England v South Africa, Lords, 3rd Test Thread

[eirebilly]

Yeah, the fielding certainly has left alot to be desired. Still the chances are being created and things must surely stick soon.

[ShahenshahG]

anyone got the sunday times or a net subscription? They've made allegations regarding the texts pietersen sent

[eirebilly]

I read that earlier Shah but never really followed it up as i am sure the media will blow it out of proportion.

[alfie]

Hundred for Amla

Not his most fluent but one of his most valuable.

That drop of Prior's yesterday will be haunting him...

[eirebilly]

You have to give credit to Amla, a few fortunate moments aside he has shown loads of concentration.

[Biltong]

Oh boy, did you see how they are rubbing "the name we may not utter's" golden duck in?

Poor guy.

[GSC]

Well we didn't miss much then.

[ShahenshahG]

Cheers Billy, Greig said that if KP said what they alleged then KP was finished - made it seems worse than it probably is.

[KP_fan]

hurt and haunted by the behaviour of the Draconian regime..that he served with his blood, sweat and tears for nearly a decade...he goes first ball

[eirebilly]

It was to be expected though Biltong. Even Tony Grieg is getting his dig in on the BBC.

I would pair Broad and Finn together for about 10 overs now.

[eirebilly]

Yeah, i just read Griegs comments as well Shah. This is going get blown even more out of proportion.

[gboycottnut]

Oh boy, did you see how they are rubbing "the name we may not utter's" golden duck in?

Poor guy.

The Big Show's diismissal today for a first ball duck has echos and shades of 1981, when the then England captain Ian Botham also got bowled first ball by another finger spinner in Aussie Ray Bright at Lords. Then as is now, Ian Botham also had mental problems/baggage in his mind which affected his concentration/focus levels when going out in the middle to bat. I do wonder if Pietersen was bowled around his legs by missing a sweep shot?

[GSC]

KP is entitled to asylum with Ecuador the way some of you lot go on

[Biltong]

Nope, Dawson bowled the ball, it pitched on leg, KP had a tentative prod and the ball hit between middle and off

[alfie]

Cheers Billy, Greig said that if KP said what they alleged then KP was finished - made it seems worse than it probably is.

Sounds like typical newspaper rubbish : maybe made some crack in a text about Strauss being useless against a fast bowler round the wicket...doubt this would add much to the product of endless videotape and computer mapping to which the SA coaching staff have access

The general mood seems to be against him though. Going to be tough to mend fences.

[mystiroakey]

GOOOSFRABER

[Biltong]

They are on the new ball allready billy. 4 overs old already

[eirebilly]

Yeah, my bad. Was not counting

Where did my post go?

[ShahenshahG]

Cheers Billy, Greig said that if KP said what they alleged then KP was finished - made it seems worse than it probably is.

Sounds like typical newspaper rubbish : maybe made some crack in a text about Strauss being useless against a fast bowler round the wicket...doubt this would add much to the product of endless videotape and computer mapping to which the SA coaching staff have access

The general mood seems to be against him though. Going to be tough to mend fences.

The problem is that unless he reveals what he said in those texts this lot can up the ante slowly and slowly - making it seem worse and piling on the pressure. I'd imagine that KPs petulant nature probably means that he said something like, Strauss has to wear a strap on so he can jutify wearing a cup/box

[Biltong]

Where did your post go?

[eirebilly]

I have no idea, i wasnt being offensive?

[eirebilly]

Finn now please...

[ShahenshahG]

Are you sure you didnt delete it yourself mate? I cant see why it would be removed?!

[alfie]

So no immediate result from the new ball. Both batsmen playing comfortably enough , and the England body language isn't encouraging...

They are still working hard for a break , but they aren't buzzing. A wicket would change that , but it is hard to see where one is coming from. Neither batsman seems disposed to do anything silly.

Reckon England have about five more overs to break through , after which things will inevitably start to decline into "going through the motions"

[eirebilly]

Nah, i didnt remove it unless i did it unknowingly.

Oh well shoite happens.

Finn has to be given the ball now surely.

[KP_fan]

new ball wasted by giving it to Broad

[alfie]

Amla working Finn to leg pretty easily . I know he has been known to glance behind , but I reckon this line of attack has been done to death.
When in doubt attack top of off .

[Biltong]

These two are looking comfortable now

[msp83]

South Africa are batting England out of this one. Even a collapse may not help England much here, already the lead is over 250. England are hoping for a declaration it seems, the field is very defensive.

[liverbnz]

Come on. Take a few wickets to keep us interested!

[msp83]

Against the run of play there is a wicket, and its Finn, and Amla is bowled.

[Biltong]

Why did I have to put the mockers on them?

[liverbnz]

Yes Finny!

[eirebilly]

Yes FINN!!!!!!!!!!!

[alfie]

Amla working Finn to leg pretty easily . I know he has been known to glance behind , but I reckon this line of attack has been done to death.
When in doubt attack top of off .

Finn takes my advice ...and bowls Amla !

Hope stirs ...

[msp83]

Superb performance from Hashim Amla though, should be a close contenter for Man of the Series.

[Biltong]

Amla working Finn to leg pretty easily . I know he has been known to glance behind , but I reckon this line of attack has been done to death.
When in doubt attack top of off .

Finn takes my advice ...and bowls Amla !

Hope stirs ...

You still awake Alfie?

Must be near midnight there by you.

[Biltong]

We need 100 more

[KP_fan]

new ball wasted by giving it to Broad

and Finn comes back to show how to do it with the new ball.........and also demonstrates how the same cricket ball does a lot more when delivered at 88mph...that a 78mph trundler can't.

[msp83]

6th wicket for Finn in the match, justifying his selection over Bresnan. And the interesting thing is that he didn't look at his best in the first innings even though he got 4 wickets.

[KP_fan]

now they should immediately bring Swann to exploit the rough against the left hand batsman

[GSC]

Finn is what he is, takes wickets but goes for a few

[msp83]

Think England should bring Swann on from the other end to put some pressure on Rudolph. Anderson or Broad didn't look particularly threatening with the new ball anyways.

[alfie]

Superb performance from Hashim Amla though, should be a close contenter for Man of the Series.

Was thinking that myself , msp . He has become a very fine batsman.


And: Yes , Biltong , still wide awake ...11.45 actually . Was thinking of turning in soon but that wicket might postpone my bedtime

[alfie]

Unlucky Anderson ! They had to review that , but as I feared it was umpires call on height...

The small things haven't gone England's way today. Pity - that would really have ratcheted up the pressure.

[msp83]

AB survives, close call for LBW of Anderson, umpire gave notout, and he was saved as the ball was shaving the stumps and the onfield call was notout. England are done with both their reviews.

[trebellbobaggins]

Looking bleak for eng. can you imagine the damage Steyn and co will do though against Eng whe they get to attack?

[KP_fan]

man to man...Finn probably equals Morkel in prowess

[mystiroakey]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Game on

[msp83]

AB goes now, Finn strikes again, the 3rd 40 of the series for De Villiers.

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