**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[Jacknife]

South Africa's radar is broke methinks.

Shhhhh don't tempt fate.

 

[uvelocity]

I stayed up for this? ffs

 

[wpdavid]

Could do but would leave a rat like tail.

True - it's one more genuine bunny than we'd want. But I'm not sure how else we'll take 20 wickets unless someone persuades Broad to get his arse into gear.

 

[Jacknife]

True - it's one more genuine bunny than we'd want. But I'm not sure how else we'll take 20 wickets unless someone persuades Broad to get his arse into gear.

For Lords, I'd bring Swann back and maybe drop Bres . That drop catch has put a different complexion on this match and England should have had this lot out for around 270 but for me taking 20 wickets isn't the biggest worry, they've consistently done it for a few years now, it;'s just been one game.

 

[Stumpcam]

I think Steyn made the batsman play as much in that over as either of the previous bowlers did in the previous 5 overs.

 

[Jacknife]

I think Steyn made the batsman play as much in that over as either of the previous bowlers did in the previous 5 overs.

Yes strayed onto the pads a bit too much but at least he's in there.

 

[Jacknife]

Fat and grey complaining about the ball, probably because it hasn't done much.

 

[Stapel]

Strauss needs runs here, so so much.

So does Cook.

Well, obviously England need runs, and thus a fair contribution by their openers would be nice. England need to show what they're made of after The Oval. So there is some pressure. But I don't think there is anything like personal pressure on Strauss (or Cook). No pressure of the type "this might be your last chance".

IMHO, England's failure at The Oval can be summarised as follows: 2 wickets for 637 runs....

 

[Jacknife]

Well, obviously England need runs, and thus a fair contribution by their openers would be nice. England need to show what they're made of after The Oval. So there is some pressure. But I don't think there is anything like personal pressure on Strauss (or Cook). No pressure of the type "this might be your last chance".

IMHO, England's failure at The Oval can be summarised as follows: 2 wickets for 637 runs....

It's bad toss call and drop catch pressure.

But yes we need to see fight and skill from England, show what they're made of and obviously keep themselves in the series

 

[Jacknife]

Beautiful shot Straussy.

 

[Stapel]

It's bad toss call and drop catch pressure.

Nowhere near as bad as Ricky Ponting's call at Edgbaston . And I don't think a drop (or two) should add to the pressure.

Did I miss something and is Strauss on a bad fielding avenue? I don't get too much press coverage or pub talk here in NL.

But yes we need to see fight and skill from England, show what they're made of and obviously keep themselves in the series

Indeed. My money is on England doing so.

 

[Stumpcam]

Beautiful shot Straussy.

Take two!

Lovely straight drive.

 

[Jacknife]

Yep almost a carbon copy.

Need Straussy to lead from the front here.

 

[Jacknife]

Nowhere near as bad as Ricky Ponting's call at Edgbaston . And I don't think a drop (or two) should add to the pressure.

Did I miss something and is Strauss on a bad fielding avenue? I don't get too much press coverage or pub talk here in NL.



Indeed. My money is on England doing so.

Just that drop on 20 went on to make 182 and it was a dolly.

Inserting a side on a decentish deck and they then make over 400, the safe route would have been to bat but they picked an all out seam attack so needed first use of the pitch.

 

[Jacknife]

Good first mini session by England, need to carry on, make it count and take the edge out of this attack.

 

[Stapel]

Just that drop on 20 went on to make 182 and it was a dolly.

Inserting a side on a decentish deck and they then make over 400, the safe route would have been to bat but they picked an all out seam attack so needed first use of the pitch.

Obviously the dropped cost big time. But I find it rather silly to make that count for batting pressure. You catch some, you drop some. No slip fielders has (near) perfect figures!

Agree about the first use of the pitch. Just a gamble gone (marginally?) wrong.

 

[Jacknife]

Cloud cover rolling in and humid, ideal swing bowling conditions I'd have thought at Headingley atm.

 

[Stumpcam]

Obviously the dropped cost big time. But I find it rather silly to make that count for batting pressure. You catch some, you drop some. No slip fielders has (near) perfect figures!

Agree about the first use of the pitch. Just a gamble gone (marginally?) wrong.

Yeah, but the drop was a dolly - about as simple as any slip catch.

 

[Jacknife]

Obviously the dropped cost big time. But I find it rather silly to make that count for batting pressure. You catch some, you drop some. No slip fielders has (near) perfect figures!

Agree about the first use of the pitch. Just a gamble gone (marginally?) wrong.

Just can't see how it won't be there in the back of the mind somewhere.

Cook though is mentally strong so I hope he can.

 

[Stapel]

Not too long ago I figured (and posted iirc) that Kallis has a lot of batting to come, but that his (Test) bowling was done and dusted with. I guess I was wrong. I think Kallis bowled pretty fine balls in the first test too!