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

[Stefan9]

What rotten luck for QDK Hopefully vilas carries his form from the franchise game with him, rather big difference between the paarl pitch and wanderers thought.

 

[Niall]

Exactly. I would never open the batting with your keeper in a Test, but if you want to keep your four POCs in the side, that would have been the only option. They're proper screwed now, Van Zyl will have to open. Can only see three POCs playing in this Test.

Three keepers in three Tests, must surely be some sort of a record.

Would they drop Faf?

I could see them getting Vilas to open instead of Van Zyl.

I doubt they would abandon the 4 players of color rule, its just way to high profile.

 

[Marius]

Would they drop Faf?

I could see them getting Vilas to open instead of Van Zyl.

I doubt they would abandon the 4 players of color rule, its just way to high profile.

If they drop a guy who scored 80 in the last game to fit in the 4 POCs I will lose even more hope for South African cricket.

They should try play as many POCs as they can, but when cricketing reasons mean only three can play, then only three should play.

 

[Stefan9]

Would they drop Faf?

I could see them getting Vilas to open instead of Van Zyl.

I doubt they would abandon the 4 players of color rule, its just way to high profile.

No chance. He is ab's best mate and probably the vc now. Even when some in the media where speculating if he should be dropped, the inside word was he is untouchable...

 

[Compton]

BBC suggesting there's a chance Vilas misses the start of the match because he's travelling.

If SA are fielding would AB have to keep until he got there?

 

[Niall]

Vilas is en-route to Johannesburg from Port Elizabeth, where he was supposed to be playing a Sunfoil Series four-day match for the Cape Cobras against the Warriors.

AB de Villiers will take the gloves if the Proteas field first until Vilas arrives.

ffs

 

[Stefan9]

BBC suggesting there's a chance Vilas misses the start of the match because he's travelling.

If SA are fielding would AB have to keep until he got there?

Yes he would, there is no other keeper.

 

[Compton]

Good luck on the toss, skipper

 

[Howe_zat]

AB reportedly very pleased about having to keep wicket again.

Next last minute change will be who replaces De Villiers after he is found to have hopped on a plane to the BBL

 

[Compton]

Pitch looks good.

 

[Howe_zat]

Good luck on the toss, skipper

I don't think it'll change Cook's mind from bowling to batting first. An overcast day at the Wanderers (and your opposition having no spinner) makes bowling as good a call as bowling first ever is.

Edit: I've been wrong before. Maintain it's not a bad toss to lose though.

 

[Marius]

Apparently only changes are Vilas for QDK and Viljoen for Piedt, so only three POCs.

 

[Niall]

Don't think England will be to upset to bowl in these conditions.

Common sense prevails with the quota system today to be fair.

 

[Compton]

I don't think it'll change Cook's mind from bowling to batting first. An overcast day at the Wanderers (and your opposition having no spinner) makes bowling as good a call as bowling first ever is.

Edit: I've been wrong before. Maintain it's not a bad toss to lose though.

I was more talking about making the bowl/bat decision on this surface. Like you said, not a bad toss to lose.

 

[Howe_zat]

Apparently only changes are Vilas for QDK and Viljoen for Piedt, so only three POCs.

You'd think this is a bit of a wake up call for the massive amounts of bull**** posted about the quota system. But I doubt it, facts aren't important when it's easier to just whine.

 

[Daemon]

**** he's big

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Not the worst toss to lose, have to bowl well now.

 

[Marius]

Feel a bit sorry for Abbott. Was probably the 4th or 5th choise seamer after Morkel, Philander, and Steyn, but is now behind them and Rabada, Morris and Viljoen.

 

[Daemon]

Man the bounce looks good. Good pitch for a #nuggety Elgar to scratch out a 50

 

[Daemon]

Does Broad always come this wide around the wicket when bowling to left handers?