***Official*** South Africa in England

[Burgey]

Surely the nadir of South African cricket post-readmission if Ian Bell scores a ton against them.
Wish there was a facility on TV where you could watch Pietersen and just block Bell out.

 

[Manee]

This pitch really is making the South African pace attack look like medium pacers.

 

[Langeveldt]

Pretty weak bowling from our much hyped attack.. However, I'd like to see Broad and Anderson bowling at Kallis and Amla, probably some time tomorrow. I'd imagine the results being the same.

 

[andruid]

Surely the nadir of South African cricket post-readmission if Ian Bell scores a ton against them.
Wish there was a facility on TV where you could watch Pietersen and just block Bell out.

But an in form Bell's stroke making is so ***y

 

[Burgey]

But an in form Bell's stroke making is so ***y

***y? He looks pre-pubescent!!!

Saw the replay of Vaughan's out last night. Look, how can a fella who's as classy a player as him just lose his off stump for a living like he does?

 

[stumpski]

Loving Pietersen's creative shot-making atm. Just waiting for the switch-hit.

Bell being starved of the strike, stuck on 99.

 

[Scaly piscine]

If anyone suggests declaring at 500-550 again I'm going to hunt them down.

 

[Speersy]

KP going off here, exciting just watching the commentary on cric info

 

[Jono]

Pietersen doing his best to deny Bell strike, and just hit awesome shots to the boundary himself, as if to mock poor Belly offstrike on 99. Hilarious.

 

[Langeveldt]

***y? He looks pre-pubescent!!!

Saw the replay of Vaughan's out last night. Look, how can a fella who's as classy a player as him just lose his off stump for a living like he does?

He's got a very punchable face.. Even moreso now..

This is ****.. Pretty disgraceful that we seem so chilled out about our cricket this morning, its a bit of a farce.. Was thinking about missing my first balls of the series because it's so shocking, can't even go and see the gf

 

[Jono]

Surely the nadir of South African cricket post-readmission if Ian Bell scores a ton against them.
Wish there was a facility on TV where you could watch Pietersen and just block Bell out.

I like watching Bell bat when he's playing well.

 

[Natman20]

wow. Why wasn't there more play like this against NZ? Its not as if the bowling attack was any better! (or maybe I severely underestimated them!)

 

[Speersy]

Centrury for Bell

big partnership 271 runs

 

[Zinzan]

Fair play Ian Bell, probably my favourite English batsman these days

 

[Speersy]

Fair play Ian Bell, probably my favourite English batsman these days

Yeah I can't understand all the Bell bashing, didn't realise so many people hated the way he plays.

 

[wpdavid]

If anyone suggests declaring at 500-550 again I'm going to hunt them down.

At the risk of being hunted down, there's differences between here & Adelaide
1. The weather forecast means time's going to be lost, so batting on & on may not be the best course
2. If the overcast weather is going to be later today & on Saturday, we probably need SB & Anderson to be bowling then
3. Warne won't be bowling on Day 5

Of course, it'll all be academic if we collapse when one of these guys is dismissed.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Yeah I can't understand all the Bell bashing, didn't realise so many people hated the way he plays.

Think it's to do with an Englishman scoring runs. It's skewing people's worldview.

 

[Zinzan]

wow. Why wasn't there more play like this against NZ? Its not as if the bowling attack was any better!

Traditionally its easier to bat in mid-July than May/early June in English conditions

 

[Woodster]

Another tremendous session for England and outstanding batting from this pair again. Pietersen is looking at his dismissive best, playing his outrageous strokes, while Bell continues to please with his easy on the eye strokeplay. With such a contrast in styles you can see why these two enjoy such success batting together. Long may this continue....

 

[Burgey]

I like watching Bell bat when he's playing well.

Each to ones own .
Always looks like he's about to break down and cry to me. Just don't think much of him as a player, but happy for him to change my mind for me. Good to watch off his pads though.
Mind you, I wouldn't blame Graeme Smith for breaking down and crying reight now. This is a really deflating performance by the Saffies.