Australia V South Africa

[Old Croc]

The series starts in Perth tomorrow.

The two teams known to be the best (or worst) sledgers in world cricket actually start playing sport. The verbal stoushes have been going for a week or two and have already drawn warnings from the ICC. Players from both sides are still in doubt with Kallis and McGrath fighting for fitness.

Bring it on.

Edited December 15, 2005 by Old Croc

[Old Croc]

An update. Australia made a reasonable start, getting past 100 for the loss of only one wicket, but crumbled later in the day to be all out for 258. Only Ponting with 71 got past the fifty mark.

Chief destroyer for South Africa was Ntini with 5/64. In reply after tea on the second day SAfrica are 6/233.

Shane Warne has broken the world record for most wickets by a bowler in a calander year. He now has 86 at an average of just over 21. (not bad for a washed up old man!) The old record of 85 was held by Dennis Lillee.

[Old Croc]

South Africa all out 296. (38 run lead) de Villiars 68, Boucher 62.

Lee 5/93, Warne 3/92. (87 for calender year)

[tuky]

WHat is going on old croc?

Granted I have not followed cricket as much as I would like to have in the last few years but this seems to be very low scoring.

Is the wicket at the WACA ok?

WACA History

The WACA, as an association was officially established on 25th November 1885 under the Presidency of Mr JCH James.

The WACA Ground was officially opened in 1893 with the first match played on the turf wickets in February 1894.

1895: First Grandstand built at the WACA Ground - seating for 500 people and incorporating 4 dressing rooms, a dining room, two bathrooms, members’ rooms and bars.

The Farley Stand (demolished) - opened in 1931 – the oldest stand at the ground. Named after WJ Farley – Association President 1915-16 to 1916-17 and Secretary 1917-18 to 1928-29.

Players Pavilion (demolished) - Lower level built to provide facilities for the players and the WACA Administration in 1960’s. The seating on top was added to provide extra seating for the 1970 Perth inaugural Test Match.

The current stands were built as follows:

The “Test” or Inverarity Stand

Built in 1970 to celebrate the First Test Match (Australia v England) ever to be played at the WACA.

Prindiville Stand

Officially opened in November 1984 as the first stage of a major redevelopment of the Ground to commemorate the Centenary of the WACA in 1985. Named after Mr Bernie Prindiville, a past President of the Association, the Stand today houses the Association’s Administration and Finance Departments. The Stand also includes the President’s Room, the Willow Room, the Stump Lounge and a range of Private boxes.

Lillee Marsh Stand

Completed in 1988 as a public Stand, catering for the capacity crowds of cricket and football. Since 2002 the Lillee-Marsh Stand is reserved for the WACA Membership. The Sir Donald Bradman Room and Press/Media/Scoring facilities are housed in the upper levels of the Stand along with a series of Private/Sponsor boxes. A reception-function centre for 500 people is available in this complex. Named after former State and Australian players Dennis Lillee and Rodney Marsh with acknowledgment to the R&I for their sponsorship.

Players Pavilion

Constructed in 2002, this Pavilion stands within the Member’s enclosure and includes change rooms and social rooms for all players including the Retravision Warriors and visiting teams. The building also includes facilities for the Match Committee.

The Score Board

Built in 1954, was a donation from the North West Murchison Cricket Association. This association is some 1800 kilometres north of Perth – yet still in the State of Western Australia.

The Oval

was completely restructured in 1985 with some 20,000 tonnes of soil being removed. New wickets were laid, excellent drainage installed and some 22,000 tonnes of new soil was laid. Approximately 250,000 individual pieces of turf were laid in the ten wicket centre “square”.

The Lights

Located in 6 towers, the lights were installed and first used in 1986 and cost $4.2 million. They stand 70 metres high with an average of 138 lights in each tower and when operating cost approximately $600.00 per hour. Stairs are located on the inside.

Wickets

The wickets run true North-South.

Indoor Centre

In the North-East corner, contains 4 wickets and 2 bowling machines.

Practice wicket facilities at eastern end of ground. There are 45 individual strips up to 8 “brought-up” at any one time.

The WACA has “freehold” of the ground. Originally 29 acres – part sold to the Trotting Association in the early 1920’s.

Who said us sandgropers have no real history?

[Davey]

I managed to catch some of the seconds days play, I was surprised to see such low totals, particuarly from the aussies. They lost an early wicket in their second innings too, an upset could occur, although I'm sure Australia have too much quality.

Also, congratulations to the great Shane Warne for taking the most wickets in a year, da.mn he is good

[Old Croc]

WHat is going on old croc?

Granted I have not followed cricket as much as I would like to have in the last few years but this seems to be very low scoring.

Is the wicket at the WACA ok?

 

WACA History

.

Who said us sandgropers have no real history?

Some interresting history about the WACA there Tuky.

Not sure why the wicket is not as hard and fast as usual. But this has been the coldest start to summer in Perth ever. Maybe the pitch has not been baked solid by the sun as is normal well before december.

Batsmen getting a start and not going on with it haven't helped the scoring. Currently, in their second innings Oz are 4/294. (a lead of 256)

[Old Croc]

Yesterday Australia wrapped up the 3 match series with a 2-0 result.

In the 3rd and final test a sporting declaration by SA captain, Smith gave both teams a chance of victory. Set 287 to win (a record last innings winning score at SCG) Oz achieved it in very fast time losing only 2 wickets. Ponting, in his 100th match, scored two centuries to lead his team home.