Can SA save this match?

[ThePhenomenal1]

Got a feeling india will use reverse swing well, sa batsmen have struggled. Dhoni just needs to rotate bowlers well, so that we dont run out of steam again

[carnish]

Only Rain can force a draw in this game ... Unless it rains, we are definitely looking at a result in todays game.

[rkt.india]

No They chased 414 at perth They saved a test at Lords by notching 3 centuries. There is a history.

That Perth was a road too. The flattest and slowest Pert track in recent times.

[Cricketics]

There was a definite miscommunication When Faf got run out, there was a confusion between Philander and Steyn whether they were going for victory or not. Steyn hit the six on the last ball of the day, and he was really angry. I think he was hoping for Philander to go after Indian bowling and himself to play the 2nd fidel and stay on the crease. Philander left one full over of Zaheer. Philander probably thought otherwise and was hoping that Steyn might go and his wicket is more crucial for South Africa to not allow Indian to comeback in the game and win. Rahane basically messed it up all for South Africa:--D and sparked the miscommunication. :hysterical:

[SLICKR392]

Why was Steyn pissed at Vernon during the overs? Did Steyn deny the single or Vernon?

[Yoda-esque]

Gibbs 07 Kluesner 99

[Texy]

Stain was really pissed....his F bomb was picked up by the mic in the end :cantstop:

[Cricketics]

Why was Steyn pissed at Vernon during the overs? Did Steyn deny the single or Vernon?

He kept leaving Zaheer's deliveries. That's what I am talking about. He though that Phlander will go for runs and for Victory. Philander though the opposite that his wicket is more required and that Steyn might go for big hit and he needs to stay.

[amiret]

Both are idiots if they failed to communicate.

[coffee_rules]

Srini mama communicated to them, I guess.

[Raghav_12]

It was little bizarre. They didn't go for 16 runs even in the last over or even when 3 balls were left.

[Texan]

Philander suddenly over-estimated Indian bowlers. Zaheer Khan was leaking runs at more than 4 an over with only one wicket. Had he gone after Zaheer or even taken the single and let Steyn go after Zaheer, SA would have won.

[Marut]

Typical South African choke.

[Trundler27]

i don't think there was miscommunication.... they intentionally decided to shut shop.... when they needed 16 of the last 3 overs, steyn was clearly asking philander not to go for his shots... he said 'no' multiple times before philander was getting ready to face... even the commies said that it signals the end, ie, they have shut shop and he started to leave all deliveries outside off

[zep1706]

Cross posting-- SA are not just chokers but pu$$ies too. They completely bottled that chase in the end. They played like cowards in the last few overs. What would have been one of the greatest wins in test match history became a tame draw in the end. 16 off 18 balls with 3 wickets in hand, against a mediocre and tired bowling line up on a pitch doing almost nothing they chose to block it out. They did not have to take risks, just push a few singles for 2 overs, get 6-7 runs and then once it is under 10 go for it in the last over. One hit and game over. If this was an Indian team I'd be fuming in anger.

[fineleg]

Cross posting-- SA are not just chokers but pu$ too. They completely bottled that chase in the end. They played like cowards in the last few overs. What would have been one of the greatest wins in test match history became a tame draw in the end. 16 off 18 balls with 3 wickets in hand, against a mediocre and tired bowling line up on a pitch doing almost nothing they chose to block it out. They did not have to take risks, just push a few singles for 2 overs, get 6-7 runs and then once it is under 10 go for it in the last over. One hit and game over. If this was an Indian team I'd be fuming in anger.

Agreed. They came SO CLOSE, and they should have taken the risk and 90% they would have won. Philando can bat and Steyno can bat decent. Odds were in their favor. So, it is silly they shut shop when a world record victory was theirs to create. As an Indian fan, I am THRILLED they settled for a draw B-> Thank you Steyno and Philo.

[Sachin=GOD]

I didn't see the match so I don't exactly know the situation you are talking about but I can bet it wasn't confusion etc. It was simply SA being SA and choking.

[Pagalpanti]

Dhoni had kept all fielders outside for Vern, so he couldn't have gone for shots unless he tried for a 6 which would be high risk. It was really stupid of Steyn to refuse singles of him. Didn't get that bit.

[NareshK]

It was a bit more tricky than most of you people make it seem. One more wicket at that stage would have brought Morkel on to the crease who is injured and couldnt even walk. Tahir is a proper tailender. If they had lost the test, they lose a chance of winning the series as this is a 2 match series. Also, they would have hated losing the test after the efforts of ABDV and Du Plessis playing through the whole day and their centuries would have been in vain. So they took the safe option out.

[veer]

IMO, Philander wanted to go for a win but when Steyn came in, he brought the message to go for a draw... Then in Zak's maiden over, Philo wanted a run but Steyn said stay put.. dont want to take single. Then in last over he played out the whole over but then he got full toss where there is no harm in throwing bat so he hit six.. So I thought Philo wanted to go for win but Steyn (and management) wanted a draw. Not mis-communication .. but just difference of Opinion..