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

[Pratters]

I'm not convinced England have anyone who could do better than the 36 average Stokes has managed at 6 anyway, even if you ignore his bowling. If Stokes couldn't bowl he'd probably be replaced by someone who could bowl, but if England wanted to pick a specialist #6 batsman I reckon they'd back him anyway. His bowling is more than just 'a bonus', but it's not required to keep up Ballance from taking his spot, I don't think.

Not that I follow English fc cricket, would be surprised if no one can average early 40s. There is a big difference between a specialist and a non specialist batsman. It's like comparing part time bowlers with main bowlers. A specialist batsman can't be compared with non specialist ones. It's a test match and one needs batsmen who get runs on the board.

 

[Stapel]

A four man attack including Moeen Ali would be really weak, particularly with Anderson out. Moreover I think they'd probably pick Stokes as the next best specialist batsman anyway, ignoring his bowling.

I mean really, Woakes and Moeen are both playing as specialist bowlers. Batting depth is not the problem.

Quite right!
Apart from that, I think Stokes will bat at 7, not? And Bairstow at 6? Anyway, England have the best 8-9-10 imaginable. And Finn actually does survive for 40 balls on average.

 

[vcs]

His hair also looks nice here.

 

[weldone]

Not that I follow English fc cricket, would be surprised if no one can average early 40s.

Then be surprised. English FC cricket doesn't have any Rohit Sharma, and Rohit Sharma doesn't average 40.

 

[Pratters]

An obvious comparison to Stokes would be Flintoff but that would be missing the point. Flintoff was quite terrific with the ball and did a job with the bat. There was Giles as the stock bowler. Stokes' bowling isn't as good as that of Flintoff, talented as he maybe. So it makes the team stronger to play a specialist batsman instead of Stokes/Moeen in alien conditions. At least one is more secure about runs on the board and is still in the game. There is a bigger risk of a lower total and getting out of the game sooner with the other option.

 

[Howe_zat]

Only one down, good session

 

[flibbertyjibber]

An obvious comparison to Stokes would be Flintoff but that would be missing the point. Flintoff was quite terrific with the ball and did a job with the bat. There was Giles as the stock bowler. Stokes' bowling isn't as good as that of Flintoff, talented as he maybe. So it makes the team stronger to play a specialist batsman instead of Stokes/Moeen in alien conditions. At least one is more secure about runs on the board and is still in the game. There is a bigger risk of a lower total and getting out of the game sooner with the other option.

Stokes is possibly as good as Flintoff was at the age of 23/24 though, Freddie was a late developer with the ball and didn't hit the heights till his late 20's.

 

[Gnske]

Alex Fails more like

 

[Cabinet96]

That was predictable.

 

[Howe_zat]

3.5-3-0-2

Um

Help

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Alex Fails more like

Not like it wasn't predictable. Awful shot so soon after a restart.

 

[Spark]

I like how that speedo goes up to 220km/h

 

[weldone]

I spent a lot of time criticizing Ballance's technique, but Hales is worse. Get Compton to open with Cook, and play Ballance at 3 (ideally it should have been Bell imo, but Ballance is ok as Hales must not play test cricket in South Africa).

 

[wpdavid]

Not like it wasn't predictable. Awful shot so soon after a restart.

That's what's so disappointing - it wasn't as if he'd been pegged down without scoring for a few overs.
Even worse is having to listen to Boycs bang on about him ad infinitum on TMS.

 

[weldone]

Williamhill pays 1.85 for England to score over 275.5. That's good value imo, given their tail is good and SA only has 3 pace bowling options.

 

[Gnske]

Steyn looks like he's bowling far quicker than 133

 

[Compton]

Williamhill pays 1.85 for England to score over 275.5. That's good value imo, given their tail is good and SA only has 3 pace bowling options.

With Compton batting, you're running the risk that it'll take England longer than 5 days to score that many.

 

[weldone]

Steyn looks like he's bowling far quicker than 133

no

 

[Gnske]

no

Yes

 

[Pratters]

Williamhill pays 1.85 for England to score over 275.5. That's good value imo, given their tail is good and SA only has 3 pace bowling options.

Nah, England are likely to go under 275.