Sticky wicket....there's a muddy road ahead

One wonders if the moron who tried to deny that the tracks for the first three ODIs were difficult for stroke making, finally gets it. But that would be too much to ask.
On a more positive note Shamsi has joined Rabada as part of an accomplished new bowling team. The wicket helped, but he could have had 4 more lbws. He certainly turns the ball sharply.

Two maligned players.....Behardien and Parnell....made our day. This was the ideal situation for Behardien. He didn't have to hit sixes from the off, could showcase his quick wrists in dealing with the moving ball and was able to play a measured innings. I feel good for him, another South African whipping boy who can't do anything right in the eyes of fans.

For Oz, there have to be a few concerns. Sure Starke was not playing, but it was the batting that looked vulnerable. 
It shaping up to be an interesting series.

 I'm over the moon....so very, very happy...inspired enough to do an even tougher session in the gym. Talk cricket later.....this has been an awesome win against a formidable team.

 Great show by the lads, but we have got lots of work to do still. ..The new spinner looks promising. If it wasn't for Finch's 70 odd...

 Went to bed after the fall of JP's wicket feeling the anguish of staring down another defeat so it came as a shock when I heard the good news in the morning. The wicket obviously played a crucial role, interesting that the commentators thought it had slowed even more since the last game and also interesting that the they felt it had no turn until the 17th over when Lyons got one to turn. I think the Ozzies  copped the worst of the wicket as it had slowed down even more with turn when it came for them to bat. But credit to Behardien and all of the Protea attack who used the wicket to their advantage. St Kitts will present a different wicket so let's wait till then before we get too carried away with the latest Protea attack. Batting was a nightmare for both sides as we all know these guys are all better than the scores next to their names.

 Our batting is still a concern....nobody really firing and Rossouw injured. Duminy seems to have zero confidence. 

 He certainly wasn't useless yesterday....he won the match against Oz. And if he scores only once every 10 innings, that has to be for 400 runs, because his first class average is 40. I'd take him in a tough situation over the flop Miller any day.

 I'm no Berhardien fanboy, but this wasn't the first time he showed some grit under pressure.  I'll reserve judgement for now. Certainly not a total desaster.

Look he is certainly not a mega talent, more of a journeyman who punches above his weight when the pressure is on....cricket's version of the Ndunganes

 Behardien reflects a lack of talent coming through in all formats of South African cricket especially the lack of good young quality batsmen.

 Well the T targets for domestic teams ain't aiding the cause much.

 South African cricket has produced world class bowlers in Ntini and currently Kagiso Rabada with the potential of a world class spinner in Shamsi and as batsmen there is Amla and Gibbs, both world class.......but go ahead, you tell me, I'm listening. My statement about the lack of quality young batsmen has nothing to do with race and I fail to see how T targets can be the cause of younger players failing to replace a rapidly ageing team. Case in point is the 28 years Dean Elgar is replacing the injured Riley Rossouw.