South Africa v India tests - Jan 2018

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looks an interesting match. Well done to Hamish for establishing roots with a strong tide against him.

[Dr Cricket]

from what I seen kohli decision to bat first might actually pay off, batting might be tricky last and not sure kohli wanted to chase after not coming close in the first 2 test.

[Dr Cricket]

Shami really needs to improve on starting his innings or spells, you really can't always afford a bowler that takes 10-15 overs to get into rythym, really annoying because he is a good bowler, but can be annoying when he wastes the new ball on the first day or first bowling innings and gives 2 or 3 hit me balls in every over for the first 5-10 overs of his spell.

[sussexpob]

De Kock another that never looked set. Flashed at a few, close LBW...finally inside edges to a rare ball that did nothing.

[Dr Cricket]

De kock goes Sa in a bit of a bother now.
Trail by 62 runs with only 4 wicket remaining did say yesterday that 180 was a huge score by india, probably worth 300 in normal decks that.

[Dr Cricket]

crazy to think what the score would be for SA if Rabada didn't score 30 odd, a very good innings from him.
Top class really considering he was facing Bhuvi as well.

[Dr Cricket]

De Kock another that never looked set. Flashed at a few, close LBW...finally inside edges to a rare ball that did nothing.

very poor series for him, never looked like scoring and all at sea.
did you see his centurian innings.
6 balls 4 edges to slip and finally caught in the slips on the 5th attempt, never seen an innings like that.

[Arthur Crabtree]

A small lead either way will count for a lot though. So that could still go either way.

Also it's possible the pitch might get easier to bat on (presuming the green top might dry out and there was no moisture on day one which caused the surface to become cut up).

[sussexpob]

De Kock another that never looked set. Flashed at a few, close LBW...finally inside edges to a rare ball that did nothing.

very poor series for him, never looked like scoring and all at sea.
did you see his centurian innings.
6 balls 4 edges to slip and finally caught in the slips on the 5th attempt, never seen an innings like that.

I have said consistently I am not a great fan of De Kock. The fact his average is spiraling downwards is not a surprise to me.

One good ball, and his brain turns to scrambled eggs. Thats all it ever takes. If you bowl well and create chances, his answer is always to fight his way out, and that doesnt work often, and especially in periods where the bowlers are playing well, or like here, the ball is doing everything.

[Dr Cricket]

TBH that is why I think kohli batted first, not sure he had the confidence to chase a total, but thought the bowlers could defend a total.
if the pitches does get easier to bat on at the moment of time you expect india to at least set a decent target for SA or a massive total like in 2013 johannesburg test.
very risky policy that might pay off considering day 1 was a 150 type all out pitch innings.

[sussexpob]

crazy to think what the score would be for SA if Rabada didn't score 30 odd, a very good innings from him.
Top class really considering he was facing Bhuvi as well.

I think the Indian bowlers took a while to get used to the fact that the ball was going everywhere..

50 for Amla. A bit of luck thrown in, but have to credit the fact he's adapted his technique and largely kept his concentration.

[Dr Cricket]

well played amla.
might need an hundred from him though if SA are to be in a very strong position.

[mikesiva]

Amla gets his half century! Well played young man.

[sussexpob]

Also it's possible the pitch might get easier to bat on (presuming the green top might dry out and there was no moisture on day one which caused the surface to become cut up).

Ravi and Kohli apparently chose to bat first believing the pitch was going to keep doing things..... and they thought it would keep doing things, but as it dries, do them quicker.

So far, his comment yesterday has been bang on. The pitch is getting quicker, so if anything its getting harder.

[Dr Cricket]

Also it's possible the pitch might get easier to bat on (presuming the green top might dry out and there was no moisture on day one which caused the surface to become cut up).

Ravi and Kohli apparently chose to bat first believing the pitch was going to keep doing things..... and they thought it would keep doing things, but as it dries, do them quicker.

So far, his comment yesterday has been bang on. The pitch is getting quicker, so if anything its getting harder.

takes some balls to bat first on this deck, considering you can be 40-60 all out here on day 1.
Especially for a captain under pressure for his tactics in this series.