**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[fredfertang]

Look, Tangy - As I said to you on the car ride home, I was merely a victim of circumstance.

.... and as I explained to you the only reason I agreed to pos t bail was because I had some sympathy with you but you must understand that while the activities we discussed might be perfectly legal in Australia they are viewed very seriously here in Europe

... and that ridiculous explanation involving training for the paralympics was the sign of a desperate man

 

[kingkallis]

Many in Pakistan cricket circles believe Mr Javed Akhtar was with the books in this game.

.....and the 99 WC! Eng vs India as well

Anyone remember the Thorpe lbw decision?

 

[benchmark00]

.... and as I explained to you the only reason I agreed to pos t bail was because I had some sympathy with you but you must understand that while the activities we discussed might be perfectly legal in Australia they are viewed very seriously here in Europe

... and that ridiculous explanation involving training for the paralympics was the sign of a desperate man

And I'd do it again if I had the chance.

 

[social]

.... and as I explained to you the only reason I agreed to pos t bail was because I had some sympathy with you but you must understand that while the activities we discussed might be perfectly legal in Australia they are viewed very seriously here in Europe

... and that ridiculous explanation involving training for the paralympics was the sign of a desperate man

So what's the penalty for taking his second shower of the week?

 

[fredfertang]

So what's the penalty for taking his second shower of the week?

That's pretty grave conduct, obviously, but without embarassing benchy his offence was rather more serious than that, and involved a day trip to the Netherlands, and a dyke

 

[MW1304]

That's pretty grave conduct, obviously, but without embarassing benchy his offence was rather more serious than that, and involved a day trip to the Netherlands, and a dyke

or

?

 

[Valer]

Correct answer was to bring in botha's doosra right? Right? Better sr better average.

 

[MW1304]

Better javelin PB.

Keep it in the olympics.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Bopara been called up to the Loins, replacing Taylor.

Hope to god we can finally make some progress on the batting front now.

 

[FBU]

Last I heard, Tremmers was injured, possibly facing knee surgery and unlikely to play again this year

On Twitter he says
Have to rest it a bit longer but hopefully play few games before end of season.

 

[uvelocity]

Bopara been called up to the Loins, replacing Taylor.

thats wierd, what was the story with him missing?

 

[Spikey]

he cbf going up north

 

[Heboric]

It'll be interesting to see what the SA followers would like to see happen with that spinners slot. Once Tahir qualified for SA it seemed all there worries would be over in this department, finally they could select an attacking spinner, a spinner that can bowl a team out in the right conditions.

Unfortunately Tahir's selection may just have reminded SA how good a restricting job Harris did and the importance of his role within the side. I was never a big Harris fan, nor was Ashley Giles a particular favourite of mine, but they both did an effective job within the team without really catching the eye or stealing the headlines.

Tahir has not been as penetrative just yet for SA, and has at times proved quite expensive and unable to give Smith the control he would like. He can finish a tail off, and is a handful on a day five pitch, but he either needs to give his side more control in the first innings or pick up an important wicket or two.

So is the promise of Imran Tahir the attacking, if at times loose, wrist spinner still a better alternative to the more orthodox, economical if less penetrative Paul Harris ?

Its a tough one regarding Harris, I understood his role and for the most part he did it well. But the problem came in when the fast bowlers werent taking wickets and he really struggled to take a wicket even on the fifth day he was toothless, espescially at Newlands vs India and England - which might have cost the Proteas. In a South African context I think Tahir is okay,

 

[uvelocity]

I was treadmilling and they had the hilights on earlier, and when tahir came on at the end he'd only bowled 11 overs. so. (but they were costly)

 

[Heboric]

I just hope nobody brings up the "momentum" word after todays more than likely draw.

 

[grecian]

he cbf going up north

Fair enough then, grim oop there ya know.

 

[NickDB]

It'll be interesting to see what the SA followers would like to see happen with that spinners slot. Once Tahir qualified for SA it seemed all there worries would be over in this department, finally they could select an attacking spinner, a spinner that can bowl a team out in the right conditions.

Unfortunately Tahir's selection may just have reminded SA how good a restricting job Harris did and the importance of his role within the side. I was never a big Harris fan, nor was Ashley Giles a particular favourite of mine, but they both did an effective job within the team without really catching the eye or stealing the headlines.

Tahir has not been as penetrative just yet for SA, and has at times proved quite expensive and unable to give Smith the control he would like. He can finish a tail off, and is a handful on a day five pitch, but he either needs to give his side more control in the first innings or pick up an important wicket or two.

So is the promise of Imran Tahir the attacking, if at times loose, wrist spinner still a better alternative to the more orthodox, economical if less penetrative Paul Harris ?

I used to and still do rate Harris, he wasn't a brilliant spinner, but he wasn't in the team to be an attacking option. He held up one end and allowed us to rotate our pace attack quite nicely, he had his job and he did it well.

I also don't mind Tahir; I like the fact that SA now has the option of an attacking spinner. However I don't think Tahir does his job as well as Harris did his, and can increase the work load on the pace bowlers if he doesn't turn up. Luckily we have enough of those to rotate them fairly often anyway.

Personally I'd prefer to have both in the squad and alternate between playing them depending on the situation. If it's not a spin friendly pitch, play Harris if it is play Tahir. I don't like limiting our options. Play the best squad for THAT game.

However since the selectors seem to think that one spinner in the squad is enough, then I think it needs to be Tahir.

Although I do realise the need to have a stable squad that plays well together and has spent a lot of time together.

 

[stumpski]

I presume they're bowling extra overs today to make up the time lost, but those might be foregone if they decide to shake hands on the draw. Sky were trying to draw parallels with last year's Cardiff Test earlier, but the scenario is very different - Sri Lanka were behind throughout their second innings, which is why England were able to pile on the pressure.

 

[Ruckus]

It's kind of annoying sometimes in test cricket when you get situations like this where, despite both teams essentially being on level terms in the match, only one team has a chance to win. Seems a bit unfair.

 

[ProteasFan]

England has no hope of a win in this match. It's been a fairly even contest. Draw written all over it.I doubt anyone will have the ' upper hand' going into Lords.

With reference to Tahir, I prefer his inclusion over Harris. Harris did an admirable job for us but he could never wrap up the tail and that is something I think Tahir is capable of doing.

Also, Tahir has been working tremendously hard to lower his economy rate and not bowl all his variations every over. With more test match experience he will get better IMO.