Well, it looks like the retirement season, specially for the Aussies. Shane Warne has said he is going to retire after the ashes, and rumour has it that McGrath may also.



Imagine the Aussie side without these two players... Could bring them down a bit, although they do still have McGill as a spinner. He is pretty darn awesome himself, and could make any other side in the World. Sorry for him though, he is an aussie.

McGill is a tosser. Aus bowling has revolved around McGrath and Warne for a long time. It will the end of an era, as i really believe that they do not have a real replacement for either of the two. Same when we had Allan Donald retire.

Australian cricket just wont be the same without those two. I personally think Warne is a co*k-head but as a cricketer he is unmatched. His brilliance with the ball may take many years to equal.

Yeh, he is a real tosser, but a shit good cricketer.

I heard some reports that he wont be retiring at the end Damn...

Actually, it may not take that long. Murali is not that far behind him, and I reckon he is a better spinner than Warney.

Murail:
Tests 110 36705 14649 674 9/51 16/220 21.73 2.39 54.45 40 57 19
ODIs 282 15397 9866 425[b] 7/30 7/30 23.21 3.84 36.22 11 8 0

Warne:
Tests 143 40315 17818 [b]699 8/71 12/128 25.49 2.65 57.67 48 36 10
ODIs 194 10642 7541 293 5/33 5/33 25.73 4.25 36.32 12 1 0

The bolded figure is the wickets taken. Please note that this was before this test started, so Warne has since passed 700. In 33 less tests Murali has taken 25 less wickets... Should easliy pass 700, and maybe surpass Warney within the next year. Murali has also taken more 10 wicket hauls in matches than Warne, has a better ave, and has better figures in general. Whose better?

Well it looks like McGrath is also on his way out, if what I heard the other day on the radio was accurate? I still haven't seen anything in the news regarding it, may have missed it though. Can anyone confirm if McGrath is also retiring?

Another thing. Warne has only taken 999 wickets in One dayers and Tests combined. Murali has already taken well over 1000. I still think that Murali is the better spinner. He just ins't as famous as old Warney.

Well, Warne, McGrath and Langer are all retiring after this test. Keen to see who they bring in now. Guessing McGill will be Warnes replacement, while Phil Jacques will replace Langer IMO. Who will replace McGrath though? He is the only one they don't really have a suitable replacement for. Reason I say this is because, McGill is a top spinner, and has proven this in tests already. Phil Jacques is also a top player, and has proven this as well... Who has proven they can replace Glenn? Clarke did it when they were in England last year, but now he has replaced Gillespie... So WHO???

No contest, cyfer! It's Murali!! Warne is only more famous due to his off-the-field antics!

I'm not sure who is going to replace McGrath, but drawing similarity to SA, who would replace Pollock once he retired??

Well, it would have to be Morkel. He is the only real up and coming bowler, that can sort of bat as well. The difference in Aus, is they are losing 3 players now, and have 2 very good replacements. There is that other young guy, forget his name, that will in all likely hood replace McGrath. We have nobody if we lose another 2 players. Well, basically nobody.

Aus are actually losing 4 playes - Martyn retired mid series if memory serves me correct!

We're faced with a cricketing crisis here in SA due to bad selection policies and biases! We could suffer greatly come retirement season! Here's hoping that doesn't happen anytime soon!

Yeah he retired. His spot has been taken by Clark, or Symmonds. They both playing now, because some other all rounder was injured, but I think they will both remain in the team. Thinking of that, maybe the other all rounder will replace McGrath. After all, McGrath did get a test 50 so need a decent batting replacement.

A test 50! WOW, I had no idea!

I hope Australian cricket experiences a lull! I recognise their brilliance on the field and in the cricketing structures from grass roots right through to test level, but its time other teams come to the fore, namely THE PROTEAS!

The world cup starts in a few months, and I am sick and bloody tired of us drawing matches and being eliminated!!
The match against Sri-Lanka in Durban during the 2003 CWC was the last straw!

I am hoping, and praying that SA win this years CWC!!!

He actually has a high score of 99, got caught on that score whilst trying to sweep (top edge).


Judging by our record for 2006, i really hope you are right. We were only just above Zim and Bangladesh for tests in 2006.

2006 was a mixed year for South African cricket! The highlight being that 438 ODI (The greatest ever played).

I just hope that this year, with the World Cup looming, the proteas can put it all together and win it!!!!

As a 1 day side we have been quite successful, as a Test side we were absolutely rubbish. Heres to a good 2007.

You are 100% correct cyfer!!

It was broadcast last weekend and i watched it again. THAT was entertainment.

They have been re-broadcasting it quite often. Only good thing we did the hole year. LOL. Just joking, but not too far off the truth.

They broadcast it and I missed it.

What channel was it on?

One of the DSTV sports channels. I can't remember exactly which one. It was also on over the x-mas weekend while I was in Durban. I think it was the 24th.

I want a copy of that match. Guess I'll have to buy the DVD. I've seen it at Look and Listen, i think.

Doesn't look like Aus are missing McGrath in the one dayers. He didn't play in the game today and they still whipped New Zealand. That other bowler who I couldn't remember is that Mitchell Johnston guy. I think he will replace McGrath in the test match side. He is young, pretty good, and left handed.

Nice hat trick for Mr Bond, pitty it was so late in the game.

Who is going to stop these Aussie bastards

Well, HOPEFULLY we will do that at the World Cup and win it for the first time.

Cant wait for the CWC to start.

Aus are in the same group as SA.

I think that may be a good thing as we will not encounter them for a while until the late knockout rounds.

We will encounter them in the round robin stage as well.

Thats if we Make the knockout stage.

Don't get me wrong, I really believe that we can go all the way, but don't start planning ahead when the future is far from certain.

Devon is an idiot

Well, Martyn has finally spoken about why he retired.

Still quite a shocker in that he just didn't tell anybody about it. His reasons:



Watching the 1 dayers in Aus at the moment, it doesn't look like they missing anyone... Yes some games have been close, but they still get the wins.

Good point there.
They may be playing well at the moment but I really cant wait to see how they perform at this year's world cup.

They are the team to beat - And yes they do seem to win the close games more often than not.

Why do you think that this is?

Is it a mental upper-hand? Better preperation and conditioning? Training? Or simply more talent?

I don't think it is more talent. In fact, I think we have more talent than the aussies. Just the aussies are better at nurturing that talent, and toughening up the players mentally. I also think they are better prepared.

We just got rid of one of our best coaches in Jennings, and why? He did better than what the current moron is doing. He at least won us a test series in India or the Windies, I forget. First time in ages. The team was just getting that mental toughness, and good conditioning. Why did we get rid of him. Smith didn't like his attitude of he didn't care who he p'ed off. He got the players working. He also got input from players like Kallis and Pollock, and got them to take new players under their wings. This simply does not happen anymore, and the results are showing. This of course is IMHO.

And IMHO.

Why bother typing it all about again, I agree with cyfer