricket was the most pointless game on earth and then I started to actually understand how it works... now I'm addicted to it and can't get enough of it.Quote:
Originally posted by bradybaker
Reading someone's description of the details of game in a sport you're clueless about is actually pretty entertaining.
I can only imagine what the terms 'overs', 'flat track', 'bowler', 'run rate', 'pace attack and 'spin' could mean...whatever they mean though, it all sounds pretty entertaining.
I'm pretty pleased that Stuart Clark has stepped up to fill McGrath's shoes, an awesome debut, but I don't think that Aus is nearly out of the hot water yet. The first test saw Aus get some amazing luck - firstly with the great seaming conditions on the first day, and secondly with the hotter weather hardening up the pitch. Hopefuly for Australia's sake Clark can prove consistent, even if he is just drying up the run rate to allow for Warnie or Lee to attack from the other end.
I don't think Aus will be quite so lucky next test match, it seems that Saffrica are getting closer and closer to consistently beating Australia.