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I believe that somne time in the past two months the big-mouthed POMS said they have the best bowlers in the world.   They really got cut down to size in the past test.   Losing by an innings is definitely not an advertisment for the team rated no 1 in world cricket.

The bowling was mediocre and I could constantly hear the whining POM commentators - especially Lloyd.   The latter even picked a team based on performances and left out both Morkel and Steyn from the bowling perspective.   The only POM player - despite a duck in the second innings - I would have included in such a team would have been Cook and perhaps the POM wicket keeper - leaving out Duminy and Peterson out of contention - either since De Villiers and Duminy never batted in the test - and the only really poor batter was Petersoin with a dug in the first innings.

The only real comment on the test was that the POMS were comprehensively outplayed in all aspects of the game - and they showed very little fighting spirit.   I am not surprised that they SA players in the team did so badly - and I include Strauss (borne in Johannesburg), Pietersen and Trott in that category.   None of them would have made the SA team in any event. 

 We should be carefull to go into the second test thinking we will dominate again. This team is not the Nr 1 ranked team for nothing. The second test will be a far closer contest i think. Also scared of complacency creeping in now.

Agree Ek the wheel may turn. England got their butts kicked badly but I have to compliment them on their  sporting behaviour and absence of oz type sledging etc.

Mikes eyes are glazed by triple hundreds and two othergreat hundreds and fine bowling displays. All very heady stuff for sure. Cant believe we will have it this easy again. England must be fuming!

With hindsight its a pity Kallis didnt get a double. It appears there may not have been another occassion in test history with a triple and double hundreds in an innings?

 Wow yeah thet would have been one for the record books. But alas time was running out and the team should come before personal Glory. so yes. I don't think Kallis would have any problem with that.

We should really watch out for Headingley. We are expecting a famous English pitch with alot of swing. At least it wont just favour the English bowlers as we can get enough swing from Steyn and Philander as well.

Absolutely Ek a very, very important fact. If they prepare a turner we have Tahir and Duminy. If its pacy or it swings they had better watch out for Steyn and Philander. If its bouncy Morkel will kill em!! Kallis has been know to swing a ball was well etc

No too often in the past we have been at the mercy of sides preparing turning wickets - at least that is now covered.

The bases are covered.

Re Kallis in the end  we would have had enough time for him to get 200. But as I said hind sight is an exact art. It actually looked like  we might well not have sufficient time given how we had batted and the state of he wicket etc. It was right not too delay but a pity for the record books and Kallis. Time allowing could Amla have got 400!! Amazing stuff.

I love being a SAFFA.

 The way Amla was batting beens, he would have gone on unbeaten he was in a zone, i have never seen artwork like that. He was using his bat like a Brush filling in the perfect picture. His wristy beuty was a pleasure to behold. Stroking shots at will. In the whole innings he didn't hit a single 6. England had 2 opportunities in 300 runs. he could have gone on to make 800 if he had the time.It was sublime.

Morkel will not be playing - he injyured his ankle.   Who is to come in in his place?

 It's Albie Morkel that injured his ankle not morne. So albie is just unavailable in the squad. Faf is currently captaining the SA A side in Ireland and on standby. So I doubt it will influence the starting side.