England v South Africa, Lords, 3rd Test Thread

[eirebilly]

First topic message reminder :

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

[Mad for Chelsea]

so England reach lunch on 120-4 and Bairstow's little counter-attack has worked very nicely. The break comes at a good time you feel for SA, they were starting to look a bit ragged there.

[eirebilly]

So that session was 104 runs for the loss of 2 wickets with 75 runs coming in the last 14 overs. A very real hope given here for England.

[EnglishReign]

Well I was bang on with 120 at lunch, you watch the 150 come to fruition.

[mystiroakey]

so we have 63 overs to go..

that session we got about 5 an over from!!

[Duty281]

Well if these 2 bat through the 2nd session making 100 runs in the process, I'll start to really believe. But that sadly, is highly unlikely. Or are the Saffers about to choke?

[Mike Selig]

Fascinating morning's play.

This partnership has somewhat changed the complex of the match, but I fear it is a bit too late. One false stroke, or one unplayable delivery and all of a sudden it's down to Prior and the tail.

But good fightback from Bairstow and Trott. If they can bat the first hour after lunch without losing a wicket SA will certainly be worried.

[dummy_half]

Love the optimism here, but realistically we aren't going to get another 225 runs in the last two sessions of the match with these two plus Prior and the bowlers and with a new ball available about an hour before the close. Best we can hope for is to get close enough to worry the Saffers a little.

[eirebilly]

Well if these 2 bat through the 2nd session making 100 runs in the process, I'll start to really believe. But that sadly, is highly unlikely. Or are the Saffers about to choke?

I would say that if these two stay in for the next session then 120 is a realistic target. Loving this, if you are going to go down, go down fighting

[VTR]

Good to see some fight here. Still expect to lose, but an in-form Trott and new middle order players are needed by England. As this partnership helps towards those, at least something has been salvaged from this innings.

[Shelsey93]

A reasonable decision from Bairstow to have a go... whilst getting out would have obviously been a problem, he hasn't taken any undue risks and in the process has forced SA to:

- Bring Tahir on
- Put the field back, providing more singles, and hence making the run rate more manageable
- Given a bit more confidence to the others that runs can be scored today

[alfie]

Terrific morning session , nearly four per over despite the two wickets...

Realistically not a cat in hell's chance of getting the runs , but you have to admire the way these two have gone about it. Positive but sensible approach. Far better than resigned slogging or shutting up shop.

Hope they can keep it going after lunch...just good to watch.

[msp83]

England are not giving this up so soon, but you have to expect one good partnership at some point. Bairstow has played a fine innings till this point, but he'll have to convert this into a hundred for England to create history. Trott has done well so far, has been lucky, but you need a bit of luck in such situation. Lunch has come at a good time for South Africa, they can go back and reassess. A few exploratory overs from JP Duminy could be one aspect that Smith and Guru Garry can think about. Get Philander on from one end, and use Steyn and Morkel in short sharp spels. Use Kallis and Tahir to give some rest to Philander in between. A wicket right after lunch, and Prior before tea, most of the job would be done.

[Shelsey93]

Would add that we mustn't start taking undue risks in the next session though. The RRR is still where we want it and we can't simply give it away.

[eirebilly]

Love the optimism here, but realistically we aren't going to get another 225 runs in the last two sessions of the match with these two plus Prior and the bowlers and with a new ball available about an hour before the close. Best we can hope for is to get close enough to worry the Saffers a little.

Still another 40 overs to go with this ball. Some pressure can really be applied next session and who knows?

[mystiroakey]

"Love the optimism here, but realistically we aren't going to get another 225 runs in the last two sessions of the match with these two plus Prior and the bowlers and with a new ball available about an hour before the close. Best we can hope for is to get close enough to worry the Saffers a little."

40 overs with the old ball!!!!

[msp83]

Bowling a bit wide to Bairstow and making him reach for the ball is another thing the Saffers can look at, Bairstow has at times played at balls without always reaching to the pitch of the ball.

[EnglishReign]

The worst thing about all this is we aren't getting two more tests.

[mystiroakey]

yeah agree english- such a shame!

[alfie]

Anyway whatever happens later I think we can now say that the KP Affair has had one positive aspect , in that it has given Bairstow a return to the team rather earlier than he might have expected , and allowed him to demonstrate his credentials fairly forcefully , and against top notch opposition.

In truth Bairstow was quite correctly returned to the county game to think about it , after a disappointing debut against West Indies. He was always going to be given a second chance , but he would not normally have been given it so quickly. As it is , he has shown himself to be a quick learner , and a player with some character.

India will be a different challenge , and it may not be a seamless upward path. , but I think we've found a player.

[eirebilly]

Its not unheard of in test matches for teams to score at 4 an over off a ball older than 40 overs. Key here for England is to keep wickets in hand as well as scoring decently for the next 40 overs and then 1 final push

[Fists of Fury]

Sorry to pour cold water on your effervescent optimism, but there is not a hope in hell of us winning this Test

[mystiroakey]

I will ask you again- I hope you have a small hat and a camcorder ready!!

[eirebilly]

Sorry to pour cold water on your effervescent optimism, but there is not a hope in hell of us winning this Test

Really? I beg to differ, if England can keep going like this then they have a very very good chance. Records were made to be broken.

Believe

[ShankyCricket]

I am optimisitic.

[Fists of Fury]

I'll buy you all a new hat as well as eating my own if we win this.

[eirebilly]

I'll buy you all a new hat as well as eating my own if we win this.

Bookmarked and screenshot made

[msp83]

Jonny Bairstow had shown fine temprament in his debut ODI match and when he was picked for the West Indies series I thought he would really make it. His debut innings was of 16, played a couple of good shots and then struggled against Kemar Roach. But even then I felt he should get an extended run.
He got a 2nd chance sooner than expected because of the KP saga, and he has taken it. Pietersen is too good a player to be cast aside during his prime, he has to come back into this England side. Bairstow has shown enough promis already to give him an extended run at 6. Young James Taylor too showed good temprament during his debut innings, and has the weight of first clas runs that should not be discarded. At present it is Strauss who is short of runs, as well as getting on age. But he has a fine record in India, and the KP disaster apart, his man management skills as captin has been pretty good. So I think I would have him leading England in India, with Cook and Trott constituting the rest of the top order, and Pietersen, Bell, Bairstow and Prior the middle order. Taylor would the first batting reserve, and should Strauss fail at the top of the order, he will have to go, and Taylor should open in his place.

[Biltong]

Sorry to pour cold water on your effervescent optimism, but there is not a hope in hell of us winning this Test

Come on fists, be positive for once.

[msp83]

2 more wickets before tea, England will be done. If Bairstow goes on to get a ton, there is a small chance.

[mystiroakey]

I'll buy you all a new hat as well as eating my own if we win this.

Mines a Panama

[Fists of Fury]

Unfortunately, MSP, there looks to be no way in which Pietersen and Strauss can ever play in the same side again. Even if Strauss retires it looks a long shot as to whether Flower would allow Pietersen back. Probably not. Huge shame.

I think we will reach 210 all out, Biltong.

[mystiroakey]

Why have they put this forign english player thing on again!!

boring!!

[Mike Selig]

It's still very very unlikely for an England win, but I like the optimism on here, and I like the fight from Bairstow and Trott.

Crucial England get through the first hour without losing a wicket, and at most one before tea.

[mystiroakey]

Mike these situations are what sport is all about. Test cricket especially - and why we love it!- even if we get bowled out shortly- we gave it ago, all of us have more belief- all of us have been entertained!!

[msp83]

Unfortunately, MSP, there looks to be no way in which Pietersen and Strauss can ever play in the same side again. Even if Strauss retires it looks a long shot as to whether Flower would allow Pietersen back. Probably not. Huge shame.

I think we will reach 210 all out, Biltong.

Will indeed be a huge shame if the cricket fraternity is robbed of Pietersen. I still hope the sensible man in Andy Flower will come back to life from the slumber sooner rather than later.

[ShankyCricket]

We will win this. #keepthefaith

[msp83]

By the way England World T-20 squad is not officially declared is it? Or have I missed it in between all the Brouhaha?

[eirebilly]

It's still very very unlikely for an England win, but I like the optimism on here, and I like the fight from Bairstow and Trott.

Crucial England get through the first hour without losing a wicket, and at most one before tea.

Give it all i say, why not. I am more worried that these two will get England into a very winnable position only for the nerves to creep in but much rather go down fighting like this than batting for a draw and falling very short.

[mystiroakey]

Bairstow has to be in the t20!!

[msp83]

Tahir to continue after lunch.

[mystiroakey]

Tahir to continue after lunch.

[Duty281]

3 off the first over, Come on England! Remember what Churchill said - we will never surrender!

[msp83]

These singles are going to spel trouble for South Africa. Tahir as well as Smith will have to keep things tight, making English batsmen take some chances.

[eirebilly]

The thing is, these two dont have to take huge risks to put England in a wannable position. Just nice steady shot selection is the order of the day

[eirebilly]

Philander is my biggest concern here, must be very watchfull of him.

[Duty281]

50 for Bairstow. What a player we may have on our hands here.

[msp83]

Philander from the other end, and England continue to stay positive.

[eirebilly]

50 Bairstow

[mystiroakey]

All over it..

52 for the Ninga

[Duty281]

9 off of that first Philander over, target down to 214.

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