“Australia off to a flyer” says Cricinfo, after South Africa won the toss and decided to bat.

Is this good? Last time Australia posted the highest ODI score, the Saffers beat them. Don’t think I can bear to watch Gilly. I never feel safe and secure til Ponting gets in. Why didn’t the silly b_s want to bat first? I know why, really… just hope it comes back to haunt them.

…going to bed.

You got it backwards Jess Haydo’s on fire! What a six over long off!

Good on ya Fiona!

South African Commentator is a complete dickhead. Says Hayden’s innings has been a bit scratchy, played and missed a few, could have been out a few times. Whatever mate. Go cover the England game or something.

Finally Gilchrist retires. I was getting worried.

Of the Australian cricket team, I mean. I’m sure he has nothing against continental landmasses

I think the Aussies are trying to make a statement…….to Graeme Smith, anyway. TMS is describing Hayden’s batting as like Batman - biff, wham, whacko! If anyone has visuals, could you tell me if he’s still using his pink bat?

I always worry about Clarke. Like Watson. They always look like they are trying too hard to show they can stay in. Oh, ” SMASHED away for four…” said the commentary. Maybe I take that back about Clarke.

Now it’s 2-250 in the 36 over.
(How’s England going over there, by the way?)

The inability of Australia to defend any total, no matter how high, really gives me the sh its. We could have got 500 and you just know the Yarpies would get them.

Kenya could never banana skin us, Michael (I hope…). Vaughan’s gone cheaply yet again, though. He wouldn’t be in the side if he wasn’t captain.

Where’s the fucking Hogg critics now?

My American wife Jenifer just said, “I like Symonds because he seems to make things happen.”

This was in response to another one of his great fielding efforts. I gave that some thought and that describes him perfectly!

My wife, and boys, were lucky to watch their first ever real game in person last year at the SCG, 2nd final between SL and AUS. That day Symonds scored 156 (odd) from the precarious position of 3-10.

It was an absolute jaffa and the best possible response to a clean hit for 6 the ball before.

Also watch Tait’s beauties:

Bowling Boucher
LBW Kemp

Raw, raw, raw speed.

The much touted Tait yorker is actually proving useful - cool!
Maybe they won’t miss Lee as much as feared.

Tait and Hogg will gain heaps of confidence from this. Not to mention the Aussies finally being able to defend a large total. Assuming that Pollock and Kallis can’t manufacture a miracle from here.

So far, the only bowler for the match to go for less than 6 an over is Nathan Bracken.

How good has Bracken bowled? 8 overs for 33 and he gets his wicket. South Africa - see you later.

Scott - we defended a big score, rather magnificently I might add.

Just woke up. Seems I missed the worst of it, for Australia that isl
Hey Scott, you still have the sh_ts?
Michael, I think smith had the right idea based on our recent form. But unlike some teams, the Aussies don’t give up, learn from their mistakes and come back with new plans. Smith was probably hoping to get the pschological edge. But you know how it is…

Hurray! It’s all over! Australia have the edge now!
yes, Scott, we can defend!

My American son, 7 years of age, watches a little cricket and loves playing it, but the games generally don’t cater to his 7 year old attention span.

He walks in, moments ago, while South Africa is 9 down, and says, “I want England to get out.”

Haha! That’s my boy.

Scott, I’m not complacent, I’m just happy. Please don’t try to make anything esle out of my simple pleasure.

I think you’ve been living in England too long

I wonder how long it’ll take Smith to claim South Africa weren’t really trying as hard as they could, merely ‘preserving’ energy for the Super Eights?

Bloody excellent that his smug smirk has been wiped off his face.

Here are some headlines and quote snippets after our 5 losses in a row.

How Australia fell back to earth.
The Australian line-up (is) unsettled and unsure of itself.
Forget that piddly little Ashes urn.
Australia in turmoil for cup.
Australia look gone to me.
Australia cannot win Cup, Sir Viv says.
Can we beat Scotland?

Fast-forward a month to a month and a half, and we have the following adjectives and superlatives:

“Rampant defending champion Australia.”
No other sides (SA and AUS) look as certain for semi’s.
Aussies put up a chilling sign of class.
Proteas put in their place.
Oz now 6/4 after sa romp.

What a difference a month makes.