England vs South Africa - test series thread

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Mon 26 Jun 2017, 11:44 am

First topic message reminder :

In the fast paced nature of international cricket, we are just over a week away from the first of four test matches between SA and England - should be a good one.

South Africa have named their squad...missing some big names in Steyn, ABDV - also no Dane Piedt, Stephen Cook either.

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Heino Kuhn, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Duanne Olivier, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Still a very strong team - especially in the seam bowling ranks. Although with Faf missing the first test, the batting is reliant on Amla and De Kock I feel

England have a few injury concerns - particularly Stuart Broad - any thoughts on the SA squad, and potential England one?

by GSC Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:10 pm

I mean crack at their top order. Smile

by eirebilly Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:13 pm

I would give Roland-Jones one more over then bring on Stokes for a few.

by alfie Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:16 pm

Hibbz wrote:
eirebilly wrote:I hate this Umpires decision when it comes to review, why have a review system? Out is out as far as I am concerned and Amla was out there.

Irritates me also but I can just about see the reasoning I guess. I was more irked by the commentators criticising the decision to review with one of them saying (Botham I think quelle surprise) "it didn't have a lot going for it". What other than the fact it was hitting the stumps you mean?

Hardly looks like costing England though. Great bowling effort.

Guess the issue is that we know the Umpires Call rule applies - and that frankly looked to be pretty marginal : once it was given not out on field it was a very risky review.
They reviewed basically because it was Amla.

As you say - it didn't end up costing them.

by alfie Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:21 pm

eirebilly wrote:I would give Roland-Jones one more over then bring on Stokes for a few.

Agree. Think Root does too...

by alfie Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:24 pm

Morris is clueless against Anderson ...surviving by great good fortune.

Stokes taking his turn now at eirebilly's instructions Smile

by eirebilly Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:26 pm

These two are really struggling out there. Hopefully Stokes can get a wicket and really get England into the SA tail enders.

by wisden Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:29 pm

Anderson gets Morris, no suprise there...Morris looked shocking

by eirebilly Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:30 pm

SA could be out today...

by sirfredperry Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:31 pm

Some people are asking where TRJ has come from. Well, he has been a fine-performing bowler for Middx for some years, despite some fairly unhelpful Lord's pitches.
He's no mug with the bat, either. A useful tail-end hitter.

by alfie Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:36 pm

wisden wrote:Anderson gets Morris, no suprise there...Morris looked shocking

It was a question of when , not if.

Anderson loves these conditions. As does TRJ Smile

So no Philander ; three to get. Perhaps Toby will get back on to get his fifth ?

by wisden Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:37 pm

Elgar and Kuhn will start getting nervy about having to pad up again tonight...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:39 pm

Personally wouldn't enforce the follow on - three days left, pitch has already shown some indifferent bounce, grind them into the ground with the bat I say...

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:44 pm

Depends how low a score and how quick the wickets. Not checked the weather but I'd assume there's concerning spells about.

I'd have another go for sheer excitement but think they'll bat

by eirebilly Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:44 pm

Stokes gets one now Very Happy

by VTR Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:45 pm

Are you England in disguise!

by eirebilly Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:47 pm

I would get Roland-Jones back on now for a couple with Stokes and then bring Broad back in.

by alfie Fri 28 Jul 2017, 5:54 pm

Can't see Rabada lasting too long here...prodding at Anderson . Not good enough to get the edge Smile

Bavuma battling well - but they're going nowhere .

Two more wickets and then send them in again ?

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 28 Jul 2017, 6:10 pm

Perfect time for some Malan leggies

by alfie Fri 28 Jul 2017, 6:12 pm

No follow on tonight anyway - not with seamers banned. Have to still get them out yet ...

by eirebilly Fri 28 Jul 2017, 6:13 pm

Its all gone a it dull now Very Happy

by eirebilly Fri 28 Jul 2017, 6:24 pm

These two have actually done very well for SA. Pretty much protecting their top order for tomorrow.

by alfie Fri 28 Jul 2017, 6:27 pm

Yes they're battling it out well. But here comes TRJ again...

by eirebilly Fri 28 Jul 2017, 6:30 pm

Fairness to them, they have done a great job.

by alfie Fri 28 Jul 2017, 6:38 pm

Sometimes hard to close out these innings ...you'd think the last few would be easy - but the ball gets older , bowlers tire...

Bavuma has played well. Rabada can handle a bat ; though he was dead lucky to survive his first twenty minutes or so. The spell of spin bowling helped him.

I can't see a follow on now...they might even avoid it !

by eirebilly Fri 28 Jul 2017, 6:42 pm

Broad

by JDizzle Fri 28 Jul 2017, 6:43 pm

That is a decent ball from Broad...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 29 Jul 2017, 10:19 am

Philander will bat this morning - which probably puts pay to any lingering follow on talk...

by eirebilly Sat 29 Jul 2017, 10:42 am

Good news for SA that, I actually hope they avoid the follow on so that England can try and put on another decent score.

by eirebilly Sat 29 Jul 2017, 10:58 am

Actually enjoyed that Master class with KP then.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 29 Jul 2017, 11:00 am

eirebilly wrote:Actually enjoyed that Master class with KP then.

When he's not on the wind up, he talks so much sense about cricket I think.

by eirebilly Sat 29 Jul 2017, 11:04 am

Not his biggest fan Olly and you are right, he can actually talk a lot of sense.

I think it is going to be quite difficult for England to get the last wickets this morning.

by VTR Sat 29 Jul 2017, 11:33 am

This is getting frustrating. Could and probably should have been less than 100ao, now SA are eyeing 200. Would still be miles behind but England could have been a lot more clinical

by eirebilly Sat 29 Jul 2017, 11:39 am

Not sure why Bavuma didn't run then. Morkel is looking solid so what is he playing at?

by eirebilly Sat 29 Jul 2017, 11:40 am

Well, that is the follow on avoided. Good news for England that I feel.

by alfie Sat 29 Jul 2017, 11:42 am

Not all that surprised they've avoided the follow on - though I doubt Root would have enforced it.
Bowling looks a bit flat this morning. Time for Anderson and Moeen.

by eirebilly Sat 29 Jul 2017, 11:45 am

Agree there alfie, Broad and TRJ have looked fairly blunt this morning.

by VTR Sat 29 Jul 2017, 11:49 am

Typical England letting the tail wag. SA could genuinely make 250, which would be ridiculous from where they were

by eirebilly Sat 29 Jul 2017, 11:54 am

I thought it would be difficult to get the wickets required this morning but this is incredibly poor from England. Not taking anything away from Bavuma and Morkel but England really should have removed one by now...

by eirebilly Sat 29 Jul 2017, 11:55 am

Finally

by VTR Sat 29 Jul 2017, 11:56 am

Thank God for that. Get Anderson on, usually the way. Broad has been garbage this morning

by alfie Sat 29 Jul 2017, 11:57 am

Didn't take Jimmy long...

I'd have opened with him ; but I can see why TRJ got the job this morning. Never mind. As I say , I wouldn't have enforced the follow on anyway.
Now Philander has emerged from the sick bay...

by eirebilly Sat 29 Jul 2017, 11:58 am

Problem now is, Bavuma is well set and Philander is no slouch with the bat. SA could easily get to 200 from here.

by alfie Sat 29 Jul 2017, 12:12 pm

Why take Moeen off ? This "get Toby a five wicket haul" thing is not a good plan...

by eirebilly Sat 29 Jul 2017, 12:13 pm

alfie wrote:Why take Moeen off ? This "get Toby a five wicket haul" thing is not a good plan...

Worked though Very Happy

by alfie Sat 29 Jul 2017, 12:14 pm

eirebilly wrote:
alfie wrote:Why take Moeen off ? This "get Toby a five wicket haul" thing is not a good plan...

Worked though

Ha ! Trebell would have been proud of that one Smile

by eirebilly Sat 29 Jul 2017, 12:17 pm

He would have been alfie Very Happy

Hopefully England can put a decent score in, I would say a lead of 400-450 would be the target.

by alfie Sat 29 Jul 2017, 12:19 pm

Great debut bowling from TRJ clap

A well deserved five. And Jimmy continues to confound the critics who had him on his last legs a few weeks ago.

Batting looks easier today. England should be able to do some serious batting now and set up a big target with time left in the game. Wonder if Philander will bowl ?

by eirebilly Sat 29 Jul 2017, 12:24 pm

I wonder if England will actually go for it from the off and try to score quickly to get SA in bat for 30mins this evening? Not sure the forecast favours 2 full days batting ahead.

by alfie Sat 29 Jul 2017, 1:41 pm

eirebilly wrote:I wonder if England will actually go for it from the off and try to score quickly to get SA in bat for 30mins this evening? Not sure the forecast favours 2 full days batting ahead.

Maybe if they can see Morkel and Philander off and set up against the others ...but I think it might be stretching things. SA would go defensive and make run scoring hard...

By the way ; speaking of our old pal Trebs : have you seen him on the rugby board or anything ? I've not seen him on here for ages...

by alfie Sat 29 Jul 2017, 1:45 pm

Jennings had a massive stroke of luck before lunch with that shelled slip catch. He's on to 18 now : would love to see him get some runs under his belt.
I'm far from convinced he's a long term prospect but I hope he is able to at least buy himself some time to develop.

Cook gone to a beauty from Morkel !

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