***Official*** South Africa in England

[pasag]

SA imploding. Nearly 4 down there.

 

[pasag]

Suprised Jimmy wasn't dropped after only getting three overs last game.

 

[pasag]

Haha, another one for Broad.

 

[Goughy]

Broad up at around 90 mph for 2 games in a row. It doesnt appear an illusion and he looks clearly more dangerous.

Finding 5-10 mph in a few weeks is impressive. May be he can consistently bowl at this pace and gain that edge long term.

 

[Richard]

Haha, another one for Broad.

This is ridiculous.

TBF, Broad has bowled decently but Gibbs' stroke that set this in motion now looks a shocker.

 

[Prince EWS]

I couldn't help but think of Sinclair while watching that Kallis innings. A few nice-looking drives for no runs, one really class shot and then a wild slash after being starved of width.

Good bowling from Broad but it must be said, it doesn't quite deserve 4/9 - a few poor shots have been played.

 

[Richard]

Flintoff on and promptly sends down the first wide of the innings.

BTW I noted this in the previous game but obviously to myself only - but this is the first time Flintoff has played in the free-hit ODI era. And with the number of no-balls he always used to bowl before now, we can only hope he's done some work on sorting that out else the results could well be disastrous.

 

[GIMH]

Was talking up Broad in work this morning a class ODi bowler. Feeling good about myself, got a few predicitons right lately

Hope we didn't skittle them too quickly, wanting to see some cricket at home tonight

 

[Goughy]

Flintoff on and promptly sends down the first wide of the innings.

BTW I noted this in the previous game but obviously to myself only - but this is the first time Flintoff has played in the free-hit ODI era. And with the number of no-balls he always used to bowl before now, we can only hope he's done some work on sorting that out else the results could well be disastrous.

There are free hits now in ODIs? For how long? Surely it will be new for all, rather than just Flintoff

Show how closely I follow the continual rule changes in this format

 

[Richard]

Free-hits were first put in ODIs in October 2007. Since then there's been a definate reduction in no-balling (which is only good for bowlers as they always bowled far too many of them and seemingly didn't realise that they could easily cost 6-7-8 runs per spell), but I always worry when a good accurate bowler bowls too many no-balls and hope they can sort it out without taking a few free-hit pastings first.

 

[Pup Clarke]

First time I'd seen Botham unshaven for a good time too.

 

[Richard]

Wonder how crap or otherwise Harmison will be today. Should get good figures regardless from a position like this.

 

[GIMH]

He bowled well on Friday though, don't you think?

 

[Richard]

Some good, some poor overs, the Smith wicket was a good ball, the JP one a poor one. ABdeV goooooooonnnnnneeeeeeeeeeee to Flintoff, one before was close, that was certainly much closer.

 

[Manee]

Broad up at around 90 mph for 2 games in a row. It doesnt appear an illusion and he looks clearly more dangerous.

Finding 5-10 mph in a few weeks is impressive. May be he can consistently bowl at this pace and gain that edge long term.

I disagree with your belief that he has simply put on this pace over the last two ODIs. He has been bowling this sort of pace since the New Zealand ODI series but slows down in Test matches, presumably due to lack of stamina.

 

[GIMH]

bloody hell, game will be over when i get home

 

[Magrat Garlick]

bloody hell, game will be over when i get home

Lack of confidence in England's batting to last out 10 overs? Never would have imagined.

 

[Richard]

Botha in ahead of Albie???????

The former who averages less than 21 in OD cricket with a top-score of 55* and the latter whom averages 27 with a top-score of 97.

And just to prove that's no fluke, in FC cricket it's 33 (top-score 98) and 42 (top-score 204*).

 

[Goughy]

I disagree with your belief that he has simply put on this pace over the last two ODIs. He has been bowling this sort of pace since the New Zealand ODI series but slows down in Test matches, presumably due to lack of stamina.

Nah, from what I can see (and Im on a small screen ) his left arm is taking a noticabley shorter distance from A-B.

The arc Ive talked about for a long time is less pronounced. He should be happy with the way the action looks ATM

 

[Prince EWS]

Botha in ahead of Albie???????

Botha's a bit better technically but yeah it does seem a bit strange. Albie's been stereotyped as a big-hitting finisher despite the fact that he averages over 40 at First Class level and has a double century to his name. Different form of cricket I know but I've always felt he's been pigeon-holed into a role that isn't really his go as such.