***Official*** South Africa in England

[Zinzan]

Well, England have everything in their favour to perform well IMO. No Steyn, a ground they have played well at in recent years and to top it off winning the toss while having the only decent spinner of either side. If they lose this, its a real worry.

 

[Richard]

Morne Morkel to open the bowling - wasn't expecting that.

 

[Zinzan]

Any word on Steyn being fit for the 4th test?

 

[Zinzan]

Morne Morkel to open the bowling - wasn't expecting that.

I would have thought with no Steyn and Ntini having stated before he prefers bowling 2nd-up that it was fairly obvious

 

[Richard]

If you'd been watching SA in recent times you should have expected it to be Nel and Ntini opening and Morne on first-change, because that's the way it's always been when Nel's played. I'm well aware that Ntini prefers bowling second, it's very obvious. The comment was related to Morne being given the new-ball instead of Nel.

 

[Zinzan]

If you'd been watching SA in recent times you should have expected it to be Nel and Ntini opening and Morne on first-change. I'm well aware that Ntini prefers bowling second, it's very obvious. The comment was related to Morne being given the new-ball instead of Nel.

Again I'm not suprised. Personally I'd have started with Morkel and kept Nel to first change, so expected Smith to do the same

 

[Richard]

Yeah but it's likely your expectations were based on naivety rather than inside-knowledge, as I doubt you've looked at the scorecards of matches where those three have bowled together.

 

[Manee]

Lol, England do not have the slightest clue against Morkel atm.

 

[Richard]

Nel is a terrific fielder.

 

[Manee]

Nel is a terrific fielder.

Didn't stop him from getting dropped, though.

(Oh no he di'n't)

 

[Jakester1288]

Is there any live Streams of this game working??? I have had a look...If so can you email them to me at leagueandcars at hotmail dot com. Thanks in advance.

 

[Richard]

Poor stuff from SA so far, much too much short.

 

[Zinzan]

Yeah but it's likely your expectations were based on naivety rather than inside-knowledge, as I doubt you've looked at the scorecards of matches where those three have bowled together.

You condescending little cricket-snob you. On the contrary, I've watched plenty of SA over the years and have seen Nel on numerous occasions. Makes me laugh that you think 60000+ posts makes you the world Authority on cricket

By the way, Morkel bowling well thus far, Good decision Smith

 

[Zinzan]

Is there any live Streams of this game working??? I have had a look...If so can you email them to me at leagueandcars at hotmail dot com. Thanks in advance.

I'm watching on Sky here in NZ with the volume down and listening to Test Match special on the BBC five live site. I do hope Mr Boycott is covering this test

 

[Richard]

You condescending little cricket-snob you. On the contrary, I've watched plenty of SA over the years and have seen Nel on numerous occasions.

In which case you should expect him to open if Morkel was in the side. If you don't, you're defying logic.

Makes me laugh that you think 60000+ posts makes you the world Authority on cricket

Err - I don't.

By the way, Morkel bowling well thus far, Good decision Smith

Very possibly. Unusual decision nonetheless.

 

[Manee]

Very possibly. Unusual decision nonetheless.

Disagree, sometimes common sense has to prevail. He has been South Africa's best bowler in the series and is the quickest and you don't have any swing merchants, so you give him the new ball.

 

[Richard]

It may make perfect sense, but it's still not a decision you could really be expecting if you'd taken any notice of past happenings.

 

[tooextracool]

Really annoys me when commentators and experts alike go on about Hoggard losing his pace and/or nip. Hoggard doesnt bowl any slower now than he has been over the last 5 years. Hes bowled at around 80mph for as long as I can remember and he actually bowled at less than 80mph during his better spells such as his 6fer at Nagpur

 

[Manee]

It may make perfect sense, but it's still not a decision you could really be expecting if you'd taken any notice of past happenings.

But who you give the new ball is hardly a massively statistically driven decision. It just doesn't make sense to select a non swing, not rapid bowler half way through a series, after an injury, and give him the new ball over your best, quickest bowler so far in the series.

 

[Jakester1288]

I'm watching on Sky here in NZ with the volume down and listening to Test Match special on the BBC five live site. I do hope Mr Boycott is covering this test

I can't seem to get working on mine. It says connecting to media then says ready, you click play and it doesn't work.