India vs "Rest of South Africa" - Sedgars Park, Potchefstroom

[Wanderer]

4-Day warm-up match between these 2 sides has just started. India will have their work cut out for them, as this is a very good, highly comptetitive "Rest of SA side". At least 3 of the men in this side, are out to impress the selectors with a good showing, and can still make the SA test squad.

India are without Dravid and Patel for this match. Pity, as it would have given Dravid the opportunity to get some runs under the belt, and although Patel should be okay by the start of the first test, it does mean he will go into it "cold".

Once again India lost the toss, but Rudolph has sent the Indians in.

Squads: India: Jaffer, Sehwag, Laxman, Ganguly, Tendulkar, Dhoni, Pathan, Harbhajan, Sreesanth, Zaheer, VRV Singh.

RoSA: Mornè van Wyk, Alviro Petersen, JP Duminy, Jacques Rudolph, Vaughan van Jaarsveld, Justin Kemp, Vernon Philander, Mornè Morkel, Mornantau Hayward, Friedel de Wet, Paul Adams.

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After the first 2 overs, India already 2 down. Jaffer gone lbw to Hayward, and Sehwag bowled by Morkel. (This boy is quick)

Lets see if Laxman and Tendulkar can restore some balance.

[Rachael]

I recognise a few youngsters from the 'A' team thread: who do you see as the class players in the RoSA side? Also.. and this is surely NOT the same thing... who is in form?

[Wanderer]

Class players, definitely JP Duminy, Morne Morkel (brother of Albie who played against India in the first warm-up limited overs game), Alviro Peterson and Vernon Philander.

Duminy and Morkel are both just a whisker away from the national side, imo. Van Wyk (wicket-keeper, whom WAT also interviewed), ended 2nd on the domestic limited overs stats, and Vernon Philander (Cobras), finished 3rd on the list. So, I guess one could say they're the "in form" batsmen.

Van Wyk is slightly on the "older" side. At 29 I don't know how much of a chance he'll still get, ESPECIALLY since Cricket SA announced last night that Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers will be the new ODI openers for SA. Until the WC, that is. De Villiers is a keeper, so Morkel may never get a chance. I hope I am wrong though.

Hmmm...We all know Kemp is just about always in form, and both Hayward and Philander have performed very well for their franchises this summer.

So the in form guys are definitely Van Wyk, Duminy, Morkel, Kemp, Philander, Peterson and Hayward. (Yes, Wayward Hayward is actually in form this season).

Paul Adams is getting another chance. Interestingly though, he has not been the first-choice spinner for the Cobras. Con de Lange has. But, Adams still holds the SA record for most wickets in a test against India, and he's been serious about making a test return.


Sorry for taking so long to reply, but I am still having problems with my internet connection, it seems. Takes forever...

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Wanderer

Vernon Philander

Is he playing? See http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/rsavi...ch/249209.html

[Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Is he playing? See http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/rsavi...ch/249209.html

Of course! Please pardon my blonde moment...Vernon Philander (and Garnett Kruger from the initial line-up) are injured. Thomas and De Wet replace them in the side. Worthy replacements too. Especially Philander.

[Wanderer]

Sedgars Park normally a batsman friendly pitch...Seems more like an mortal enemy for Indians at the moment.

The tall, wiry Morkel extracting something extra..He does reminds one of a "paler" Curtly Ambrose....

68/4. Ganguly and Dhoni repairing the damage. Openers both went for ducks, and Laxman and Tendulkar wasted their time at the crease...I don't want to put a "commentator's curse" on the man, but Ganguly is looking good.

[gibbs_fan]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I recognise a few youngsters from the 'A' team thread: who do you see as the class players in the RoSA side? Also.. and this is surely NOT the same thing... who is in form?

Well Rachael, all of them were selected purely on form. These are the guys who have been performing well this season. As for the class, Hmm, we all know about Rudolph, Adams, van Wyk, Hayward and Kemp. I personally am disappointed that van Wyk never got an opprtunity to play for SA but lets forget that for now. Here is my take on the young and new guys

Morne Morkel: An exciting tall (1.93m) ,fast ( I saw him bowl close to 150km/h) and young (22 years old) bowler. I see him playing for SA in the near future BUT he is still very raw and although he does put in some match winning spells, he often fails to deliver. I think the A team is right for him at the moment. Give him at least 2 more seasons in the domestic scene. I hope the selectors dont bring him in too early like they did with Steyn. Steyn is twice the bowler now than he was on his debut. Just a side note: Morne is Albie Morkels brother. NOTE: as I write, he has already taken 3 wickets (Sehwag, bowled 1st ball, Tendulkar and Laxman both caugt at 2nd slip). Mitchell Johnson eat your heart out OOPs, another one gone. Dhoni caught in the slips. By the time I finish this post, Morne would have demolished the whole Indian team. The tailenders have no chance.

Alfonso Thomas: Big heart, steady performer. IMO nothing more than a provincial player, similar to Alan Dawson, very good at domestic level but wont be able to cut it on the big stage.

F de Wet: I have not seen much of him but he seems like a useful bowler. We will need more time before we can judge his potential.

V van Jaarsveld: another exciting young talent. I am not convinced about him. Yes, he is exciting but so are many other youngsters. I just feel that he does not have that extra bit. He should have come to Cape Town. The coach here would have helped his development. I feel he is just another Dippenaar in the making. He could of course prove me wrong. I will admit that this season he has been impressive.

JP Duminy: He is the "Real Deal". If Amla or Prince fail to produce the goods this season, I feel that JP will be in sooner than we think. He will definitely play for SA and will for a long time. He is becoming more and more consistent with experience. I think that the time is right for him. Lets see what he does against the Indians. My only concern is that he is not the best player of spin. Lets wait and see,

A. Pietersen. Again, IMO he is the batting version of A. Thomas. IMO not more than a very good provincial player but I suppose he should be given a chance. I would still like to see van Wyk get an opportunity ahead of pietersen.

Hope this helps Rachael. After this match, I think India have no hope here in SA.

[DomainK]

Half century for Ganguly.....good come back for ex-captain.

[vvvrulz]

A superb century from Irfan Pathan saves the Indians from embarrasment. Interesting to see that Ganguly chipped in with 83, however one must consider that even when he was dropped, he never had problems with lesser bowling attacks.

[Django]

Sadly, Sachin failed again.

As for the other Indian batsmen, their vulnerability against pace and bounce has once again exposed.