***Official*** South Africa in England

[Goughy]

The round-arm action isn't really what bothers me; it's the non-use of his front arm to get him through the crease. It "should" cause him accuracy problems and prevent him from getting over the ball. If you combine that with his bowling arm (which is partly a result of the way he "uses" his front arm in itself) it "should" mean that he rolls the ball as such more than he rips it.

However, as I said, while it looks dire, it works for him. He still manages to get over the ball (although admittedly not as much as most other Test spinners) and put some revolutions on it. He certainly doesn't have accuracy problems either. I'm not sure he's what they'd call "Test standard" but as you said, a lot worse have played recently. I certainly rate him a class above Boje, Botha, Petersen and Adams as bowlers.

His front arm points compleely awat rom the batsman. But IMO hat isnt anywhere nearas big as an issue for a spinner as for a seamer. That is because his whole body points away from the batsman and he has a big pivot.

It certainly doesnt help accuracy but his arm position and big pivot help him to put far more action on the ball than he otherwise would. Especially important given the angle of the ball

 

[open365]

To stick my neck out here and risk copping some flack, I quite like Harris and I dont mind his action at all.

Im sure Ive said all this before but Ive no issue with the round arm action. He gets good angles and he does try and rip it.

The low arm slants the ball into the right hander and then looks to take the ball away. The best SLA I played with did exactly the same. Its different but can be very effective. The first 6 KP hit of him was not easy. The ball was slanting into him and any turn would have made him look foolish. I think he offers something interesting and more effective than traditional SLA

The problem is that people want him to be a 'holding bowler' and keep it tight. He isnt that type of player. He is a front line bowler in his own right.

Really? I've watched Harris in India and his overs today, and he didn't look anything like an 'attacking' spinner at all. He doesn't look like he gives it much of a rip or like he has a lot of variations in flight/angle at all. I don't think he's horrible as he seems fairly accurate and has suprisingly decent stats so far, but he's just a totaly 'meh' player for me, and I don't see him doing much to influence this series.

 

[steds]

His front arm points compleely awat rom the batsman. But IMO hat isnt anywhere nearas big as an issue for a spinner as for a seamer.

Have you been drinking again?

 

[Prince EWS]

His front arm points compleely awat rom the batsman. But IMO hat isnt anywhere nearas big as an issue for a spinner as for a seamer. That is because his whole body points away from the batsman and he has a big pivot.

It certainly doesnt help accuracy but his arm position and big pivot help him to put far more action on the ball than he otherwise would. Especially important given the angle of the ball

That's a good point really. His bowling arm and release is unconventional so his front arm needs to match it.

He certainly does get more spin and occassionally drift from his pivot than I've seen a spinner do for a while, and the lack of a genuine pivot is generally the biggest problem from an off spinner who doesn't use his front arm properly.

 

[Goughy]

Have you been drinking again?

Will not let me edit. Hangs. My keyboard is horrible.

 

[Prince EWS]

Really? I've watched Harris in India and his overs today, and he didn't look anything like an 'attacking' spinner at all.

I think that's Goughy's point though; they're using him as something he isn't. He looked far more likely in South Africa against India for whatever reason. He role seems to have changed.

 

[Goughy]

I think that's Goughy's point though; they're using him as something he isn't. He looked far more likely in South Africa against India for whatever reason. He role seems to have changed.

Yeah. He was poor today but he was given a role he isnt best designed for.

In fairness he probably should not have been selected. I dont think he is a special bowler but he is up there with SLA in the World right now (not difficult) and offers something different.

With men around the bat and the ball angled sharply in and then turning away there are lots of potential LBWs, batpads and slip chances.

 

[GIMH]

I left work and I think we were about 190-3, was happy enough to see we were still just 3 down when I got home but when I saw we had 300 and KP had tonned up...

Got thinking before about Bell's innings...in some ways this partnership takes a lot of pressure off Collingwood, as we are in a good position whenever he has to come in tomorrow. However, the fact that Bell has scored some runs and could well go on to convert means he really can't afford to fail, that is if my theory of Fred replacing one of them is proved correct.

 

[open365]

Well I suppose we'll know more as the series progresses and he gets the chance to bowl on 4/5th day pitches.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

my theory of Fred replacing one of them is proved correct.

I hope not. That would be a horrible move.

 

[Barney Rubble]

I hope not. That was be a horrible move.

Agree completely, Fred should bat 7 and play as a bowler. Possibly even bat 8.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Agree completely, Fred should bat 7 and play as a bowler. Possibly even bat 8.

These days for sure. When did he last score an international fifty, let alone a century

 

[BoyBrumby]

You'd love to get KP's script-writer to write your life, wouldn't you? Fair play to the great man. Captain ****'s face when he applauded the ton was worth the admission fee alone.

Anyway, WRT Fred I strongly suspect Miller & co reserve doubts about him be able to shoulder a full bowling workload, so if he is recalled I'd guess it will be for Collingwood or Bell with perhaps Prior coming back to keep to shore up the middle order unless Tiny Tim scores big in this game.

Not saying that's what I would do, rather that's what I think will happen.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Agree completely, Fred should bat 7 and play as a bowler. Possibly even bat 8.

Wow, I'm so dire sometimes. "That was be"? In fairness I'd just woken up...

 

[superkingdave]

Decent day, nice to wake up to in the morning...but lets not get carried away. 370 all out tomorrow morning then SA 240-2 and it looks a different story.

 

[Silver Arrow]

KP now averages over 80 at Lord's and that was his 4th centruy at the ground.

If the South Africans continue with this dire bowling KP will probably end up with a double hundred. Smith made a big mistake sending England in.

 

[open365]

Anyway, WRT Fred I strongly suspect Miller & co reserve doubts about him be able to shoulder a full bowling workload, so if he is recalled I'd guess it will be for Collingwood or Bell with perhaps Prior coming back to keep to shore up the middle order unless Tiny Tim scores big in this game.

Not saying that's what I would do, rather that's what I think will happen.

God help me I think even English selectors can see that Prior can't wicket keep at international level.

Or at least, I hope they can.

Can't they?

 

[Langeveldt]

Well done KP.. I don't like you but by God I respect you..

SA look worryingly flat at the moment.. I've not seen us bowl so poorly for a long time.. But it's early days, and I still think we'll win the series, just..

 

[SpaceMonkey]

313-3! I cant remember the last Test England did that in a Test match after 1 day. But then my memory is crap so it may well be sometime recent

Not far off Australias 364-2 when Hussain had his moment in Brisbane.

England cant rest though, we really need 550+ to make sure we cant lose this Test, especially if it rains which its meant to. We really wont want to bat twice if we want to force a result.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Well done KP.. I don't like you but by God I respect you..

SA look worryingly flat at the moment.. I've not seen us bowl so poorly for a long time.. But it's early days, and I still think we'll win the series, just..

How often have we seen young bowlers struggle with the Lords slope? I wouldnt read much into it really. Also while the batsmen had a nice time in the warm up games i guess the bowlers didnt get as much a workout as they'd have liked.

On a seperate note. Looking at the SA bowlers you can really see how Morkel / Steyn really use their wrist alot when generating their pace. Much more so than other bowlers. Morkel really looks like he has potential if he can get some control.