**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[NasserFan207]

Classic SR from Bell ATM

 

[Spark]

Hahaha Kallis vs Trott bowling comparisons.

Yeah that was odd.

 

[Hurricane]

Classic SR from Bell ATM

it is classic test match batting through a tough period. I hope he goes on.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Quick from Morkel. Nothing to get a bowler's tail up like a license to bowl short just after taking a wicket.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Bairstow's back foot not getting across at all.

 

[Spark]

Unfair of SA to nail Bairstow's boots to the crease like they seem to have.

 

[TT Boy]

Be interesting for the winter, I wouldn’t back Taylor giving what I’ve seen of him to score runs in India, neither Bairstow.

England just stopped here.

 

[Spark]

Bairstow's back foot not getting across at all.

Gah.

 

[Garson007]

70/4 at tea then?

 

[NasserFan207]

it is classic test match batting through a tough period. I hope he goes on.

Don't buy it, England need to score runs to compete. All he's doing is putting pressure on the youngster.

 

[Spark]

Don't buy it, England need to score runs to compete. All he's doing is putting pressure on the youngster.

These are all good length balls pitched just outside off with a bit of movement. What exactly is he supposed to do?

EDIT: And scores when he gets the ball, like he should.

 

[benchmark00]

Don't buy it, England need to score runs to compete. All he's doing is putting pressure on the youngster.

Yeah I'd agree with that, and I reckon Bell has done it a couple of times this series.

When they were chasing 8,000,000 in that first test he just went totally into his shell and let the bowlers bowl where they wanted. I know it was a nigh on impossible situation to win, but you still have to show the bowlers you're going to punish the loose stuff.

I mean it's admirable, but it's not helping.

 

[NasserFan207]

These are all good length balls pitched just outside off with a bit of movement. What exactly is he supposed to do?

EDIT: And scores when he gets the ball, like he should.

He should be attacking Kallis at least. Don't let the old fourth seamer bowl at you. Come down the pitch a bit, try something.

Better now.

 

[benchmark00]

These are all good length balls pitched just outside off with a bit of movement. What exactly is he supposed to do?

EDIT: And scores when he gets the ball, like he should.

SA are bowling well, but if you take that attitude, he won't score a run ever. Sometimes you have to force the bowlers to bowl badly, not just hope they do, because as we've seen all series, SA rarely bowl **** spells for too long.

 

[Hurricane]

Don't buy it, England need to score runs to compete. All he's doing is putting pressure on the youngster.

Occupy the crease and runs will come once you get your eye in - (got a few in that over)

I also feel like when the bowlers are on top you should give them their due and consolidate for a while.

 

[Scaly piscine]

So come on the brain of Britain who do we replace Strauss with as opener? Not as though we have many options is it?

Colly retired before they dropped him, Onions may be unlucky but it isn't as though we are short of bowling options. If you want to talk of an unlucky bowler look at Bicknell in the 90's when we were a crap side and he still never got picked.

Doesn't really matter does it? Strauss is completely shot. Wouldn't bother me whether it was Carberry, Root, Compton and a re-shuffle or whatever.

Not giving the opposition an easy early wicket and getting their tail up is important. Every team playing England knows Strauss is a sitting duck and they're going to be into the batting lineup. It has already made a big difference with South Africa with this series, the openers have been beyond jammy but you've still had to get them out. Strauss is just a sitting duck and batting doesn't seem to get easier for him.

 

[NasserFan207]

SA are bowling well, but if you take that attitude, he won't score a run ever. Sometimes you have to force the bowlers to bowl badly, not just hope they do, because as we've seen all series, SA rarely bowl **** spells for too long.

Yeah, as a bowler this is dead on for me. There's nothing better than a batsman who just sits back and is reactive all the time. Makes you feel in control.

 

[Spark]

SA are bowling well, but if you take that attitude, he won't score a run ever. Sometimes you have to force the bowlers to bowl badly, not just hope they do, because as we've seen all series, SA rarely bowl **** spells for too long.

Yeah, fair enough, but it's a fine line. They've scored a few in the last few overs anyway.

 

[MW1304]

Morne is no match for the ginger one.

 

[benchmark00]

Haha how **** was that shot of Bells at Leeds? fmd.