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

[Garson007]

Jesus it's like their heads aren't in the game

Well, tbf, their captain doesn't really want to play.

 

[MrPrez]

What the hell is Morris doing out there??

I'm going to reserve my judgement of this batting display until England have batted. This pitch seems to have a fair bit in it for the bowlers.

 

[91Jmay]

Yeah this is really poor. It is a helpful pitch for bowlers but that is 4 Saffers who have totally thrown it away one way or another. Vilas was a dire shot + a run out.

 

[wowitspink]

Getting to 250 from here would be a miracle let alone 300.

 

[wowitspink]

Yup I already posted this. ABD is not enjoying cricket at the moment. If he isn't enjoying and captaincy seems like a burden for him too, then obviously that will affect others in the team.

 

[91Jmay]

Morris is playing some ridiculous shots here as well.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Yeah this is really poor. It is a helpful pitch for bowlers but that is 4 Saffers who have totally thrown it away one way or another. Vilas was a dire shot + a run out.

I don't think we have bowled that well and they have 7 wickets. Plenty of gifts on offer.

 

[91Jmay]

Finn and to a lesser extent Stokes have bowled some great stuff but apart from that I agree. Broad/Anderson off their best and whilst not a spinners graveyard not much in it for Moeen.

 

[Pratters]

Soft Africa.

 

[91Jmay]

Viljoen a reasonable bat? His average and 4 50s suggests he can hold the thing a bit.

 

[Compton]

If the tail wags this could well get close to the highest test innings without a 50.

Sure Gower top scored with 45-odd and England scored 320 once.

 

[91Jmay]

Terrible use of the 2nd new ball. Morris batting really well though, he looks like a player with the bat. Anderson should be done for the day, he has not bowled well at all.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Poor with both new balls. Better bowl some decent stuff in the morning or they will be well over 300.

 

[indiaholic]

Well, tbf, their captain doesn't really want to play.

Thank you Amla.

 

[91Jmay]

Ordinary bowling, so 7 wickets is a really good day. Plenty in the pitch though so anything over 300 is good score.

 

[kykweer.proteas]

Here comes a fiver for hardus viljoen... We haven't had one of those 50-odd run scores in a while.

 

[wpdavid]

Yeah, it's a funny score. England should have made better use of the new balls, but SA must be kicking themselves for losing 7 wickets. But the hosts ended up looking better than they should have done after the run-out.

I do sometimes wonder whether it's worth taking the new ball for the last 10 on Day 1.
The bowlers are often knackered, and it just means we have an older ball than we'd want at the start of Day 2.

 

[kykweer.proteas]

Yeah, it's a funny score. England should have made better use of the new balls, but SA must be kicking themselves for losing 7 wickets. But the hosts ended up looking better than they should have done after the run-out.

I do sometimes wonder whether it's worth taking the new ball for the last 10 on Day 1.
The bowlers are often knackered, and it just means we have an older ball than we'd want at the start of Day 2.

I think the "will they" "wont they" take the new ball is a fantastic part of cricket.. Especially late in the first day the new ball can add something extra.

Also the ball should swing nicely after 9 or ten overs to start the next day with.

 

[Compton]

Yeah, it's a funny score. England should have made better use of the new balls, but SA must be kicking themselves for losing 7 wickets. But the hosts ended up looking better than they should have done after the run-out.

I do sometimes wonder whether it's worth taking the new ball for the last 10 on Day 1.
The bowlers are often knackered, and it just means we have an older ball than we'd want at the start of Day 2.

Probably the chance to nick a couple out to turn a decent day into a good one.

 

[Stefan9]

Probably about even after the first day. Think 300 is par judging by the first day.