***Official*** South Africa in England

[grecian]

Okay, I did suggest Kp coming on, but I think we can say it was a ****ing awful decision....

 

[gio]

Oh god, 66 needed now. I don't like to be harsh, but England have been really poor in spirit more than anything else since tea. Disappointed.

 

[grecian]

Oh god, 66 needed now. I don't like to be harsh, but England have been really poor in spirit more than anything else since tea. Disappointed.

Yeah, no fizz whatsoever it's been bizarre.

When I suggested KP being put on I didn't think it would be for our biggest wicket threat and most economical bowler, either....

 

[Scaly piscine]

This is absolute garbage, they're not even going to get a 2nd new ball at this rate - pathetic.

 

[stumpski]

Are we in the extra half hour yet? If not South Africa will claim it for sure.

 

[duffer]

Loving this South Africa team, they've got so much fight in them. Apart from Pietersen and Flintoff there's no inspiration in the England side.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

England just run out of steam. Flintoff / Sidebottom really dont look 100% fit. Jones in for Sidey for 3rd Test

 

[grecian]

England just run out of steam. Flintoff / Sidebottom really dont look 100% fit. Jones in for Sidey for 3rd Test

Yeah probably, won't do us any good if we can't score any runs, mind.

 

[stumpski]

Re: the worsening light, can the umpires just take them off without offering it? Because I can't imagine that Smith and Boucher would take it if it were offered.

 

[grecian]

Re: the worsening light, can the umpires just take them off without offering it? Because I can't imagine that Smith and Boucher would take it if it were offered.

Well they could, if they deemed it dangerous for the fielding side.

 

[Scaly piscine]

So anyone want to try and justify why nonfactor Panesar should keep his automatic place in the side?

And yes the umpires can just take the sides off, if they feel it is unfit to play in.

 

[gio]

Bar the Flintoff yorker/sight issue, England haven't looked like taking wickets. It's worrying for England. Batsman continually fail, and the bowlers seem frighteningly easy to play. This is very deflating to watch.

 

[duffer]

Has to be the best Graeme Smith knock I've seen all things considered. Quality stuff.

 

[Bees]

Carn Saffies! Graeme Smith...

 

[duffer]

Wonderful 150.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I think my opinion of Smith is a matter of CW record, but hats off here. Has been a genuinely great innings; worthy of that hoary old cliche "a captain's knock". The bastard.

England & her broken seamers, eh? Has to be some kind of failure of the fitness staff, surely? I refuse to believe every seam-up bowler in the country is just inherently injury prone. Fred & Sid look buggered here. The latter's participation at The Oval must be in serious doubt because he's moving as stiffly as Gordon Brown at a public engagement.

 

[stumpski]

Pietersen back on - is this white flag time?

 

[gio]

Hats off to Smith, it seems SA are in the place we were in 04/05. Terribly hard to beat, and very very determined.

What do we think for The Oval? Try a couple of new players? Keep with the tried and tested?

 

[steds]

****ing hate Smith scoring runs against England. Hurts alot less when you're at your mate's and have benn drinkling for 4 hours, though. SACK MOORES!!!!!!

 

[BoyBrumby]

Hats off to Smith, it seems SA are in the place we were in 04/05. Terribly hard to beat, and very very determined.

What do we think for The Oval? Try a couple of new players? Keep with the tried and tested?

Has to the former. Sid seems to be feeling his back, Ambrose looks short of the requisite quality in both disciplines and captaincy is the only thing keeping MPV in the team.

Jones (S) for Sid, Foster for Ambrose & Key for Vaughan; Strauss to captain.