Rhino Richards

What do you think the media do if Ponting gave Symonds a public broadside and said he did not support certain players in or pushing for a Test? It would media salad days and Ponting would be hung for being ungratious, unprofessional and divisive. Ponting would be finished and Australian Cricket would be deeply embarrassed and shamed. Despite the whims of sports followers, the media is not the place to deal with this issue. In fact its the last place it should be. The last time I saw something handled through the media was the fallout after Australia lost to NZ in the RL World Cup. And didn't RL come up smelling roses after that! It was a PR disaster which showed much of the sport in its true colours. At the moment I suspect there is more going wrong in Symonds life than just his front foot position when batting. There is a real risk that Symonds with his career shot becomes more of a media bunny than he has been thus far. Admonishing Symonds in public is the last thing he needs. Roy is still smarting from a perceived lack of support from above over the Harbarjan monkey incident in Australia. He needs to grow up. We all agree on that. But public condemnation would be judt dumb on a number of fronts If Ponting is going to speak with him privately and offer some helpful words of advice then its a feather in Punter's and Australian cricket cap for showing maturity and some compassion.

Completely agree about Roy. Not so much as brain explosion, more the fizz from a half flat can of Solo. I now understand in the ad why the guy in the disused industrial site traded Roy in a towel for an eski full of sugar drinks. Good thinking. I think any hope of redemption for the Ashes one day would seem way off. Its ridiculous given that Australia is crying out for a Number six that can take a game by the scruff of the neck, but Symonds seems to be necking something else. Its no slur on Duminy to suggest that his start is inferior to Lara and Tendulkar. His first Test was better than Bradman's!!!! Jury is still out on Hussey and McDonald IMO. Yeah I know they are Victorian players!!!

I meant Australia but forgot to include it when I mentioned with Clarke. No argument with Sachin and the Prince. Outstanding from 18 and 20 years old when they debuted at Test level. In my mind arguable two of the best batsman produced since Bradman. Sachin for technique, Lara for the flow. When on song I cant think of a better batsman that I have seen than Lara in full throttle. It would be demoralising for a bowler. Remarkably neither were successful or capable team captains during their careers.

. Siddle was very good but *Cough* no Johnson?

....and he is only 22yo. He has stacks of time and opportunity to make the big time. However, is JP Duminy the find of the summer? At 24yo (still very young by modern cricket standards) his performance with the bat and in the field have been astonishing in their maturity and poise. I am scratching the think of a better debut under tough competitive conditions from a player under 25? Michael Clark in India in 2005(?)???

Fantastic Series with a fitting and dramatic finale that gives great credit to both captains, both sides and the administration. The best series since the Ashes 2005. Both sides should be absolutely praised for the competitive character and sportsmanship of all the players during an absorbing and rivetting series. The conduct of the players and officials particularly during the contentious Kallis decision was exemplary and should be a training video basis for all other teams. Graeme Smith was a stand out man of the series. And a brave effort in the 2nd innings. The last time I saw this happen was when Pakistani opener Talaat Ali came out to bat with a broken finger against Australia in Adelaide in the early 70s. He held the bat in his good (top) hand and held his injured hand behind his back. He lasted 3 balls. Smith's effort deserves recognition against the quicks. Although the ICC rankings have Australia on top, there is no doubt in my mind that the South Africa is the top side ATM in terms of performance, sportsmanship and character. They absolutely embarrass the Indians in the last two categories who should take a lesson from them. No doubt they wont. Good series coming up in SA. However both sides need to manage their strike bowlers Steyn and Johnson. Both have been fantastic but both looked physically jaded from their herculean efforts. Nothing better than Test cricket. Barely interested in the lolly forms of the game. Meanwhile English cricket once more shoots itself in the foot with the resignation of both Captain and Coach. Roll on Ashes 2009.......

I thought that in Perth in 2005 when we had McGrath and Warne. Australia must keep pushing for another wicket (or more) pre lunch. Its all about survival now for SA.

Amla c Katich b Hauritz 59 4/110. 266 to win with 6 (make that 5) wickets GAME ON. Australia is heading for the jugular. Great stuff. Good use of the bowlers today. They need to press on for home.

The wickets yesterday fell to batsman error not from the ball doing anything significantly off the track. The first hour is critical for both sides. Australia needs wickets, SA needs runs and no outs. The pitch is still good to bat on. Australia does not have a fifth day bowler. Every bowler needs to chip in and take a wicket or two but McDonald will be important for the one that could keep low. SA have their nose in front at this point.

Have a cigar! B)

While we must seek a victory in the first instance, a draw would not be so bad given we have been so comprehensively outplayed in the first two tests. Regardless of the result, this has been a far better showing by the Aussies this time around. Smith being out really does take their lead batsman out and denies them a good kickstart to their chase. Who will open with McKenzie?? De Villiers? If the bowlers can derive some indifferent bounce then the pressure will surely be on the SAs.

So when is the declaration going to be? 1/2 hour before tea.......Aust 3/199, 317 in front. If they can get to 400+ in front with an hour before stumps, they could make in roads. If a wicket falls I would play Haddin at six to get the scoreboard ticking. Factors to consider: Smith wont bat until the death knell if at all. If he does he will struggle. So SA has to rejig the batting order. Alot falls on the shoulders of Siddle, Johnson and Bollinger (whose luck must change). Very little spin ATM but will the pitch crumble. Its important that Australia chases (and hopefully gets the victory). With half the side having not experienced a real win agasinst good competition (eg Haddin, Johnson, Siddle, Bollinger and Hauritz) so far it will give the young guns some much needed confidence that they can get 20 wickets and win. It will also set them up to take some confidence on the SA tour. If they can win/draw the series in SA, then they should be good enough to retain the Ashes. However, a flogging in SA leaves us in poor stead for the Ashes defence

Agree. I was thinking that Johnson's good form with ball and bat is in the Brett Lee mould.

I think Symonds is in no man's land. He's not batting well. His knee does not allow him to bowl or field to his capabilities. Off field he is a fly in the ointment. If Watson was fit then I think the door will be shut. Be interested to see if he is selected for one days. If not then he is gone. I think we have seen the future of the bowling attack with Siddle and Johnson. Johnsons maturity as a cricketer over the past 12 months has been astounding. I think thats for me He is a luxury at 9. Fits in well at 8 behind Haddin at 7. Very good on a benign pitch thats straight up and down. Wonder what he is like with the bat with ball moving about in England.

Cameron White or Marcus North????

STOP PRESS: ABC Radio announced that Shane Watson has a stress fracture in his back and will be out for up to six weeks and will only resume batting and wont bowl for up to six months. Geez, he would have to do wonderful things in 2009/2010 to even get a consideration. Questions over both his batting and bowling at the top level with a serious dark cloud over his body.

Trajectory for a quick bowler is critical along with pace and accuracy. I think the selectors are hoping to go to the Ashes with fit and in form Lee (33) and Clark (34). At the very least Clark...for his metronomic accuracy. For quick bowler to debut at 31 then he claims must be irresistible. I dont think Nannes has that strong a case. He is in the mix but it would be bizarre if Hilfenhaus was overlooked given he was in the Melbourne 13.

You forget Shaun Tate. Nannes is 31 and a wild card. The difference between his best and worst is wide and he is too much a risk for where Australia is at the moment. Hilfenhaus moves the ball to slips to the right hander and was in the Melbourne 13. Bollinger is on his home ground. I would favour Hilfenhaus. Klinger is in the mix. For the record, many of Australia's top cricketers have been selected ahead of proven performances. I have not seen Hughes bat but he comes with big raps. He is a chance on his home ground. Selection is not just a matter of most runs scored and best averages otherwise you could just have a monkey with a calculator calling the shots. Up until recently the selectors have got it pretty right with the teams. However it has been somewhat easier to build a team around a core of McGrath, Warne, Ponting, Gilly.

Get your grandmother to call Andrew Hilditch quickly before the Sydney Test. Her spin and experience will be vital.

5/145...... Good bye Matthew Hayden. Good bye Andrew Symonds Rest up Brett Lee. My ins......Hilfenhaus, Hughes (although Klinger has claims) and I think they will give Watson a last chance to do something to prove he belongs as either a batsman or bowler. Dale Steyn has has a terrific year and finished it with a real bang. Outstanding. Full credit to Punter. Under alot of pressure and he has stood up where others have withered. A test and a touch of class. I hope he gets the back to back hundreds and I hope Haddin stays with him.

Unfortunately I would back Aust to be 2-1 against SA before I would say they would be top 4 in 2009.

Love your Optimism. Its like climbing K2 one day then climbing Everest the very next day!!! I have more faith in Clark and Punter to have a stand then be able to set a defendable total and to get 10 wickets with only 3 front line bowlers Johnson (15 tests or so), Siddle (3 tests), Hauritz (3 tests). Maybe the pitch plays low and Roy takes 7 wickets bowling on one leg.

Harris takes wickets and actually turns the ball. Can bat a bit too. I am starting to warm to Harris. Made a few Australian batsman look like beach cricketers.

The series has been decided because South Africa are streets ahead of Australia in this series in all facets. You would need about 15 bad decisions in Australia's favour to even it. We at risk of losing the series 3-0. If he is not fit to bowl then he would not have been selected as an all rounder. From comments on ABC cricket he was selected to bat six only. He was not required much against NZ. And the skipper bowled Krejza to force a result in Perth. And you are right the captain can only direct the cattle he has on the park and he did not bowl Symonds and therefore I cant see how Symonds has necessarily failed with the ball.

Absolutely. The sooner these regrettable human errors are erased from the game the better. I cant wait till a Test Match/ Series is "decided" by a dubious disasterous decision.