Australia tour of South Africa 2018

[RUDI]

Absolutely delighted for Morne Morkel getting his 300 Test wicket

 

[Perfect Square]

Can't believe. Just 4 out of form innings and you guys are already counting his last few years?

 

[ParkedTheBus]

Eh? He just scored 687 runs at an average of 137.40 in the Ashes a few months ago? I know our bowling isn't great in those conditions but give him some credit!

Ponting had an unbelievable Ashes in 06/07 and a pretty good series vs Sri Lanka after that too but declined drastically later. The signs are there. Smith is struggling to cope with his declining reflexes just like Ponting did.

 

[ParkedTheBus]

Can't believe. Just 4 out of form innings and you guys are already counting his last few years?

It is not about just this series. It's the bigger picture. Observe how his agility in the field has massively gone down resulting in so many dropped catches. Observe how he struggles to score quickly in all formats unlike in the past where he could accelerate with ease. Observe how he's constantly late to most deliveries now. Ominous signs.

 

[asprin]

Or just have him play India and he will be back among runs.

 

[Yash.]

I agree with @ParkedTheBus here. Smith has declined rapidly. Yeah he was a freak in Ashes but in the ODIs, his decline was obvious as he failed to pick up singles and was not good. And then the SA tests.

 

[Markkkkk]

Not being reactionary but Smith is showing signs of a decline. Guess 2 or 3 years from now, he'll be fully finished. His reflexes are weakening and other aspects of his game aren't good enough for him to survive as an elite-level batsman. Hope I'm wrong but his time as a top batsman could very well be over. He's showing the same signs Ponting did around 2007 and Amla around 2014-15.

None of his dismissals have indicated that his reactions have regressed. Amazing how reactionary some fans are

 

[Velocity]

Anyone can have a bad series, consider the fact that Smith played almost three months straight of grueling cricket. It's going to be tough mentally and physically considering how many days in the field he was in. I'm sure he can bounce back.

So surprising people have such a dramatic reaction to just 4 innings where he's scored a 50 or two, everyone is out of form at some point in their career. He's isn't batting badly either.

 

[Mijurkat]

Don't know why they select Usman?
Ed Cowan is the best.

 

[Jalen]

I never want to see Khawaja in australia colours for any format of the game ever again

 

[CerealKiller]

Don't know why they select Usman?
Ed Cowan is the best.

He's retired

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Oh my my! Look at the cheats go at it! First Handscomb was used to cover up a "brain fade" and now Bancroft being used for ball tampering. Steve Smith is more like Cheat Smith!

This same chap was calling on Rabada's ban being overturned. Where to from here?

 

[ParkedTheBus]

South Africa firmly in the driver's seat but reckon Australia will have at least a half-chance chasing anything less than 400. Key is to bowl South Africa out before lunch tomorrow. ABD has probably been the player of the series so far, has been so clutch for South Africa.

 

[RUDI]

Bancroft looks like he can in deep trouble (ball tampering - caught on camera)

 

[Saeglopur]

Bancroft looks like he can in deep trouble (ball tampering - caught on camera)

No way Smith and Lehmann weren't in on it or even behind it too. Big questions for them, particularly after all their whining recently. Going to be interesting.