An interesting game this test cricket...
DAY 1
The first day saw a disappointing performance by SA who won the toss and elected to bat and only managed to score 242 all out.
Australia were 105 without loss as close of play. Things did not look good...
DAY 2
The second day produced some surprises - one bad and the rest good.
The first surprise was a pleasant one with Steyn getting the wicket of Warner to break the opening stand.
A few overs later, along came the bad surprise - Steyn suffering a fracture of the shoulder in his 13th over and, potentially, out of test cricket for at least 6 months
Things begun to look bad again but the rest of the bowlers came to the party and limited Australia to a 2 run lead at 244 all out.
In their second innings, South Africa ended the day on 104 for 2 wickets to put them in the lead by 102 runs with 8 wickets remaining (7 if we exclude Steyn).
RULES GOVERNING SUBSTITUTES
Given that Steyn was the lynchpin of the SA pace attack and, with this injury side-lining him, we need to look at the limitations that apply to the use of Substitutes:
1) Prior to start of a test match, each side needs to submit a squad list of 16 team members of which:
a. 11 comprise the playing team
b. 1 nominated as 12th man (usually involved in drinks breaks)
c. 4 nominated candidate substitutes
2) When a player is incapacitated (to the satisfaction of the umpires) and has to leave the field, a substitute fielder may take his place (as a fielder).
3) Acceptable source of a substitute fielder: from b. and c. above (i.e. the 12th man or one of the four nominated candidates)
4) Substitute role limitations
a. Substitute may only function as a fielder and NOT as either a batsman, bowler, wicket-keeper or captain
So, at this stage of the test, Steyn's absence from the field due to injury will allow a substitute fielder but the substitute may not bowl nor bat.
5) 1st Test 16-man Squad - 12th man and substitutes (5 players)
a) Kyle Abbott
b) Morne Morkel (still only 90% fit)
c) Rilee Rossouw
d) Tabriz Shamsi
e) Dane Vilas
The end result for this test is the bowling attack will only include:
a) 3 x Front-line bowlers (Philander, Rabada & Maharaj)
b) 2 x Second-string bowlers (Duminy & Elgar)
c) 3 x others with little or no test experience (Amla and de Kock)
Given that the 3 x front-line bowlers came to today's party after Steyn's departure, taking the remaining 9 wickets AND restricting the Aussies to a mere 2 run lead, they definitely did a fine job, but it did take Steyn to make the initial breakthrough by dismissing Warner.
The Australian 2nd innings - whatever the target - is going to be a real challenge to just 3 front-line bowlers and Duminy and Elgar may well have to plug some gaps.
Tomorrow (Day 3) looks set to be an interesting one with the SA 2nd innings on 104 for 2 and a lead of 102 with 7 effective wickets remaining (Steyn's substitute will not be able to bat in his place).
Dave
DAY 1
The first day saw a disappointing performance by SA who won the toss and elected to bat and only managed to score 242 all out.
Australia were 105 without loss as close of play. Things did not look good...
DAY 2
The second day produced some surprises - one bad and the rest good.
The first surprise was a pleasant one with Steyn getting the wicket of Warner to break the opening stand.
A few overs later, along came the bad surprise - Steyn suffering a fracture of the shoulder in his 13th over and, potentially, out of test cricket for at least 6 months
Things begun to look bad again but the rest of the bowlers came to the party and limited Australia to a 2 run lead at 244 all out.
In their second innings, South Africa ended the day on 104 for 2 wickets to put them in the lead by 102 runs with 8 wickets remaining (7 if we exclude Steyn).
RULES GOVERNING SUBSTITUTES
Given that Steyn was the lynchpin of the SA pace attack and, with this injury side-lining him, we need to look at the limitations that apply to the use of Substitutes:
1) Prior to start of a test match, each side needs to submit a squad list of 16 team members of which:
a. 11 comprise the playing team
b. 1 nominated as 12th man (usually involved in drinks breaks)
c. 4 nominated candidate substitutes
2) When a player is incapacitated (to the satisfaction of the umpires) and has to leave the field, a substitute fielder may take his place (as a fielder).
3) Acceptable source of a substitute fielder: from b. and c. above (i.e. the 12th man or one of the four nominated candidates)
4) Substitute role limitations
a. Substitute may only function as a fielder and NOT as either a batsman, bowler, wicket-keeper or captain
So, at this stage of the test, Steyn's absence from the field due to injury will allow a substitute fielder but the substitute may not bowl nor bat.
5) 1st Test 16-man Squad - 12th man and substitutes (5 players)
a) Kyle Abbott
b) Morne Morkel (still only 90% fit)
c) Rilee Rossouw
d) Tabriz Shamsi
e) Dane Vilas
The end result for this test is the bowling attack will only include:
a) 3 x Front-line bowlers (Philander, Rabada & Maharaj)
b) 2 x Second-string bowlers (Duminy & Elgar)
c) 3 x others with little or no test experience (Amla and de Kock)
Given that the 3 x front-line bowlers came to today's party after Steyn's departure, taking the remaining 9 wickets AND restricting the Aussies to a mere 2 run lead, they definitely did a fine job, but it did take Steyn to make the initial breakthrough by dismissing Warner.
The Australian 2nd innings - whatever the target - is going to be a real challenge to just 3 front-line bowlers and Duminy and Elgar may well have to plug some gaps.
Tomorrow (Day 3) looks set to be an interesting one with the SA 2nd innings on 104 for 2 and a lead of 102 with 7 effective wickets remaining (Steyn's substitute will not be able to bat in his place).
Dave
