H_T

Any chance for Matthew Wade ? He remains in good knick with the bat. Shocking news.

The pitch may appear fine, but it has a bit in it for the bowlers (a bit of movement). If you listen to the commentators the conditions (overcast conditions earlier in the day when the cloud is burning off), the batsmen must be cautious. Bowlers were getting some movement. Both on Day 1 and Day 2 in the first two sessions, both countries struggled with the bat somewhat. Granted some of the Aussie batsmen are being outsmarted by the SA bowlers and in some cases outsmarting themselves at the crease. Hughes fishes outside off stump to a good line and the slip corden are just waiting every time. Ponting is out of sorts and has been for a while and Haddin doesn't seem to put a price on his wicket. There was some exceptional bowling from certain individuals who were prepared to bowl a good line stump to stump and a bit fuller in length (most notably Watson), so too Philander, Morkel and Steyn in patches. The likes of Clarke's innings really stands out. It's no coincidence that late on both days, there has been more runs and less wickets

I like Watson more and more each outing. Reminds me much of Kallis.

Unbelievable. 47.

Yep. Test cricket is back. It's a Test alright. Ebs and flows.

This would be a handy time for Phil Hughes to dig in at the crease today. edit: As I hit the post button, they dropped him in slips. I think I'll stop mozzing him now !

^This. As for naming names. I like it. The senior guys should be mature enough to take it on the chin. It's about being accountable and putting players on notice. Especially the ones who get paid good coin and have had better seasons than 2011.

96 and out. Sth Africa's second lowest score since re-admission. Aussies lead on first innings by 188 . Inside an hour Sth Africa lost 9 wickets !

Watson bowling stump to stump and consistently, has paid dividends. MJ could do well to take a leaf out of Watson's book.

6/77 ! Watson on fire and now Harris joins in for an important lbw on De Villiers out for just 8 runs. What looked worrying at lunch with the wicket, good bowling is just what the doctor ordered for Australia !

My memory is a little cloudy right now, but he has bowled well there in the past, has he not ?

Steyn is a very good bowler. And Clarke's innings is a very important one for the team and it was good to see him score an innings like that (not out, mind you) when the team requires one to stand up. The Australian bowlers will have some work to do if we're to win this Test.

Other than the continued T$/GWS and DB threads and a bit of the Sylvia thread you haven't really missed much. Yes, the Cup has gone been won by the French again, Black Caviar has made it 16 from 16 starts and Banana prices are dropping. And there's training this morning with what should be a fuller squad at 10am. Welcome back.

"We thought he would have gone early second round, maybe even late first round - we're certainly fortunate for him to be there at pick 36. The other two selections - we can't believe they weren't picked up earlier - put it this way, we were looking at them for pick 36 !" - quote to come from MFC recruiter post draft.

Wow. Right on the money on Katich. This latest outburst will prove costly. In more ways than one. If he wants to make runs, he'll have to stop sulking first.

It's a small world.

You know I tried plugging your name in the search engine with Scully and like Andy's efforts, it almost blew the search engine. Can't find anything you mentioned with the name Phil "you know who" also. But I know you stated that months ago anyway. Someone will get it. If I had a year up my sleeve I would trawl through each of the several 30+ page "you know who threads"....

Could be right, Redleg. Will he walk around the fence before the game signing autographs ?... a la Ablett style at Skilled (Now Simonds Stadium). Btw Redleg, heard from a good source Americain has pulled up very well from it's Moonee valley Cup win and looking wonderful for the Cup. Another whisper is Jukebox Jury has been impressive at the quarantine centre on it's morning work. Americain does quite a bit of work building up it's stamina with 1800m workout gallops, looking as good if not better than last year. Hard to toss. Your call on back to back looks very good. Could have put this in the sports board but there's tumble weeds present over there. And horses love bananas, so I guess it's relevant here.

What I have seen of him has been impressive. Does look the determined type with a cool head in the limited exposure of 2 games. Prefer to see more of him and I hope he progresses into a big plus for the team.

Oh..

Yes, Hewitt has lost his zip thanks to a series of injuries. It's a demanding game physically and emotionally and he has lost the ability to maintain a competitive edge. Let's not forget his young family whilst been the joy of his life, have no doubt also moved the goal posts on his priorities and for some time now - he no longer plays the amount of tournaments he used to - year in, year out. He targets certain tournaments nowadays into his schedule. And that has to effect his consistency and hence results. Anyone who ranks at number one for a large chunk of time as Hewitt had done, plus win a Grand Slam event or two (Wimbledon & US Open) , as well as represent Australia at Davis Cup with distinction over a long time, deserves praise and recognition. Even if he did get a little heated on court. I'll always remember him as a great competitor when his tennis career is over. And I have no doubt so will many of his opponents.

3 x 400metres before the first bounce. Well done on your coaching feat.

Agree on Americain. (see Sports Board). Btw Black Caviar is now a 5yo br mare.

Today's Sunday Herald Sun, Greg Chappell has a view on today's landscape of Australian cricket and what needs to be done. I share his opinion and have touched on some aspects in the odd post in this thread. The Argus review highlighted areas of concern in Australian cricket. One of being the contracts in place for the experienced players. Good informative view. http://www.heraldsun...o-1226173941775 As Chappell mentions, they need to search and back young potential champions, re-assess the steps to top grade cricket and ensure a contract system review.

Maybe if we threw in 5 Kg of Banana's at the latest price along with pick 12 and one of our compensation picks. That might have done it. Sheeds loves banana's.