Pitched online – by Bobby
- Last test for Ricky?
Seeing Ricky Ponting and Brad Hadden in their last test is not an impossible thought as the Australian media has been crying out for their heads since the last test. Ponting has been under severe pressure since the Ashes loss in Australia which also saw him relinquish the captaincy.
The Aussie metal will be severely tested as the Proteas will want to hammer a 1 – 0 advantage home and win or draw in the 2nd test at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg today. It has been interesting to read in the press that the Aussie skipper, Clarke, maintains that they left the disappointment of Newlands in Cape Town.
A lot of “brave talk” has taken place on how they are going to approach this test – I am however of the opinion that if the Proteas apply the necessary pressure this nut might crack sooner then we think.
My reasoning is that the events at Newlands are not only unheard of in test cricket but it also left a nasty dent in the proud heritage of Australian cricket. It is totally uncharted terrain for them to capitulate like they did, and self-doubt would be a natural reaction which will make them very vulnerable. Combine that with the inexperience of a couple of players, injuries and pressure I find it difficult to believe that they can survive this one.
- King Kallis to be only the 4th player to pass 12000 test runs.
Two important records are up for grabs in this test – Dale Steyn who requires 6 wickets to equal Dennis Lille to be the fastest to 250 test wickets and Jacques Kallis who only needs 5 runs to surpass the great Brian Lara, and 51 runs to reach 12 000 test runs – good luck to them!
I must admit that, for a change, it’s nice to see the Aussies panic a bit. They always seemed settled, organised and calculated, which is not the case today – they are rebuilding and the character of Aussie XI will be severely tested.
Don’t I just love it!
Sport Spot – Paul
Volgens berigte sal Bryce Lawrence nie in Suid-Afrika kom blaas as hy voel dat sy veiligheid bedreig word nie.
Paul Dobson, ere-president van die WP Skeidsregtersvereniging, maak vanoggend die stelling dat dit ’n skande is hoe Suid-Afrika reageer het op Bryce Lawrence se vertoning by die Wêreldbeker. “Dit was nie Bryce wat die bal twee keer vorentoe aangegee het nie; dit was nie hy wat die bal twee keer voor die Aussies se doellyn aangeslaan het nie..” en dies meer.
Tog het Lawrence self erken dat hy nie so goed geblaas het as wat hy kon nie.
Bobby verskil met Dobson. Hy voel dat jy soms spesifiek speel om ‘’n strafskop te melk. As die skeidsregter dit dan nie raaksien nie, of nie reg blaas nie, verander dit die konteks en verloop van die wedstryd.
Ek glo dat die deursneë SA rugbyondersteuner nie laagvatte en drankgooiery op skeidsregters, of enige vorm van intimidasie, goedpraat of wil sien nie. In teorie seker wel, maar nie in die praktyk nie, hoewel mens in Lawrence se geval dalk ’n uitsondering kan oorweeg?
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