Australia vs South Africa

[Etienne]

Australia vs South Africa

No, I haven't. Actually having mentioned it, I need to go back and read Mihir Bose's account of it in his history of Indian cricket.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Australia vs South Africa

The Wilde book is, I presume, cheap on Amazon, and it's a kind of "when fast bowling ruled the world". Bit long perhaps but he coins good phrases and lots of interesting facts. Worth checking out.

I have Manley's history of West Indies cricket. Wonder what he made of it. Or indeed CLR James.

[Etienne]

Australia vs South Africa

Just had a look at the Bose book. Not much of interest about the game itself (just criticism of Holding for going round the wicket to launch a short-pitched assault), but intersting to remember that in the previous test West Indies bowling attack was Holding and Julien plus 3 spinners, Jumadeen, Padmore and Imitiaz Ali and India made 406-4 batting last to win the test. Windies weren't going tomake that mistake again.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Australia vs South Africa

Funnily enough they did retain Jumadeen for this test.

Manley points out that one batsman was injured ducking into a hook, another broke a finger fending to leg slip, and the last top edged into his face. Doesn't say much about the pitch, but Wilde reckons a miraculous sprouting of grass between days 1 and 2 was important.

The battering doesn't from Manley sound worse than what Australia served up against Windies in the series they won 5-1 just before this.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Australia vs South Africa

It's funny to remember when going round the wicket was considered not cricket.

[Etienne]

Australia vs South Africa

Bose says that it was claimed a mysterious ridge formed on the second day, after India finished the first one 178-1. Clearly Gavaskar and Gaekwad should have pushed on a bit more when they had the chance.

Bowling bouncers round the wicket is still considered a bit dodgy isn't it? I mean not just Walsh to Malcolm, but eyebrows were raised when Donald did it to Atherton too.