England's Winter

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New Zealand

T20 Internationals

Friday November 1st - Christchurch
Sunday November 3rd - Wellington
Tuesday November 5th - Nelson
Friday November 8th - Napier
Sunday November 10th - Auckland

Squad
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) captain
Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Tom Banton (Somerset)
Sam Billings (Kent)
Pat Brown (Worcestershire)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Tom Curran (Surrey)
Joe Denly (Kent)
Lewis Gregory (Somerset)
Chris Jordan (Sussex)
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
Dawid Malan (Middlesex)
Matt Parkinson (Lancashire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
James Vince (Hampshire)


Tests

Wednesday November 20th - Tauranga
Thursday November 28th - Hamilton

Squad
Joe Root (Yorkshire) captain
Jofra Archer (Sussex)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Rory Burns (Surrey)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Joe Denly (Kent)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
Matthew Parkinson (Lancashire)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Dominic Sibley (Warwickshire)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)



South Africa

Tests

Thursday 26th December - Centurion
Friday January 3rd - Cape Town
Thursday January 16th - Port Elizabeth
Friday January 24th - Johannesburg

Squad
TBC


ODI
Tuesday 4th February - Cape Town
Friday 7th February - Durban
Sunday 9th February - Johannesburg

Squad
TBC



T20 Internationals

Wednesday 12th February - East London
Friday 14th February - Durban
Sunday 16th February - Centurion


Sri Lanka

March 7th - Warm up 1, Katunayake (3 day)
March 12th - Warm up 2, Colombo (3 day)
March 19th - 1st Test, Galle
March 27th - 2nd Test, Colombo

Stop walking at bowler’s Joe ffs. That is three times I can remember it getting him out now - this game, vs Ireland and vs CDG in NZ. Maybe put it away?

VTR wrote:It was just ridiculous, if I had any time I'd work out some stats on England choosing to bowl first, and I'm sure it wouldn't make good reading. That plus the locals were pretty much laughing at it kind of screams wrong decision

Always a lot to be said for listening to the locals - they are the ones who best know the ground and how it plays.

I very much share the thinking of Duty and others here - levelling their first innings score won't be enough, we need a lead of 75 to 100. That means 350+ which at 78/3 now seems some way off.

Exactly, it's not impossible to get there but miles off at the moment. Could as easily be 200ao from here or less, then it really would be game over. The supposed long batting lineup isn't that impressive. Curran very hit and miss at 8, then three players who are generally rabbits after that

Major frustration for Denly who again doesn’t push on from a decent start.

Not a lot of batting left now. Buttler, Bairstow, Curran and three tailenders.

Bairstow bowled? Well I never! Kept a little low, I think.

Denly got a decent nut - coming back in after the previous one went away. Bairstow... If Crawley was the better option than him as reserve batsman in NZ, why is he not now?

Stokes gone too. Collapse incoming. Good job we bowled first!

Yes, it was a very good ball to remove Denly. Not sure what Bairstow offers to an England test side these days with his confidence clearly damaged and his technique severely picked apart by the opposition.

Stokes gone now, I expect England to be in the field again tonight.

Oh Jonny, do go away

Philander’s out here in the early stages of the evening session of day 2, bowling length deliveries where one is taking the splice of the bat and the other is grubbing through to the keeper.

Fair to say this one is already over

England have fallen apart, having lost 5 wickets for 34 runs.

It’s surely game over.

Unless Broad can do his 5-1 trick very early again, this is over. England would have to add 40, before rolling SA for 160? Even then, a chase of 200 would be no mean feat on here.

So much for the amazing batting conditions on day two. Completely done now, just a matter of when defeat is confirmed

Nasser talks about Groundhog Day - I do feel as though I’ve seen this play out a few times before in the preceding years!

Brilliant bowling performance from South Africa, particularly Philander, and they executed their plans expertly well. Tough batting conditions, yes, but it wasn’t exactly the most inspired resistance I’ve seen from a batting unit. Another swift collapse.

Chasing anything over 180 will be too much, so this is surely over.

Least Jimmy still exists

Rudolphin Ziggler wrote:Least Jimmy still exists

Yep, Markram goes lbw in Jimmy's first over.

I saw Markram opening the batting for Hants at the Oval in a RL 50 over game early in the 2019 season and was impressed. He scored just shy of a ton at around a run a ball and was the foundation for his side's winning total. I thought he could go on to be one of the leading players in the WC but he struggled in that and, in line with Goose's recent post, has struggled for runs most of the time since. Strange - at least to me.

South African bats with the right idea here - attacking everything, racking up quick runs and riding their luck

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:South African bats with the right idea here - attacking everything, racking up quick runs and riding their luck

Lol they’ve sent in a night watchman for no apparent reason

Might want to put that knuckle ball away for a game or two Jof haha

Moving day is usually day 3 but it arrived 24 hours early here. Extremely hard to see us coming back from this position and even more so if SA set us north of 284, eh Olly?! 

Philander really is a brilliant bowler.

14.2 - 8 - 16 - 4

Ludicrous figures. 4 runs apiece for the wickets and an economy rate a smidge over 1 run an over. He's still capable of that having fought injuries for the last couple of years as well.

guildfordbat wrote:Moving day is usually day 3 but it arrived 24 hours early here. Extremely hard to see us coming back from this position and even more so if SA set us north of 284, eh Olly?! 

I’ve also heard Joe Root should’ve looked up, looked down, and batted first at the toss too...correct?

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:Moving day is usually day 3 but it arrived 24 hours early here. Extremely hard to see us coming back from this position and even more so if SA set us north of 284, eh Olly?! 

I’ve also heard Joe Root should’ve looked up, looked down, and batted first at the toss too...correct?

Yep, or Root could have asked any old centurionbat on his way into the ground. 

Lost my Internet last night...should have lost the TV too

Depressing batting performance from England , though SA did bowl very well on a pitch which has deteriorated quicker than expected. One has to question the sense in sending the opposition in when you have several players recovering from illness and the weather is hot - quite apart from the general wisdom that batting first is usually the better option unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise.
It is true Root was not helped by the Stokes problem that cost him a chance to attack properly when SA were five down but that is the kind of risk you invite...and he didn't really need to.

As to the England batting : obviously it is weak at present with only two players who could claim to be (a) true Test class and (b) in any sort of form ...but I also think their stated aim to change philosophy from the Bayliss-era "attack at all costs" to something more measured is not (at least at the moment) helping at all. In fact it is leaving players unsure of how to play and , in this case , allowing SA to dictate the terms of the game. Reckless attacking not practical , of course ; but there was a case for more "busy" batting early on - and at some point a bit of counter attack - as per de Kock yesterday. But only Stokes - and Curran to a degree - seemed prepared to take the fight to SA (though Denly again deserves credit for determination)

Note that Root wasn't the only skipper to hand his opposite number a late Christmas gift : Williamson did even worse in Melbourne and that game is basically all over already. What is it with visiting captains sending home teams in ?

At least this game isn't over yet - though the odds of England effecting a miracle come back are pretty long. They had a spirited go at SA and a couple of early wickets tonight could yet see them end up with a theoretically possible fourth innings target. Though unless the pitch miraculously settles down overnight you'd think SA only need another fifty to make the game safe.

Still Stokes is playing (even if Jack Leach isn't) so miracles can happen. Not holding my breath...

It is quite amazing that England putting South Africa in was actually not even the worse insertion of the opposition of the day. Both games are now effectively over, and both teams look well on course for a series drubbing

The captaincy continues to be absolutely pathetic. Root really has to go as captain. Give it to Buttler or even my nan would do a better job

Both Root and Buttler are currently in quarantine

The irony of England having the runs is blinding


I dont think we can discount the impact if the illnesses on Englands performance but such a obviously risky choice to put SA in first is something that was under their control. Despite all the disadvantages theyve had england have shown SA are far from brilliant. The inevitable loss is even more frustrating for that.
If the lost the toss and lost the game fighting then you could give them the excuses. But any hope they fis have seems to have been handed to a side they could beat with that one decision.
The woes with the batting are just too predictable. Theybshouldve had Pope instead of a horriblynoitbofntouch bairstow but that's still papwring over the cracks. I dont think you canpaint it solely as as being over defensive either, the top 3 are playing pretty much their natural games and Denly against the odds is making it work. Burns had success in his early tests playing like this.

So more illnesses and the next test starts in six days.

England’s bowling was horrible this morning - they just look so exhausted out there.

Pitch looked pretty benign this morning. Just because the bowling was limp ? We will see later on no doubt...but once the night watchman had batted most of the morning the game was pretty much up and there's a touch of "going through the motions" about things now...
De Kock didn't mess about when he came in , eh ? Limitations of fast short bowling somewhat exposed.

Appears the swine flu has claimed a couple more victims ? Though from his speedy recovery it seems Stokes had something different and a lot less lethal...

Next Test follows fairly quickly , no ? So you'd have to wonder whether health issues are going to carry into that one as well...a somewhat daunting prospect for England.

SA not without their problems either with Markram out of the next match after being hit on the finger. But right now they'll be feeling pretty comfortable with the lead over 320 and still three in hand...

...make that two in hand as Stokes finds de Kock's outside edge.

Still looking like a 350 chase.

England doing their usual odd thing where they bowl short to numbers ten and eleven with just the one slip in.

The lead coming up to 370, which is over 100 more than the highest successful chase on this ground.

376 to win. Any of England’s fine batsmen fancy making a last minute dash for the New Year’s Honours List? If Root makes a double ton, I’ll forgive him for choosing to bowl first.

Nope...lead going past 350 . Philander and Maharaj in no hurry to start bowling and playing sensibly.
Some very tired looking bowlers out there. They've basically looked a bit flat all day - surprising early on , I thought. More understandable now.

Ah...eventually a short ball gets a result , Maharaj holes out off Archer. Not sure he will be celebrating his five wickets too hard as they've come at over six per over and it's all a bit too little too late...but it's an improvement on his results in NZ And he is still putting in the effort...would probably like to get this last wicket and avoid a personal century on his card...

Ah now all gone Sam Curran gets Philander ...so only 375 to get.

At least they have plenty of time

Duty281 wrote:England doing their usual odd thing where they bowl short to numbers ten and eleven with just the one slip in.

The lead coming up to 370, which is over 100 more than the highest successful chase on this ground.

Ironically the last pair both fell to short balls in the end

But in truth the bowling tactics have been a bit all over the place throughout. I will cut them some slack as Archer and Broad have presumably been drained a bit by the flu ; and Anderson is getting back in proper rhythm after a long lay-off. Plus the Stokes ailment , of course. But they need to sort things out for the next match as they'll be coming back from 1 down and I don't think England are likely to be burying SA with mammoth batting efforts on this trip.
Bowling coach can earn his corn this week.

Think our best hope here is to send Buttler, Root and other contaminated folk into the SA dressing room and have them sneeze in their kit bags for the next test

ICC really have to do something about the over rates as it’s becoming a joke. Even taking into account the loss of 2 overs every time there’s a changeover of innings, about a session’s worth of overs have been lost through both teams being too slow (and we’re only on day three).

Burns/Sibley doing that thing where they draw us back in with a glimmer of hope

Duty281 wrote:ICC really have to do something about the over rates as it’s becoming a joke. Even taking into account the loss of 2 overs every time there’s a changeover of innings, about a session’s worth of overs have been lost through both teams being too slow (and we’re only on day three).

At least that has ensured the game will go into day four

That and the opening pair putting up a better effort this time around...fifty stand up

Burns dropped early - the one thing England have done better than SA : they held all their catches. Actually Burns has played rather well. So far , at least.

One just exploded at poor Burns...but he's survived. To tell the truth not much has misbehaved today at all. Originally wondered if this was down to some lacklustre England bowling but the SA fellows haven't really had it doing the tricks that were evident yesterday either.
Second day in fact a bit of an aberration all round so far : more wickets falling in a session than we've seen so far today...

Fifty for Burns

Sibley falls very softly and South Africa have an end open. Maharaj actually finding some turn.

Apparently it was the highest opening stand for England in three years, which shows what a desperate state England have been in.

Maharaj having a big influence now...in truth Sibley rather donated his wicket popping an innocuous delivery back to him (and he was clearly and justifiably furious with himself for doing so after battling to 29) but SA needed that wicket ; and he's subsequently looking rather threatening with a couple jumping at Burns.

Hundred up for one Pity they couldn't have done this yesterday. Perhaps the essential hopelessness of the task has taken some of the pressure out of the game ? Or perhaps SA haven't been quite so on the money today...

No doubt SA are going to win this some time tomorrow ; but the more England can make the better for the rest of the series. Hopefully they'll be a bit more prepared - and healthier - for the later matches. Clearly SA have a very handy bowling attack ; but I've not seen anything in their batting to suggest they are exactly impregnable . I wouldn't be conceding the series yet.

Duty281 wrote:Sibley falls very softly and South Africa have an end open. Maharaj actually finding some turn.

Apparently it was the highest opening stand for England in three years, which shows what a desperate state England have been in.

Is it really three years ? That surprises me a little , though I knew it had been a while. Glad to see Burns getting a score today : he's certainly the best opener that has been brought in for a long time . Just a pity they didn't get him in a bit sooner - might have forged a partnership with Cook that would have kept him going a bit longer - and bought time to find another one to partner him.
Not sure Sibley is going to be a long term success : too early to say of course - and today was promising - but I'm not (yet) seeing anything to get too excited about. Cook and Strauss both announced themselves straight away : indeed even a few of those recently tried and failed had early scores. The rest of this series will tell us something , I guess.

111/1 . Nervous ?

Stumps. 121/1. Burns gets an edge just past slip and goes in unconquered on 77 - well done him

255 to get tomorrow . Tall order ; but I guess we could still dream overnight ? At least showing some fight...

Good fight shown by the top order - and maybe more importantly have given Root/Buttler time in quarantine to hopefully recover...albeit if they’ve properly caught this bug then they will worsen overnight...

As Alfie says - SA still large favourites here, but they’ve given themselves a fighting chance at least

WinViz has England at 21% - which seems high to me. I can’t see them winning this 1 in 5 times. Given their propensity to collapse and the illness blighting their middle order, this could still be all over in a session once the first domino falls!

I’d still have England at 1% to be honest, though it’s good to see some grit shown. New ball in 39 overs, Maharaj starting to find some big turn, a brittle and flu-ridden batting order and three players at the bottom of the order who are all averaging single digits this year in test cricket. Maybe Stokes has one more sporting miracle to conjure up?

Would agree that Sibley hasn’t shown much so far. He’s got a decent defence but very few shots, it seems. Mind you, that’s what Trueman said about Boycott when seeing him as a young player.

Just took a look at the odds - South Africa 4/9 and England 7/4. That first price is brilliant, the second one rather less so!

Those odds are ridiculous and no doubt influenced by The Miracle of Headingley (pt 2). That isn't happening again any time soon, England to lose by between 100 and 150 runs

The first innings collapse leaves England way behind still but it's really promising to see Burns growing into Test cricket. There's always a worry when batsman have unorthodox techniques that they will get 'found out' by test bowlers after they have had a good look at them.

Burns seems to be growing into his role though and certainly has the temperament to hang around in tough conditions.

I hope he is rewarded with a 3rd test century for his hard work today. Coming out against fresh bowlers tomorrow will be akin to starting to the innings all over again so it will be a very tough 23 runs to pick up.

Realistically England's chance is pretty slim : odds are the occasional ball that does something "different" we have seen throughout the game (somewhat surprisingly more on day two than the first or third) will be more plentiful. And while things have looked fairly calm with the openers and later Burns and Denly playing sensibly , the potential for a couple of wickets to fall quickly is always there : recent history says that can often produce a collapse in this England outfit. Even when they aren't all wandering in and out of the medical room ...

The hope they do have is that SA have already bowled quite a number of overs ; keep them in the field without a lot of success for another session or two and tiredness would become a big factor. Probably easier said than done though...they'll be right at England from the start. And they have Marharaj. He's not Shane Warne : but he's not Joe Root either

As many are probably saying " it's the hope that kills you" and that is true to a point ; but it would still be nice to see them make this a real battle rather than a quick anti-climactic fold up. So keeping fingers crossed.