**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[flibbertyjibber]

So why did Steyn only bowl 5 overs in that session then?

Seems a big error unless he is injured.

 

[91Jmay]

Looks a good competitive test match wicket. If England can get to 360-380 that is a good first innings score on this pitch. Swann will rip it by the 3rd day at the latest. Bopara's little nibblers might be useful as well if it breaks up off the seam. Prior the key, if we can get an hour + of him then 400 is on the cards.

 

[Stumpcam]

Absolutely chucking it down in North London. Will probably only be a short shower but it's hammering it down. Hopefully it doesn't go down south to the Oval. Could cause a length delay even if it's only 10-20 minutes.

Looks on the radar as if it will pass just north of the ground. So there may not be any delay in re-starting.

There is a high probability of rain interruptions this afternoon though.

 

[Spark]

Was it really the wicket? On my (brief) viewing most of the interest was aerial...

 

[Cabinet96]

Was it really the wicket? On my (brief) viewing most of the interest was aerial...

Majority was in the air. But Phillander was definitely nipping it around in the first hour.

 

[uvelocity]

Was it really the wicket? On my (brief) viewing most of the interest was aerial...

both. pitch dying already too

375+ is advantage england imo

 

[Uppercut]

Philander was nipping it around yesterday too, was pretty unlucky not to get Trott.

Getting Cook was the key, such a standard Cook dismissal too. They've all bowled so, so much better to the right-handers, except Morkel who's been largely gash to everyone.

 

[Burgey]

Well what are you basing it on because the games he's played for England he's batted well and all the times I've watched him over the years he's far from a myth, maybe his average flatters him but he can sure bat.

Well if he's flattered by his average, that's the myth innit?

I'm not saying he's ********, but I think Broad is a better tail end batsman than him.

 

[Cabinet96]

Well if he's flattered by his average, that's the myth innit?

I'm not saying he's ********, but I think Broad is a better tail end batsman than him.

No way is Broad a better batsmen than Bresnan IMO. Bresnan just looks a lot more solid and compacted. Broad is a slogger mainly tbh. Pretty lose.

 

[Uppercut]

Well if he's flattered by his average, that's the myth innit?

I'm not saying he's ********, but I think Broad is a better tail end batsman than him.

They're fairly close. I think Bresnan's above him because he plays more like a batsman rather than because he's better.

 

[91Jmay]

Broad is more talented but Bresnan is more reliable to occupy the crease and is technically more stout.

 

[Cabinet96]

Yeah, Broad is more the sorta person you think could hit a run a ball 30 or 40. Bresnan is more a person who you think could compile a big innings.

 

[Garson007]

Must I add that it's pretty bad scheduling this. Scheduling the test over the exact same days and time as the Open Championship.

 

[Stumpcam]

Must I add that it's pretty bad scheduling this. Scheduling the test over the exact same days and time as the Open Championship.

Stuff the golf, cricket is a much better game. It's a team sport for a start.

You could argue that the Olympics will also interfere with this cricket series. But cricket enthusiasts are not necessarily golf fans or fans of olympic games.

In a year with so many good sporting events, some are bound to clash with others. What we should celebrate however, is the diversity of top level sport in our country, available to see live and on television this year.

 

[Garson007]

Stuff the golf, cricket is a much better game. It's a team sport for a start.

You could argue that the Olympics will also interfere with this cricket series. But cricket enthusiasts are not necessarily golf fans or fans of olympic games.

In a year with so many good sporting events, some are bound to clash with others. What we should celebrate however, is the diversity of top level sport in our country, available to see live and on television this year.

The point is that it's bad to schedule two major events in the exact same time zone, at the exact same time. I agree there's the weather and whatnot, but the test wasn't played last weekend either. It's just bad scheduling. I still prefer watching the cricket, but I can understand any complaints otherwise.

 

[Spark]

Blame the ECB/CA for that, tbh

 

[Ruckus]

 

[NasserFan207]

Yep, I've been watching the golf mostly. Think I'll switch over now for a bit, hopefully the rain pisses off

 

[Burgey]

Lol, David Lloyd just said "Maybe Bopara is just a bit dopey".

 

[heathrf1974]

Stuff the golf, cricket is a much better game. It's a team sport for a start.

You could argue that the Olympics will also interfere with this cricket series. But cricket enthusiasts are not necessarily golf fans or fans of olympic games.

In a year with so many good sporting events, some are bound to clash with others. What we should celebrate however, is the diversity of top level sport in our country, available to see live and on television this year.

You can never have too much sport at the one time.