I am sure that there are some players in both teams that feel like they have been knocked out in the boxing ring after the last Test.
The courage, determination and the never-say-die attitude shown by both teams was inspirational. Players pushed themselves to the limits – both physically and mentally.
That is why Test cricket is the ultimate test for a cricketer.
With only a three day turn around, the series on the line, and the number one Test ranking up for grabs, you will be surprised how quickly the players will bounce back.
This is what you train for, these moments.
Despite Adelaide resulting in another drawn Test, there was plenty to deduce from the game. But the question remains, who grabbed the honours?
South Africa would certainly gain strength and confidence from their great escape, having denied Australia the win by batting out the last day, largely thanks to the debutant Faf du Plessis and Jacque Kallis on one leg.
du Plessis, for a person playing his first Test, showed stellar concentration and patience, something that isn’t his natural game.
If he can draw on this experience and new found confidence, we may see him flourish on the fast Perth pitch and outfield.
The Adelaide test also reminded us why South Africa is the number one ranked Test team, with their renowned fighting spirit evident throughout.
Kallis played exceptionally well on just one leg and he will be fighting against the clock to be fit to deny Australia the win.
As for the Australians, they were only two wickets away from winning the match. Even with a man down they again showed the hunger, with Siddle leading the charge.
So what are going to be the changes for the Aussies?
Before Ponting’s retirement announcement, the hot topic of conversation has been what fast bowlers will be selected to try and snatch victory for Australia.
With Pattison out, it should be an automatic selection for Starc, who has been named 12th man for the past two Tests.
Clarke has opted to spare the two workhorses of team, Siddle and Hilfenhaus, who bowled more than 117 over between them in the last two Test matches.
With the gutsy call to leave “the lionheart” Siddle out, it does open the door for a few young men to make their debut.
If I was a selector, I would keep Lyon in the side as I feel a spinner is still necessary. Plus, with Watson fit to play and bowl, he can almost act as your fourth pace bowler.
With two more positions available, I can see that Johnson will make a comeback on his new home turf, due to his success on this wicket and also recent form in domestic cricket.
The final position should go to the young country boy, Hazelwood, from Central North NSW, dubbed the ‘next Glen McGrath’. I believe his height and consistency is what this team needs.
Unfortunately, that means Hastings will have to wait for his Baggy Green.
There is so much riding on this Test and the emotional connection for the Aussie boys to ensure that they send the great man out on a winning note will see them dig even deeper.
My prediction for this Test match is for the Aussies to come away with a win.
They have been grinding the South Africans into the ground slowly, despite their fighting spirit, but there is too much at stake now for the Australians.
Even though Clarke and Arthur openly backed Ponting, he has realised that it is time to call it a day and I hope that he finishes on a high.
He has been a tremendous player to watch and his record will stand the test of time.
When Ricky plays his last innings it will be a moment in Australian history of where were you watching the game for his final ball.
This Test is one that you don’t want to miss.
Worlds biggest
Guest
Yep sure is however getting them all out for 225 is a fair effort. Warner and Watson need to get off to a great start tomorrow. If we can get a win without our 5 frontline quicks it will be a win for the ages sending off the great Punter.
jameswm
Guest
Because the last test was at Adelaide. We had only 2 quicks - no watson or 3rd quick (Pattinson injured). So this test we have 4 quicks and a more helpful deck. Sids and Hilfy might be first string but they're not nornally big wicket takers, not this season anyway.
lemo
Guest
I might be one of those that agree with you if i had a clue what you said. "best technic for forward match winning cricket"?
josh
Guest
Having an entirely new bowling team is a big risk going into the last game of the series and locked at 0-0.
Andy_Roo
Roar Guru
Lisa you quite rightly say that these are the moments you train hard for. So I would think Peter Siddle would be feeling very angry at the lack of faith the selectors and team heirarchy have shown in him. Siddle trains harder than anyone (he trains with an AFL team) and his performance on day 5 in Adelaide showed that he has earned the right to play in what is the biggest game of the summer. It's like being dropped in Grand Final week, shame on the selectors. Not forgetting Hilfenhaus either. He should be dirty too but players in football teams walk out on their club when they get treated the way Siddle has. No other club to go to though. As for the game in Perth I think South Africa will go in very confident. The Aussies threw their best punches in Adelaide and SA are still standing. With so many changes to the AUS bowling attack the SA batting line up will be very confident. All their batters are in form, except perhaps Rudolph. Their bowlers will all be fresh and Morkel has been excellent. Expect to see somethn big from Steyn too. SA are odds on to win for mine, unfortunately.
Chris
Guest
Australia 10% chance, South Africa 20% and draw 70%. If we couldn't take 20 wickets with our front line attack, how the hell are we going to do it with Starc (brilliant T20 player, but nowhere near Test-ready... yet) and Mitchell "Mr Wide" Johnson? The only saving grace is no Quiney. How has no-one been fired for that selection yet? The guy averages mid-30's in domestic cricket, how could they have possibly thought he could handle Test cricket?
Shaun
Guest
As a Saffer I've got reservations about Punter being the batsman to watch...all the pressure off. Scared that he'll have a big one.
DJW
Guest
Still quite windy in Perth today. I think bowling first will be definitely advantageous. Might be some early rain too. I'm not sure about two lefties if both Johnson and Starc play. Not sure about Lyon either at WACA although usually bounce at the WACA that could help him. I have a feeling the selectors are going to suprise us and Starc might be carrying the drinks to accommodate for Johnson. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Lancey5times
Guest
I'd play Lyon. With 2 left armers he'll have a bit to bowl at. Deep down I think the selectors are still hesitant to have Watson bowling a great deal and this may influence them to play the 4th seamer. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Max
Guest
Well said Col. I think the selectors have proven themselves to be incapable once again, Siddle has even come out and said he is fresh and ready. What a joke in denying them of one of the greatest contests to be played in their careers. I annoys me when a higher authority takes something away from a player who has worked his whole life to get to this level and then to be denied an opportunity to play in one of the more memorable games. A joke.
Harry
Guest
Bird, Johnson, Starc and Hastings for me. Johnson and Hastings make pretty useful 8 and 9 batsmen by the way. Lyon, to be brutal, didn't deliver in Adelaide and shouldn't get a run here, even though he is our best spinner. Odds favour SA, they'll feel they are lucky to be evens going into this.
jameswm
Guest
Yeah bit different here, Lisa's played a lot for her country (dtill does maybe?)
jameswm
Guest
Yeah there was a bit of Russion roulette. Work Sids to the bone, hopefully scrape the win, and turn the WACA into a road in the 3-4 intervening days. It backfired though, so we go into a test with 3-4 new quicks, none of whom played earlier in the series. We're really punting on Johnson and Starc having big games, with both prone to erratic bowling. That's why I thought we needed a steadying influence like Jackson Bird.
jameswm
Guest
I'm not convinced we need a spinner, only for over rates. Depends on what the wicket's like. I think they see Bird as an unfashionable medium pacer who won't bring the crowds in. Didn't worry anyone with McGrath though. I've only seen him bowl a bit, but you can't argue with those consistent numbers. In truth, he probably bowls a lot like Philander.
rl
Guest
jameswm - I'm not great shakes as a judge of cricket talent, but the overlooking of Bird does seem puzzling. Do the selectors (who would/should be far better judges of talent than most) see something in Mitch Johnson's game that isn't in Bird's (despite the weight of statistics)? Do they even need a spinner, or has Lyon got a decent record at the WACA?
Larry
Guest
wheres campo?
nachos supreme
Guest
You're not allowed to do that these days ask whatisname from SA....but yeah you'd be dirty
Red Kev
Guest
Yeah if I was Siddle I'd be smashing stuff in the dressing room.
Col
Guest
How filthy would Siddle and Hilf be? - They bust their back doors on two of the flattest wickets in the country, taking the team to within a whisker of victory with a man down. - The biggest game of the year, labelled a "Grand Final" by the skipper, the no 1 ranking on the line. - Best wicket in the world for fast bowling and swing bowling for that matter. - Punters last Test - 3 days to do nothing but rest up, get rub downs and re-hydrate - Lisa says it herself, players bounce back quickly for these games, its what they train for. What do the selectors do? Give them a rest. A REST? Gee thanks. Then replace them with a bloke who hasn't taken a 1st class five fa and a bloke who regularly misses the deck. These blokes get to play in the biggest game of the year, they get to bowl on the best wicket in the world, they get the opportunity to take Australia to no 1 and win Punter one more Test. Really??? That has to hurt.
jameswm
Guest
Not sure about Hilfy, but I'd be pretty sure Sids has been tested and shown to be at high risk of injury. You don't weant another fast bowler breaking down during a series. So, all of us thought we have 5 genune test-class bowlers. Pattinson, Siddle, Hilfy, Cummins and Harris. All 5 are injured. So what should the attack be? Starc (downwind) and Bird (upwind) would be the first two I'd pick. The doctor even sends Starc's balls the right way. I think with Starc being the understudy and Bird clearly the Shield bowler of the last 2 seasons, they pick themselves. Which two more? Downwind, you've got Johnson and who else? Doug the Rug? This is where we needed Cummins, Sids or Patto. The conditions will suit Johnson. Upwind, a choice of Lyon (if they want a spinner), Hazlewood, Cutting, Hastings, Faulkner, Butterworth, Copeland and Putland! No standouts, and you've got Watto as well to fill this role. I find Hazlewood a bit too up and down, Cutting goes for too many runs, For those worried about Mitch's selection, remember that with our top 5 quicks injured and Starc the bridesmaid, it still puts him at only the 6th ranked quick at highest. I expect they'll pick all 4 quicks.