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So close ... Peter Siddle reacts after dropping Hashim Amla off his own bowling. Source:News Limited
South Africa are well on top after day one of the first Test against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane.
1st Test - Gabba
9 November 2012 - Day 1, Session 3
South Africa 1st Innings
| H. Amla | 90 | 207 | 6 | 1 | 43.48 |
| J. Kallis | 84 | 135 | 8 | 1 | 62.22 |
| M. Hussey | 4 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 5.25 |
Re-live all the day one action with our live and interactive blog, and don't forget to join us for day two of the first Test from 10.30am (AEDT) Saturday, where we'll be joined from 10.45am by our special guest, former Tasmania and Australia all-rounder Brett Geeves.
Geeves, now a cricket writer and commentator, has played with or against most of the men out there in the first Test and is looking forward to hearing your questions on them or the game at hand. Send in your questions for Brett now by emailing blogs@foxsports.com.au.
Stumps
First ball: 11:00 AM November 9, 2012
Location: Gabba
Match Summary
Australia:
South Africa: 2/255
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Latest comments (all times AEDT)
1810: Tomorrow we will have a very special guest joining us for the start of the blog, with former Tasmania and Australia all-rounder Brett Geeves stopping by from 10.45am (EDT). Send in your questions for our 'Ask Geeves' segment now, by emailing blogs@foxsports.com.au. Until then, this is Antony Pinshaw signing off!
1808: OK folks that will just about do us for day one at the Gabba. Australia received an early boost by grabbing the wicket of South Africa's skipper, but it wasn't long before the class of the Proteas batsmen shone through. Michael Clarke's men will desperately be hoping for an early wicket on day two, otherwise Saturday could be a very long day in the field.
1802: Geoff of Sydney says: Hopefully the Aussie batsmen will take careful note of how straight the SA's Batsmen are playing, no Cut shots too close to the body, there is an excellent lesson for our batsmen when they bat. They are simply ignoring the wide deliveries, will our batsmen have the same discipline??
1800: Bill of Warilla thinks we're being a bit harsh on the Aussies after a tough day in the field: What's this missed chances rubbish. Siddle put down a difficult caught and bowled chance and that has been it as far as chances go.
1759: Colin says: If the proteas go on to bat for the whole day tomorrow. how hard would it be for the Aussies to win the game?
Antony says: Australia would pretty much be playing for a draw in that scenario - they simply wouldn't have enough time to reach South Africa's total, exceed it significantly, and then bowl the Proteas out again (and possibly have to bat again).
1755: STUMPS (SA 2-255, Amla 90*, Kallis 84*). So that's the end of the first day of the first Test here at the Gabba. A rather anti-climactic end there, with both teams just going through the motions in the last few overs as Kallis and Amla just defended against the medium pace of Quiney and Hussey. Overall South Africa are definitely in control, with their two best batsmen at the crease and approaching their centuries. Australia will desperately need an early wicket on day two.
1753: But as soon as Michael Clarke has the new ball in his hand, the umpires are forced to offer the batsmen the light, and they take it. The ruling is that there is too much artificial light, and that will force stumps.
1751: FOUR! Kallis dispatches a ball from Quiney to the mid-wicket boundary, and now it looks like we're going to get the new ball.
1746: FOUR! A loose ball from Hussey, who has returned to the attack, is flicked by Kallis down to the fine leg boundary for four. Looks like we could be getting the new ball here, as we've had 80 overs. Meanwhile, Kallis has raced to 80, just 10 runs behind Amla.
1741: Rob Quiney into the attack for the third time today. Who knew he was such a bowling weapon?
1736: Filomena of Adelaide says: If Australia had of caught/not no balled we have 2 extra wickets for Lyon and Siddle – need to have you fielders back your bowlers up!
Antony says: True, although Siddle dropped the catch off his own bowling, so he couldn't even blame anyone else. Poor bloke.
1731: CLOSE! Kallis drives straight down the pitch and Siddle almost gets a finger on it before it cannons into the stumps at the non-strikers end. Turns out it was not out on two counts, as Amla was back in his crease as well. Meanwhile, Amla is on the dreaded (for Australians at least) 87. Will it prove to be an unlucky number for him?
1729: I AM NEVER WRONG! of Atteridgeville says: SA will only need to bat once and the game should be over by lunch Monday weather permitting. Australia's bowlers are not as good as they think they are, they are being brought up on bowler friendly wickets and have a confidence in their own ability which I am afraid is sadly unfounded. Their ability to get rid of solid batsmen in anything other than the smash and bash form of the game is non existent.
Antony says: I don't think their confidence is entirely unfounded, Mr or Mrs Never Wrong. These are the same guys that completely dominated India's much-vaunted batting line-up a year ago. They haven't bowled that poorly today, although they definitely haven't been at their very best.
1727: The umpires decide the ball is too damaged, and call for a change of balls. The Aussie bowlers might not be too happy about that, it was just starting to move around for them.
1724: CLOSE! Well there's your reverse swing! Pattinson bowls outside off to Amla, Amla let's it go and the ball moves back sharply, only missing off stump by a coat of paint. Look for more reverse swing over the next half hour.
1720: Speaking of missed chances, here's a picture that's sure to displease a fair chunk of our users.
1717: That's drinks. The runs have dried up a little bit for the Proteas, but there's still no sign of a breakthrough for Australia. They'll really be ruing those missed chances.
1712: Shaun says: Bowling attack (pacers) is all wrong. Siddle and Pattinson tend to leak runs quickly if they are not getting wickets. Starc I don't think would have done much better. They needed a McDonald or even Copeland on this deck.
Antony says: Andrew McDonald sounds far-fetched, but then again he was captain of the Australia A side last week. But surely Starc is at the front of the queue.
1708: The floodlights are on at the Gabba - good things the captains allowed for that before the series began, otherwise we'd probably be off the field for bad light right now.
1658: Well there's the answer to my question about Nathan Lyon - he's into the attack now. Kallis greets him wiht a nice cover drive for three.
1656: A couple of users aren't too impressed with all the complaining about the no-ball review.
Mark Helliwell of Sydney says: Will you people stop whinging! A no ball is a no ball…. What is so hard to understand? If it was Clarke batting and Kallis bowling and Clarke got called back to the crease there wouldn't even be an argument! Stop crying and take some wickets off legititmate bowling!
JACKnLIME of Melb says: Oh stop whinging! If the roles were reversed and someone like Hussey was saved batting with such a decision you would not care at all. Goes both ways.
1654: Bobby Quiney comes back into the attack. One has to wonder when we'll see the spin of Nathan Lyon again.
1652: Amla and Kallis seem to be scoring at will here. They may not be getting lots of boundaries due to the men back on the fence, but the scoreboard is ticking over. Amla is into the 80s now.
1647: Brian of Brisbane says: You reap what you sow CA, and in this circumstance you chose to forego bowlers in rampant form (bird, Faulkner, butterworth, starc, cutting etc), for 'incumbents' who have been in horrible FC form. Prepare for the same thing from the batters, how Quieny and Cowan have done enough to get picked I'll never know.
Antony says: I'm going to have to disagree with you on one point there, Brian. Quiney and Cowan were both picked for their oustanding first class form, just as you say all those bowlers should be. By the by, Cutting isn't exactly in rampant form - he's been injured for much of the past year.
1641: FOUR! Siddle bowlers a short and wide one to Amla, the South African slashes at it and the ball goes racing down to the third man boundary. Might have been caught by a fourth slip, but there hasn't been one of them since the first hour of play.
1637: Meanwhile, the debate over the no-ball review rages on. Here's a sample of the comments from our users ...
CLARKE of gold coast says: if only stupid umpires could call it on the spot instead of going upstairs for no bloody balls this bloke won't be umpiring next game if australia puts a complaint in.
Jimmy D of Perth says: I do not understand this no-ball thing, why cant the umpire call it live? whenever there is a wicket they check it? I think its a joke. It has happened so many times. Call the no-ball live and if not its free game. JOKE.
Charge Forward of Square Leg says: Let me make something clear. If the batting team want to check for a no-ball, they should be made to use one of their reviews. UMPIRES SHOULD NOT GET REVIEWS. Yet again, Aussies shafted by this ridiculous rule where the batting team get a free review.
1632: DROPPED! Peter Siddle has dropped a golden opportunity off his own bowling! It wasn't an easy catch, but it was one that should have been taken. That was off the batting of Amla by the way - Australia really need to take their chances against these class batsmen.
1627: FOUR, and FIFTY! Kallis brings up his 50, and it's off just 63 deliveries. Who said Kallis batted slowly? That was a nice square drive off the bowling of Pattinson.
1624: Here's an email from David Gale: No excuses for a no-ball, you have 2 metres behind the line that you can bowl from. Unforgivable, Siddle.
Antony says: I wonder how many wickets in the history of Test cricket would have been denied for a no-ball if we always had the ability to review them. Quite a few I'd imagine.
1619: I've got a new answer for Mark Fletcheron's question about reverse swing - a couple of balls in Siddle's last over looked to reverse a bit after they'd passed the bat - they had wicketkeeper Matt Wade lunging low to his left to catch them. The reverse swing could become more pronounced as the day goes on.
1615: Amla plays a lovely drive that perfectly splits the two fielders at cover, although it doesn't quite reach the boundary. Glorious stroke though.
1613: Here's a photo something not many people would have thought they'd see a week ago - Rob Quiney bowling in a Test match.
1608: Well that was a very eventful first over of the third session. There was also a FOUR! in there from Kallis as well. How important will that no-ball prove to be? Pattinson to bowl from the other end now.
Meanwhile, here's a question from Mark Fletcheron: Any hint of reverse swing? Or any swing?
Antony says: No reverse swing just yet, but Hilfenhaus and even Mike Hussey managed to get the ball to move around in the air a fair bit.
1604: WICKET! No, wait a moment, it's being checked for a no-ball! Siddle looked like he had got the big wicket of Kallis after a loose shot saw Kallis sky one that was caught at mid-off, but the third umpire checked for a no-ball and the replay shows that no part of Siddle's heel was behind the crease. That is a cruel, cruel blow, and Australia will probably be made to pay for that one.
1600: OK we're back for the final session of the first day at the Gabba, and it's Peter Siddle bowling to Jacques Kallis. Kallis gets a two down to fine square leg off the first ball, Siddle catches the edge off the next ball but the ball bounces away harmlessly.
1553: Derek Mathieson of Laidley has sent in an email: Ok Hilfenhaus is everybodys favourite ex bricklayer but I think he is past his best at this level. Don't care that starc has played a lot of 1 day/20-20 cricket recently he is on fire at the moment and would have caused a lot more problems. For the saffas. By the time the Ashes come along I would expect him to be a regular in the run on team
1549: Colin of hong kong says: It seems the run rates picked up a bit since lunch. Are the australians trying to lure them to play some shots or are the south africans playing great?
Antony says: A little from Column A and a little from Column B, Colin. Quite a few of Clarke's plans have been to bowl to the strengths of the batsman and pack the field for their best shot, but so far this hasn't quite paid off. That being said, Amla and Kallis look in very good touch.
1540: TEA. Well that was an interesting way to end the session, and to be fair Quiney bowled quite well. But in general, that was South Africa's session. They lost Peterson for 64, but Kallis and Amla look like they could be out in the middle for some time. Australia's pacemen will need a big last session to swing the momentum back in the home team's favour.
1536: OK, now this is something quite different - Rob Quiney is coming into the attack! He has the grand total of three first-class wickets to his name.
1533: Scott of Geelong says: Ok is it just me or was that a stupid decision to have Hussey and Hilf bowling in tandem, it seems to have released the pressure that we had started to build up and runs are now flowing. Sometimes i wonder what goes through Clarke's head.
Antony says: I tend to agree Scott - in general I'm a fan of Clarke's inventive captaincy but I think they did let Kallis and Amla off the hook there by taking Pattinson and Siddle out of the attack.
1530: FOUR! That's a loose ball down leg side from Hilfenhaus, and Kallis gives it the treatment, flicking it down to fine leg for four. Worrying signs here for Australia - the Proteas have been scoring at about eight runs per over for the last 20 minutes or so.
1528: CLOSE! Nathan Lyon nearly gets Amla's wicket with two consecutive balls. First, Amla goes for a cut shot and it just goes past the outside edge. The very next ball Amla goes for the same shot, and this time it catches the edge and goes in between wicketkeeper and first slip. Very nearly another big scalp for the spinner.
1523: Hilfenhaus comes back into the attack, ending Hussey's short spell. Michael Clarke is rotating bowlers like it's going out of fashion here.
1521: SIX! Lyon drops marginally short and Kallis hoiks the ball over mid-wicket for six. He wasn't remotely bothered by the two fielders on the leg-side boundary – that was always going to be a maximum.
1517: Josh of Melbourne says: Not wanting to bash the Aussie Attack or team but i might have to. All the talk about our (unproved) ferocious (wayward) Young (inexperienced) pace attack was always just hype in the same way Mundine talks up his fights. Playing against a clearly better team in the proteas we were always going to struggle. They have an exceptional batting line up and the best bowling attack in the world bay far!
Antony says: There's no denying South Africa's attack is the best in the world, but Australia will have a lot of very handy options up their sleeves in the coming years.
1515: CLOSE! Kallis goes for the big cover drive off Hussey, he gets a thick edge and it goes just wide of the man at gully. Nearly a wicket there for Mr Cricket!
1513: FOUR! Not it's Amla getting in on the act, crunching a cover drive to the boundary. And that brings up the 50 for Hashim Amla. He looks set for a big one here. That prompts a fielding change from Clarke, with just one slip in place and a sweeper on the off side. That sweeper is into play straight away, with Dave Warner stopping Amla from picking up another boundary off the last ball of the over.
1510: FOUR! Kallis hits another boundary, purposely putting his cut shot over gully.
1507: Here's a surprise - Mike Hussey is going to roll the arm over. Clarke has taken quite a liking to using Hussey as a partnership-breaker, but if he can get Kallis or Amla out that would be a seriously impressive achievement.
1503: Ben Hilfenhaus takes the ball, handing Peter Siddle a rest. The Hilf has been quite consistent so far today, but hasn't got a wicket yet. Will that change in this spell?
1501: Rippersportspro of NSW says: Looks like the dossier is going to be the new "Paul the Octopus" at this rate.
Antony says: As a side note, Paul the Octopus would have made quite the cricketer - I reckon he would have bowled a good googly.
1459: FOUR! Amla releases the pressure valve with a glorious cover drive off Pattinson. It's all in the timing for Amla - he never really looks like he hits the ball too hard, just politely guides the ball.
1456: Another good delivery beats the outside edge, this time it's from Siddle. Australia are hungry for a wicket.
1449: CLOSE! Pattinson bowls a nice ball to Amla, the South African goes for the big cover drive and the ball just sneaks past the inside edge. Aussie bowlers look to be getting some momentum here.
1446: Geoff of Bali is back for more: When are the ICC going to have the Nuts to change the Review Rules, so that any single delivery can only be given Out or Not Out. I simply cannot understand the logic where exactly the same delivery can be Out and Not Out, surely, it is one or the other, it defies any sensible though pattern.
Antony says: I think Michael Clarke would agree with you. We've been seeing a lot of this today ...
1440: That's drinks at the Gabba. Some disciplined bowling from Australia brought about that wicket, and they'll be looking for more of the same from their bowlers in the second half of this session.
In the meantime, let's check in with Mark in Bris-Vegas, who sent this message just seconds before the wicket of Petersen...
Mark from Bris-Vegas says: OK, 1/110 ... they are looking too comfortable. I will start that rain dance I promised earlier.
1437: FOUR! Kallis gets off the mark in imperious fashion, playing a lovely cover drive off the spin of Lyon.
1434: Although that was a big wicket for Australia, it does bring Jacques Kallis to the wicket - meaning the world's no.2 and no.4 ranked batsmen are at the crease.
1430: WICKET! (Petersen 64, c Hussey b Lyon, SA 2-119) Wow, out of nowhere Petersen needlessly gets himself out. He double-steps a ball from Lyon but doesn't get hold of it properly and it goes down the throat of Mike Hussey at a deep-ish mid on. Huge wicket for Australia there.
1426: FOUR! Yet another masterful pull shot there from Petersen. Siddle dropped short there but not short enough, and it barely got above Petersen's waist.
1422: Lyon tried going around the wicket for his last over, seemed to throw Amla off briefly but still didn't trouble the classy batsman too much.
1418: Scott of Geelong says: Anyone else got that 500+ feeling. I can smell an innings defeat ahead if this continues, aussie bowlers are too similar to each other and these two guys are making it look pretty easy.
1413: Just to confirm, if umpire Asad Rauf had given that out initially, then that decision would have stood. Australia now have no reviews left, with South Africa just one wicket down. Nathan Lyon is into the attack now.
1410: FOUR! And Petersen rubs salt into the wound by playing a nice cut shot for four off the next ball.
1409: APPEAL! Hilfenhaus pitches it up and it looks like it may have hit Peterseon on the toe on the full. The umpire says not out but Michael Clarke makes a gutsy call again and calls for the review. Even though Hawkeye seems to show that the ball struck in line and was going on to hit the stumps, it's close enough for the decision to revert back to 'Umpire's Call'. That was very, very close, and the crowd isn't happy.
1404: FIFTY! Petersen whips a full ball off his pads and runs two to bring up his 50. It's been a very well compiled innings from the opener, he's given very few chances and has punished the bad balls.
1402: Another maiden from Hilfenhaus, which included an uppishly-played drive from Amla that falls just short of mid-off.
1359: Geoff of Bali is back with a weather report from Bali: Antony, weathers great, hotter than Brisbane, but reception is not as good !! Haven't seen or heard any good reason why Starc isn't playing, I can only think of reasons why he should!
Antony says: Hotter than Brisbane? You must be sweltering! To be fair to the selectors, most, if not all of Starc's recent good form has been in the shorter forms of the game. All the top bowlers admit it's different bowling with a while ball than it is with a red one, so perhaps the selectors want to see a bit more consistency from Starc in first class cricket - he did show a tendency to be a bit loose when he played in the Tests last summer.
1352: FOUR! Oh, that was close! Hilfenhaus induces an outside edge from Amla, but his soft hands mean the ball drops short of Clarke and Ponting in the slips, and in fact eludes the fielders and goes all the way to the boundary.
1351: Meanwhile, more people are getting stuck in to poor old Matt Wade, who really couldn't have been expected to take that catch down leg side!
BRING BACK A PROPER KEEPER of NSW says: Matthew Wade dropping the ball again. My god, what do people see in him?
1349: A couple of good overs from Hilfenhaus and Pattinson to start the session, stuck with good line and length and were rewarded with just one run being scored. They need to build the pressure now.
1342: The second session is underway, with Ben Hilfenhaus bowling to Alviro Petersen. Australia would dearly love an early breakthrough here.
1335: Check out how long the lines are for a meat pie at the Gabba!
Just kidding, those were the queues to get into the ground. Good to see the retro one-day jersey getting a run from one fan - any idea what year that shirt is from?
1329: Joe Blanchett says: We need a breakthrough here to get the Proteas on the back foot. When they get going they are almost impossible to stop.
Cam of Brisbane says: First victory of the summer for the "secret dossier!" What odds the dossier being the leading wicket taker for the series?
Antony says: Good one Cam!
1322: Russ of Perth says: Starting to get that sinking feeling.... Are we gonna be able to break through that order at all this summer? Or is the pitch just a bit more of a road than the media suggested? Come on Aussie!!!
Antony says: Australia have bowled quite well and have been creative in their bowling plans, but it's not easy to knock over a a batsman like Amla. Also, the pitch looks to not be quite as lively as all the pre-match hype suggested.
DANIEL of wollongong says: South Africa look comfortable now. Australia Need an all rounder. Marsh would fit the bill
Antony says: Interesting thought Daniel. Mitch Marsh is a bit too raw at the moment, but definitely has Test match potential. Would be hard to play both him and Watson in the same side though, unless Watson gives up on his bowling.
1311: For all true cricket lovers out there, make sure you visit our Cricket Match Centre to get all the crucial stats and check out the awesome pitch map!
1308: Stick with us through the lunch break as we tackle some of the big issues facing both sides.
Summer of Warner says: I know he gets knocked I am one that does ... But Warner is the only Aussie bat under 30 and he is only 25 ... Let's hope he has a breakout summer and is more consistent ... He has time on his side to learn how to move his feet to the ball specially against spin!
Antony says: I agree that Warner does need to move his feet a bit more, but then again if it works for Sehwag, why can't it work for Warner?
1306: Here's a little momento for Australian fans - Graeme Smith on his way back to the pavillion.
1303: LUNCH. Well, that first session seemed to fly by. South Africa got off to a good enough start against some creative bowling plans from Australia, but the wicket of Graeme Smith was huge. Amla looked a bit shaky early on, but worked his way into the game and now he and Petersen both look well set at the crease. Australia will need to bowl very well to dismiss this pair after lunch.
1258: James Pattinson to bowl the last over before lunch now. FOUR! And Pattinson's first ball get dispatched to the boundary by a beautiful cut shot from Petersen.
1250: OK, just 10 minutes remaining in the opening session. Can Australia get a breakthrough before lunch? Would be a big psychological blow for the Proteas if they lost Petersen or Amla now.
1248: FOUR! Glorious stroke from Petersen, rocking onto the back foot and pulling Siddle for four in front of square. Positively Ponting-esque.
1247: Geoff of Bali says : DROPPED WADE, how many times will we have to pout up with hearing that this Season, he can't keep Wickets, he is untidy and very poor footwork.
Antony says: Easy Geoff, that's very harsh on Wade. Not even Ian Healy would have been able to catch that one! Having said that, I agree that he does need to improve his keeping if he's going to hold onto the spot long term. On a side note, how is the weather in Bali?
1243: And now Pattinson comes in to bowl in place of Hilfenhaus. Michael Clarke doing some serious bowler rotation here.
1241: FOUR! Another rather loose cut shot from Amla, it went in the air but wasn't near the point or gully fielders and runs away to the boundary. Amla has quietly moved along to 27.
1239: Siddle returns to the attack, in place of Lyon. The Victorian immediately makes an impact by inducing a rather loose uppercut shot from Amla, and follows that up with a ball that cuts back viciously and goes over the stumps.
1236: Sneaky Student of Mandurah says: Hey guys, just wondering if they have started sledging Amla yet? Ha Ha Ha
Antony says: Haven't heard any sledging thus far, although professional cricketers have mastered the art of saying things at just the right level, and just the right time, so the stump microphones can't hear them.
1232: SIX! Amla breaks the shackles with a beautiful six off Lyon, with the South African waltzing down the pitch and hitting it over the long on fence. Amla would have got a four off the next ball, but his pull shot cannoned into the short leg fieldsman.
1229: CLOSE! Was that a dropped catch? Petersen tries to turn a ball from Lyon round the corner, it catches the edge, then clips Wade's gloves, and goes just over Warner's outstretched hands at leg slip. Very nearly a wicket there.
1225: Wow! It's all happening here as Australia bring in a leg slip, and Petersen responds by pulling out the reverse sweep to point for two! Just to add to the weirdness, Petersen loses his shoe while halfway down the pitch and Lyon returns it to him.
1222: Mike - Cricket better than schoolwork. of Port Mac! says: Judging on the wicket, do you think that Lyon will be useful? What will he be aiming to do? Using flight, speed or turn?
Antony says: Shane Warne was always a big believer that a bit of bounce in a pitch actually helped him take wickets, and Lyon seemed to prove that when he took seven wickets at the Gabba against New Zealand last year. He's obviously not a huge turner of the ball, but the way he flights the ball is his strength.
1220: Another bowling change here as Hilfenhaus returns to the attack.
1217: APPEAL! A half-hearted appeal from Lyon there but on second inspection it was probably a bit closer than it looked. Amla is walking way across his stumps to Lyon, and the ball actually hit him on the pad outside off stump despite the fact he was trying to whip it to fine leg.
1214: Nathan Lyon comes into the attack. Let's see if he can be effective with his off-spin in the first session. Brave move by Michael Clarke.
1211: Amla looks a lot more settled now. Australia won't want to let him to get too comfortable, otherwise they might be seeing a lot more of him.
1209: Rippersportspro of NSW says: Looks like Australia's dossier has worked a trick so far. An absolute beauty from Pattinson to trap Smith LBW.
Antony says: Yes, that's a good point - I wonder if Smith was thinking about the "secret dossier" when he was walking back to the sheds?
1203: And it's drinks at the Gabba, with South Africa sitting at 1-36. While we wait for play to resume, here's a nice pic of Fox Sports' own Allan Border (apparently he was also a decent cricketer in his day), presenting Rob Quiney with his baggy green for his debut. Touching.
1202: amin rajwani of Pune indis says: If quiney clicks & Ricky fails then will he be picked for 2nd test ? If watson is fit to play?
Antony says: They definitely won't be dropping Ponting in this series - Punter is the top scorer in the Shield at the moment! However, if Quiney clicks, Cowan fails and Watson is fit for the next Test, then Quiney could move up to open instead of Cowan.
1159: APPEAL! Another lbw appeal from Pattinson, this time bowling to Amla, the entire slips cordon goes up, but this time there's no review as replays show the ball was going a fraction too high. Amla definitely doesn't look too comfortable though.
1154: Mark of Bris-Vegas has sent in an email: Hate to say it fella, but we will get rain during this test match. Hopefully only overnight, but you just about lock it in (my gammy knee is playing up). Anyway, Quiney, don't know much about him, what are your thoughts?
Antony says: Could be time for you and your gammy knee to start doing a rain dance! Rob Quiney was the player of the year in the Shield last year, and is a steady lefty that can be expansive when he wants to. Picked on form, and weight of runs, rather than anything else. Has a good head on his shoulders as well.
1151: Interesting tactic from Pattinson as he tries a couple of balls from around the wicket to Amla, before reverting back to over the wicket.
1148: WICKET! (Smith 10, lbw Pattinson, SA 1/29) Well there you have it, Clarke's risky approach to his reviews has paid off, and the Proteas skipper is on his way to the pavillion. Inspired bowling change as well. In comes one of the best batsmen in the world at the moment, Hashim Amla.
1147: APPEAL! Pattinson hits Smith on the pad with his first ball, it looks close, but the umpire says not out. REVIEW! Clarke takes a massive gamble by using his only review, but it's paid off as the replays show the ball pitched in line and was going to hit the stumps!
1146: Another bowling change now, as Pattinson replaces Hilfenhaus.
1143: FOUR! Siddle pitches up on the stumps and Petersen whips it away for four beautifully through mid-wicket. Siddle responds with a nice ball that moves away slightly and beats Petersen all ends up.
1133: Peter Siddle comes into the attack in place of James Pattinson. Michael Clarke is trying to make things happen.
1131: CLOSE! Clever bowling from Hilfenhaus, as he changes his grip to get the ball to move away from Smith rather than swing in, and the ball just goes past the edge of the bat.
1130: Adam of Sydney says: what is your opinion on quiney? and why is the aussie lack of a vc such a big deal? what do they do anyway?
Antony says: G'day Adam. When Michael Clarke is on the field, not much. But if Clarke were to get injured, or for whatever reason couldn't play, then it's a bit odd that no one would know who the captain would be. Re: Quiney, he's proven himself at Shield level, and there's no reason why he can't take that form into the Test arena, especially given how assured he looked against the Proteas at the SCG last week.
1128: FOUR! Pattinson drops short and Peterson rocks onto the back foot and plays a beautiful pull shot that races to the square leg boundary.
1123: Australia have a clear plan to target Smith's body, with a square leg, deep square leg and deep fine leg all in position. But so far just about everything that has been on Smith's hip, he's pushed away for an effortless single.
1118: The debate continues to rage over whether Australia made the right decision by leaving out Mitchell Starc...
Charge Forward of Square says: Leaving Starc out could prove to be a costly mistake. Why has Peter Siddle all of a sudden become indispensable? In recent times, the guy has done very little bowling and in the last ashes series had a series ending average in the high 30s despite taking a hat trick? Hilfenhaus averaged 60 in that same series.
Antony says: Agree Starc is in form, but the Ashes was a LONG time ago - Hilfenhaus and Siddle have improved greatly since then.
Dave of Sydney says: glad hilf was picked, he was outstanding last summer!! economical and took wickets everywhere!! siddle and pattinson can spray it everywhere at times as displayed by punter in the shield match just 2 weeks ago!!!
1114: APPEAL! Hilfenhaus bowls down leg, there's a noise, and the Aussies appeal. Smith seems confident the ball hit his pad or foot, but Australia have gone for the referral! Clarke seems very confident! But the replays show the ball missed the bat. Australia only have one referral left for the rest of the innings.
1111: A bit of controversy here as Smith pulls out at the last minute, just as Hilfenhaus was about to bowl. The Aussies were not very pleased.
1108: Apologies for my earlier mispelling of Alviro Petersen. Don't think I'll be making an appearance in the Fox Sports Spelling Bee championships any time soon.
1107: James Pattinson takes the new ball from the other end. Smith gets a single off the first ball again - the South African skipper looks to be in good touch. Petersen not so much - just got squared up by Pattinson but the edge evaded the slips cordon and he gets two.
1105: Kyle Faz of QLD says: Finishing Uni last year was the worst mistake ever. Now I'm working instead of watching :(
Antony says: Stick with us Kyle, we'll get you through!
Bemused of Perth says: Think we should have had the guts to go with a four prong pace attack? Playing a spinner on the GABBA to try and beat the proteas would be like trying to kill an elephant with a ping pong ball!
Antony says: That's quite a creative analogy!
1104: A good first over from Hilfenhaus. Smith got off the mark easily on the leg side, but Pietersen looked a bit uncomfortable against the Hilf's natural swing.
1058: The fans are in, the anthems have been sung, and we're just about ready for action! Ben Hilfenhaus to bowl the first over to Graeme Smith.
1052: Scott of Geelong says: How can they leave Starc out, he has been the standout Austalian bowler recently, Hilfenhaus just isnt intimidating enough, Smith and co will feast on his wide half volleys!!!!! South Africa to be 0/130 at lunch.
Antony says: That's a bold prediction Scott! But I do take your point that Starc has been in some pretty good form (albeit with the white ball), while The Hilf hasn't exactly been tearing the 'Haus' down ... pardon the pun.
1049: Just a reminder that as well as leaving a comment at the bottom of the page, you can also have your say by emailing blogs@foxsports.com.au
1043: Ziggy (meant to be doing school work) of Brisbane is pleased the Australian selectors took a spinner into the first Test...
"The Australian selectors would make an incredible mistake if they left Nathon Lyon out of this Test. Australia's quicks can do the damage early on, but even on the Gabba's wicket, you still need to chuck in a spinner to losen up the batters who have their eye in and get them out," Ziggy says.
Antony says: I think history tells us spinners do eventually come into play on the fourth and fifth days of a Gabba Test (if we make it that far). South Africa have taken a bit of a risk. Now go and do your algebra!
1039: Confirmation of the teams:
Australia: Warner, Cowan, Quiney, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Wade, Siddle, Pattinson, Lyon, Hilfenhaus
South Africa: Smith, Pietersen, Amla, Kallis, de Villiers, Rudolph, Duminy, Philander, Morkel, Steyn, Kleinveldt
1032: SOUTH AFRICA HAVE WON THE TOSS AND WILL BAT FIRST. There's also some surprising team news, with the Proteas picking Rory Kleinveldt instead of spinner Imran Tahir, meaning they'll have four pacemen. A scary prospect! For Australia, Mitchell Starc is the man that misses out as Hilfenhaus and Lyon get the nod.
1030: Hello and welcome to foxsports.com.au's LIVE and INTERACTIVE coverage of the first Test between Australia and South Africa at the Gabba in Brisbane. Antony Pinshaw here at Fox Sports Blog HQ, looking forward to a fascinating day's cricket between the world's No.1 and No.3 Test sides. Will either team go with four pacemen, or play it safe and pick a spinner? How much of an impact will the "secret dossier" affair have on the game? So many questions, and we want your answers! Let us know what you think by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.
