***Official*** South Africa in England

[GIMH]

My missus gets the shopping online on Test Cricket weekends. She knows the score.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Cracking the whip. What a guy.

 

[nexxus]

As far as SA are concerned, this would be a fantastic time to get JP Petersen in, Smith's gonna be in doubt as his heroics would have done his back & elbow no good. I half think the selectors will take a punt on Robin Peterson as well, despite my feelings towards him.

Would that be a world record for a match with the most Petersons involved?

Zondeki may get a look in too. I think at least one of those 3 will play.

 

[GIMH]

How am I to know? Probably during the First Test, but maybe later.

Out of interest Richard, did you ever make a decision? You've probably stated it somewhere, but it's really not been obvious from your posts.

 

[Manee]

As far as SA are concerned, this would be a fantastic time to get JP Petersen in, Smith's gonna be in doubt as his heroics would have done his back & elbow no good. I half think the selectors will take a punt on Robin Peterson as well, despite my feelings towards him.

Would that be a world record for a match with the most Petersons involved?

Zondeki may get a look in too. I think at least one of those 3 will play.

Zondeki took 9 wickets at 42 in CC this season, he won't be a great option.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Who's JP Petersen?

 

[nexxus]

Heh, he's a wing for the Natal Sharks & Springboks.

I meant JP Duminy.

 

[nexxus]

Zondeki took 9 wickets at 42 in CC this season, he won't be a great option.

I think he's the least likely to play. Still doesn't mean the selectors won't give it half a thought. Affrimative action and all that.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Heh, he's a wing for the Natal Sharks & Springboks.

I meant JP Duminy.

Ah, I thought so. But then I wondered if I missed a plot twist somewhere. Yep, he looked a reasonable talent when I saw him. A pretty impressive record too.

Regarding Robin Peterson, he's dire. More talent with the bat than the ball, IMO.

 

[popepouri]

I wouldn't mind seeing Robbie P in for a bit too given that I'm still a little worried with that long tail. For someone doing a holding job, he can do it well.

It's only a matter of time before Duminy plays his first test. I'd be delighted to see him play.

 

[nexxus]

Unfortunately Paul Harris hasn't looked that good of late. Had a bang of a start to his career, but has since gone a bit off the boil. He's nipped in here & there, but hasn't looked threatening in the least for most of his spells.

It may have something to do with SA not really knowing what to do with a spinner, but he didn't bowl with much guile or flight, seemed to just dart them in flat and keep the runs down.

Peterson can probably do that nearly as well as Harris, and is a fair bit better with the bat....sigh.

If only Johan Botha didn't turn out to be rubbish. The selectors seem strangely hesistant to pick Thandi Tshabalala for whatever reason.

 

[Bahnz]

Unfortunately Paul Harris hasn't looked that good of late. Had a bang of a start to his career, but has since gone a bit off the boil. He's nipped in here & there, but hasn't looked threatening in the least for most of his spells.

It may have something to do with SA not really knowing what to do with a spinner, but he didn't bowl with much guile or flight, seemed to just dart them in flat and keep the runs down.

Peterson can probably do that nearly as well as Harris, and is a fair bit better with the bat....sigh.

If only Johan Botha didn't turn out to be rubbish. The selectors seem strangely hesistant to pick Thandi Tshabalala for whatever reason.

To be fair to Harris, it hasn't been a very good series for spinners. Monty's operated with almost exactly the same strike rate, and only a fractionally cheaper economy rate.

 

[Tom Halsey]

I wouldnt be upset if no changes were made for the final Test.

Same, as I said earlier there is a lot of perplexing fickleness about at the moment. A settled side is paramount.

Only change I'd make is when we can be sure that Jones is ready, bring him in for Anderson.

Unfortunately the fitness of Sidebottom and Fred may dictate changes.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Didn't Robert Croft take some wickets in the week?

Scarily, out of the English-qualified spinners bowling in our domestic season, he's the equal highest FC wicket taker with Saqlain (36 each) and Croft's have come at 21.22 compared to the former Pakistani's 27.22 apiece.

Others to feature in the highest wicket takers list include Rashid (31 @ 38.77), Batty (29 @ 26.34) & Swann (23 @ 30.69).

Put out the call to Sofia Gardens post haste!!

The fact that he has played Test Cricket for somebody else counts against him. I don't mind your Pietersens, Pattinsons and Ambroses. But playing Test Cricket for two countries is yucky.

See also, Pothas

Pothas only played ODIs for SA to be fair, but same difference, really.

Instinctively I agree with you, but I'm now of the opinion that if a bloke is playing here as a local why not select him if he's the best player available? He's taking a county place that might otherwise be filled by a native-born and/or raised son of Albion, so if we overlook him on grounds of past allegiences it's lose/lose for England.

 

[headhunter]

Even thought the result didn't go the way I wanted, this was the most enjoyable Test match I've seen in my short time following the game.

 

[gio]

Even thought the result didn't go the way I wanted, this was the most enjoyable Test match I've seen in my short time following the game.

I'd enjoyed it up to the last hour. By then I was totally deflated, and I reckon England were too.

 

[popepouri]

To be fair to Harris, it hasn't been a very good series for spinners. Monty's operated with almost exactly the same strike rate, and only a fractionally cheaper economy rate.

No it hasn't but he didn't have a good series against India too which was in suitable conditions. Monty at least had a good test at Lords. Harris has been very much bit part. It's sad really since he's one of those guys that I would have liked to succeed in what he does.

Johan Botha is improving. He's averaging 27 in ODIs this year with an economy rate of under 4 for someone bowling in the middle of the innings. He's also done well domestically. If he succeeds against Eng for the ODIs, I don't see why we can't give him a go in tests.

 

[Scaly piscine]

No it hasn't but he didn't have a good series against India too which was in suitable conditions. Monty at least had a good test at Lords. Harris has been very much bit part. It's sad really since he's one of those guys that I would have liked to succeed in what he does.

Johan Botha is improving. He's averaging 27 in ODIs this year with an economy rate of under 4 for someone bowling in the middle of the innings. He's also done well domestically. If he succeeds against Eng for the ODIs, I don't see why we can't give him a go in tests.

Going wicketless for 60 overs when you're trying to force a result kinda precludes it from being a good Test

 

[Langeveldt]

So so happy

 

[popepouri]

Going wicketless for 60 overs when you're trying to force a result kinda precludes it from being a good Test

But he still has 9 wickets this series. It's no doubt he is a better spinner than Harris and It's more a question about Harris being in the team not Monty.