South Africa v Sri Lanka, 5th ODI, Johannesburg, 22 January, 2012

Will be interesting to see the line-ups as it's another dead rubber. SA is experimenting, resting a lot of key players while Lanka has been forced to try some youngsters due to a couple of injuries. It's a day match at the venue of the famous 438 ODI but we haven't really seen a pitch to rival that since. SA's fielding cost it the last match so you imagine that Kirsten would expect an improvement in this area.

Geoff Marsh will be hoping that another consolation victory might help him avoid the axe.

Red wrote:Will be interesting...

Um, no it won't.

Where is this being played?

It's not Jo'burg? Dickinfo seems to think it is.

Was trying to convey the lack of interest.

I thought there may have been more than one international ground in Jo'burg.

So Red, any comments on the Smith century?

Dead rubber.

taipan wrote:So Red, any comments on the Smith century?

Compared with AB's it was funereal. I really enjoyed the latter's audacious shots, especially towards the end. SA might have made more had Albie come in earlier. AB looked stuffed so keeping and skippering will be tough for him. Petersen doesn't look like an ODI opener.

So Smith cocked up by not getting out earlier. I agree a strike rate of 90+ is pathetic.

BTW, something to gladden your heart, de Kock has scored 146 opening in the final of the Pakistan/SA triangular series against the Paksters.

And back to your point, a little more Albie and you probably would have set 350. 300 is not foolproof at this venue. Think Sooky would do well to drop the sweep shot and try to use his power to get the boundaries.

I Am tempted to bring him into the ODI side already

taipan wrote:I Am tempted to bring him into the ODI side already

Why not? - AB goes back to the outfield, you ease a youngster into international cricket, gain a keeper and an aggressive batsmen.

Match delayed by storms after Lankans come out of the blocks with alacrity.

Marsh sacked as coach and he'll be replaced by Ford from SA. Coaches from Africa seems to be a bit of a trend in world cricket.