Aussie tour of South Africa

[Moses]

Here's a thread to discuss all things for the upcoming Aussie Tour of South Africa. Personally I think we'll win the test series 2-1 and don't give a shit about the one dayers... though we'll probably win them anyway.

[Moses]

February 20, 2006

Australia's players have been told to prepare for the most unpleasant crowd behaviour of their careers during the tour to South Africa. As the squad left for the six-week trip today, Ricky Ponting expected the conditions to be more hostile than on previous eventful visits.

The South African reaction following the three-Test series in Australia either side of Christmas, which Australia won 2-0, will add to the tension after incidents of racist crowd taunts throughout the tour. "I think it will be," Ponting said in The Australian when asked if the crowds would make it the most unpleasant overseas tour. "It certainly has been in the past when we have been there. At the Wanderers [in Johannesburg] when we were there for a previous tour we had to get a tunnel erected over the players' walkway to stop people spitting at us and pouring drinks over us."

Ponting said this trip would carry an extra element after the home series, which included constant big statements from Graeme Smith and a competitive contest despite the end result. "There will certainly be a bit more of an edge to this one," he said. "We are aware that our arrival will be eagerly awaited and we understand that it's going to be a very tough tour, both on and off the ground. But having said that, it's always an enjoyable tour because of the spirit between the two teams and the fact that South Africa are always incredibly competitive."

Australian players have rated South Africa and New Zealand as the worst for crowd abuse and James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, expected the team to be a target. "There are always countries in the world where your players are going to cop more abuse than others," he told the paper, "and South Africa tends to be higher on that list for us."

South Africa, who failed to make the VB Series finals, will be boosted by the likely returns of Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini and Jacques Kallis after they left the Australia tour with injury. "They will be a different proposition over there," Ponting said. "They'll get some of their players back and a couple of guys which will help their side out a lot.
"With Nel and Ntini fit it will make a big difference, as will Kallis coming back in because he is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world." The tour starts with a Twenty20 game on Friday.

Cricinfo (http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/rsavaus/content/current/story/237927.html)

[Moses]

I personally think these 'racist' calls are a crock of shit. There were about 10 drunken supporters kicked out of the grounds for calling Ntini 'kaffir' and calling Pollock 'kaffir boetie'. This out of the 300,000 supporters who went to watch the games is hardly representative of Australia as a whole.

Some of the stuff in the press has been calling us a nation of racists which is utter shit. The word 'kaffir' has no meaning here unless you're quoting Leathal Weapon 2 - the 10 people saying it to the saffers have no understanding apart from knowing that it gets under the south african skins so fair game.. Furthermore the Australian team and Administration condemned this tiny minority and are seeking life bans for them. They weren't egging the crowd on as Boucher has now come out and done.

Anyway, the return series in SA will be very interesting. I'm sure our boys will let the scorecard do the talking, but I'm not sure I can say the same for G.Smith :)

[Shayne]

I enjoy watching the Aussies espcially Gilchrist and I hope he smashes 245 off 3 balls in the upcoming tour.

As for crowd abuse. It is bad in any country especially where alcohol is consumed. As far as i'm concerned its all part of the game and professional sportsmen need to adapt and ignore it. Full stop.

[Moses]

speaking of dealing with crowd abuse Murali is crying again cause the Aussie crowds still no-ball him every time he bowls!

I reckon he should embrace his chucking action, cause he surely is the greatest chucker of all time. Would have been an awesome baseballer..

[Moses]

Hussey is my favourite at the moment.. can't believe it took so long to get him into the national side...

[Shayne]

I reckon Crowd abuse should become an Olympic event. :)

Ten of the finest shit faced, abusive fuckers from each country competing. I reckon those yobs from UK would win it hands down.

[Moses]

they do train em young over there...

http://schlapsheim.cigogne.org/images/schlapsheim.cigogne.org/jeune%20hooligan.jpg

[Dantik]

dude that is one pissed off kid