*Official* England in South Africa

[GIMH]

The only serious criticisms as far as I could tell were as follows:

1. Bell and Broad batting far too slowly in the hour before lunch
2. Anderson and Onions facing a couple of irrelevant overs where they were bounced and risked receiving unnecessary injuries

I think the timing itself was fine

 

[Goughy]

The only serious criticisms as far as I could tell were as follows:

1. Bell and Broad batting far too slowly in the hour before lunch
2. Anderson and Onions facing a couple of irrelevant overs where they were bounced and risked receiving unnecessary injuries

I think the timing itself was fine

Fair enough. Both seem legit quibbles, though the timing and the total look perfect.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Out of interest, why the criticism of England for the declaration? I didnt see the first two sessions so Im trying to work out from looking at the scorecard why it was bad.

Even ignoring what has happened in SA's 2nd innings, it looks a good declaration to me. Gives 4 sessions to bowl them out an minimises the chane of England having to bat again with is what has to be avoided (as it takes time)

It was dragged out unnecessarily. There was no point carrying on once Swann got out because at most England were going to need what... another 100-120 runs. Which given it's only a small amount you can get much faster with proper batsmen at both ends with virtually zero risk of being bowled out. Also there's a slight risk of your bowlers getting injured when they're trying to hit Steyn against the hard new ball. The equation is different when you need 150+ runs with reasonable amount of time left.

 

[GIMH]

Yeah, I think in the end it worked out fine but when Ntini was bowling bumpers at Onions it seemed a little..worrying, I guess

 

[Jono]

Any concern over tomorrow's weather? Or do England have this sewn up.

 

[Manee]

Checked on the internet and it noted a 0% chance of rain with a 98% certainty that the forecast was correct.

 

[Jayzamann]

2% chance that there won't won't be rain. Eyyyyyyyyyyy.

 

[Black_Warrior]

This is simply unbelievable..I know a lot of people said Swann was a fluke in the Ashes but I think he has been quite consistent and might just be the spinner England have been looking for since the 90s.

 

[Days of Grace]

You mean since Graeme Hick?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

You mean since Graeme Hick?

A very underrated spinner i say!

Back on topic. I bet Smith wishes he'd shut up about Bell and Cook pre-test. Seems he spured them along nicely!

 

[Uppercut]

England are like a dog with rabies. Most of the time they chunder along looking a bit daft and useless and you wonder how they ever get anything done. Then occasionally they'll suddenly go absolutely crazy and viciously ravage a perfectly good opposition batting lineup into tiny little pieces. It seems almost rude of them to be so dangerous when they appear somewhat hopeless most of the time.

 

[Jayzamann]

So you're saying all the Saffers need right now is Gregory Peck with a shotgun?

 

[Shri]

Should start a Swann appreciation society. Really like the bloke as a spinner and a cricketer.

 

[FBU]

Broad & Swann, the new McGrath & Warne

 

[King Pietersen]

Left for work just as England declared, expecting to come back to South Africa sitting pretty at about 150/1, and low and behold England pull out an unexpected beauty of a performance. For South Africa to avoid defeat it's going to take a batting miracle or some abysmal England bowling. Brilliant stuff from Swanny and Broad. Swann especially is proving himself to be a class act.

 

[Cruxdude]

Recently there have been a number f series where teams, that really did poorly in the first test, completely turn the tables on the opponents. India for sometime now have always been crap in their first test and have come back firmly. Seems like England has also mastered the trick.

 

[GIMH]

Should start a Swann appreciation society. Really like the bloke as a spinner and a cricketer.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=235121901907&ref=ts

 

[Shri]

Joined.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Ian Bell - Only scores runs when a batsman before him has already done so. What a rat-faced jerk.

Fair play to England. Even with their inability to bowl to the tail, they surely have this one in the bag. Its as guaranteed as a Shane Watson century.

 

[GIMH]

Broad really was magic today. Having been stuck in a tower office in Hammersmith when he took the crims apart in August, it was great to see him bowl like that live. I hope he and Swann get two more each. magic.