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

[Cabinet96]

Bairstow, Moeen and Woakes as 6-8 is absolutely fine from a batting point of view.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

^ Particularly if Broad is at 9.

 

[marc71178]

He wasn't off the field barely at all was he? I thought they kept him on in case the scan showed he was ok to bowl and they didn't want him to have to wait.

He was definitely not on at all today. Of course it depends what they deemed his injury as.

 

[marc71178]

I personally would drop Stokes even if he is fit, I feel as though Bairstow and Moeen deserve the chance to bat higher in the order, and Woakes gives us more control and can build better pressure with the ball. Plus he's a proper batsman and definitely good enough for a number 8, he batted at 6 in the ashes a couple of years ago!

In what way has Moeen shown he deserves the chance to bat anywhere higher than 8?

 

[glosfan94]

In what way has Moeen shown he deserves the chance to bat anywhere higher than 8?

After the ashes everyone wanted him higher up the order. Batting him at 7 just allows him to have a bit more time to play himself in, but still be the destructive player that he was in the ashes down the order.

 

[91Jmay]

He was definitely not on at all today. Of course it depends what they deemed his injury as.

I reckon he was off the field about as long as their batting innings lasted until Faf fell to be honest.

 

[Cabinet96]

Steyn was on at the end of day three. England's innings was 64 overs done at the time. They were all out after 102.1, meaning he had to wait 39 overs to come back on. He came in to bat after 46.3 overs.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

They may be wary of what happened to Steyn here and go with the same attack to make sure Jimmy is fully fit for the last 2 tests. All depends what happens tomorrow and how the 4 pace men are feeling on January 2nd.

Yes as long as the medical staff are happy he won't break down he plays.

With 4 seamers you can cope better if one gets injured mid match but it is not what you want.

 

[marc71178]

After the ashes everyone wanted him higher up the order. Batting him at 7 just allows him to have a bit more time to play himself in, but still be the destructive player that he was in the ashes down the order.

Not everyone. Personally I don't see him ever making it as middle order batsman.

 

[Howe_zat]

This Test, in addition to Trent Bridge, suggests that Anderson has just been holding us back

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Good start.

Over by lunch.

 

[Howe_zat]

Game over 3rd ball!

Had all sorts of horrible thoughts about De Villiers getting 180 or something to win the match

 

[Jono]

Party pooper Moeen

 

[ImpatientLime]

moeen doubters status

[ x ] rekt
[ ] not rekt

 

[Niall]

Game over 3rd ball!

Had all sorts of horrible thoughts about De Villiers getting 180 or something to win the match

It was done and dusted Yesterday once Elgar and Amla went. To many jobbers batting with ABDV against a proper attack.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Brilliant by Moeen and delighted for Bairstow.

 

[Niall]

South Africa are so against spin.
Bring in JP Duminy.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Couldn't be much worse for SA after disastrous tour of India.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Couldn't be much worse for SA after disastrous tour of India.

Pressure cranked up big time now. So many of the team under pressure for either their places or the captaincy. The lack of fight from them is something you don't associate with SA sides.

 

[Gob]

fook this i'm watching Big Bash

Good from England though