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**Official** South Africa in England 2012

Cabinet96

Hall of Fame Member
I would like to see England bat first if they get the chance. Would like to see them show their confidence by putting pressure on their batsman to set up the game from the onset. In any case, the conditions will probably be a bit iffy the entire match so I'm not sure how risky it would be batting first anyway.
England have had so much success bowling first in the last couple of years though. And I don't think it shows a lack of confidence in their batting. I think England would have bowled first in the 5th Ashes test at Sydney, but you can't say they weren't confident in their batting then.

If the conditions warrant it, bowl first. If they don't, bat first. There's no need to over complicate it.
 

CricAddict

Cricketer Of The Year
Yeah, this. I don't see what's wrong with betting against your team. Just makes it a pleasant surprise if they win. Makes you kinda happy either way.
Betting against your team can actually work the opposite as well.. Makes us sad either way. Experienced it before..
 

MW1304

Cricketer Of The Year
Yeah but equally if we lost I wouldn't really care about gaining a couple of quid.

Shaun Pollock the Saffer pundit on Sky, I'm happy with that. As long as he doesn't get too Jesus-y.
 

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
Yeah but equally if we lost I wouldn't really care about gaining a couple of quid.

Shaun Pollock the Saffer pundit on Sky, I'm happy with that. As long as he doesn't get too Jesus-y.
Pollock's quite decent in the combox; never says anything remotely like what's on his twitter.
 

Pizzorno

State Vice-Captain
COME ON ENGLAND!!!

Gotta bat first here, show Styen early on that we can handle him. Even though we probably can't.
 

MW1304

Cricketer Of The Year
Wow from those clips Morkel sounds like an incredibly loud, annoying wicket celebrator. Hadn't really noticed before, just have to hope we don't get to hear it much.
 

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
Lots of discussion on Sky at the moment about how good Steyn and Tahir are bowling to the tail, but do Bresnan, Broad and Swann really count as "tail"? I don't see them (Bresnan or Broad at least) falling at the first sign of a yorker or a wrong'un, personally.
 

Jacknife

International Captain
Wow from those clips Morkel sounds like an incredibly loud, annoying wicket celebrator. Hadn't really noticed before, just have to hope we don't get to hear it much.
Thought the same, screeching like a teenage girl, really really annoying sound.
 

sonnench

U19 12th Man
Hahaha @ the pundits trying to make it seem as if there is very little between Steyn and Anderson. Steyn all day, everyday. More fair to compare Morkel with Jimmy based on numbers.
 

Uppercut

Request Your Custom Title Now!
Lots of discussion on Sky at the moment about how good Steyn and Tahir are bowling to the tail, but do Bresnan, Broad and Swann really count as "tail"? I don't see them (Bresnan or Broad at least) falling at the first sign of a yorker or a wrong'un, personally.
Yeah, bit of a key question really. It's England's biggest edge. They've carted around some pretty decent bowling at home.
 

Pizzorno

State Vice-Captain
Thought the same, screeching like a teenage girl, really really annoying sound.
2008 was when he first burst onto the scene though, was probably down to youthful exuberance. You'd think he'd have toned down a bit 4 years down the line. I remember Anderson was the same when he first started, must have proper annoyed opposition fans.
 

Woodster

International Captain
Lots of discussion on Sky at the moment about how good Steyn and Tahir are bowling to the tail, but do Bresnan, Broad and Swann really count as "tail"? I don't see them (Bresnan or Broad at least) falling at the first sign of a yorker or a wrong'un, personally.
Yes think those three have shown enough in the last couple of years at this level to suggest they don't deserve to be lumped in the 'tail-enders' category. As we know they can be very dangerous down the order if the bowling attack don't quite get it right, that's not to say they can't be fired out by a Steyn yorker or Tahir googly, but they are certainly better equipped than most Test nations 8,9 and 10.
 

Pizzorno

State Vice-Captain
Hahaha @ the pundits trying to make it seem as if there is very little between Steyn and Anderson. Steyn all day, everyday. More fair to compare Morkel with Jimmy based on numbers.
That's because there is very little between them. Steyn is better, but not by a great distance.

And well done to Graeme Smith on the 100, one of the best of the modern era. Top bloke.
 

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