Really really good chase from the South Africans, fantastic knocks from Markram and Bavuma.
Will be interesting to see what Aussie side starts the first Ashes test because their top order looks very unconvincing.
Konstas will replace Marnus but the others are too big to drop, not that I’m complaining
Yeah Konstas I expect to come in , Khawaja looks done too but they'll probably give him the Ashes as a farewell.
They won't want 2 new openers, not sure who else they could pick anyway
They've got a real lack of options, it's either untested guys like Nathan McSweeney who's not really an opener anyway and would be better at 3 or going back to the Marcus Harris , Matt Renshaws of this world who we know all about.
As honest a cricketer as he is a person. Woakes isn't there just there to take the money and the accolades and no one can ever accuse him of giving anything but his very best in training as well as on the pitch for the cause. A professional's pro. That can't be said for one or two of our bowlers in recent times.
In the absence of Wood, Archer, Atkinson that's about as good a lineup as we can put out. If we can get them plus Stone, Overton, Mahmood fit for the ashes we might have a chance.
Liam Dawson would transform that lineup though. Can balance the side and be a much better spin option.
In the absence of Wood, Archer, Atkinson that's about as good a lineup as we can put out. If we can get them plus Stone, Overton, Mahmood fit for the ashes we might have a chance.
Liam Dawson would transform that lineup though. Can balance the side and be a much better spin option.
Dawson should be an automatic choice.
But I believe he will opt for franchise cricket for more money. And the way England have treated him I don't blame him.
In fact, Smith ended up two yards down the legside which, combined with the fact that Tongue is right arm around to the left hander, should have been enough in itself to not review.
Just don't have a lot of confidence in the attack we've got out there today to actually take wickets. Feels a bit ordinary
No Archer, Wood or Atkinson Looks like our reserves unless Stokes can produce something.
We can't rely on the fitness of two of those. Wood has played 11 Tests in the last 3 years and Archer has played none. No Anderson or Broad to rely on as the staple diet. And the rest are protected from learning their trade by central contracts and the need to preserve their fitness.
Just don't have a lot of confidence in the attack we've got out there today to actually take wickets. Feels a bit ordinary
We don't have a fit top class opening bowler. I'm thinking we may lose the series 0-5 if the weather holds. We're going to day 2 at Lord's & I hope we're batting.
Comments
...actually, I have never been excited to see a South African win.
They've got a real lack of options, it's either untested guys like Nathan McSweeney who's not really an opener anyway and would be better at 3 or going back to the Marcus Harris , Matt Renshaws of this world who we know all about.
(Joking, obviously).
Liam Dawson would transform that lineup though. Can balance the side and be a much better spin option.
But I believe he will opt for franchise cricket for more money.
And the way England have treated him I don't blame him.
May I add - especially when it's 30 bloody degrees and sunny, and there's storms predicted around day 2/3 that could make it harder to bat.
Looks like our reserves unless Stokes can produce something.
I'm thinking we may lose the series 0-5 if the weather holds.
We're going to day 2 at Lord's & I hope we're batting.
91-1
Hopefully one leads to two....
Hopefully two lead to three....