**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[Viscount Tom]

Called off for the day I hear.

 

[Jacknife]

Yep rain still coming in, that's it abandoned.

 

[Burgey]

Whatever mate, you came here and left a bit of a arsey comment, not to debate the game and the have proceeded to turn it into something else.

What? Look, I could have said in 50 words what I said in ten, but I think you need to realise that two in the morning isn't the time for an essay. Just because a point was made you didn't like or agree with doesn't make it trolling or fishing ffs.

 

[Jacknife]

What? Look, I could have said in 50 words what I said in ten, but I think you need to realise that two in the morning isn't the time for an essay. Just because a point was made you didn't like or agree with doesn't make it trolling or fishing ffs.

Leave it there then.

 

[Burgey]

Report the post WTF, it's like been back at school.

I thought you were still there.

If you want to do something about someone trolling or fishing then report the post, it's what people are asked to do by the mods here.

 

[Burgey]

Leave it there then.

Ok fine. I hadn't read that before my last post.

 

[Stumpcam]

I think Strauss and Cook played very well for that 90 or so minutes. Left the ball well and punished the bad balls. They were assisted by some scattergun bowling from SA, with Morkel and Philander particularly culpable. Unusual for Philander who bowled much wider here than he had at the Oval.

Should get some play in the morning at least tomorrow, I hope these two can push on and make at least a hundred partnership.

 

[Jacknife]

Tomorrow's forecast is for isolated thunderstorms throughout the day, so god know what's on the cards as far as play. England though needs it all to stay away and get as much play as they can

 

[BeeGee]

Good start by the English openers. The last thing they would have needed was an early wicket and a ludicrous night watchman situation.

 

[Jacknife]

SA in front with runs on the board but England fighting to keep the game alive, gonna need some top class performances from the batsmen tomorrow, especially that morning session.

 

[Burgey]

Sounds like the weather isn't going to let either side push on ftw here. If they had a full day tomorrow and England batted through for little loss they could have made it hard for SA on day five. As it stands, can't see the visitors being too worried if they lose a fair bit of time here, being 1-0 up.

Jacknife, reading back I can understand why you took my post as you did, coming as it did out of the blue. Was actually trying to make a serious point, albeit artlessly.

 

[Jacknife]

Sounds like the weather isn't going to let either side push on ftw here. If they had a full day tomorrow and England batted through for little loss they could have made it hard for SA on day five. As it stands, can't see the visitors being too worried if they lose a fair bit of time here, being 1-0 up.

Jacknife, reading back I can understand why you took my post as you did, coming as it did out of the blue. Was actually trying to make a serious point, albeit artlessly.

No problems mate, maybe I was little quick to jump on my high horse there.

Agree 3 days to go and potentially 2 of those being rain effected, it's all on England to chase the game being down in the series. Hard to see a England win anyway atm unless KP gets going and gets quick runs. Maybe the best chance in the series is the draw and then all out at Lords, which isn't really where you want to be going needing a result

 

[Burgey]

Would think Swann back in for Lord's given how it normally plays. Would they be tempted to play five bowlers I wonder, conditions pending, and risk 2-0 for 1-1?

Fair way off that yet I suppose.

 

[Jacknife]

You'd have thought if this does end a draw, they've got to be seriously thinking about it. I suppose it might come down to how we bat this match.

Swann back for me and if they go the 4 bowler route, I'd be tempted to drop Bres unfortunately, even though he's bowled decently but the choice between him and Broad, Broad when he gets on a roll can run through a side.

 

[Stumpcam]

Would think Swann back in for Lord's given how it normally plays. Would they be tempted to play five bowlers I wonder, conditions pending, and risk 2-0 for 1-1?

Fair way off that yet I suppose.

If (as I expect) this game is a weather-induced draw, England must surely go out full bore for the victory to save their No.1 status. Losing the series 1-0 or 2-0 is irrelevant as far as the ratings go, both will mean SA goes to No.1.

I'd rather see England lose the No.1 spot playing adventurous cricket than gingerly trying to hold on to it. Throw everything at SA at Lord's and trust in the skills that brought England to the No.1 Test spot.

 

[Shri]

England lucky to have scored so many. Philly sort your **** out boy!

 

[Pup Clarke]

Stewart, Vaughan and Boycott - dullest commentators ever?

 

[Stumpcam]

England lucky to have scored so many. Philly sort your **** out boy!

Lucky? How do you come to that conclusion?

 

[social]

English bowlers were unlucky from what I saw but also a bit meh

Just doesnt seem to be another gear atm and they certainly didnt make the most of the conditions

 

[social]

You'd have thought if this does end a draw, they've got to be seriously thinking about it. I suppose it might come down to how we bat this match.

Swann back for me and if they go the 4 bowler route, I'd be tempted to drop Bres unfortunately, even though he's bowled decently but the choice between him and Broad, Broad when he gets on a roll can run through a side.

If it is a game Eng need to win, either Swann or Panesar (depending on the former's fitness) has to be the first bowler picked as Rudolph down are hopeless against spin and the English pacemen dont look like being able to do the job