***Official*** England in South Africa 2015/16

[flibbertyjibber]

This tour is going too well so far. Long may it continue.

 

[Jono]

Eng touring Saffers is always such a good tour - one of my favourites. Love it everytime, and I cannot wait for Boxing Day.

 

[91Jmay]

We always seem to compete in SA, no matter how bad our team is (and I don't think this is a bad team).

 

[Howe_zat]

We always seem to compete in SA, no matter how bad our team is (and I don't think this is a bad team).

Since readmission SA have traditionally been the exception to home advantage as well, doing a lot better in England than at home against England.

Our side in 2009-10 was not given much chance at the time but the 1-1 draw proved to be the start of a magic run of Test series for that team. Who knows.

 

[Howe_zat]

Chris Morris 0-64

Guess it's not the day today for him

 

[Jono]

We always seem to compete in SA, no matter how bad our team is (and I don't think this is a bad team).

Yeah, it may be my second favourite tour behind Aus in SA. Just love it. 04-05 one of my favourites.

 

[Howe_zat]

Was just about to suggest Cook retire unbeaten and let JB have a bat. Would have saved the dismissal but robbed us of this colesy from the cricinfo commentator

Maharaj to Cook, OUT, creeps up on Cook, miss ques the drive to the mid-on fielder

 

[Pothas]

This is all going rather well.

 

[Howe_zat]

Root has fifty, and in case you're wondering, sun has risen in east

 

[Jono]

What do people think of these odds currently on Betfair for the series:

SA 1.9
Eng 3.55
Draw 4.9

 

[Howe_zat]

Should Bairstow bat above Stokes in these tests?

Bairstow has played as a batsman and Stokes has played as a bowler for England. But Stokes has only really found what he's doing in Tests at #6 and I don't really want to move him.

 

[Howe_zat]

What do people think of these odds currently on Betfair for the series:

SA 1.9
Eng 3.55
Draw 4.9

Draw has some value imo. 1-1 is a fair shot especially if there's some rain.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

What do people think of these odds currently on Betfair for the series:

SA 1.9
Eng 3.55
Draw 4.9

Fair, I think SA will win the series 2-1.

 

[Pothas]

Should Bairstow bat above Stokes in these tests?

Bairstow has played as a batsman and Stokes has played as a bowler for England. But Stokes has only really found what he's doing in Tests at #6 and I don't really want to move him.

Yep, Stokes at 6 for me. Bairstow has got to be seen as a keeper now, 7 for him.

 

[Howe_zat]

Last 10 overs 75/0

Piss starting to be taken

 

[marc71178]

Should Bairstow bat above Stokes in these tests?

Bairstow has played as a batsman and Stokes has played as a bowler for England. But Stokes has only really found what he's doing in Tests at #6 and I don't really want to move him.

I'd trust Stokes a lot more than Bairstow so he has to go in ahead of him.

Bairstow for me still hasn't proven himself.

 

[Howe_zat]

I'd trust Stokes a lot more than Bairstow so he has to go in ahead of him.

Bairstow for me still hasn't proven himself.

Well Stokes with his average of 28 and first class average of 33 is pretty much being picked on potential anyway, probably more so than Bairstow who at least has an excellent county record behind him to go with similar Test figures.

~

Some good news: Root tons up, also, sun predicted to set in west

 

[Howe_zat]

Root out attempting to pull the spinner for a 3rd successive boundary - I don't think he was taking things all that seriously

~15 overs for Bairstow and Moeen to bat. Be pretty much perfect if they can see out the day with another 50 stand.

 

[Cabinet96]

Great to see four of the top six ton up in the first two innings on tour.

Eng touring Saffers is always such a good tour - one of my favourites. Love it everytime, and I cannot wait for Boxing Day.

Shame it's only happened once in the last ten years.

 

[Niall]

What do people think of these odds currently on Betfair for the series:

SA 1.9
Eng 3.55
Draw 4.9

South Africa are a slight lay I think, I couldn't consider backing them for anything under EVS. I think I'd want something like 6/4 or so to get interested to no value. I don't think England should be favourites for this series whatsoever, but I think England are to tempting to back here.