Seeing that the first match is drawn, both teams go into the Boxing Day test match level.
SA will have to change their team, with Kallis likely to play. I say Prince goes for Kallis. Langeveldt should go as SA really need variety in their attack, especially on a MCG pitch, where the ball *will *spin. That is where Boje comes in. Kemp and Rudolph have earned their place with that match saving effort in Perth.
AS for AUS, Langer is definitely out. They’ve decided to go with Phil Jacques, who has been in great form in ING cup with scores of 29, 42, 100, 151* and 158*. Micheal Hussey, therefore, will stay in the middle order. The selectors are likely to give Symonds one more chance. MacGil will definitely play, alongside Warne. That means Bracken will probably miss out.
Should be a pretty good game, though AUS go in red hot favourites. It will be essential for SA that their batsmen play the spin combiantion of Warne and MacGil well. Also, in this game they really need to hold on to their catches. They dropped quite a few (seven, in fact) in the first test, including Hodge, which cost them 190 runs. They can’t afford to do that again.
Oh, and if Warne picks up 10 wickets, he will become the first bowler ever to take 100 wickets in the calendar year. He has already surpassed Dennis Lilee’s record, which he made in 1981, of 85 test wickets. However, with MacGil also playing, it seems unlikely that Warne will get the milestone.
Prince will remain mainly because of his colour and secondary as the selectors will feel he need some more time to cement his place.
Langeveldt will be replaced by Boje.
Kemp will be out for Kallis even though Kallis might not be able to bowl. Might even be that AB or Rudolph will have to amke way, but I think the selectors might rather go with Kemp. Kemp still needs to prove himself as a test player to the selectors.
Good to see that AUS also now want to have a “Jaques” in their team
The AUS team is getting too old with the new man at 28 being the youngest. I believe they are getting ripe for the plucking by various teams…
Asad Rauf from Pak is umpiring in the Boxing Day Test between Aus and SA. I hope kay Asad mian australians kau wohi khoon kay aansoo rulaaye jau Hair nay hamaiN Faisalabad may rulwaaye haiN.
In last 10 years or so, I have seen Aussies in such miserable position many times before. However, as stated by Imran Khan, the real test of a team’s character is when it is under pressure. If so, this Australian team has displayed its true character on so many different occasions by showing its ability to bounce back from worst positions with Ashes Series an exception.
The most memorable series was Aus Vs Srilanka played in Srilanka in 2003-2004. This series was a true classic. We all know how formidable Srilankan team is at its home ground. In all three test matches, Srilanka pushed Australia to the wall by the time the first innings was completed. In all three test matches, Australia batted first. In the first test match, Australia scored 220 in its first innings and Srilanka responded to it by scoring 381 runs. Yet, Aussies won the first test match by 197 runs! In the second test match, Aussies scored 120 runs in their first innings and Lankans scored 211 in its respond. Yet, Aussies ended up winning the second test match by 27 runs. In the third test match, when Aussies scored 401 runs in their first innings, Lankans blasted them by scoring 407 runs in the first innings. Still, Aussies won the third test match by 121 runs!
As much as I hate the rudeness that Australian cricketers bring with them, I admire their ability to play wonderful cricket when things are not going in their favor.
