***Official*** South Africa in England

[Richard]

Smith has, however, incidentally, played MSP very well to date. That's, of course, probably cue him getting out to MSP.

First signs of "desperate" measures - Collingwood on. KPP to have a go soon hopefully too.

 

[Speersy]

I can see Smith's innings becoming the equivalent of Atherton's Johannesburg knock.

# Day 5:
# Atherton dropped on 99 by Kirsten

Can't wait

 

[Richard]

That is one of the worst excuses for a "drop" I've ever heard anyone try to manufacture.

Had Kirsten caught that it would have been Catch Of The Decade. It was straight off the face of the bat from a 95mph bowler to a short-leg fielder standing close in. Those either stick or they don't - mostly don't.

There is no way Kirsten could or should have caught that and there's no way it was a let-off.

 

[James90]

Wonderful partnership this. Annoying to follow on the internet but would be good viewing. Reminds me of Rudolph at Perth a few years back.

I seem to like the same cricketers that much of the forum does. McKenzie and Katich up the top of the list.

 

[Uppercut]

On that McKenzie lbw, does anyone ever feel Monty fails to get some decisions because he appeals for everything that goes anywhere near a pad?

 

[Richard]

at the Smith quote currently in Stedman's sig BTW.

 

[Richard]

On that McKenzie lbw, does anyone ever feel Monty fails to get some decisions because he appeals for everything that goes anywhere near a pad?

Possibly it helps, but Umpires in general tend to give spinners - all spinners, not just MSP - more lbws in the last 3-4 years or so than they ever did before.

Many people put it down the the fact that HawkEye has demonstrated that stuff that looks out usually is out, and that a big stride is no longer a valid defence against being given lbw.

 

[Uppercut]

Possibly it helps, but Umpires in general tend to give spinners - all spinners, not just MSP - more lbws in the last 3-4 years or so than they ever did before.

Many people put it down the the fact that HawkEye has demonstrated that stuff that looks out usually is out, and that a big stride is no longer a valid defence against being given lbw.

It must have got to the stage where the umpire shakes his head instinctively when Monty appeals. Some of the stuff he shouts for is ridiculous, its going a mile down leg or hit the batsman way outside off, and i don't think it works in his favour.

I like the guy, but he really becomes tiresome sometimes.

 

[Richard]

Yeah there's always been the over-appealers, Shane Warne was another.

 

[James90]

Boy who cried wolf tbh.

 

[Goughy]

It must have got to the stage where the umpire shakes his head instinctively when Monty appeals. Some of the stuff he shouts for is ridiculous, its going a mile down leg or hit the batsman way outside off, and i don't think it works in his favour.

I like the guy, but he really becomes tiresome sometimes.

I get why people like him as he has that schoolboy enthusiasm.

I personally find it all rather amateurish and cringe worthy and the appealing (ie appearing not to know the rules and appeal in a woofy frenzy everytime the ball hits the pads) is part of that.

I can understand the cult figure aspect but it isnt what floats my cricketing boat.

 

[Speersy]

Ok they have made it to tea, fantastic effort.
1. Have they batted well. or bowlers bowled bad?
2. South Africa trail by 218 runs still, England can not lose this match.
3. What will the captain and bowlers do, to get 10 wickets here?
4. What are the lads in the com boxes saying?

 

[Richard]

Ok they have made it to tea, fantastic effort.
1. Have they batted well. or bowlers bowled bad?

Batted well, the two let-offs aside, bowlers certainly haven't bowled poorly, their areas have been good. But they've not really threatened, same way SA's bowlers didn't for much of this match.

It truly was pretty poor batting from SA that got them into following-on. If they were to save this match one would be very strongly reminded of the game at Bourda in 2005.

2. South Africa trail by 218 runs still, England can not lose this match.

It'd take something fairly remarkable.

3. What will the captain and bowlers do, to get 10 wickets here?

Keep bowling in the right areas, hope the second new-ball does more than the first and lasts longer.

4. What are the lads in the com boxes saying?

"It's the sort of time where you really want either real pace or wristspin".

 

[PhoenixFire]

I don't think England have bowled badly, just Smith and McKenzie have done a good job of applying themselves in what is a pretty difficult situation. That said, England haven't look that threatning with the ball.

 

[Richard]

Smith off-the-mark for the session 1st ball after Tea.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

"It's the sort of time where you really want either real pace or wristspin".

I guess today will make England want to bring Flintoff into the next test a sure thing. Interesting to note that we could have had the referral system in place for this series, but the England players vetoed it.

 

[Uppercut]

4. What are the lads in the com boxes saying?

"It's times like these you just have to play your natural game". Obviously. Atherton finally pulled that one out just after tea.

 

[silentstriker]

I want to hear a commentator say 'This is no time to play your natural game.'

 

[Jono]

HAHAHAHAHAH Strauss.

Tried to pretend he had it when Pietersen does, but Kp never went for it.

 

[Richard]

at that.