First blood to Australia

My sympathies lie with all that parted with all their hard earned Rand over the past five days supporting our national cricket team. After such a promising first morning of the Test, I made the effort to go and support our team at the Wanderers ground, on both the second and third days. What I witnessed was a team of so called 'experienced' players, humbled by a Test side that had no less than three debutantes. Granted, the Aussies played a courageous brand of cricket to fight back from three for 38, but this does little to excuse the frequent mental lapses from individuals who should be more aware of what is at stake. Perhaps Graeme Smith could lead the way by offering his match payments as a way of apology to the long suffering supporters who, I believe deserved a more committed effort

Let me first say that I am as surprised as I am pleased at the Australian win. I really though the South Africans had our measure and we were going to be buried. A bit of a mixed performance from both sides, but SA has form for being good run chasers (my wife likes to show me that ODI DVD) so no waoy could Australia be complacent. At the end though, it was quite an easy victory. Game on, Kingsmead here we come!

I feel compelled to respond to Johnty's comment. Man, do you think you should only pay for a ticket to support your national side if they are going to deliver a win? That shows a fair-weather attitude and a lack of character. New Zealand is notorious for crucifying their national teams when they lose, what a shame it will be if SA goes the same way!

Let's not forget that as well as 3 debutants, Australia also had McDonald, Siddle and Haddin who are all recent newcomers to the test arena as well. Even Mitchell Johnson hasn't been around long. Their up-and-coming talent pool is scary. I thought we might have seen the last of their world dominance but it looks like their stumble might just be a brief period of regenerating. South Africa needs to crush their confidence now while it can, to try and keep them down longer.

I can't help but against all hope, agree with Steve Russell. Yes, was indeed hoping that at least for a while someone else {us SA more specifically} would kinda dominate for a while and it looked like the writing was on the wall for Australia with the departure of their stalwarts starting from the Micheal Bevans & Damien Martyn's to Langer, Warne, Mcgrath, Gilchrist and Haden more recently but their talent pool seems to have quite a few surprises for us. As for this series I still think we can bounce back. I'd like to see Ashwell Prince back in though. Much respect for Neil Mckenzie, but i would rest him for the next test, open with Smith & Amla and see how it goes. Not a coach or anything like that but I think Neil is a little low on confidence of late and from what i think i've seen, there's nothing to unsettle the Aussies like a solid start to their opponents batting innings... obviously a really solid middle order partnership has the same effect but that is easier coming if a decent platform has been set upfront... what does everyone else say?