*** Official*** South Africa in England 2017

[flibbertyjibber]

I have him at 35.60. He has only played nine tests? His (international) career was just getting going before his ankle broke down (twice). If he remains fit he will be one of the key performers for England. He bowlers low slung skidders at 87 mph.

Well I got his stats from cricinfo and the current game career stats.

His fitness is the main issue. He probably won't play next week as his body can't take it.

 

[vcs]

England have batted circumspectly. Right thing to do, obviously.

 

[91Jmay]

Good days plays, bit slow but putting ourselves into position to win game. Hope we can get to about 380-400 then declare with 120+ overs left

 

[grecian]

First-Class Career Bowling (2011-2017) 124 @27.45 (all but eight of them wickets in division one).

124 wickets in 6 years, you aren't really helping your cause here, shows his main problem, doesn't play enough, and TBH that average isn't that great considering the step-up to Test class. Link for you btw

Anyway, bit anaemic from England at the end there, guess they feel the pitch will break up more the longer they bat, just hope they're right, as pitches have a habit of deadening out nowadays.

 

[Howe_zat]

Quite the phoney war in that last session. Not very engaging stuff but considering it's just jostling for position before the 4th innings, and England's position has got an awful lot stronger, you can't knock them.

Don't forget they're not just getting this lead up, they're watching the pitch steadily get more and more knackered up

 

[fredfertang]

I have him at 35.60. He has only played nine tests? His (international) career was just getting going before his ankle broke down (twice). If he remains fit he will be one of the key performers for England. He bowlers low slung skidders at 87 mph.

Yes, I think Wood has got what it takes - he's been a disappointment here but he shouldn't be pilloried for that - fitness permitting he'll be leading our attack when Jimmy calls it a day

 

[S.Kennedy]

Toby Roland-Jones has 339 wickets @ 25. Guess he is a certainty to do well and should be straight in for Wood?

Would his medium pacers really be what we need on Australian wickets, especially with Broad and Anderson presumably starting?

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Don't forget they're not just getting this lead up, they're watching the pitch steadily get more and more knackered up

Getting overs into Morkel ahead of next week helps too.

 

[91Jmay]

Yeah, tomorrow they should push on. Issue that none of the top 3 can get on top of spinners though, number 3 at least should be able to.

 

[grecian]

Yeah, tomorrow they should push on. Issue that none of the top 3 can get on top of spinners though, number 3 at least should be able to.

As long as they try, isn't a problem though, if they get out we have players that very much can.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

As long as they try, isn't a problem though, if they get out we have players that very much can.

Trying and doing the Jennings shambles of playing and missing with funky shots 3 times an over or just trickling it to the edge of the square is not good enough.

 

[Bijed]

Pretty pleased with today overall.

Wrt to the discussion about Wood, I personally think there's every possibility he'll end up with a good career as a test bowler. He was without a doubt poor today, though.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

What's the word on Woakes? What's wrong with him and when's he back?

Side strain. He's bowling in the nets. Probably 3rd test as the first two are back to back.

 

[grecian]

Yes, I think Wood has got what it takes - he's been a disappointment here but he shouldn't be pilloried for that - fitness permitting he'll be leading our attack when Jimmy calls it a day

Well with all due respect that ain't going to happen, a leader of the attack is going to play most matches, they doubt he can play back-to-back Tests. Look I also see the talent, but just want him to remain fit for a longish while, because otherwise I think we should look at other options.

 

[fredfertang]

Well with all due respect that ain't going to happen, a leader of the attack is going to play most matches, they doubt he can play back-to-back Tests. Look I also see the talent, but just want him to remain fit for a longish while, because otherwise I think we should look at other options.

I accept that he's not going to be a Hoggard/Trueman type who just goes on and on but equally I'm not going to write him off yet as an English Sean Tait/Shane Bond

 

[weldone]

There may be rain in the later part of day 5.

 

[Furball]

Toby Roland-Jones sounds far too Southern to be a good bowler.

 

[S.Kennedy]

Realistically you are looking at Woakes, Stokes, Wood and maybe an Overton or a Curran when Broad and Anderson snake off.

 

[grecian]

Realistically you are looking at Woakes, Stokes, Wood and maybe an Overton or a Curran when Broad and Anderson snake off.

Pointless to speculate really, both are still going strong, and it maybe someone we've hardly heard of yet, like Tongue, Coad or Helm.

Oh and Archer of course, always Archer.

 

[91Jmay]

Olly Stone is back fit finally, is a great prospect