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**Official** South Africa in England 2012
- Thread starter Marius
- Start date
Jacknife
International Captain
It's funny that 'Growing the Beard' is an antonym for 'jumping the shark', Amla's definitely become a much better since the beard has grown, has the same happened to Moeeen yet?
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GIMH
Norwood's on Fire
The disappointing similarity with the 2005 side is the failure to kick on after achieving their goal. While with that side it was winning The Ashes, this lot seem to have stalled after hitting top spot.
I think we have it in us to recover, whether in this series or the longer term but there is clearly an awful lot of work required.
The batsmen need to show an awful lot more discipline. Number six is a big problem and even bigger now that there are a couple of passengers in the line-up. It was all well and good when we could hide Morgan, and before him Colly (at 5 obviously) because every other ****er was scoring centuries, but Cook is the only one I trust currently to score a few scores per series, and as we saw today/yesterday, him failing causes us problems.
As for the bowlers, they don't become a bad attack overnight but you can't hide from a score like that. We all enjoyed 517-1 against the Aussies and this was just as bad if not worse. If Headingley turns out a raging seamer I'd be tempted to give Swann a break, can't believe I'm saying it but there you go. Otherwise if you want changes then Bresnan has to be the man to miss out. Is Tremlett fit yet?
The Sean
Cricketer Of The Year
South Africa now with four of the top six ranked batsmen, and three of the top six bowlers. Gives further fuel to wpdavid's musings as to how they're not already the dominant number one team.
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flibbertyjibber
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I don't mind them getting the boot if they are unfit. I have said all summer that Bresnan doesn't look right and it is frustrating seeing him picked when not right as it isn't like we haven't got alternatives.
Stumpcam
U19 Captain
Stumpcam
U19 Captain
Actually, it might be better if he looked at the ball.
Jacknife
International Captain
I think we had the same last summer and before the series we had 3 bowlers and 2 batsmen in the top 10, see that Swann's dropped out, shows what a poor run he's had this summer.
A big score/wickets or a poor test can make you shoot up or down the rankings quite considerably.
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Jacknife
International Captain
Agree, said before we can't have any passengers now, not now we have to win at least one of the 2 test matches.
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MW1304
Cricketer Of The Year
I say this with caution having not seen our bowling performance, but I don't think this is time to get down on them. Time after time this year our batsmen have failed to back them up, so after two occasions of poor bowling we can afford to be lenient. Its too early (or at least it should be) in the series for us to get on their backs, one sporting pitch and we have the ability to rip through any side, let alone a SA lineup prone to collapse. The major problem has been with the batting, which once again hasn't been good enough in this Test, and I worry about the collective effort in this match on a flat pitch.
Having said this, the mental scars from such a monstrous batting performance can't be overestimated and I wouldn't be surprised if that was just too much to come back from. SA should be mighty pleased with that performance. If they can string more than one together for a period of time then they could get the chance to dominate that we did last year, and are floundering pathetically atm.
Having said this, the mental scars from such a monstrous batting performance can't be overestimated and I wouldn't be surprised if that was just too much to come back from. SA should be mighty pleased with that performance. If they can string more than one together for a period of time then they could get the chance to dominate that we did last year, and are floundering pathetically atm.
Jacknife
International Captain
Agree with you're first part, can't be too hard on them after what they'd done the past few years.
I'm not sure about the second bit, if they had been destroyed by jaffa's and amazing bowling I think it may have but they'll know nearly to a man that they contributed hugely to their own downfall & have and can play better. We've been smashed badly before and proved that they haven't let it get to them and came back, so lets hope they can do it again.
It will show what this team is about this next test match tbh, whether they've got it in them to battle it out for the top spot, or just be an also ran.
AndyZaltzHair
Hall of Fame Member
Bopara is stylish batsman and all that's alright but he needs to seriously work on his techniques
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Bopara's technique is not awesome but it's the least of his problems.
Senile Sentry
International Debutant
Oh calm down folks.. just a minor setback in the preparation for the next Ashes..
On a serious note, what a walloping by the Saffers. The most comprehensive win ever in test cricket history. 4 defeats in the last 8 tests and England has got a lot to answer. Looks like their reign at the top is going to be the briefest ever.
On a serious note, what a walloping by the Saffers. The most comprehensive win ever in test cricket history. 4 defeats in the last 8 tests and England has got a lot to answer. Looks like their reign at the top is going to be the briefest ever.
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Senile Sentry
International Debutant
Poor preparation means that South Africa and other touring sides are short-changing the English paying public - Telegraph
Jeez the extent to which some journos take themselves seriously!
Jeez the extent to which some journos take themselves seriously!
Senile Sentry
International Debutant
Apologies, I missed out the farce that was the WI tour of England mate.
Teja.
Global Moderator
It's a point worth making that in 2010, SA played India home and away. Both times - they managed a soul destroying innings victory in the first test inspired by some mammoth innings and both times awesome second innings spells by Mr. Steyn. The similarity is alarming.
What is interesting is that both times again, they lost the very next test. The first time, they came two overs within drawing it and the second time, they lost by 80-odd runs. England certainly don't have the sort of batman in absolute ATG form that India had at that point nor did India have the bowling at their disposal that England has but the general point is that the real test for SA will come when and if the game becomes evenly matched. I'd hesitate to use the c-word(no, not ****) but mammoth victories are the rule rather than the exception for SA, It's winning the close games that they really need to improve in.
What is interesting is that both times again, they lost the very next test. The first time, they came two overs within drawing it and the second time, they lost by 80-odd runs. England certainly don't have the sort of batman in absolute ATG form that India had at that point nor did India have the bowling at their disposal that England has but the general point is that the real test for SA will come when and if the game becomes evenly matched. I'd hesitate to use the c-word(no, not ****) but mammoth victories are the rule rather than the exception for SA, It's winning the close games that they really need to improve in.