PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
22 Dec 2024, 19:00#2
Watching the third ODI. Waiting to see how Markram chucks his wicket away this time.
Zorzi is doing his best to look like a rabbit in the headlights. He's faced 19 balls, playing and missing at about 13.
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
22 Dec 2024, 19:09#4
And Zorzi goes.
Trying to fend off a face ball.
Nobody told him to hook or duck haha
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
22 Dec 2024, 19:11#5
Markram's walks to the crease...
At home, on the highveld, is where a player of his experience should be able to put up a fight.
...but he won't.
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
22 Dec 2024, 19:29#6
Markram dropped on 6. Lucky boy.
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
22 Dec 2024, 20:30#7
As predicted , Markram fails yet again.
This ain't a bad side but outside of Dussen, Klaasen and Miller, the batting core is rotten. Drop Markram, drop Bavuma and tell Kagiso that he can be dropped if he doesn't start looking like he wants to be there.
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
29 Dec 2024, 14:52#9
We need Klaasen in the test side.
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
29 Dec 2024, 18:58#11
Stubbs has been good. Failed in this test though.
Verrynne has done so so, but not nearly as well as I thought he would.
Bedingham hasn't had too many games so we'll have to see how he goes.
But I do believe the problem is Markram and Bavuma, despite their recent "successes". They are meant to be the core of the batting unit. But Markram has brain farts and Bavuma seem clueless as to a batting plan.
Today, the Proteas were 4 down, with only about 60 runs required.
Everything going along nicely with 1 and a half days left to get 60 runs.
...he charges down the pitch and attempts to slog a seam bowler over cow corner, and gets himself out. Triggering a collapse that should have lost use the game were it not for massive heroics from Jansen and KG?
What kind of captain is that?
To me, that poor decision making sets the standard for what is happening in the team. Because the younger guys are making similar weird decisions.
We may as well get rid of those two, tell Stubbs he's the batting captain and then rebuild completely. All these young guys have the goods, they just need better influences around them. And if that's not available, then let them start with a clean slate and build a unit amongst themselves.
Brevis is still out there and good enough for this level too.
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
30 Dec 2024, 07:11#14
Agreed, Draad.
Smith was never very technical. But he had immense willpower. To average close to 50 while not being a good offside player, you need massive determination.
He had patience and he had a gameplan that nobody could shake him off of.
He and McKenzie averaged close to 60 as an opening pair. Neither of them being noted as exceptional batters.
A perfect example of what I said during this Test. Mindset is half of the equation. Something you have total control over. There should never be a question.
And when your side are watching you in the middle, rock solid, unshakeable...it inspires them.