**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[Jacknife]

Just reading back the last few pages, doesn't seem much optimism about from the fellow English after this morning's play. Ideally yes if we could have made a quick lead of about 60+ it would put us in a better position, but top get a lead in the first place was an excellent effort, and at least the game is moving along and gives us more time to bowl SA out.

A couple of early ones is just what we need, there's enough happening through the air and off the pitch to maintain the belief we can bowl SA out. Not saying it'll happen, but we do have a chance here.

Oh I agree there's still plenty to play for here, a couple of wickets and game on. Really is a shame that rain came because the conditions were far more difficult for the batsmen.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Disappointing away we're letting a substandard opener bat and bat. We need to be getting into the batting early when you've a Petersen or Rudolph opening the batting.

 

[Woodster]

Oh I agree there's still plenty to play for here, a couple of wickets and game on. Really is a shame that rain came because the conditions were far more difficult for the batsmen.

If we bowl well here in a disciplined manner there is enough in the current conditions for us to really worry SA. Even if wickets don't come quickly we need to ensure SA don't get away from us, decent fields at the moment I reckon with catchers in but also people out to stop the boundaries in the right areas.

Jimmy just not getting his lines right at the moment.

 

[Jacknife]

Just hasn't found his groove yet Jimmy.

Like Spark said they both need to push it up another meter, get them caught in two minds.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Far too much ****e down leg, fortunate that it's not going for runs.

 

[Woodster]

match will end in draw .. I dont think England can win this series anymore, Can only draw 1 all or lose. Guess the descider will be last match

The draw is obviously the more likely result here by some distance, but I reckon we've all seen enough cricket to know that either side can still work a positive result here, with England the more likely at this point.

 

[Valer]

Disappointing away we're letting a substandard opener bat and bat. We need to be getting into the batting early when you've a Petersen or Rudolph opening the batting.

No worse than letting say Strauss get away based on recent form to be fair.


eta: I'd back this sa lineup to england out cheaply over the reverse... (Re winning)

 

[Jacknife]

FFS another edge falls short that's two already off Rudolph.

 

[Woodster]

Time for a Finn burst I reckon.

 

[Uppercut]

The groundsman hasn't done England any favours here. That last edge should be carrying every time.

 

[Jacknife]

No worse than letting say Strauss get away based on recent form to be fair.

his most recent form is back to back centuries.

 

[Thriel]

The draw is obviously the more likely result here by some distance, but I reckon we've all seen enough cricket to know that either side can still work a positive result here, with England the more likely at this point.

How do you get to that conclusion ? Pietersen doesn't hit centuries very often, its once a year fluke, Cook is the main concern for SA. Where as Amla, Deviliers, kallis and smith all do it far more often, but there simply is just not time left, Nah, i reckon draw is a given. Last match will be the big one.

But either way, England cant win now, they can only hope to draw the series...

 

[social]

The selectors havent done England any favours here. .

Corrected

 

[Jacknife]

Good from Finn.

Need to get these two driving though, it's essential.

 

[Spark]

That last over from Broad is the sort of pace he was bowling consistently last year btw.

 

[NickDB]

Have to say that your brass band is better than ours at East London. Been enjoying listening to them.


And long may Smith and Rudolph live a charmed life, they're looking rather uncomfortable out there.

 

[Jacknife]

How do you get to that conclusion ? Pietersen doesn't hit centuries very often, its once a year fluke, Cook is the main concern for SA. Where as Amla, Deviliers, kallis and smith all do it far more often, but there simply is just not time left, Nah, i reckon draw is a given. Last match will be the big one.

But either way, England cant win now, they can only hope to draw the series...

Don't talk daft, he's hit 4 the last 2 years and then you proceed to call it a fluke, classy.

 

[Valer]

his most recent form is back to back centuries.

Recent form is 182, duck, 156, 39

More seriously, in the past 12 months

Virus 61.4 average// 3 100s
Deer 37.7 1 100s
Strauss 39.1 2 100s

 

[Woodster]

How do you get to that conclusion ? Pietersen doesn't hit centuries very often, its once a year fluke, Cook is the main concern for SA. Where as Amla, Deviliers, kallis and smith all do it far more often, but there simply is just not time left, Nah, i reckon draw is a given. Last match will be the big one.

But either way, England cant win now, they can only hope to draw the series...

It's unlikely SA will have enough time to build a big enough lead to declare and then bowl England out. They could be bowled out themselves cheaply then bowl England out even cheaper. Just because of the time left in this game, I'd suggest England are the more likely of the two to win, the bookies I'm sure will agree.

But yes the draw is obviously the most likely.

 

[social]

Much better field set and line being bowled to Smith in this over

He might look dodgy when you bowl to him on middle and leg but it also feeds his strengths so any wicket is likely to be costly