**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[vic_orthdox]

I think with Broad operating at a lower speed in recent times has meant that Finn becomes more important. When Broad is even only a few mph higher, it takes away from the monotony of the attack that seemed apparent earlier in the series.

But with the older ball, Broad, Bresnan and Anderson were a bit similar, and Finn changes things up a bit.

 

[Stumpcam]

Botham completely downplaying how well Finn bowled.

Botham can be interesting, but too often is boorish and too full of his own importance. Too overtly pro-England to be a regular commentator IMO.

 

[popepouri]

The session coming up with decide the number 1 status (of course anything can happen), but if SA bat through it, it's curtains.

 

[Stumpcam]

The session coming up with decide the number 1 status (of course anything can happen), but if SA bat through it, it's curtains.

Need to get them all out within the next 45 mins, for me.

 

[BeeGee]

Philander has done well with the bat this game. Very important runs for SA.
Really is a bonus for SA to have such a good bowler who can also contribute with the bat.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Philander has done well with the bat this game. Very important runs for SA.
Really is a bonus for SA to have such a good bowler who can also contribute with the bat.

Yup, Morkel had nosebleeds at eight.

 

[four_or_six]

Getting a bit too much now

 

[Stumpcam]

The game seems to have gone flat since tea. The ball is doing nothing, Swann is turning almost nothing, and the scoring rate is slow.

After the great effort between lunch and tea, you'd expect them to come out with all guns blazing but they all seem a bit flat to me.

 

[Viscount Tom]

Can see this match potentially going to a draw given that the pitch isn't doing too much and SA aren't likely to declare.

 

[Dissector]

England is looking flat right now. Broad and Anderson need to come on and put in a big effort to knock off these last three wickets.

 

[BeeGee]

Getting a bit too much now

This partnership really hurting England.
All of a sudden Finn has gone from unplayable to ordinary.

 

[popepouri]

Can see this match potentially going to a draw given that the pitch isn't doing too much and SA aren't likely to declare.

Why would England want to play for the draw?

 

[BeeGee]

Why would England want to play for the draw?

They wouldn't. But if SA bat on through tomorrow the game will be a draw.

 

[GIMH]

ugh

 

[stumpski]

Duminy has 23 from 79 balls, you wonder what his instructions were. "Just stay there?"

Yes why would England play for the draw, whether we lose 1-0 or 2-0 makes no difference, we have to chase whatever target is set. Trouble is I can see us having a nasty 40 minutes tonight - enough time to lose two or three.

 

[Stumpcam]

Finally!

EDIT: It's incredible how often a rank long hop manages to get a wicket!

 

[GIMH]

woooooo

 

[Valer]

I should really stop/continue writting about how england won't go for it at some point // Sa declaration....

2 wickets now mid post.


I'd suggest that over say 400 would have/ is going to be not worth the chance of getting it.

 

[Jacknife]

Of all the deliveries Jimmy's bowled this test he gets a wicket with that, he'll take it though.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yup, Morkel had nosebleeds at eight.

Yep; he's gone from being a big weakness in the batting lineup to a (very) minor strength. Definitely a little bit better than your average #10.