**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[Prince EWS]

England are going to chase this. South Africa's attack for this match just oozes pies and the pitch is a belter unless you can turn the ball. I do worry about some of England's middle order but Bell/Trott/Morgan have got this covered IMO.

I suppose now would be a good time to bet, although Ravi failing first would juice up the odds.

 

[benchmark00]

England are going to chase this. South Africa's attack for this match just oozes pies and the pitch is a belter unless you can turn the ball. I do worry about some of England's middle order but Bell/Trott/Morgan have got this covered IMO.

This has all the makings of a tasting.

 

[Prince EWS]

Haha worst jinx; Bell gone now too.

 

[Heboric]

Was AB not wearing glasses there. Surely what happened to Boucher he should know

 

[MW1304]

I've no real problem with batsmen not walking, but ABdV pointing to his shoulder in a positive pretence of innocence was not good. A pity that he's prone to these sort of lapses because he's otherwise a player I really like.

Nah he's a big ****.

 

[MW1304]

What a class shot. Bopara is god. I wub you Ravi etc.

 

[Prince EWS]

Well at least I was right about Parnell bowling pies.

 

[Stumpcam]

Ffs!

 

[kingkallis]

Ohh Bopara! Poor ball, equally poor shot!

 

[stumpski]

I suppose now would be a good time to bet, although Ravi failing first would juice up the odds.

And there it is ...

No comments on the Elgar catch from Trott? Stupendous effort, just seen it again. Keeping it in his hand after hitting the ground was the hardest part.

 

[MW1304]

There we go.

Kieswetter wicket sweeps? I say across-the-line swipe in the air to short widwicket.

 

[Prince EWS]

Ohh Bopara! Poor ball, equally poor shot!

Yeah this thread has been littered with people refusing to give credit to South Africa's bowlers for the wickets they take for some reason but you can't say anything complimentary about that one; Bopara dismissed by his own head.

Duminy on; if the plan is for him to bowl the rest of Parnell's overs here then the attack improves considerably tbh.

 

[Prince EWS]

And there it is ...

The fact that Bell was dismissed before it happened gives me no real hope anymore sadly.

 

[Prince EWS]

To be fair to Kieswetter he's in pretty good form; smashed a quickfire ton against Australia A last week. I still think he's absolutely **** though so I'd be lying if I said I expected him to really do anything at all here.

 

[Prince EWS]

Credit to Peterson; the ball he got Bopara out with was a typical Robbie P pie but he's bowled really well overall.

 

[stumpski]

We probably need these two to put on 100 to have any chance at all, tbh.

 

[stumpski]

Credit to Peterson; the ball he got Bopara out with was a typical Robbie P pie but he's bowled really well overall.

Yes like Tsotsobe he's been there since the start of the tour, waiting for his chance - not surprising that he would want to make it count.

Albie Morkel's in the squad too isn't he? Injured, or can't get in the side?

 

[Prince EWS]

Yes like Tsotsobe he's been there since the start of the tour, waiting for his chance - not surprising that he would want to make it count.

Albie Morkel's in the squad too isn't he? Injured, or can't get in the side?

He got injured in the warmup match. I think he's fit to bat but not to bowl yet otherwise he'd no doubt be playing ahead of McLaren or Parnell.

 

[benchmark00]

Steyny poos just rested or what?

 

[Prince EWS]

Steyny poos just rested or what?

South Africa have said they'll rotate Steyn and Morkel in this series to have a look at the other bowlers and give those two each a bit of a rest, but I think Steyn actually does have a niggle on top of that as well now. They might just keep playing Morkel if he does.