Good performance by England - they seem to have got the lead-in to the first test spot on - however, lets not get carried away, ok SA are the No 1 Ranked team - but they are a team in disarray with the recent abysmal performances in India and the recent retirement of 3/4 outstanding players - the loss of Kallis was a huge blow - losing someone who would get into every Test team on his batting AND/OR bowling is a huge one. Anyway, Jimmy back in 2nd Test for Woakes makes us stronger, and if only we could find an opener with a 45+ average, a leg-spinner who doesnt bowl 2 long-hops an over,and a left-arm quick, then we are not far away from being a very good side. I can see the leg-spinner problem being solved in a few years by Mason Crane, and possible the left-armer by Sam Curran, but cant see an opener coming through- although isnt there some kid from Essex who is pulling up trees ?
Good performance by England - they seem to have got the lead-in to the first test spot on - however, lets not get carried away, ok SA are the No 1 Ranked team - but they are a team in disarray with the recent abysmal performances in India and the recent retirement of 3/4 outstanding players - the loss of Kallis was a huge blow - losing someone who would get into every Test team on his batting AND/OR bowling is a huge one. Anyway, Jimmy back in 2nd Test for Woakes makes us stronger, and if only we could find an opener with a 45+ average, a leg-spinner who doesnt bowl 2 long-hops an over,and a left-arm quick, then we are not far away from being a very good side. I can see the leg-spinner problem being solved in a few years by Mason Crane, and possible the left-armer by Sam Curran, but cant see an opener coming through- although isnt there some kid from Essex who is pulling up trees ?
You mean Browne? He scored 1000+ runs last season... He's meant to be decent so I expect he'll be off soon (like topley... Could he be the left armer? Not the quickest but can swing it)
Nah, not Browne - i've seen him bat, the one i was thinking of was Lawrence - didnt he break some records for Essex last season? - still only 18 years old.
England ticking along nicely 55-0 off 15. No real dramas (yet!). Its almost like a home game for England with the majority of the crowd from Blighty - although the weather sort of gives it away. Yeah, Topley could be the one for left armer, but , as you say, prob not quick enough, whereas Curran can shift it (even at 17). Overton could be the other quick that we are looking for.
A very bad final session for SA by the look of things, Amla really let things drift badly and Stokes took full advantage!
Cant understand some of his decisions - especially surrounding not giving Morkel the ball for first over after tea then the new ball. Lets hope Stokes can blow them away tomorrow morning and we can be hopefully looking at 500 by tea and then get them in.
England could not be playing SA at a better time, not only is their batting a shambles but they have lost three of their top four quick bowlers - with Steyn and Philander probably out for the series.
Need to grind them into the dust tomorrow and look for 450+.
England could not be playing SA at a better time, not only is their batting a shambles but they have lost three of their top four quick bowlers - with Steyn and Philander probably out for the series.
Need to grind them into the dust tomorrow and look for 450+.
Plus the loss of Kallis/Smith/Boucher - could not be a better time to play them.
England could not be playing SA at a better time, not only is their batting a shambles but they have lost three of their top four quick bowlers - with Steyn and Philander probably out for the series.
Need to grind them into the dust tomorrow and look for 450+.
Plus the loss of Kallis/Smith/Boucher - could not be a better time to play them.
Losing Kallis was particularly cruel - meant that their remaining inexperienced bowlers were under even more pressure.
England could not be playing SA at a better time, not only is their batting a shambles but they have lost three of their top four quick bowlers - with Steyn and Philander probably out for the series.
Need to grind them into the dust tomorrow and look for 450+.
Plus the loss of Kallis/Smith/Boucher - could not be a better time to play them.
Losing Kallis was particularly cruel - meant that their remaining inexperienced bowlers were under even more pressure.
Cruel? He's 40 years old, Father Time catches up with all of us in the end.
Comments
Cook out etc
Very impressive & really pleased for the team & Cook.
Something's going well at the moment.
Anyway, Jimmy back in 2nd Test for Woakes makes us stronger, and if only we could find an opener with a 45+ average, a leg-spinner who doesnt bowl 2 long-hops an over,and a left-arm quick, then we are not far away from being a very good side. I can see the leg-spinner problem being solved in a few years by Mason Crane, and possible the left-armer by Sam Curran, but cant see an opener coming through- although isnt there some kid from Essex who is pulling up trees ?
England win toss and bat.
Jimmy in for us, Rabada,De Kock and Morris in for SA
England ticking along nicely 55-0 off 15. No real dramas (yet!).
Its almost like a home game for England with the majority of the crowd from Blighty - although the weather sort of gives it away.
Yeah, Topley could be the one for left armer, but , as you say, prob not quick enough, whereas Curran can shift it (even at 17). Overton could be the other quick that we are looking for.
55-1
Lets hope Stokes can blow them away tomorrow morning and we can be hopefully looking at 500 by tea and then get them in.
Need to grind them into the dust tomorrow and look for 450+.
RIP Young Man
352-5