Australia in SA, 2009 : Build up

[Feed]

Australia selectors heading in North's direction for South Africa Test Andrew Symonds is out of Africa and Marcus North appears to have stolen a break on Andrew McDonald in the competition for the all-rounder's position for Thursday's Test. More... Australia selectors heading in North's direction for South Africa Test From Peter Lalor in Potchefstroom, South Africa February 23, 2009 Andrew Symonds is out of Africa and Marcus North appears to have stolen a break on Andrew McDonald in the competition for the all-rounder's position for Thursday's Test against South Africa in Johannesburg. North took a career-best 6-69 from 11 overs against the South African President's XI Sunday as the home side were all out in their second innings for 182, leaving Australia needing 226 to win from 49 overs. But selectors may wait until they see the colour of the Wanderers pitch before deciding whether to go North or stick with incumbent McDonald. North has also stolen some yards over McDonald as a batsman in the tour game, scoring an unbeaten first-innings 52 before the side declared at 4-360. But his rival has residency and a medium-pace seamer that may be just right for South African wickets. Last time Australia were here, Stuart Clark was called in to replace Shane Warne and took 20 wickets at 15.75. North, by contrast, is a handy off-spin bowler and could provide a second spin option for Ricky Ponting, as Michael Clarke is unlikely to risk his back bowling. It appears selectors have Victorian leg-spinner Bryce McGain in mind for the first game after they opted for him rather than Nathan Hauritz in the tour match. But McGain proved expensive and a little wayward in the first innings, taking 2-126 from 19 overs. He did not take the field Sunday as he and Peter Siddle were suffering from food poisoning. Little separated North and McDonald in bowling returns on the flat deck during the first innings. The Victorian seamer took 1-23 from eight overs and was difficult to handle at times, while North took 0-15 from seven and repeatedly beat the bat. They batted together in the first innings and it was a dour affair for spectators as both buttoned down, aware there was possibly a Test spot at stake. McDonald, who played in the Sydney Test and picked up three wickets, was the first to crack, falling to the leg-spin of Imran Tahir for 23. Simon Katich made a breezy 124 before retiring hurt after he was struck on the forearm by a rising delivery. Katich said it was bruised and uncomfortable but of no great concern. Katich knows what it is like to be under pressure for a spot. "It's always tough, particularly when you first come into playing a tour match or into the Australian set-up," he said. "Obviously you want to make a good impression at the start. That's probably the hardest thing. You can build it up too much. "Macca did a good job for us in Sydney and then Northy has shown today that he is a quality player as well. "It is tough, because they are obviously going to be pitted head to head in this game. That's the nature of Australian cricket, I guess - there is always going to be competition for spots." Katich believes both players are "genuine batting options". "Obviously they are different styles of bowlers," he said. "Macca is suited to bowling medium-pace in conditions that suit and Northy is a pretty good off-spinner."

[Feed]

We've the home advantage, won't throw it away: Smith Ricky Ponting's men suffered a 2-1 defeat against the Proteas in the Test series, which almost stripped them of their number one tag in Test ranking. More... We've the home advantage, won't throw it away: Smith Agencies Posted: Feb 24, 2009 at 1305 hrs IST Durban: South Africa may have made Australia beat the dust during their recent tour Down Under but the success have not made them complacent, insists coach Mickey Arthur, who feels the world champions will be revved up for the Test series starting in Johannesburg on Thursday. "There is certainly no complacency in our camp and there never will be. We have learned the hard way. You have to keep on respecting the game and you have to keep on respecting your opponents," South Africa coach Mickey Arthur said. Ricky Ponting's men suffered a 2-1 defeat against the Proteas in the Test series, which almost stripped them of their number one tag in Test ranking. But Arthur insisted that Australia which has a good fusion of youth and experience deserves enough respect and going to be a tough opponent to overcome. "In Australia we see opponents who are going to demand a lot of respect. They have some very good senior players and they have some youngsters as well who are trying to make an impression. "They also have the chance to put the record straight after our win in Australia. Normally you have to wait eighteen months to get another crack at the same opponents. They have a second bite at the cherry straight away and they are going to be really revved up to come here and win. There is absolutely no doubt about that," Arthur said. Meanwhile, skipper Graeme Smith exuded confidence about capitalising on the home advantage. "We have home ground advantage and will not throw away this. We know the Australians are looking for revenge but we are well prepared and will not allow any slacking whatsoever." Besides the Test series, the teams will play two Twenty20 matches and a five-match ODI series over the next two months.

[cochise]

If they play Ronald McDonald instead of North, I reckon they should be put in a padded room and the key thrown away.

[Chandan]

I think North will be replacing Clarke since the latter is an unlikely starter for the first test. You think otherwise?

[cochise]

No telling with this bunch of selectors...seriously, I cannot fathom their thinking.

[Feed]

AB De Villiers says Aussie batsmen can expect hot welcome in Johannesburg South Africa batsman AB De Villiers says the Wanderers pitch for the first Test, which starts on Thursday, will favour swing bowling and Australia's openers will face a torrid start if Ricky Ponting wins the toss and bats. More... AB De Villiers says Aussie batsmen can expect hot welcome in Johannesburg From Greg Buckle in Johannesburg, South Africa February 24, 2009 South Africa batsman AB De Villiers says the Wanderers pitch for the first Test, which starts on Thursday, will favour swing bowling and Australia's openers will face a torrid start if Ricky Ponting wins the toss and bats. De Villiers, whose 106 not out in Perth guided South Africa to 4-414 and a six-wicket win in the first Test in December, says he's hoping Proteas captain Graeme Smith can call correctly and the home side bats first. De Villiers, who has played 49 consecutive Tests since his debut in 2004, says as a batsman he likes his team to get out there on day one and put some runs on the board and make a positive start. “But I definitely won't mind seeing Australia bat and having Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel running in on the first morning,'' he said. “It's going to favour any bowler who can swing the ball.'' The warning from De Villiers heaps further pressure on Australia's 20-year-old debutant opener Phil Hughes, who will have to quickly master the art of leaving the ball outside his off-stump at Test level. Australia selector-on-duty David Boon says the tourists have to decide between Doug Bollinger or Ben Hilfenhaus as the third pace option behind Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle. But the big question is whether Victorian leg-spinner Bryce McGain will be chosen for his Test debut, despite his 2-126 from 19 overs in a mixed performance in last week's tour match against South Africa President's XI in Potchefstroom. “That's a tough question. I don't know,'' De Villiers said when asked if Australia would play a specialist spinner. Another option would be to play batsman and off-spinner Marcus North at No.6 and medium-pacer Andrew McDonald as another all-rounder at No.7, or play four quicks. “It's his (Ponting's) decision,'' De Villiers said. “I'm pretty sure we'll be playing a spinner (Paul Harris). “So we'll see what he's going to do, I dunno. It depends what kind of form his spinner is in and that's totally up to him. “The Wanderers is always a good Test wicket. It will definitely move around on the first day, maybe for two days even.'' De Villiers said the pitch may offer some turn on day five, adding that it was always a positive move to bat first and get runs on the board.

[cochise]

South Africa batsman AB De Villiers says the Wanderers pitch for the first Test, which starts on Thursday, will favour swing bowling and Australia's openers will face a torrid start if Ricky Ponting wins the toss and bats.

Chandan...this kind of thing may make the aussie selectors go soft and opt for Ronald McDonald....see, there is no telling with these fellows. And sure, the Saffers are out to confuse them further.

[Chandan]

Chandan...this kind of thing may make the aussie selectors go soft and opt for Ronald McDonald....see' date=' there is no telling with these fellows. And sure, the Saffers are out to confuse them further.[/quote'] In such situations, if Clarke fails to get fit, Australian XI will get even weaker and softer in the middle. But why on earth are they opting for McDonald who is neither a good bowler nor a test class lower order batsman? If Clarke fails to get fit, then this can be their final XI: 1. Hughes 2. Katich 3.Ponting 4. Hussey 5. North 6. Haddin 7. McDonald 8. Joghnson 9. McGain 10. Siddle 11. Bollinger?? This side looks aweful!

[cochise]

You can say that again. Aussies are staring down the barrel really. They are lucky to have Katich in a rich vein of form...he will provide some steel to the batting. Hughes is a good prospect but we cannot expect too much of him immediately as he is raw at this level. Ponting looks in good nick and may be the key to Oz's fortune. Hussey, while showing glimpses of form in the ODI's with NZ, I still believe he is down on confidence bigtime and has a psychological hangover from SA down under tour. Haddin...well, a bit of a hit and miss prospect this guy...and his keeping has not been that impressive. North is an intriguing option, but too early to say. McDonald, what I have seen of him, is not test material. Johnson cannot swing the ball and besides speed, it's only his cut (that too only off-cut) that has to be negated and can be done so. Siddle is a little straight up and down but a real trier. Bollinger is a prospect but have to see more...does not look to be overly threatening. McGain...can't say...haven't seen to much. All in all, don't see this side posing much of a threat to the SA side at home unless we get some exceptional individual performances. Any news on how Smithy is recovering from his injury?

[Chandan]

Any news on how Smithy is recovering from his injury?

This is a 20 days old news which says he'll be fit for the first test. This is the scorecard of T20 final of SA's domestic cricket, played on 21st Feb and Smith played that match! I think he'll be fully fit for the series though you can't expect him to be in hot form straightaway!

[DomainK]

This is a 20 days old news which says he'll be fit for the first test. This is the scorecard of T20 final of SA's domestic cricket, played on 21st Feb and Smith played that match! I think he'll be fully fit for the series though you can't expect him to be in hot form straightaway!

Thats fast.:two_thumbs_up:

[Feed]

McGain misses out on Test debut Victorian leg spinner Bryce McGain's Test debut has been put on hold after he was overlooked for the series opener against South Africa. More... McGain misses out on Test debut 25/02/2009 6:50 PM Victorian leg spinner Bryce McGain's Test debut has been put on hold after he was overlooked for the series opener against South Africa. Australian selectors have opted to head into the match without a specialist spinner with Nathan Hauritz also being left out of the team. Uncapped pair Marcus North and Ben Hilfenhaus have been named in the 12-man squad while 20-year-old opener Phil Hughes looks certain to make his debut. North's stocks rose dramatically earlier in the week when he took figures of 6-69 with his part-time off-spin against a South African President's XI. The Aussies will be relying heavily on an inexperienced pace attack that may include all four touring quicks, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger and Hilfenhaus. Australian 12-man squad: Ricky Ponting ©, Phillip Hughes, Simon Katich, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Andrew McDonald, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus.

[bunny]

Why did they have to announce a 12 man squad? If Prince can't replace Duminy' date=' he can still replace Mckenzie, and be the opener. He will anyway have the advantage of being a lefty.[/quote'] Bump!! If only SA selectors had realized the advantages of being a lefty bowler/batsman....Nonsensical selections lead to the downfall.