Macca

3-15 Johnson has now racked up 58 wickets @ 14.05 in less than 3 and a half months (8 Tests) Surely that's some sort of record.

We'll either want 30 or 40 minutes at them before tea or it might be a 500 lead we're looking for. At this rate, we might achieve both goals. Declaration at around about 11.20pm our time at a guess.

Relax, we've got this ... 1-153 in that session. There's a stack of time left. We'll have this match wrapped up before the tea break tomorrow. Doolan has done quite well if a run a minute for the session was the goal. He's scored his last 32 runs off 53 balls. We can't be expected a relative newcomer to score at a run a ball. They could have sent Watson or Smith in but chose not to. Patience.

Yep, good point. Swann probably should have waited until the end of the series. It wasn't a good look regardless of whether he thought he was done or not. Warner batting has become phenomenal. It should be noted that he made 70 and 66 as part of a losing cause in the 2nd Test.

Adding further to your points H_T ... here's my take on things, not necessarily a strong view on my part ... Kallis - played his last game in a winning series against India and made a century in his last knock. Good note to go out on and he may well have made his decision to retire beforehand anyway. Smith - the timing seems odd but what if he was always going to retire after this current series anyway? The view could be that at least he hasn't retired after or during an easier series. As for England, Swann has since stated that he'd been contemplating retirement for quite some time and Trott had a debilitating illness and has since made inroads towards making a comeback. Others like Prior simply lost form and was dropped and if Pietersen had a choice in things, he'd still be able to play for England. I agree that the way the Australians have played may have confirmed those retirements but I'm doubtful that we've been the cause of those retirements like some may think. What is also of note is that South Africa only play 5 Tests in the next 15 months (2 against Zimbabwe and 3 at home against the West Indies)

The Smith retirement comes as bit of a surprise. If he had it in mind to retire at the end of this series then I'm not sure how he can get the timing right unless his team were to go out with a series win (that may still happen but it's a long shot) As for his own form, he's struggled, but we have bowled very well to him. Going out on top may have been his original goal. It seems as if the last 2 sides we've met (England and South Africa) are/were in the process of a transition period (but we weren't to know that) Whether our team has been a contributing factor to both team's transition period's is debatable. Smith has been a terrific batsman and leader and has had a fine career. They'll still be no.1 in the world (technically) regardless of the result of this current match so in many ways, it may be a good time for him to retire.

Agree with a few of the above posters ... If we have a lead of around about 450 by tea, we'll then have 4 sessions at them. 3 of those sessions will most probably be 2 and a half hours long. That is, in effect, almost an extra session. Ample time to press for victory. We're in the box seat and the weather forecast is for fine weather.

I feel sorry for you - in fact, the only reason I ever spoke to you previously was because no one else would. Seek help

Yep, du Plessis again. He knows how to dig in. They should fight hard, they are the no.1 team ... not sure we bowled that well in the last hour before tea. About another 38 overs can be bowled from now until stumps (maximum of 2 and a half hours) and the new ball is due in 20 overs.

Self belief and confidence can take you a long way in sport. A lot of it is above the shoulders. The Aussies have well and truly got their mojo back. Now for the footy club to do the same! 8-10 wins this season for starters! (at least)

The ball is doing a bit - it's more a matter of just getting one wicket. They've been playing their shots so that can increase our opportunities. ... and there it is! Johnno again!

We're well on top Smithy. Would have taken 2 wickets in that session. 3 wickets was a win. 2 more wickets and we're into their tail.

Go away and bother someone else with your inane ramblings.

Great bowling from Harris. Might have had 2 in that over! Both Harris and Patto are getting a bit of reverse swing by the looks of it. 4 wickets before lunch - excellent result.

Patto has bowled some good deliveries but not enough dot balls. He's just starting back again of course so he gets a bit of grace. Still looks a good batting wicket - 3 wickets per session today and we can push for victory on the last 2 days (both the last 2 days have been extended by at least half an hour*) *Another half an hour can also be added to the end of each day if insufficient overs have been bowled - makes for a possible 2 x 7 hour days of actual play. There's another one - Johnno!

I reckon Marsh was the victim of the unwritten rule of last in, first out. Lehmann mentioned that the batting order in this particular Test was the originally preferred order for the 1st Test (Watson obviously didn't play in the 1st Test so that put paid to those plans) Remembering that Doolan seemed to be next in line for a spot (he was put on standby for the 5th Ashes Test in Sydney) I might have kept Marsh as well but I can understand the selectors thinking. I also remember reading somewhere that they were going to try and give Doolan a decent run at it. We can at least say that a new player has been given a decent chance. The reasoning behind Siddle being dropped was that he'd dropped his pace (once again, according to Lehmann) However, I reckon he dropped a yard of pace quite some time ago. He's still managed to fill the 3rd seamers role more than adequately so it could be that Pattinson's training form got him over the line. Lets hope Patto does bowl well as we're almost certainly going to need him to. Meanwhile, Clarke is now 149 not out. He sure knows how to convert 3 figures into something a lot bigger. A great knock - memorable, in fact.

If we take the view that there isn't a player who has had a line ruled through their name, we do have a number of alternatives (batsmen) moving forward. Khawaja, Hughes, Henriques, Maxwell or Marsh may get more chances (it's pleasing to see that Maxwell is going to play County cricket this season) In shield ranks there are any number of batsmen who have got a bit of potential (none seem to busting down the door but that possibility does remain) The selectors will need to replace Rogers sooner or later but Chris may go on for a few more years yet. With improved training methods and what not, professional sportspeople are continuing on past their traditional age of retirement. The bowling ranks are looking good with Starc, Cummins and a few others waiting in the wings. Muirhead, Boyce and Ahmed are plying their wares with their leg spin and all 3 show a bit of promise. According to your logic, anyone who thinks that Clarke is a good skipper is somehow thrown into the category of "Idolising National Leaders" It's just utter nonsense. I've no interest in arguing this out any further - there's no point. Don't quote me again - on any matter.

It was a really gutsy knock from Michael (judging on from what I did see and from the subsequent reports) Even his harshest critics should be giving credit where it's due.

Yep, Alex deserves a good go at it. We've asked him to bat in a tough spot for a newcomer and that needs to be taken into account when we're appraising him. He's shown a bit and his shots through point and cover have looked classy. Agree with the rest of your post. Siddle will play Test cricket again ... he has dropped a yard in pace but he should be able to get that back with all the help the modern day sportsperson can get these days. In many ways he's an ideal 3rd seamer and opportunities will come his way again (especially with the rate of injuries to our fast bowlers that's been happening in last few years) Watto at no.6 ... I like it. It effectively means that if the selectors want to look at an Henriques, Mitch Marsh or maybe even a Maxwell, the replacement for Watson subsequently just slips into the same batting spot (or thereabouts) We're in a great position to push for victory with Steyn out. I thought that the South Africans might have had the upper hand going into this Test but we've come out and won the 1st day quite convincingly. So far, so good.

I'm not going to engage with you if you're going to resort to these sort of acidic and insulting comments. You are so far off the mark it's laughable. My view has nothing to do with adulation or worshiping of any description. I simply applaud good leadership and excellent performances in sport and I try not to play personalities. When it's the other way around, I'll comment accordingly. Your hatred of Clarke is obvious and it's there for all of us to see. The truth is that you're carrying on like a sore loser - take a good look in the mirror.

If ever a player deserves a century, it's Clarke after last nights gutsy effort. Battered and bruised after surviving a torrid over from Morkel, he soldiered on to be 92 not out at the close of play (well supported by Smith, who is 50 not out) Along with Warner's tremendous century, Clarke's knock could prove to be a match winning one. All this in the most important Test of the year (arguably) Kudos to both players. Steyn looks like he's twinged his hammy and that's bad luck for him and his country ... but, that's sport. Playing 3 Tests in 22 days was always going to test the players durability. Advantage Australia.

Another from Jeff Lorber Fusion's latest album, 'Hacienda' ... this track is called "Fab Gear" Macca's jazz 6.9

Here's a couple from Steely Dan ... not quite jazz or maybe it is? First "Black Cow" from their acclaimed album 'Aja' ... then "Haitian Divorce" from their album recorded a year earlier called 'The Royal Scam' Macca's jazz 6.8

Plenty like him a lot despite all that. It's unnecessary, but he seems to thrive on it. Must say, he does bring more people to the game ... maybe even a few who follow the super short version of the game

3 x t20's follow on after this Test. Looks like we're already in that mode 0-43 after 6 overs