***Official*** South Africa in England

[zaremba]

Fair point too- but we don't really have any way of knowing how much each player does in relation to his peers (although I have heard, as I'm sure you have, that Pietersen thinks about his batting more than his style would suggest). Based on what we can see, i don't think Pietersen can be labelled one of the mentally toughest around.

There are just a few innings that stand out for me when he was under real pressure. Eg the 158 at the Oval in 2005, the hundred on debut as captain v SA. The man has cojones.

 

[Uppercut]

I don't know; it wasn't me who commented on his mental toughness initially. Just don't think that 4th innings runs necessarily prove anything.

In Smith's case I think they do indicate an actual trend, he's always seemed to excel when chasing down a target to win. As a general point, you're right, and I wouldn't use them widely as a measure of mental strength.

 

[GIMH]

Silly shot

 

[Richard]

Don't think Prior is bald by choice though

Either way he's finally out, not before time. Sharp ball from Albie, 86mph.

 

[GIMH]

Hey Uppercut, just as an aside do you support any of the Test sides at all? Obviously your cricket team is Ireland, and from your avatar we can see that like me you're a big Freddie Flintoff fan

 

[Scaly piscine]

Silly shot

Yep, that's Prior for you. Without those free hits and other buffet bowling it would be a typical slow 20odd from Prior.

 

[stumpski]

OK he's out, all you Prior-haters can start now. Another failure, 33 off 37 balls.

 

[GIMH]

Either way he's finally out, not before time. Sharp ball from Albie, 86mph.

TBH you can pick Prior every time if we're gonna be 100 from 15 by the time he gets out

 

[Richard]

Silly shot

Both of them have been making a 100 partnership playing silly shots like that. That's the way ODIs go of times.

 

[GIMH]

Big chance for Shah to get some runs one thinks

 

[Richard]

Big chance for Shah to get some runs one thinks

Pretty well every innings is. He doesn't do it that often though.

 

[GIMH]

Both of them have been making a 100 partnership playing silly shots like that. That's the way ODIs go of times.

Fair point. Looked out from the minute he hit that though

 

[stumpski]

What a start!! Speechless! Is Gibbs playing?

Er ... yes, but he hasn't had much to do with England being 101 in the 16th over.

 

[wpdavid]

Pressure on Shah to make a decent contribution in his new position.

 

[Uppercut]

There are just a few innings that stand out for me when he was under real pressure. Eg the 158 at the Oval in 2005, the hundred on debut as captain v SA. The man has cojones.

Ah, i knew the 158 would come up! It was very impressive indeed, I must admit. The hundred in the dead rubber, not so much.

If you had to have someone bat out a final session for your life, would you choose Pietersen?

 

[Richard]

Morne gives away his first free-hit, will Shah take advantage?

No.

 

[stumpski]

A few site problems there methinks? Hopefully all fixed now, England 120-1 after 19.

 

[GIMH]

Yeah, couldn't get on the forum for a while. The 3rd powerplay been a lot better for the Saffies, but still this is looking like a nice platform for the next three batsmen. I really do like our middle order, have I mentioned that at all?

 

[Scaly piscine]

Looking at Cricinfo's last 5ovs stat Bell has 5 off his last 19 balls...

 

[stumpski]

Morne gives away his first free-hit, will Shah take advantage?

No.

I liked the look of that pull though, nearly knocked someone's pint over.