South Africa V Australia test series

Harris shouting "don't you fucking forget about me" ! 6 for 146
 
Harris has been due this performance. He has been superb
 
As much as I hate to say it australian attack looks much more menacing with pattinson. Sorry Sidds
 
Socnorb said:
As much as I hate to say it australian attack looks much more menacing with pattinson. Sorry Sidds
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think it might be an uphill battle for siddle if these young blokes can stay injury free .. He just seems to have lost half a yard of pace over the last year or so and when you basically just bowl back of a length like he does, 130kph isn't going to worry too many batsmen too often at test level .. having said that, he's had a happy knack of breaking a big partnership or owning a key opposition batsman or three over the years so he certainly isn't a spent force.. and you've gotta love his aggression and attitude ..

Maybe he should ditch the '64 bananas a day' stuff and get some meat back in his diet .. don't think he's bowled one ball in the 140s since he became a vego!

Just imagine the competition for spots in our attack if Pattinson, Starc and the perma-injured Pat Cummins are all available
 
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Graeme Smith announces his retirement

Graeme Smith has shocked teammates, Cricket South Africa and the wider cricket community by announcing his retirement.

Smith’s 347-match international career will end after the Test series decider against Australia in his home city of Cape Town. The Proteas captain informed teammates of the decision at the end of play on day three, when Australia held a 234-run lead with all 10 wickets in hand.

"This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my life," said Smith, the most-capped Test captain in history.

"It’s a decision that I have been considering since my ankle surgery in April last year.

‘‘I have a young family to consider, and I felt that retiring at Newlands would be the best way to end it because I have called this place home since I was 18 years old.’’

Smith’s form has been on the wane, and his average of 8.4 during this three-Test series with Australia reflected a batsman that never looked overly comfortable in any of the five innings. But most pundits had expected the 33-year-old to lead his nation at the one-day World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year.

Smith spoke of what a ‘‘good place’’ he was in during the pre-match press conference for the third Test, and with confidence that runs were around the corner.

Proteas coach Russell Domingo was similarly upbeat.

‘‘Graeme’s record speaks for itself. It’s very seldom that he goes through a series without making a contribution with the bat,’’ Domingo said of Smith’s form in the lead-up.

‘‘So it’s not something I’m too fazed about.’’

AB de Villiers is the Test side’s vice-captain and most obvious successor, although Faf du Plessis is skipper of the national Twenty20 team and his leadership is highly rated in the country.

Cricket South Africa chief executive Haroon Lorgat admitted Smith’s decision came as a surprise.

‘‘We must respect him for deciding to call time,’’ Lorgat said of Smith, who has helped keep his side No.1 in the ICC’s Test rankings since August, 2012.

‘‘He would not have taken this decision lightly or without a great deal of thought.’’

A World Cup win and home Test series victory over Australia are the only two major accolades missing from Smith’s reign as captain - which dates back to 2003.

Barring a staggering collapse from the tourists on Tuesday, it is highly unlikely he will achieve either.

GRAEME SMITH’S CAREER:

OVERALL:

Has scored 9262 Test runs at an average of 48.49

Made Test debut at Newlands age 21, was 22 years old when he became captain

South Africa’s youngest captain and Test cricket’s longest-serving captain

Lifted South Africa to No.1 in ICC’s Test rankings in 2012, a position they will hold regardless of the result in the third Test against Australia.

Under Smith, South Africa’s most recent Test seires loss at home came in 2009 and their most recent Test series loss away came in 2006.

Played 33 Twenty20 internationals, 197 one-day internationals and 117 Tests

FORM SLUMP:

Average of 8.4 in three-Test series with Australia.

If he is unable to increase the number, it will be the fifth lowest series average by a South African batsman and lowest since Daryll Cullinan’s 5.2 against Australia in 1994.

Since scoring 68 against India on December 19, Smith’s Test innings have been: 44, 47, 27no, 10, 4, 9, 14 and 5.

Source: Graeme Smith announces his retirement
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Well Smith has been at it for a long time and a testament to the fact determination and grit are even more important than a wonderful technique. Wish the selectors would learn that with one Phil Hughes. Shame Smith won't join the 10 000 run club.
 
Smith has done so well to have his record with his technique. Must be very strong of mind. Phil Hughes should have a long chat with Smith. Not a great tactical skipper but a good leader. He has the most test as skipper of all time I believe.
 
Warner really going after Steyn here.
 
I reckon we should send Watson in next. He's by far the best T20 batsman left in the sheds and he thrives in ODI like circumstances where his innings don't have any real consequence to the test.
 
Warner with a stand up home run over right field
 
Twin tons from Warner is brilliant. Hope we can get wickets with the new ball.
 
pathetic stuff from south africa bowling 3 feet wide of off stump ...
 
Yeah it's pathetic but they have absolutely no answer to this Warner onslaught. Live average: 47+

Like him or not, he is world class at that level.
 
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