*Official* England in South Africa

[GIMH]

Anything over 250 and we're massive, massive outsiders, so we really do need a whole heap of wickets and fast.

 

[Jayzamann]

Smith has taken a back seat these past 30 minutes. I want Amla to get out in an hilarious manner so we can see some fat boy partnerships.

 

[Prince EWS]

KP into the attack. He has 4 wickets @ 137. Not a confident move.

 

[GIMH]

KP into the attack. He has 4 wickets @ 137. Not a confident move.

Yeah but his best ever figures were 1/0 so he rocks

 

[Prince EWS]

Has Trott always bowled this slow? His runup and action make it look like he could let it go at about 130km/h if he wanted to, but every time I've seen him bowl he's struggled to crack 115. Bowls a good length and has a good seam position so I reckon he could be pretty useful in certain conditions if was just a fraction quicker.

 

[Rant0r]

KP spins the ball a fair bit for a part time finger spinner, I think his lack of success may be more down to lack of flight,overspin and variety though.

 

[aussie]

Does anyone anymore? England's bowling attack isn't up there with the best of all time but I think it's up there with the best going around right now TBH. It'd look better if Flintoff hadn't retired but strangely I think I rate it higher now than I did back when he was playing because I have much higher opinions of Onions and Broad. It's about on par with South Africa's, possibly slightly worse due to Kallis's role, but not by much.

Flintoff would definately have made the attack better.

Would still have to rate SA higher. ENG are on on par with them & any other pace attacks in the world if its swinging, but on flat decks those 3 cats Anderson/Onions/Braod dont have the skills to get batsmen out. (although i believe Anderson is not far away from mastering reverse swing).

 

[aussie]

Has Trott always bowled this slow? His runup and action make it look like he could let it go at about 130km/h if he wanted to, but every time I've seen him bowl he's struggled to crack 115. Bowls a good length and has a good seam position so I reckon he could be pretty useful in certain conditions if was just a fraction quicker.

Yea i think thats always been his pace remembering the few times i saw him bowl domestically, but i'm not 100% sure..

 

[Prince EWS]

Flintoff would definately have made the attack better.

Yeah I'm definitely not saying otherwise. I was just saying that I rate the attack higher now than I did while Flintoff was playing because I rate Broad and Onions higher now than I did then. Flintoff would certainly make this attack stronger; in fact I'd be tempted to rate it the best in the world if he was in it.

 

[Prince EWS]

KP spins the ball a fair bit for a part time finger spinner, I think his lack of success may be more down to lack of flight,overspin and variety though.

And the fact that he can't land it on the square half the time.

 

[Rant0r]

I rate Onions pretty highly from what I seen of him in the Ashes. Broad has surprised me a little with his development as well. Anderson, is, well Anderson. He's probably still in his mid twenties isn't he ? SOmeone look that up for me

 

[Rant0r]

And the fact that he can't land it on the square half the time.

Slightly harsh, he did come into first class cricket as a spinner who batted, but then I suppose so did Cameron White.

 

[Jayzamann]

It's hard to believe he's only 27 when he was playing against Australia what seems like ages ago now when he was plucked from obscurity.

 

[Rant0r]

He was plucked from the academy squad I think

 

[Woodster]

Smith looking really good now, playing Swann much better, but still having a slice of fortune every now and then, probably earnt it tbf.

Just lacking a few ideas here, we're not looking particularly threatening and are struggling to stem the flow of runs.

 

[Manee]

That'll never happen, it'd be far more likely that it would be the other way around. Which would make any debatable LBW a not out, which is why I agree with the way it is currently.

I also agree with the current system, I actually think that it is a clever idea. It manages to keep the fundamentals of the game, by keeping the value of the doubt introduced by a big stride forward rather than getting trapped on the crease. Moreover, it allows a good tight decision to be rewarded by being upheld. It will also mean that there will not be a substantial increase in the number of LBWs - something which I do not think will be to the benefit of the game of Test cricket.

 

[Eds]

Smith looking really good now, playing Swann much better, but still having a slice of fortune every now and then, probably earnt it tbf.

Just lacking a few ideas here, we're not looking particularly threatening and are struggling to stem the flow of runs.

It'll be interesting to see how this offside plan goes for us. Big stage in the match.

 

[Rant0r]

I also agree with the current system, I actually think that it is a clever idea. It manages to keep the fundamentals of the game, by keeping the value of the doubt introduced by a big stride forward rather than getting trapped on the crease. Moreover, it allows a good tight decision to be rewarded by being upheld. It will also mean that there will not be a substantial increase in the number of LBWs - something which I do not think will be to the benefit of the game of Test cricket.

Why not ? batsmen have been lunging down the wicket for years and getting the benefit of the doubt. They have all the protective gear, huge bats, small boundaries and flat wickets, why shouldn't something go the bowlers way.

 

[Manee]

Why not ? batsmen have been lunging down the wicket for years and getting the benefit of the doubt. They have all the protective gear, huge bats, small boundaries and flat wickets, why shouldn't something go the bowlers way.

I just do not think massively increasing the number of LBWs (and successful reviews of marginal LBW decisions) will do anything positive for the game of Test cricket.

 

[Rant0r]

You said that already, why not ?