*Official* England in South Africa

[Manee]

For these reasons, it was stone dead out. The 3rd umpire decision was an absolute shocker.

Pollock did suggest daylight between bat and ball. But as I said, I'm not good at judging these.

I disagree. There was no visible deviation, but so what? With a fine nick like that one you wouldn't expect to see a deviation. The key evidence was the clear nick that the stump mic picked up, which came at precisely the right split second and which could not have come from any other obvious source, eg bat on pad or bat on ground.

It may have been foot on ground, tbf.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Another edge for mine there. Right not to refer tho; without snicko or hotspot I don't think it'd be overturned.

Partnership looking mildly ominous now.

 

[Manee]

Shot!

 

[Manee]

Really do think Onions head position affects his bowling, the reason why he has such a high ER is because he bowls at least 1-2 4 balls an over. Even if his other 4 balls are on the stumps he is rarely able to apply any sort of pressure.

The head position means that his length may suffer, but the head goes pretty much directly downwards, so the line seems to be pretty good and when you have a good line, providing the pace is good (which it is) and you get some movement (which he does), you'll never be too far from some wickets, or some close chances.

 

[zaremba]

there are a number of admittedly highly unlikely sources the noise may have emanated from, and imo, enough to suggest there was doubt.

Distant meterorite strike is the most plausible imho.

 

[zaremba]

It may have been foot on ground, tbf.

That would have been a very soft dull noise - this was a thin click that sounded identical to the sound of a very thin nick of bat on ball - which is precisely what it was.

Pollock saying there was daylight was plain wrong.

 

[zaremba]

Another edge for mine there. Right not to refer tho; without snicko or hotspot I don't think it'd be overturned.

Except that it was also stumped: AB lifted his foot as Prior took off the bails, but Prior failed to appeal. It would probably have been given out either on referral or review. Bollocks!

 

[Woodster]

Distant meterorite strike is the most plausible imho.

Probably not one that was at the forefront of my thinking, but enough to raise a little doubt I suppose!

Kallis looking uncomfortable with the bounce here. It is an ominous partnership growing but there is something still on offer in this track that keeps it interesting.

 

[zaremba]

It is an ominous partnership growing but there is something still on offer in this track that keeps it interesting.

Yeah. You've got to love Test cricket.

 

[Woodster]

Yeah. You've got to love Test cricket.

Here here, comfortably the pinnacle of international cricket.

 

[Woodster]

Big wicket, de Villiers goes!!! Swanny boy does it again!

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Awful shot by AB,not complaining though.Come on England.

 

[Manee]

Ooo, very soft from AB. That could really open the doors to a collapse.

 

[GIMH]

Swanneh

 

[Woodster]

Swanny now up against a tentative left-hander, has generally resulted in only one outcome. Big test here for Duminy.

 

[GIMH]

Big fail here for Duminy

 

[King Pietersen]

Graeme Swann you are such a legend. 2nd golden duck for JP in a row, man I love Swanneh.

 

[Woodster]

Another from Swanny!!! Good hands from Prior, Swann on hat-trick, Duminy has not passed his test, Swanny guiding things seriously in England's direction here.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Duminy is all at sea at present.

 

[Pizzorno]

I love this man.

Also would it be okay if I lol'd at Phailip Hughes in this thread while i'm here?