***Official*** South Africa in England

[SpaceMonkey]

And all of a sudden SA are just letting this slip.

They mentioned it on TMS before this innings. When you have a load like SA had, if the other team knock it off and start building a lead they will start to get tight and try and go more defensive, even though they may be still in the box seat.

England are still 110 odd for 4 in real terms, which puts SA on top still but they're playing as if England are on top. 1 wicket here and England could easily collapse for 250 ao.

 

[silentstriker]

What do you reckon would be a potentially matchwinning lead for England? 250 or so? I can see them reaching that as long as these two stick together and Flintoff bats as well as he did in the first innings.

Hmm, I think 250 will get you a real good game. Personally, as I'm supporting England, I wouldn't feel pretty comfortable with less than 300.

It is a long, long way to go to reach that point though.

 

[pskov]

South Africa's seamers bowling utter rubbish, pure and simple.

Still have to give some credit to Collingwood. It would have been very easy for him to come in and turtle along. He's decided to go out and play shots instead. If he got out in single figures his Test career would have been over no doubt, so he's been brave for having a go, even if the bowling has been mediocre.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

What do you reckon would be a potentially matchwinning lead for England? 250 or so? I can see them reaching that as long as these two stick together and Flintoff bats as well as he did in the first innings.

250 would make SA sweat. But we need MINIMUM 300 lead before you can say England would be favorites. Especially considering we're only on day 3 now, so most of SA chase will happen on a Day 4 pitch rather than a Day 5.

 

[gio]

SA have bowled poorly since tea. Too short to Collingwood, and when they have bowled full, it's been on his legs. Still, I'm not complaining... yet.

 

[silentstriker]

Hmm, I think 250 will get you a real good game. Personally, as I'm supporting England, I wouldn't feel pretty comfortable with less than 300.

It is a long, long way to go to reach that point though.

250 would make SA sweat. But we need MINIMUM 300 lead before you can say England would be favorites.

Johnny Come Lately's, aren't we?

 

[Richard]

Still have to give some credit to Collingwood. It would have been very easy for him to come in and turtle along. He's decided to go out and play shots instead.

I very much doubt it. If he had any sense he would have decided to play the ball on its merits.

And the merits have been to be smashed for four. And that's just what he's done most of the time.

Now Pietersen getting this reverse-sweep out in Tests.

 

[silentstriker]

I'm definitely going to malinger my way into watching this game tomorrow.

 

[gio]

250 would make SA sweat. But we need MINIMUM 300 lead before you can say England would be favorites. Especially considering we're only on day 3 now, so most of SA chase will happen on a Day 4 pitch rather than a Day 5.

The pitch is looking great at the moment. If the conditions don't deteriate much, then I agree, a 300 lead is minimum.

 

[Richard]

What do you reckon would be a potentially matchwinning lead for England? 250 or so?

SA should get 250 easily, this is a perfectly decent pitch. But 300, that'd be quite an ask methinks.

EDIT: above post says near enough the exact same.

 

[Richard]

Ntini to the rescue?

 

[pskov]

I very much doubt it. If he had any sense he would have decided to play the ball on its merits.

And the merits have been to be smashed for four. And that's just what he's done most of the time.

Now Pietersen getting this reverse-sweep out in Tests.

If he had come in in any type of form whatsoever then yes of course I'd agree. But considering his mental state it would have been understandable, though still reproachable, if he hadn't taken the attitude he has. I expect many players, not just county players but test batsmen, would have seen the match situation and considering their form and pressure on their place would have gone into a shell.

 

[Richard]

You've a job going into your shell if people are constantly bowling to your strengths.

 

[silentstriker]

Good fifty - let's hope he converts it.

 

[gio]

Right now it's very even. If England lose Pietersen and Collingwood, or even just Pietersen, then SA could skittle England out for <300. But if these two stay together for a while, then England could be looking at a lead of close to 200 by the end of the day.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Fantastic spell of batting by England here, and SA's bowling is looking a little anaemic. Great to see Colly get his 50 just now - as I've said before, I don't enjoy watching him bat, but you can't help but love Collingwood the man. Showing great fight to keep his place here.

There's nothing I can say about Pietersen that hasn't already been said, my favourite batsman in world cricket continues to impress. Delighted that we've given ourselves a fighting chance at saving this series, although there's still a long way to go in this game yet. Need to set them 300 to have a chance IMO, but two hours ago that didn't look remotely possible.

EDIT: And Pietersen throws it away. Dammit, Kev. Carn Freddie.

 

[Richard]

Nice jinxing Matty.

Pietersen gives it away.

 

[gio]

Just as I speak... bloody clown

 

[chalky]

Stupidity

 

[gio]

Flintoff has to battle now... last decent chance of runs.