Markram was fantastic today. Watched him through binoculars for a few overs he faced at the pavilion end and he looked so cool and so in control. Although my Aussieness meant I felt a distinct sense of trepidation at lunch, realising that Hazlewood had batted comfortably for an hour and a half, hats off to the batters this afternoon. They seemed, from where I was watching, like high pressure runs.
Dave, very much appreciate the feedback. I, too, had the sense that Hazlewood and Starc were finding things FAR too easy with the bat on the third morning! Cricket logic suggested that a significant fourth innings chase could be achieved but, emotional logic was screaming a different tune. Every run after 250 felt like another small nail in the coffin of hope. Bloody hell, Markram and Bavuma were extraordinary...
That third morning seemed very odd to me while it was happening. Conditions had changed so much, it was such a good batting day, but because of 14+14 wickets on the first two days I didn’t realise until very late in the session. I wondered why SAf seemed to lack intensity in the field (and even in hindsight I wondered why Jansen didn’t bowl first with Rabada - that surely would have been what Aus would have least wanted) but it seems it was really the conditions that, compared with the previous two days, made SAf look like they were lacking. Then the same happened to the Aus bowlers. But it was amplified, I thought, by the way SAf ran between the wickets - if I remember rightly the first ball of the 4th innings was dropped towards cover point and a single taken. That really set the tone. Mulder’s innings was v important in getting SAf on their way too I thought, though easily overlooked as it was “only” 30ish it was a hugely settling 2nd wicket partnership which always had forward momentum and really set SAf on their way, I thought. And Bavuma: just “wow!” Though SAf had the best batting conditions in that last innings, there is no such thing as an easy chase! (I’ll stop now - it is a while ago now! But I’m still feeling myself very lucky to have seen that day live.)
I couldn't even bring myself to keep checking the score for most of the morning, just absolute worry as Starc kept going!
Sorry Ricks and Wiaan for missing out.
Aiden really deserved his hundred and Themba doing his part just as ably. Phew, 30 off 30 haunting vibes. Love the determination and fight after two days of bowling carnage.
Markram was fantastic today. Watched him through binoculars for a few overs he faced at the pavilion end and he looked so cool and so in control. Although my Aussieness meant I felt a distinct sense of trepidation at lunch, realising that Hazlewood had batted comfortably for an hour and a half, hats off to the batters this afternoon. They seemed, from where I was watching, like high pressure runs.
Dave, very much appreciate the feedback. I, too, had the sense that Hazlewood and Starc were finding things FAR too easy with the bat on the third morning! Cricket logic suggested that a significant fourth innings chase could be achieved but, emotional logic was screaming a different tune. Every run after 250 felt like another small nail in the coffin of hope. Bloody hell, Markram and Bavuma were extraordinary...
That third morning seemed very odd to me while it was happening. Conditions had changed so much, it was such a good batting day, but because of 14+14 wickets on the first two days I didn’t realise until very late in the session. I wondered why SAf seemed to lack intensity in the field (and even in hindsight I wondered why Jansen didn’t bowl first with Rabada - that surely would have been what Aus would have least wanted) but it seems it was really the conditions that, compared with the previous two days, made SAf look like they were lacking. Then the same happened to the Aus bowlers. But it was amplified, I thought, by the way SAf ran between the wickets - if I remember rightly the first ball of the 4th innings was dropped towards cover point and a single taken. That really set the tone. Mulder’s innings was v important in getting SAf on their way too I thought, though easily overlooked as it was “only” 30ish it was a hugely settling 2nd wicket partnership which always had forward momentum and really set SAf on their way, I thought. And Bavuma: just “wow!” Though SAf had the best batting conditions in that last innings, there is no such thing as an easy chase! (I’ll stop now - it is a while ago now! But I’m still feeling myself very lucky to have seen that day live.)
Enjoy being World Champion! Hopefully we can organise five test series between Australia and South Africa in South Africa soon.
I couldn't even bring myself to keep checking the score for most of the morning, just absolute worry as Starc kept going!
Sorry Ricks and Wiaan for missing out.
Aiden really deserved his hundred and Themba doing his part just as ably. Phew, 30 off 30 haunting vibes. Love the determination and fight after two days of bowling carnage.