***Official*** South Africa in England

[Napier16]

Collingwood isn't a player that you drop no matter what form that he is in, like even when Glenn McGrath was in pretty bad shape we still kept him in the side, why because he is one of those players, without him the Australian side would never bethe same, Glenn is a good team motivator and that was why Australia was so motivated at times even when games had a slim chance of victory. Collingwood is Englands Glenn McGrath at the moment in my opinion, a great team motivator and dropping him from the test side is pointless .

I don't quite believe what I just saw.

Please tell me that's a joke.

 

[Spinksy]

I don't quite believe what I just saw.

Please tell me that's a joke.

It isn't a joke though, I am actually quite serious about what I said and I am standing by that, you can discuss it all you like. It is after all just my opinion, and opinion aren't wrong or right so it doesn't really bother me all that much to be honest.

 

[Zinzan]

How was the Kallis reaction

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Various directions of fury.

 

[Spinksy]

Various directions of fury.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Fury at the offending glare, at the abusive bowler, at his shamed self, and perhaps a bit at the innocent umpire.

 

[Zinzan]

Fury at the offending glare, at the abusive bowler, at his shamed self, and perhaps a bit at the innocent umpire.

Yeah, figured it was aimed at a number of things. Still find it strange both Mckenzie & Kallis were losting sight of the full delivery yet de Villiers had no problems

 

[Spinksy]

Yeah, figured it was aimed at a number of things. Still find it strange both Mckenzie & Kallis were losting sight of the full delivery yet de Villiers had no problems

Yeah, I though that that was quite strange too.

 

[Jakester1288]

South African captain Graeme Smith hit what he described as the best century of his career to lead his team to a series-clinching victory on the fourth day of the third Test against England at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Smith made an unbeaten 154 as South Africa won by five wickets to take a winning 2-0 lead in the four-Test series. "I've had some meaningful innings in my life but with the whole situation and for the people back home, it's bigger than just us, this victory. I'd have to say it's my best innings," said Smith.

England counterpart Michael Vaughan said defeat was a bitter blow but paid tribute to Smith. "We've all just witnessed a very, very special innings. The way Graeme Smith came out and played was as good as I've seen anyone chase down that sort of target under that sort of pressure."

South Africa were set to make 281, by 70 runs the highest successful fourth innings chase in a Test match at Edgbaston and South Africa's fourth highest of all time.

It was South Africa's first series win in England since 1965 and ended a sequence of three series in the country in which they failed to capitalise after going one Test up.

The victory seemed unlikely when South Africa slumped to 93 for four, with two of the wickets falling to balls from Andrew Flintoff which the batsmen did not see.

But Smith survived the collapse and found able partners in AB de Villiers (27) who helped him put on 78 for the fifth wicket and Mark Boucher (45 not out), who shared an unbeaten 112-run stand for the sixth wicket.

"I never lost confidence," said Smith. "I knew we just needed one or two partnership. I was focusing on ten runs at a time, thinking, let's just get close."

South Africa took advantage of a tiring England team and claimed the available extra half hour at the end of an afternoon session which had already lasted for three hours.

Vaughan said he believed almost until the end that England could win. "I felt we were just one wicket away. If we could have got the likes of (Morne) Morkel and (Paul) Harris in on that kind of deck I felt we could have won the game."

But Vaughan said South Africa deserved their series win. "They've played better cricket than us over the three games," he said. "They've given us a lesson on how to bat."

Flintoff, who first swung the momentum towards England with a fiery spell on the second evening, made vital breakthroughs with full deliveries which the batsmen appeared not to see.

He trapped Neil McKenzie leg before for 22 after McKenzie and Smith put on 65 for the first wicket. McKenzie appeared to lose the ball completely and was ducking when the ball hit him on the boot.

Jacques Kallis also ducked against a ball which struck him on the full on his right thigh in line with the stumps.

Kallis, bowled by a Flintoff yorker in the first innings which he admitted he did not pick up from the bowler's hand as it was delivered against the backdrop of the committee room balcony immediately above the sightscreen, showed his anger as he was given out leg before.

In between Flintoff's two wickets, Hashim Amla was leg before to an arm ball from left-arm spinner Monty Panesar. Flintoff was rested after taking two for 28 in eight overs but Ashwell Prince was caught behind off James Anderson as South Africa crashed to 93 for four.

South Africa, leading the four-match series 1-0, earlier bowled out England for 363 in their second innings. Paul Collingwood was last man out for 135.

 

[Spinksy]

South African captain Graeme Smith hit what he described as the best century of his career to lead his team to a series-clinching victory on the fourth day of the third Test against England at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Smith made an unbeaten 154 as South Africa won by five wickets to take a winning 2-0 lead in the four-Test series. "I've had some meaningful innings in my life but with the whole situation and for the people back home, it's bigger than just us, this victory. I'd have to say it's my best innings," said Smith.

England counterpart Michael Vaughan said defeat was a bitter blow but paid tribute to Smith. "We've all just witnessed a very, very special innings. The way Graeme Smith came out and played was as good as I've seen anyone chase down that sort of target under that sort of pressure."

South Africa were set to make 281, by 70 runs the highest successful fourth innings chase in a Test match at Edgbaston and South Africa's fourth highest of all time.

It was South Africa's first series win in England since 1965 and ended a sequence of three series in the country in which they failed to capitalise after going one Test up.

The victory seemed unlikely when South Africa slumped to 93 for four, with two of the wickets falling to balls from Andrew Flintoff which the batsmen did not see.

But Smith survived the collapse and found able partners in AB de Villiers (27) who helped him put on 78 for the fifth wicket and Mark Boucher (45 not out), who shared an unbeaten 112-run stand for the sixth wicket.

"I never lost confidence," said Smith. "I knew we just needed one or two partnership. I was focusing on ten runs at a time, thinking, let's just get close."

South Africa took advantage of a tiring England team and claimed the available extra half hour at the end of an afternoon session which had already lasted for three hours.

Vaughan said he believed almost until the end that England could win. "I felt we were just one wicket away. If we could have got the likes of (Morne) Morkel and (Paul) Harris in on that kind of deck I felt we could have won the game."

But Vaughan said South Africa deserved their series win. "They've played better cricket than us over the three games," he said. "They've given us a lesson on how to bat."

Flintoff, who first swung the momentum towards England with a fiery spell on the second evening, made vital breakthroughs with full deliveries which the batsmen appeared not to see.

He trapped Neil McKenzie leg before for 22 after McKenzie and Smith put on 65 for the first wicket. McKenzie appeared to lose the ball completely and was ducking when the ball hit him on the boot.

Jacques Kallis also ducked against a ball which struck him on the full on his right thigh in line with the stumps.

Kallis, bowled by a Flintoff yorker in the first innings which he admitted he did not pick up from the bowler's hand as it was delivered against the backdrop of the committee room balcony immediately above the sightscreen, showed his anger as he was given out leg before.

In between Flintoff's two wickets, Hashim Amla was leg before to an arm ball from left-arm spinner Monty Panesar. Flintoff was rested after taking two for 28 in eight overs but Ashwell Prince was caught behind off James Anderson as South Africa crashed to 93 for four.

South Africa, leading the four-match series 1-0, earlier bowled out England for 363 in their second innings. Paul Collingwood was last man out for 135.

Copied and pasted, or typed?

 

[Jakester1288]

Copied and pasted, or typed?

I wonder...

 

[Spinksy]

I wonder...

Pasted, , thought so too, you always copy and paste articles.

 

[Perm]

South African captain Graeme Smith hit what he described as the best century of his career to lead his team to a series-clinching victory on the fourth day of the third Test against England at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Smith made an unbeaten 154 as South Africa won by five wickets to take a winning 2-0 lead in the four-Test series. "I've had some meaningful innings in my life but with the whole situation and for the people back home, it's bigger than just us, this victory. I'd have to say it's my best innings," said Smith.

England counterpart Michael Vaughan said defeat was a bitter blow but paid tribute to Smith. "We've all just witnessed a very, very special innings. The way Graeme Smith came out and played was as good as I've seen anyone chase down that sort of target under that sort of pressure."

South Africa were set to make 281, by 70 runs the highest successful fourth innings chase in a Test match at Edgbaston and South Africa's fourth highest of all time.

It was South Africa's first series win in England since 1965 and ended a sequence of three series in the country in which they failed to capitalise after going one Test up.

The victory seemed unlikely when South Africa slumped to 93 for four, with two of the wickets falling to balls from Andrew Flintoff which the batsmen did not see.

But Smith survived the collapse and found able partners in AB de Villiers (27) who helped him put on 78 for the fifth wicket and Mark Boucher (45 not out), who shared an unbeaten 112-run stand for the sixth wicket.

"I never lost confidence," said Smith. "I knew we just needed one or two partnership. I was focusing on ten runs at a time, thinking, let's just get close."

South Africa took advantage of a tiring England team and claimed the available extra half hour at the end of an afternoon session which had already lasted for three hours.

Vaughan said he believed almost until the end that England could win. "I felt we were just one wicket away. If we could have got the likes of (Morne) Morkel and (Paul) Harris in on that kind of deck I felt we could have won the game."

But Vaughan said South Africa deserved their series win. "They've played better cricket than us over the three games," he said. "They've given us a lesson on how to bat."

Flintoff, who first swung the momentum towards England with a fiery spell on the second evening, made vital breakthroughs with full deliveries which the batsmen appeared not to see.

He trapped Neil McKenzie leg before for 22 after McKenzie and Smith put on 65 for the first wicket. McKenzie appeared to lose the ball completely and was ducking when the ball hit him on the boot.

Jacques Kallis also ducked against a ball which struck him on the full on his right thigh in line with the stumps.

Kallis, bowled by a Flintoff yorker in the first innings which he admitted he did not pick up from the bowler's hand as it was delivered against the backdrop of the committee room balcony immediately above the sightscreen, showed his anger as he was given out leg before.

In between Flintoff's two wickets, Hashim Amla was leg before to an arm ball from left-arm spinner Monty Panesar. Flintoff was rested after taking two for 28 in eight overs but Ashwell Prince was caught behind off James Anderson as South Africa crashed to 93 for four.

South Africa, leading the four-match series 1-0, earlier bowled out England for 363 in their second innings. Paul Collingwood was last man out for 135.

Copied and pasted, or typed?

I wonder...

Welcome, Jakester and Spinksy, to the ignore list.

 

[gio]

Major announcement by the ECB at 1pm... The end of Vaughan? Personally, I hope not.

 

[chalky]

Yeah Sky are reporting that Vaughan is expected to resign the captaincy but stay on as a batsman.

 

[chalky]

Went out last night so missed the end of the game (thankfully) but for the record congrats to south Africa they were the better team and deserved the series South Africa definately a team on the up where as England a team on slide.

 

[Spinksy]

Major announcement by the ECB at 1pm... The end of Vaughan? Personally, I hope not.

I hope he stays for the sake of England.

 

[Goughy]

Yeah Sky are reporting that Vaughan is expected to resign the captaincy but stay on as a batsman.

Christ, I hope not. Who will replace? There is only 1 candidate, IMO, and that is Strauss.

KP and Flintoff are not the right type of people and Collingwood isnt a long term option.

I wonder if part of this comes from the 2nd Test where Vaughan was disgusted with the selectors and the selectors didnt like his reaction.

Vaughan may feel it isnt a golden job anymore and time to move on and the selectors may agree.

Bad move IMO and his chances of getting dropped have just increased tenfold.

 

[zaremba]

So SOOOO happy

what a great player Smith is def the best captains knock I have seen in a long time!

ahahah SHAME on your name England!

You are the proud recipient of my first ever use of the "ignore" function.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Yeah Sky are reporting that Vaughan is expected to resign the captaincy but stay on as a batsman.

Gotta love that optimism from Mick...

Seriously tho, he's been a great captain (arguably our best since Brearley) but looks in bad nick (well, as bad as such an attractive player will ever look) and, god knows, we can't afford passengers just now.

Strauss to take over, I assume (and hope)?