*Official* England in South Africa

[Woodster]

The pitch was always going to be at its easiest on Days 2 & 3. By the time we bat again it's going to be the 2nd half of Day 4 'chasing' 550+ with a bunch of guys knackered after best part of 2 days in the field, facing a superior opening attack. I'll be astonished if the eventual margin of defeat is less than 250.

It wouldn't necessarily surprise me if we suffer a heavy defeat from this position, as we all know, the pressure of having such a big total to chase with plenty of time left in the Test overrides the fact that it is actually a pretty good track to bat on. It's scoreboard pressure and consequently players become unsure as to how they should bat, England generally go ultra-defensive when trying to save a Test, and inevitably mistakes are made.

Should we lose this Test, then no doubt the loose strokeplay of the first innings will come under serious scrutiny. As we talked about earlier, most of our dismissals were soft.

 

[GIMH]

A lot of that stuff about KP looks extremely similar to an article Corrin wrote not long ago actually. CricInfo not the only source mooching off us.

 

[social]

It wouldn't necessarily surprise me if we suffer a heavy defeat from this position, as we all know, the pressure of having such a big total to chase with plenty of time left in the Test overrides the fact that it is actually a pretty good track to bat on. It's scoreboard pressure and consequently players become unsure as to how they should bat, England generally go ultra-defensive when trying to save a Test, and inevitably mistakes are made.

Should we lose this Test, then no doubt the loose strokeplay of the first innings will come under serious scrutiny. As we talked about earlier, most of our dismissals were soft.

Tbh, I reckon it's odds on

Saffies will probably declare leaving Eng 450 or so to win and a couple of early wickets could then spell curtains

 

[Jarquis]

A lot of that stuff about KP looks extremely similar to an article Corrin wrote not long ago actually. CricInfo not the only source mooching off us.

I'm on my phone so couldn't be bothered typing out who each quote belonged to, a fair chunk is from Darren Gough so perhaps he reads CW? Then obviously I mentioned Geraint Jones.

 

[Dissector]

It didn't appear likely yesterday but it looks like South Africa will have to make a decision about declaring tomorrow. Perhaps set a target of 500 with four and a half sessions left?

 

[thatguy]

sa should bat until tea tomorrow if they can and they should have enough time to bowl england out

 

[slowfinger]

I personally think the Saffies should go for the attack untill about tea and half at least 4 to 5 sessions at England. But alot will rely on the first session and on Kallis and Smith, if they go on to get say 200 for Smith-100 for Kallis then they should just declare and have a bowl at England for 100-150 over. But if England do what they did last time and get 4 qickets in the morning then they are right back in it and they can start to switch to attack and but the Saffies on the defence.

Will be an interesting days play.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Bat hard till lunch, bowl England out within 5 sessions. Easy. Batting till tea is too conservative and precisely what Strauss will favour,

 

[zaremba]

Bat hard till lunch, bowl England out within 5 sessions. Easy. Batting till tea is too conservative and precisely what Strauss will favour,

Yes. The only problem for SA is that they tend to take the safe option. Not sure that they will tomorrow, but I rather hope they do.

 

[aussie]

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.

oh yea..

 

[Furball]

Yeah, I guess. I've been pretty outspoken in his defence in the past, because he just says what he thinks instead of *****footing around like a Michael Owen. I love the guy, so I'm hardly objective, but for mine he gets a much harder time than he would if he was 100% English.

The tanking he got in the media after the 3rd Test vs South Africa in 2008, and the 1st Test vs West Indies in 2008/09 was ridiculous.

 

[GIMH]

Yep. Okay, in both instances he should have scored more. But what about directing it at the clowns who got out for less?

 

[BoyBrumby]

We're ****ed then; it's official.

Think our best hope is Fat Gray batting on for too long & the weather gods being merciful. Both senarios unlikely tho.

 

[0RI0N]

^^^ it aint gonna rain bro.
SA should bat for 45 overs and try and score another 150 runs.
Target 480 runs in 4.5 sessions.
Eng will then fail in their bid to bat out the 130odd overs.
Biff the barbarian showing KP how it's done.
Will power Deluxe.
Its these type of innings(3rd and 4th innings) that seperates him from Sehwag and KP.

 

[Woodster]

Yes we're in a fair degree of trouble as it stands. A conservative declaration is a hope, Smith batting on till lunch on the 5th day to ensure they avoid defeat would help.

How the pitch plays will also be key, the new ball has posed the usual questions, but after that it has been fine for batting, will it deteriorate much going into the 5th day ?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

^^^ it aint gonna rain bro.
SA should bat for 45 overs and try and score another 150 runs.

If South Africa bat for 45 more overs and don't score at least 180 runs, they're doing something seriously wrong.

 

[popepouri]

Game is done and dusted unless something record breaking incredible happens.

Harris took 9 the last time he was at Newlands, no doubt he'll be effective on the final day.

 

[Woodster]

If South Africa bat for 45 more overs and don't score at least 180 runs, they're doing something seriously wrong.

Especially the way Smith is going about things. Shown really good intent at moving this game on, and whyn wouldn't you when you're well set and batting on a great deck.

 

[Shri]

Well I'll definitely be visiting late next year if all goes to plan, could well stay permanently though if I can find work there.

I will rage quit cricsim if you play for GB.

 

[Jarquis]

I will rage quit cricsim if you play for GB.

So you're encouraging the move?