Crikey! Siddle and Hilf I doubt for Durban. That makes Bollinger, Clark , Lee and these two.

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/rsavaus200...ory/393329.html

Hows your left arm looking these days rhino, you might get a call soon!

Maybe the aussies should be waring red and blue so the injuries make sense.

McDonald has been chosen as an all rounder. However his batting is not up to standard. Would you pick him as a bowler alone? In most situations no.

The benefit of tieing down an end is only of value if you have bowlers at the other end taking the wickets. McDonald bowled tightly in conditions that suit to allow others to break through. He had Mitch, Siddle and Hilf on song. I am not sure he is more a capable on your day bowler.

In different conditions, the lack of a capable spinner will crucify Australia as it did back home. If the selectors have an eye to the Ashes, they should be getting McGain playing. I wouldn't bother with Hauritz.

McGain faces uphill battle to debut

Looks like Ponting wants to stick with the 11 that won at the Wanderers. According to the article, only Warne and Kumble have had any effect at Durban since 2002, and Sth Africa haven't played a specialist spinner in their last 2 tests at the venue. McGain's no certainty.

Crikey! Siddle and Hilf I doubt for Durban. That makes Bollinger, Clark , Lee and these two.

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/rsavaus200...ory/393329.html

This is worrying though. Magoffin has been called into the squad as cover. So it's conveivable that we could have another two debutants in Durban, should Siddle and Hilfenhaus be unfit. 5 debutants in 2 matches!

McGain faces uphill battle to debut

Looks like Ponting wants to stick with the 11 that won at the Wanderers. According to the article, only Warne and Kumble have had any effect at Durban since 2002, and Sth Africa haven't played a specialist spinner in their last 2 tests at the venue. McGain's no certainty.

This is worrying though. Magoffin has been called into the squad as cover. So it's conveivable that we could have another two debutants in Durban, should Siddle and Hilfenhaus be unfit. 5 debutants in 2 matches!

The second article negates the first article.

Before we troll through history aside from India and Australia who else has played at Durban since 2002

2002 - Pakistan - Saqlain (4 wickets in one innings bowl) - SA no spinner

2003 - WI - no spinner - SA - no spinner

2004 - England - Giles ( no wicket) - SA Boje (= no spinner <_< ) (3 wickets)

2006 -Aust - Warne ( 8 wickets) - SA Boje (1 wicket in one innings)

2007 - India - Kumble (4 wickets) - SA - No spinner

2008 - WI - No Spinner - SA - No Spinner

Effectively neither the WI or SA have had a competent spinner to select in that period. Giles falls into the same very ordinary bucket. Both successful bowlers quoted in the article were wrist spinners. McGain is a wrist spinner. There is nothing to suggest that Durban is a spinners graveyard.

Up until the injury scare the maintenance of the same team seemed likely. Not so now. Agree no certainties on McGain.

If Australia was due to tour India and/or Sri Lanka sometime in 2009.....do you think the team should go?

No I wouldn't and I don't think they will. Remembering that the English team were in India during the Mumbai attacks and now the attacks in Lahore, there's a worrying new trend. All three countries have been subject to terrorist acts in the past and that's nothing new, but with the deteriorating situation in Pakistan there's a new trend emerging.

These aren't opportunistic targets, and this isn't simply the old sectarian violence of Hindu V Muslim (or Buddhist). The attacks in Mumbai and Lahore demonstrate the sort of methodology and ideology of Al Qaeda/Taliban/Laskar i toiba etc. It's East vs West and in a region where it's relatively easy to recruit, train and disguise indigenous assassins then the security risks remain far too great. I expect to see more of the same types of attacks over the next few years given the relative ease in which they were conducted. (It was only the bravery of the bus driver and relative ignorance and inexperience of the attackers that saved the entire Sri Lankan team from being massacred)

I think you are spot on the money Graz.

It sort of kills 20/20 tournaments in India too.

If Australia was due to tour India and/or Sri Lanka sometime in 2009.....do you think the team should go?

I think we are due to tour India this year, for one of those long ODI series. Not sure though.

To suggest changes to india tours + 20/20 tournaments at this stage is over reacting a little IMO. I understand the dangers within india ATM, but it is not pakistan either. Lets face it, there is risk even touring in england this year so should we call off the ashes?

We have seen the last international in Pakistan for a long time but I think india there is a different set of issues, some similar but still different. It will force a re-think as to travel arrangements/security but ultimately the show will and should go on.

To suggest changes to india tours + 20/20 tournaments at this stage is over reacting a little IMO. I understand the dangers within india ATM, but it is not pakistan either. Lets face it, there is risk even touring in england this year so should we call off the ashes?

I think your missing the point by a fair margin. Neither Pakistan or India can guarantee nor provide any reliable basis of security to the cricketers from terrorists who have both the intent, the record and the infrastructure to access major targets and the weaponry in those countries. This is not the case with England

We have seen the last international in Pakistan for a long time but I think india there is a different set of issues, some similar but still different. It will force a re-think as to travel arrangements/security but ultimately the show will and should go on.

Unfortunately the issues of Pakistan are very much intertwined with India. The outcomes are the same and that is the issue.

I am a bit sceptical as to where the 25 commando's on guard for the Sri Lankan team / Umpires convoy went, once the shooting started. That is a major worry. Let alone the attack. This may have been a "very, very sad" time for Sri Lankan & International Cricket, had the policeman not removed the bus driver from the drivers seat and driven to Gaddafi Stadium.

Sometimes....I just get very angry when news like this comes out.. :angry:

4/303 at stumps. Brilliant start, didn't quite go on with it as we were 0/184 at the second drinks break. But overall a good day's play.

Hughes is a very exciting prospect, at 20 years old. Had the guts to go for consecutive sixes to race through the 90s.

First time we've gone into a test match with an unchanged line up since the SCG test of 2008. Let's hope Siddle and Hilfenhaus are actually fit.

The batting track now has gremlins in it. Aussies in a good position. The referral system has teething problems too.

The batting track now has gremlins in it. Aussies in a good position. The referral system has teething problems too.

The referral system is a joke. It takes far too long, and doesn't always make the correct decision.

As for the match, it's not often you can lose 5/4 yet end the day in control. But I'm sure the Melbourne Test will be in the back of the Aussies' minds at the moment.

Credit to McDonald for bowling so well.

8/10 at one stage, has to be some kind of record!

8/10 at one stage, has to be some kind of record!

What about the boy Hughes. Can he bat or what?

What about the boy Hughes. Can he bat or what?

Can he what! Such a level head for 20yo. What a find after so many BIG retirements. Not sure about views or reports on his captaincy potential, but I would rather him than M.Clarke in the future.

......And if we only had a capable spinner

The outlook for this test would be so different if North had held on to Kallis first ball. Instead, we're in trouble of not winning a test that hasn't been in question since early on day 2. I said this before the 5th day of the first test, where the situation was similar, and we ended up knocking them over pretty easily, but I can see a South African win here, but if Kallis and de Villiers survive the first session, we're in a lot of trouble.

I'm not sure about that. Around 300 on the last day is a big ask with Smith injured.

However, it's a decent pitch and we don't have a spinner, so it's not impossible.

I'm taking a pessimistic outlook, I know, but the South Africans really are top class cricketers, and I wouldn't put it past them, particularly considering the physical state of our bowlers.

Well, 2 early strikes should be enough to prevent a loss now. Duminy's the one we need now, and he was just dropped (though it was a very tough chance) by Haddin.

Aussies look home despite Brad Haddin, who's not a keeper's a#sehole.

Gilchrist was a freak because he was a great keeper/batsman. But unless another Gilchrist comes along, I'd rather have a keeper who only averages high 20s low 30s like Healy did, than a batsman/keeper like Haddin. Give him a game in the shorter form of the game, but that's it.

Hopefully they take Wade to England as the 2nd keeper.

Aussies look home despite Brad Haddin, who's not a keeper's a#sehole.

Gilchrist was a freak because he was a great keeper/batsman. But unless another Gilchrist comes along, I'd rather have a keeper who only averages high 20s low 30s like Healy did, than a batsman/keeper like Haddin. Give him a game in the shorter form of the game, but that's it.

Hopefully they take Wade to England as the 2nd keeper.

I think your being a touch harsh, haddin is a international class keeper who can bat. My biggest concern is still no specialist spinner in the side. Mcgain has to play the dead rubber as a lead up to the ashes.

How good has it been watching johnson and siddle intimidate one of the "best" batting line ups on a "good" track. SAT night was one of the best sessions of fast bowling i have watched!

I think your being a touch harsh, haddin is a international class keeper who can bat. My biggest concern is still no specialist spinner in the side. Mcgain has to play the dead rubber as a lead up to the ashes.

How good has it been watching johnson and siddle intimidate one of the "best" batting line ups on a "good" track. SAT night was one of the best sessions of fast bowling i have watched!

Agree on both fronts Monty.

Gilly was a freak because he was such a devastating batsman. He was also a very good but not brillliant keeper. There were days when Gilly was just ordinary with the gloves.

Haddin came in with big shoes to fill. He was rusty early but has more than justified his selection.

McGain absolutely has to play in the 3rd test. It a perfect chance to see his credentials and Test capabilities ahead of the Ashes in England.

And yes both Mitch and Siddle have been outstanding. Steyn may have been the bowler of 2008 ahead of an emerging Johnson but Johnson is taking it to another level. Siddle's improvement and effort in the past six months has been outstanding.

Hilf could come into his own in England if he can move the ball away from the right hander at pace.

Agree on both fronts Monty.

Gilly was a freak because he was such a devastating batsman. He was also a very good but not brillliant keeper. There were days when Gilly was just ordinary with the gloves.

Haddin came in with big shoes to fill. He was rusty early but has more than justified his selection.

McGain absolutely has to play in the 3rd test. It a perfect chance to see his credentials and Test capabilities ahead of the Ashes in England.

And yes both Mitch and Siddle have been outstanding. Steyn may have been the bowler of 2008 ahead of an emerging Johnson but Johnson is taking it to another level. Siddle's improvement and effort in the past six months has been outstanding.

Hilf could come into his own in England if he can move the ball away from the right hander at pace.

Agree re: Haddin. His batting is improving rapidly, which will ease the pressure and allow the selectors to play McGain, batting Johnson at 8.

Johnson will soon overtake Steyn as the no. 1 paceman. And Siddle won't be too far behind.

Now that South Africa's lost their first series since 2006, their side's being changed like ours has been: http://content.cricinfo.com/rsavaus2009/co...ory/394673.html

McKenzie, Morkel dropped. Prince not only returns, but opens, and will be captain.

And to top it all off, the Windies held off England again for another draw, meaning they've won the series 1-0!

And to top it all off, the Windies held off England again for another draw, meaning they've won the series 1-0!

Where does that put england in the pecking order, below NZ+WI?

Rough World standings....... - any thoughts?

Aust

SA

IND

NZ

WI

ENG

PAK?

SRI?

ZIM