SA vs Aus, 3rd test : News

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Who would have thought at the start of the series that it would be South Africa scrambling like a student that's slept in on the morning of an exam? More... Selection quandary for Ponting 18/03/2009 6:44 PM Andrew Wu Sportal Who would have thought at the start of the series that, heading into the third Test, it would be South Africa scrambling like a student that's slept in on the morning of an exam? Australia began the series with an unsettled team but its only selection query heading into Cape Town is whether to play a spinner or maintain a four-pronged pace attack. The locals in Cape Town believe their wicket, unlike those produced in Durban and Johannesburg, will provide turn. If correct, leg-spinner Bryce McGain is likely to come into the XI at the expense of his Victorian team-mate Andrew McDonald, who has done all that's been asked of him with the ball. Captain Ricky Ponting speaks highly of McGain and also has faith in McDonald, making this decision an extremely tough one for selectors. If McGain, who has had an eventful tour despite playing just one match, were to remain uncapped, he will return to Melbourne without international experience or a Sheffield Shield title. Australia has already won the series but there is more than a whitewash at stake. With the first-class season over back home and only limited overs cricket coming up before the Ashes, this match will be the last opportunity players have to impress before the touring party to England is announced. Michael Hussey quietened, rather than silenced, critics with a half-century in Durban but needs a ton in Cape Town to ensure he won't enter the Ashes with speculation over his future in the team. After not making a change to their side for five Tests on the trot, the Proteas will make three for Cape Town. Out of the side are injured captain Graeme Smith, out-of-form pair Neil McKenzie and Morne Morkel. Forgotten batsman Ashwell Prince and Imraan Khan, who will be making his Test debut, come into the side to open the batting, while uncapped pair Albie Morkel and Wayne Parnell duel for the final pace bowling slot. Whatever the make-up of the XI, the Proteas will have a new captain, a new opening combination and perhaps a completely re-jigged batting order. Prince, who made his name as a No.5 bat, was originally named as captain for the third Test but was replaced by Jacques Kallis so he could concentrate on his new role as opener. How South Africa's batsmen fare will provide fresh data to the argument of whether teams should pick their best six bats first then worry about the order, or the other way round.

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McGain gets the nod Bryce McGain has become Australia's oldest Test debutant in 25 years, but he will have to wait for his first over after captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. More...

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North taken to hospital Australia's Marcus North has been ruled out of the third Test against South Africa after being taken to hospital overnight with a gastro complaint. More...

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Ponting caught behind for a duck Australia have lost two wickets in quick succession after making a steady start against South Africa in the third and final Test at Newlands. More...

[Holysmoke]

:two_thumbs_up:

[Anakin]

Well done P&P

[satishg]

ponting out for a duck and Sachin scores a century..now what more can we worshipers ask for..a perfect day for us :yay::two_thumbs_up:

[flamy]

:((

[SachDan]

:((

Coz he managed to last six deliveries ? :giggle:

[anbuchelvan]

SA vs Aus, 3rd test : News He big mouthed about Kallis just enough to bite the dust.:hysterical:

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Steyn, Harris put SA in control Fast bowler Dale Steyn and left-arm spinner Paul Harris gave South Africa the upper hand against Australia... More... Steyn, Harris put SA in control Reuters Posted: Mar 20, 2009 at 0932 hrs IST Cape Town: Fast bowler Dale Steyn and left-arm spinner Paul Harris gave South Africa the upper hand against Australia after the first day of the third and final Test as they skittled the tourists out for 209 at Newlands on Thursday. Ashwell Prince, opening the batting for the first time at Test level after 47 matches in the middle-order, took South Africa to 57 without loss at stumps. Prince had scored a run-a-ball 37, while Imraan Khan, making his debut, was unbeaten on 15. Earlier, Australian opener Simon Katich scored a patient 55 before falling to Harris. Steyn accounted for both Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke after South Africa had reduced Australia to 66 for two at lunch. Skipper Ricky Ponting went without scoring. Australia resumed on 158 for five after tea and South Africa pressed home the advantage with two wickets each by Steyn and Paul Harris.

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Prince's blinder stuns 'Mr Magoo' South Africa have given the Australians a fearful mauling. Looking hungrier, stronger and more disciplined, they continued their good work of the opening day to add 347 runs for the loss of three wickets. Despite his reservations, Ashwell Prince batted superbly as a makeshift opener. More... Prince's blinder stuns 'Mr Magoo' Australia 209 South Africa 404-3 By Peter Roebuck at Newlands Saturday, 21 March 2009 South Africa have given the Australians a fearful mauling. Looking hungrier, stronger and more disciplined, they continued their good work of the opening day to add 347 runs for the loss of three wickets. Despite his reservations, Ashwell Prince batted superbly as a makeshift opener. Organised, defiant and nuggety, the left-hander contributed a convincing hundred. Apart from calculated assaults on Bryce McGain, a dainty leg spinner whose dream became a nightmare, the left-hander kept a constant tempo. Jacques Kallis also punished a lacklustre attack. After looking uneasy against bumpers, he drove cleanly, pulled powerfully and slaughtered the spinner as he broke a barren patch to reach his 31st Test hundred. By stumps Australia were facing heavy defeat and a 3-3 deadlock in matches between these sides this winter. Prince presented a broad bat and watched the ball closely. Overall he scored 150 in 249 balls before gloving a leg-side lifter, a decision made by the third umpire after the previously faultless Steve Bucknor had shaken his head. He reached the 90s without undue difficulty whereupon he lashed out at McGain and reached three figures with two heated boundaries. Thereafter he bashed the spinner and collected adroitly. Along the way he lost Imraan Khan as the novice drove without due care and attention and was snaffled by the deserving Peter Siddle. Hashim Amla also had the bowling at his mercy only to spurn his chance with a loose stroke. Here he reached 46 and flashed at Mitchell Johnson, once a tiger now a pussycat. Kallis gave the bowlers no such laxity. After taking an eternity to reach four, he cut loose against the forlorn spinner and then began to play sumptuous off-drives against the pacemen. Kallis reached 99 and then ran a single only for umpire Asad Rauf to signal leg bye as the batsmen and 10,405 spectators celebrated. After consultations the decision was reversed, a turn of events that displeased Ricky Ponting. Watching AB de Villiers cut loose against the second new ball in the final hour did little to improve his humour. Among the bowlers only Siddle emerged unscathed. The same could not be said about McGain who ended with embarrassing figures, his 11 overs costing 102 runs, the most expensive figures in Test history. Australia's limitations, with ball and gloves, were exposed. England might not see much of McGain, a 36-year-old burdened with the nickname "Mr Magoo".