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

[Furball]

That's really a poor indicator of quality (catches-per-match), he plays for annoyingly the best County by miles, of course he gets more catches. In the end also just saying "someone else improved, so Bairstow will" as Furball seems to be doing is just silly. He4's shown no signs of improvement for how many years now? Jos' 'keeping has improved much more.

Anyway, just one more innings of Hales to put up with in Tests.

This is Bairstow's first run in the side as a keeper though. I wouldn't have expected him to have worked too hard on his keeping previously because he was in as a batsman.

My point is that I'm not overly concerned about him being a bit **** with the gloves just now because there's scope for improvement. If he's still shelling catches in a year's time then I'd be worried.

 

[Furball]

Funny that all of this is being discussed when Hales has out scored Cook in the series so far.

Cook's got the small matter of nearly 10,000 runs behind him.

Good thing about England's schedule is that Hales should get a decent chunk of First Class cricket before the next game. If he goes back to Notts, works on things and scores runs I don't see why he shouldn't still be in the side when Sri Lanka visit.

 

[Pratters]

Cook is so boring to watch. Never had such an issue with Dravid as his defense and shots looked so cool. Had a bit of loop in his defence as well. Cook meanwhile just puts me to sleep.

 

[burr]

Cook is so boring to watch. Never had such an issue with Dravid as his defense and shots looked so cool. Had a bit of loop in his defence as well. Cook meanwhile just puts me to sleep.

Indeed. A Cook/Compton partnership is not something you'd pay to watch.

 

[Gob]

Cook needs 89 for the 10k. Will he do it in this game

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Yeah I wouldn't pick Taylor at 3. Ballance will probably score loads and get in with Compton going up order.

That is how i'd go. Unless a young opener starts the season like Bairstow was going last year.

 

[GIMH]

Having James Taylor at 3 will be a terrible terrible move. He's your best batsman against spin, and not one of your best 5 batsmen against pace. You just don't have someone like that at 3. He's the last England batsman I'll try at 3.

I agree. He's not a number 3 whatsoever.

KP isn't either.

 

[fredfertang]

I don't want to be accused of being Gaylesque, but there really are some attractive ladies at this ground

 

[StephenZA]

I don't want to be accused of being Gaylesque, but there really are some attractive ladies at this ground

Its known as subjective camera work... its amazing how only the attractive woman and amusing men(normally quite large) get the most camera time.

 

[weldone]

I agree. He's not a number 3 whatsoever.

KP isn't either.

Ya I'll probably have Root at 3 with KP at 4 ideally.

 

[Compton]

Given Bayliss didn't fancy Compton at 3 because he likes two aggressors in his top 3, I don't think he'll fancy Cook-Compton-Ballance.

 

[Stapel]

Its known as subjective camera work... its amazing how only the attractive woman and amusing men(normally quite large) get the most camera time.

Indeed. The big difference between Roland Garros & Wimbledon. French camera men zooming in at the hotties, English camera men zooming at old ladies eating strawberries.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Given Bayliss didn't fancy Compton at 3 because he likes two aggressors in his top 3, I don't think he'll fancy Cook-Compton-Ballance.

Knowing he has Root, Stokes and Bairstow below may mean he accepts it though. Interesting decisions ahead.

 

[Cabinet96]

Really hope Cook can bring up 10k before the end of this match.

 

[grecian]

Knowing he has Root, Stokes and Bairstow below may mean he accepts it though. Interesting decisions ahead.

With Ali and Broad not exactly slow-coaches too. It really shouldn't be a problem and I was disappointed in Bayliss saying it.

BTW Cook now not having a worse series than Hales, so we can put that to bed.

 

[StephenZA]

Pitch starting to misbehave?... Bad luck for Compton.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

No blame on Compo there. Can't play that.

 

[grecian]

Hmm, that's a bit worrying.

 

[Stapel]

Ahh, unfortunate......

 

[Stefan9]

Typical centurion dismissal that one from compton. Maybe a bit early in the match but you gets lots of those here.