*Official* England in South Africa

[flibbertyjibber]

Good innings by Cook.

Bell on a hiding to nothing here,if he scores runs they were done under no pressure.Fails and he gets slaughtered.I hope he scores runs despite the fact i wouldn't have him in the side.

 

[Jayzamann]

Damn, I wanted that partnership to keep going, that was fab.

Never really liked Ian Bell, hopefully he can push aside quickly so Broad can make some runs.

 

[King Pietersen]

Nice graphic from Sky to show that Bell's been getting consistently worse as his Test career's gone on, averaging 19 in 2009. Quality stuff Belly. Be interesting to see his average next year, as it's inevitible he'll stay around the side. Especially as he keeps scoring decent hauls of runs for Warwickshire.

 

[superkingdave]

Pretty sure we are about to see Bell score a slow 50, enough to keep him in the side, but enough to kill any chance of a result in the game.

 

[Manee]

Nice graphic from Sky to show that Bell's been getting consistently worse as his Test career's gone on, averaging 19 in 2009. Quality stuff Belly. Be interesting to see his average next year, as it's inevitible he'll stay around the side. Especially as he keeps scoring decent hauls of runs for Warwickshire.

You might say that he's due a good year

 

[Jono]

200 up.

I don't want to tempt fate too much and he's still feeling his way back, but still can't see the Steyn hype is justified. Has barely swung a ball either day. Bowls a fair lick, but straight up and down.

Brumby pulling an Aussie fan in reverse.

Steyn's just played poorly against England. Chosen too early in 2004/05, had a disappointing tour last year and now coming back from injury.

His record against all other teams is top notch.

 

[King Pietersen]

You might do, but he's just left another straight one. Luckily this one hit him on the chest, if you can call that lucky anyway. I'm not particularly optimistic. I'd love to see him have a good year and start making runs, but his technique seems to have gone downhill, and he's still lacking the mental strength of a Cook or a Collingwood to still score runs. Would still rather have him in the side ahead of Luke Wright, but he wouldn't be in my choice XI.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Think Cokes nailed Bell: he's a batting apologist. Looks so diffident and timid at the crease it's like he's embarrassed for causing the fielding team the inconvenience of not getting out.

Good, hostile stuff from Morkel here too. Can see why people make the Harmison comparisons; when he's on song he looks a cut above, but when not he's a liability.

 

[King Pietersen]

Cheers Smith, Morkel was bowling well. Hopefully Bell'll be able to get going against Ntini.

 

[Uppercut]

The reason I think he has so much potential is that he can dominate batsmen on seriously slow, flat pitches like these. Most bowlers will always need a bit of swing in the air or pace in the pitch to rip through a side. Morkel can do it on any surface when he's bowling like this.

And Smith takes him off. For Makhaya Ntini. Makes ****ing sense.

 

[Briony]

The reason I think he has so much potential is that he can dominate batsmen on seriously slow, flat pitches like these. Most bowlers will always need a bit of swing in the air or pace in the pitch to rip through a side. Morkel can do it on any surface when he's bowling like this.

And Smith takes him off. For Makhaya Ntini. Makes ****ing sense.

Had SA bowled first in those conditions on day one, Morkel could have been a real handful.

I guess Smith doesn't want to burn him out. If SA goes one down here, they'll need him firing. He's bowled a lot today and it's been hot.

 

[shivfan]

This on cricinfo....

"Now then, Ntini has been thrown the ball and I can't believe that. Morkel was on fire in the last over. Maybe it's a change of ends "

Now, I understand that Ntini has not bowled particularly well this series. But cricinfo has been campaigning a barely-disguised campaign to drive him into retirement.

 

[Briony]

This on cricinfo....

"Now then, Ntini has been thrown the ball and I can't believe that. Morkel was on fire in the last over. Maybe it's a change of ends "

Now, I understand that Ntini has not bowled particularly well this series. But cricinfo has been campaigning a barely-disguised campaign to drive him into retirement.

And rightly so.

 

[Uppercut]

This on cricinfo....

"Now then, Ntini has been thrown the ball and I can't believe that. Morkel was on fire in the last over. Maybe it's a change of ends "

Now, I understand that Ntini has not bowled particularly well this series. But cricinfo has been campaigning a barely-disguised campaign to drive him into retirement.

No, atrocious doesn't even begin to describe Ntini in this match. They're being kind to him.

 

[BoyBrumby]

This on cricinfo....

"Now then, Ntini has been thrown the ball and I can't believe that. Morkel was on fire in the last over. Maybe it's a change of ends "

Now, I understand that Ntini has not bowled particularly well this series. But cricinfo has been campaigning a barely-disguised campaign to drive him into retirement.

Ntini obviously a traitor in his own midst then, because he's bowling like a bloke who's ready for the knacker's yard.

 

[King Pietersen]

Bell almost left that last delivery from Harris. He doesn't seem to know where his off-stump is atm. Did look good against the hapless Ntini in the last over though. Agree with Nasser, he looks a much better player when he's playing positively.

 

[Briony]

Ntini should have done the right thing by his country and hung up the boots. He was ever so lucky to be given hundred tests as a sentimental gesture. The past year he has damaged his reputation. He was someone who was always going to struggle once his pace dropped.

SA's odd have lengthened dramatically today. They will be desperately hoping to hang on for a draw now. Funny how they seem to struggle at home these days.

 

[Uppercut]

Something strange about Morkel in this match- 26 overs and not a single no-ball. Shows how much of a difference rhythm makes to him.

WTF's up with Colly? Has suddenly started to look crap.

 

[Briony]

And one other thing I can't fathom, Arthur said that Ntini was in the team in a holding role. Doesn't seem to be an inspiring choice in this role in any shape or form. You have to question the coach's judgement when he starts making statements like these. And surely you want something better than a holding bowler anyway.

 

[Jayzamann]

His record against all other teams is top notch.

Frustratingly so.