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The South Africa v Australia Twitter XI

3rd February, 2014
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Australia's Nathan Hauritz was undervalued during his Test career. (AP Photo/Tom Hevezi)
Roar Guru
3rd February, 2014
6
1826 Reads

Welcome cricket fans to another instalment of who wants to be a Twitter star. With the 103 days of summer now over for England, and South Africa having kicked out Pakistan, we can now look forward to some decent cricket

However, where should one get their news and commentary for this upcoming battle for the number 1 Test team in the world?

Let’s forget TV. No one is doing that right. Let’s also park radio and the mainstream newspapers. Both are ho hum at best.

That’s right, the only place for real time facts, scores, entertainment, opinion and other shenanigans is Twitter. Real people giving real insight that is not sponsored by the BCCI

So, I have taken the liberty (thank me later) of collating the best Twitter accounts to follow in regards to this battle of the titans. I have limited the selection only to those people from the competing nations. Again, England is not playing this series

So, without further ado, here is the official (may not be official) South Africa versus Australia Twitter XI.

1) @SimplySean_ (Sean Wilson – South African)

Every team needs a solid opener, and Sean is that guy. A member of the “Blogz On Ballz” show on South Africa’s Ballz Radio, Sean is that guy who has a voice smoother than will make grown men melt, yet opinions on cricket that will make any woman fall in love with him. Will not let you down

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2) @FirdoseM (Firdose Moonda – South African)

Every great opening pairing needs X factor. In this case, it is South Africa’s leading cricket lady Firdose Moonda. In depth and insightful, Firdose will bring you great articles and thoughts from a South African perspective. A mainstay on Cricinfo.

3) @LiebCricket (Dan Liebke – Australia)

One of Twitter’s great independent minds on the game of cricket. Dan has generated a cult following with his wit that is unmatched.

He will keep your Twitter feed full during the matches, and appears regularly on cricket podcasts. However, his pièce de résistance are his articles.

Don’t miss them. They are something special

4) @FollowTheBounce (Dan Karpinski – South Africa)

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Coming in at number four is the team’s natural stroke player and fearless combatant, Ben Karpinski. He hosts the “Blogz on Ballz” radio show and also writes for his own sports site.

This man is scared of nothing and will take anyone in cricket down with him as he swings for the rafters with his cutting Twitter banter. An avid fan of Mick Lewis

5) @CricketBatCat (Cat Jones – Australia)

If Firdose is South Africa’s leading cricket lady, then Cat holds her own as Australia’s entry. A member of the “Can’t Bowl Can’t Bowl” cricket podcast, Cat brings all the wondrous charm and understated elegance one wishes we saw more often. One of Twitter’s best

6) @SportBillySays ( Name unknown although probably more like Andrew and not actually Billy – South Africa)

Yes, another Saffa, but they aren’t number one in the world for nothing. Again, a razor sharp wit and a great blog. Nearly 8k followers, and most of them are the who’s who of South African sporting royalty. That should tell you something

7) @JustPlainTwit (Darren Scott – South Africa)

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Possibly South Africa’s greatest radio sporting DJ. For Australian’s, think Ian Chappell’s straight talking crossed with Richie Benaud’s charm. If you want someone on Twitter to banter with, Darren is your man. He will be throwing more sledges on Twitter than Johan Botha throws balls

8) @GeoffLemonSport (Geoff Lemon – Australia)

The man who made himself a worldwide hero with his “Hey Shane Watson!” video. A chronic writer of awesomeness about cricket. Expect to be entertained and more by this Twitter account

9) @NotDavidWarner (Some guy who is not David Warner – Australia)

Not David uses less words and more photoshop to convey his comedic Twitter messages. KP once used some of his work as his personal avatar. Not David tweets less than others, but no one tweets funnier

10) @MohanStatsMan (Mohandas Menon – India)

Ok, I had to let one foreign player into the team. Australia are in the midst of fast tracking his citizenship, so he qualifies in time to remain in the team.

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Mohan may not make you laugh, but he will fill your belly full of topical statistical goodness

11) @PatSymcox77 (Pat Symcox – South Africa)

The elder statesman of the team. His Test bowling strike rate may have been 96.00, so it’s lucky his Twitter strike rate is somewhat better. His own man and worth a serious follow

Like most teams, there were some who could be deemed unlucky not to make the starting line-up. So just for them (and for you to ensure you follow them), here is the Chairman’s XI of those who missed out

The Chairman’s XI team –

@Corpse_In_Pads (W.M.Lawry Parody – Australia)

This Bill Lawry parody will swear his way into your heart with hilarious views and inappropriate language

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@SB_Tang (SB Tang – Australia)

No, not a bookmaker. SB is a freelance writer for Cricinfo, The Guardian and All Out Cricket. Does some great stuff

@CantBowlThrow (Cricket Podcast- Australia)

A cheeky plug for Australia’s most listened to cricket podcast. It will be up and about throughout the series with a mix of Australian and South African guests pulling apart and laughing at the action on and off the field.

@HershyBru (Herschelle Gibbs – South Africa)

No longer taking money in brown paper bags (that we know of), Herschelle has grown up into an avid tweeter about cricket.

@Robelinda2 (Rob Moody – Australia)

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The man who has over 100 million views on his you tube cricket channel. Follow him on Twitter, but more importantly, he has an amazing video collection.

@TitusOreily (Titus O’Reily – Australia)

Although primarily an AFL aficionado, Titus has assured me he is turning his attention to the South African tour to distract him from his beloved Melbourne Football Club. A man who likes not to waste a tweet.

@OfficialCSA (Cricket South Africa)

The Official Cricket South Africa Twitter account

@CricketAus (Cricket Australia)

The Official Cricket Australia Twitter account. Will be sure to either create a debateable hashtag, tweet something racist, or both.

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@MKPS001 (Mindy Pawsey – Australia)

She tells me she’s Australian, but her South African crushes are vast and wide. Possibly the only person on Twitter who can dissect a bowler’s run up into 75 independent parts that need analysis and comment

@17thManDiary (Some guy I don’t know – Australia)

These guys do an amazing job writing parody tour diaries from an Australian perspective. Follow if for no other reason that they retweet the funniest stuff going around on the match at any time

@mspr1nt (Antoinette Muller – South Africa)

An amazing talent who writes, tweets and podcasts.

So there you have it. Two teams of Twitter greatness for you to follow during this upcoming series.

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Have I missed anyone? Let me know.

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