**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[Viscount Tom]

Bit of a brainfade from the batsmen in the last session and a half there. There was good bowling no doubt, but there were too many wickets that fell to avoidable shots. That said, SA are still in the driver's seat, if only marginally. 350 is about par for this pitch.

Only thing is that there's a fair chance of it changing the sky's the thing with Headingley not the pitch.

 

[Thriel]

be interesting to see how SA bowl, after what ive seen on the pitch today i hope English batsmen Up their game alot, cause this looks like philanders kind of pitch.

 

[Stumpcam]

be interesting to see how SA bowl, after what ive seen on the pitch today i hope English batsmen Up their game alot, cause this looks like philanders kind of pitch.

Unfortunately, I fear that the only winner during this Test match will be the weather. Each day will have heavy showers or more organised rain later in the match.

 

[Thriel]

Unfortunately, I fear that the only winner during this Test match will be the weather. Each day will have heavy showers or more organised rain later in the match.

God i hope not !!!!

As well as England think they are doing, I think they are in for a big surprise when Steyn , Philander and Morkel get into gear. this is like the Heaven of all pitches for them to bowl on.

SA has always had bad luck where weather is concerned ...

 

[Jacknife]

What do you think this pitch has got if it's a 'Heaven of all pitches for them to bowl on,' it's a typical Yorkshire pudding pitch. It's not flat with the new ball but hardly fast and the bounce is variable, went pretty flat once the ball got soft. Only thing that can change at any point is the over head conditions and it can suddenly start to swing around corners, hasn't done that yet though.

 

[Heboric]

Some over for no reward that from Broad.

Good fight back from England, like I said earlier after the lack luster morning session, they've sorted themselves out and bowled really well this afternoon. When it went flat they just bowled consistent line and length in the corridor, when they took the new ball they attacked. Shame about the dropped catches and the dead ball but they put all that behind them and fought back.

If they can start tomorrow how they finished today and keep SA under 330 they will take that and then hope for a bright sunny day when SA bowl.

I dont know, 330 is still to many runs for a team that was put in

 

[Thriel]

there was plenty swing yesterday. and with weather forecasts it looks like it will swing more over next few days. this is a bowlers pitch.

 

[uvelocity]

I dont know, 330 is still to many runs for a team that was put in

I don't think so necessarily, though you'd hope for better. The pitch did nothing amazing which would vindicate such a decision, but the biggest what the in regard to that is the obvious difference in number of spinners picked per team. Choosing to bat last and give that advantage away at the same time is quite surprising.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I dont know, 330 is still to many runs for a team that was put in

I agree, I am a big advocate of if you put them in they need to bowled out for less than 250. Missed a trick yesterday through our own sloppiness. SA shouldn't lose from here in a weather troubled game.

 

[kingkallis]

All depends on weather, as it will play a major major role. If the sun is out, batting wont be that tough on this surface. If it rains, on last 3 days, it will be 1-0 to SA before going for the Lord's game. If its cloudy and allows the gameplay, Steyn and Philander will do wonders.

 

[wpdavid]

I dont know, 330 is still to many runs for a team that was put in

Agreed - and fibberty's comments are spot on.

However, England should approach today with a mindset that if SA had chosen to bat then the game would be pretty even. In a sense, there's no difference as we're told that's what Smith would have done had he won the toss. I'd rather be in SA's position, but it's not as strong as it should have been when their openers put on 100+, and it's not unassailable if England actually turn up for three sessions today.

 

[Thriel]

i think leaving swan out of this test was a big mistake.

 

[Thriel]

some interesting talk going on about the deadball issue :

England v South Africa, 2nd Investec Test, Headingley: England should not talk of misfortune | Cricket Features | Global | ESPN Cricinfo

am i allowed to post that link ? if not i guess warning number 2 coming along swiftly ...

 

[Eds]

am i allowed to post that link ? if not i guess warning number 2 coming along swiftly ...

Probably more likely to get a warning for being an obnoxious arsehole, ITBT.

 

[Thriel]

Probably more likely to get a warning for being an obnoxious arsehole, ITBT.

whatever you think of me, ive never attacked a person on this forum, you have, so i could say the same about you, but i wont ...

 

[Flem274*]

That will do.

Lets talk about the cricket.

Big innings for Rudolph I feel. Questions have been raised about his ability against the moving ball and place in the side, and if he can get a score here he will put SA in a great position and get his spot cemented.

 

[uvelocity]

quality start so far, following on from last night.

 

[Prince EWS]

Is it just me or has Anderson's front arm been completely non-existent today?

 

[bombay_bomber]

Big innings for Rudolph I feel. Questions have been raised about his ability against the moving ball and place in the side, and if he can get a score here he will put SA in a great position and get his spot cemented.

For someone who played here for a fair while, I thought he would be at home against the moving ball?

 

[uvelocity]

Is it just me or has Anderson's front arm been completely non-existent today?

didn't notice