***Official*** South Africa in England

[Speersy]

you have to admit most of the time they say something that you wish the batsmen or bowler could hear, depending on who they are commenting on. "Smith needs to run down the pith Pieterson style" would be a good comment. /me hoping he breaks a rib

 

[Richard]

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.

Hate the blasted idea, hope it's a dismal failure and is chucked-out of the window faster than the Supersub crap was.

But yeah I think Flintoff was always likely to come into the side, the first-innings delayed it for a time, but it was always going to be the sensible course of action.

Just hope that the rest of the wickets (if they fall at all) fall to Sidebottom rather than Anderson or Broad. Then we'll have a proper debate on our hands - which should see Anderson come out on t-... no, leave it until what happens actually happens.

 

[Jono]

WTF was McKenzie doing there anyway, even though he didn't hit it?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Hate the blasted idea, hope it's a dismal failure and is chucked-out of the window faster than the Supersub crap was.

But yeah I think Flintoff was always likely to come into the side, the first-innings delayed it for a time, but it was always going to be the sensible course of action.

Just hope that the rest of the wickets (if they fall at all) fall to Sidebottom rather than Anderson or Broad. Then we'll have a proper debate on our hands - which should see Anderson come out on t-... no, leave it until what happens actually happens.

They wont drop Sidey for Flintoff, He gives a nice variation. Anderson is too good in swinging conditions to give up. Broad offers too much with the bat but is probably the weakest bowler at the moment. I have a feeling they will drop a batsmen and go for 5 bowlers. Then they can use Flintoff in short bursts where he can really give 100%.

 

[open365]

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.

Tbh from what i saw Collingwood looked like having as good a chance of picking up a wicket as Broad/Anderson, McKenzie didn't appear quite comfrotable against him for the first few overs, I don't mind Colly having a bowl at all really.

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.

I think it's not just him that's culpable for all the appealing, the whole bat squad are absolutely abysmal as well, some of the appeals they've gone up for today were shameful.

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.

Yeh, they've bowled close to what they're capable of bowling, and the conditions and the batsman have just come out on top. I think this is definitely evidence for bringing Jones and Freddy back for the 3rd test match.

 

[Richard]

Tbh from what i saw Collingwood looked like having as good a chance of picking up a wicket as Broad/Anderson, McKenzie didn't appear quite comfrotable against him for the first few overs, I don't mind Colly having a bowl at all really.

Jeeys, nothing wrong with it at all, it'd have been stupid not to have given him a bowl. Thing is, though, whenever Collingwood is bowling that's when questions start to be asked of why haven't the front-liners done the job? (Ignoring for a moment they should have had 2 wickets early)

 

[Richard]

They wont drop Sidey for Flintoff, He gives a nice variation. Anderson is too good in swinging conditions to give up. Broad offers too much with the bat but is probably the weakest bowler at the moment. I have a feeling they will drop a batsmen and go for 5 bowlers. Then they can use Flintoff in short bursts where he can really give 100%.

And Flintoff is too poor with the bat to make picking him as one of five bowlers a remotely good idea. I know you're not suggesting you think it's a good idea - I'm simply pointing-out that it's not.

 

[social]

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.

3 or 4 of his appeals have been absolutely ridiculous but what's even more tedious is his reaction when they're given not out

Would take a very levelheaded umpire not to get jack of it

 

[Richard]

WTF was McKenzie doing there anyway, even though he didn't hit it?

He's normally the most near-impossible batsman to get out by bowling spin-back-in from outside leg to him - great technique for absorbing it.

 

[social]

And Flintoff is too poor with the bat to make picking him as one of five bowlers a remotely good idea. I know you're not suggesting you think it's a good idea - I'm simply pointing-out that it's not.

As Gower mentioned, Collingwood is contributing zero with the bat so drop him and you wont lose anything

 

[Jono]

Stop ****in appealing Monty.

Or learn the LBW rule.

 

[social]

Prime example - pitches a foot outside leg and Monty appeals

 

[PhoenixFire]

Agreed, STFU, please.

 

[Jono]

He's almost as bad as Kaneria.

 

[Prince EWS]

As Gower mentioned, Collingwood is contributing zero with the bat so drop him and you wont lose anything

Collingwood isn't being selected in expectation of him continuing his bad form though. If it is believed that Collingwood will continue to contribute 0 with the bat forevermore, he should be dropped for Owais Shah; not Flintoff.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Broad isn't picked to bat. He's picked to bowl and he's poor at it. Flintoff is excellent at bowling and presently poor at batting. I really don't see where the trouble is with this decision. Pretty straightforward in my sight.

 

[Richard]

As Gower mentioned, Collingwood is contributing zero with the bat so drop him and you wont lose anything

Collingwood needs to be dropped for someone who will perform with the bat, if so.

In any case, it's debateable TSTL that you lose less by dropping Collingwood than you would Broad or even Anderson.

 

[Goughy]

Yeah, if Flintoff comes in then it has to be for Broad. If Collingwood is dropped bring in a batsman.

Id give Sidebottom a break as he hasnt looked fit in this Test and bring in Harmison (Im not even going to argue the point )

Having an attack of Flintoff, Harmison, Panesar and Anderson gives a bit more of an edge and the ability to make something happen in tough conditions than the current one.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Would much prefer Hoggard to Harmison at Headingley, even if he's "lost a yard".

 

[PhoenixFire]

Indeed, I would also much rather have Hoggard than Harmison, especially since Hoggard knows the Headingley track well.