**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[Woodster]

Surely Taylor should be up the order in the effort to win rather than down the order in the effort to save the match.

Possibly but a tall ask for James Taylor on debut to go on and take on such an attack. Perhaps they viewed it as being more the job of the experienced Test players to try and get us over the line.

 

[Valer]

Disapointing over from Philander. Too wide. Too short.

 

[Jacknife]

Strauss won't have wanted to hide down the order though, he's not like that and wants to lead from the front, also was a very handy one day player himself. They could have gone with a number of scenarios here.

 

[hazsa19]

Possibly but a tall ask for James Taylor on debut to go on and take on such an attack. Perhaps they viewed it as being more the job of the experienced Test players to try and get us over the line.

There's no pressure in going out there and having a go knowing the experienced players can block if needed.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Possibly but a tall ask for James Taylor on debut to go on and take on such an attack. Perhaps they viewed it as being more the job of the experienced Test players to try and get us over the line.

Agree it's too much to ask a guy who's on debut to take on this SA attack and win it

 

[ankitj]

That's exactly what they're doing though - umpire was correct, loss of review.

You know what I mean. Respond to that or leave it alone.

 

[Jacknife]

Thought Kallis was injured, can't be if he's bowling.

 

[kingkallis]

Kallis bowling, thats stupid now! What happened to the back spasm?

 

[MW1304]

Is it much harder than asking him to survive at all costs with the match and series on the line, with potentially 5 wickets down?

 

[Thriel]

Thought Kallis was injured, can't be if he's bowling.

smith and kallis always play injured, they both warriors, they will never let an injury stand in way of letting team down. same as smith, he batted with busted knee, kallis batted with back spasms, and pietersen batted with hamstring problems. its how we roll.

i think all 3 would bat in a wheel chair if they were allowed to

 

[ankitj]

I'm off to sleep. Good play from both captains. It was a terrific last day's play.

 

[hazsa19]

smith and kallis always play injured, they both warriors, they will never let an injury stand in way of letting team down. same as smith, he batted with busted knee, kallis batted with back spasms, and pietersen batted with hamstring problems. its how we roll.

brilliant

 

[Thriel]

bell is on 3 off 22 balls ? that is slower than slow even for tests...

 

[Jacknife]

bell is on 3 off 22 balls ? that is slower than slow even for tests...

and?

 

[kingkallis]

bell is on 3 off 22 balls ? that is slower than slow even for tests...

Sir, are you serious? England is playing for a DRAW here so its important for them not to lose the wicket.

 

[Thriel]

still 3 off 27 balls...

 

[hazsa19]

still 3 off 27 balls...

 

[Eds]

bell is on 3 off 22 balls ? that is slower than slow even for tests...

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Is it much harder than asking him to survive at all costs with the match and series on the line, with potentially 5 wickets down?

That's where a potential strategical mix up was required and not sending Taylor so far down the order as last recognized batsman. Either Trott or Strauss should have been left at that position which gives a line up like this-

Pietersen
Cook
Bell/Prior
Bell/Prior
Strauss/Trott
Taylor
Strauss/Trott
Bresnan

 

[Thriel]

Sir, are you serious? England is playing for a DRAW here so its important for them not to lose the wicket.

difference between not losing a wicket and blocking every ball just about and not even hitting bad balls.

if he is only able to score 3 in 27 balls then that means SA's bowling is almost perfect, which its not.