Best UK odds are 20-1 for Oz which is about right. Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins are more than capable of running through them this morning, but SA are the firm favourite. 69 runs is not much to chase on a 4th day pitch with 8 wickets in hand.
@sparky said in Cricket: WTC Final Oz vs SA:
Best UK odds are 20-1 for Oz which is about right. Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins are more than capable of running through them this morning, but SA are the firm favourite. 69 runs is not much to chase on a 4th day pitch with 8 wickets in hand.
You're forgetting Lyon, 3rd highest wicket taker in Australian history.
Starc 4th, Cummins 8th and Hazelwood 10th. That's some pedigree all in the same team at the same time.
@sparky said in Cricket: WTC Final Oz vs SA:
@MN5 No, the pitch wasn't taking much spin yesterday. I thought if anything Australia over bowled Nathan Lyons yesterday.
On the Lords slope, trust your quicks down the slope. Use the slower bowler up the slope, but don't have gaps in the field.
Fair enough.
I note Cameron Green hasn't bowled a single over this test.
Is he already a Ben Stokes type all rounder, ie one who doesn't bowl ?
Three hours to the start of Day Four, but recent cloud cover this morning in North London. It'll swing and seam I reckon.
@sparky said in Cricket: WTC Final Oz vs SA:
Three hours to the start of Day Four, but recent cloud cover this morning in North London. It'll swing and seam I reckon.
You have to love modern test cricket and the fact we're 100% sure of a result in this one.
If you look at the five wicket hauls at Lord's since the late 1970s they've been overwhelming by medium fast bowlers or quick bowlers rather than spinners.
None of Warne, Muralitharan or Lyon achieved five-wickets in a Test innings at Lords.
I did wonder if the Oz tail wagging last night was a sign of good batting conditions.
Rather be in SA's shoes based on the scorecard, but an early wicket plus cloud cover could get interesting.
Cummins gets an early wicket, but the weather conditions are improving dramatically and SA only need 55 runs now.
@sparky said in Cricket: WTC Final Oz vs SA:
Australia reviewing an on-field no LBW decision. Looks speculative.
Missing by a ball and a bit. A poor decision to burn a review on that one.
Markham looking very comfortable. A great batting performance.
50 runs needed. RSA in pole position. Definitely their game to lose now.
Stick a fork in them, they're done. Desperation review is always a sign that a team knows they're cooked.
Lyon getting a bit more turn than yesterday. Australia bowling well, but not enough runs to defend with any confidence. RSA scoring slowly and nervously though.
@canefan said in Cricket: WTC Final Oz vs SA:
Aussies just burned another review
To be fair, that one looked close.
@NTA said in Cricket: WTC Final Oz vs SA:
And then Starc cracks it next ball
All too late, but at least semi respectable
Not sure, if the Aussies can get Markram out (and it looks a big if given how he is batting) then South Africa's demons and the new ball will come into play.
Slow progress for South Africa this morning. Australia have played better in this first hour.
