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

[Rasimione]

Faf the captain is priceless. His feel for the game continues to impress. How is he not the captain in all formats?

 

[Pothas]

Great performance SA, fully deserved. We were pathetic, but no real surprise given the team picked. Frail and weak in same spots as they have been for years.

Wood/Dawson/Ballance should be on borrowed time although given they have been picked i'd probably give Ballance/Wood another Test. Dawson should be gone straight away, Ali is more than fine - pick another batsmen.

Yeah as little as a few days ago I said I was fine with the balance of the team (if not the personnel) but hard to disagree now. Ballance to 5 and some new guy at 3 or opening. Undeniable that our best result have come when Moeen has been down at 8, even if him being there is always going to seem strange.

 

[Heboric]

Seems a lot of beverages will be consumed lol

https://www.pscp.tv/w/1vOxwObMYzWxB

 

[Spark]

Jennings probably should and will get a run but he looks seriously awful.

Yeah there's something about him that just doesn't look quite up to it against quality pace bowling. Imagine taking him to Brisbane with that defence, eek.

 

[Pothas]

Also one of those players that basically has had one great season in his life.

We hear a lot about people doing really well in county cricket and then struggling in international cricket but most of them have actually had fairly modest career records, Ballance is the obvious exception.

 

[Spark]

Also one of those players that basically has had one great season in his life.

We hear a lot about people doing really well in county cricket and then struggling in international cricket but most of them have actually had fairly modest career records, Ballance is the obvious exception.

It kind of reminds me of the sort of selections we were making a few years back. Picking Cowan etc off one good Shield season. Might be fine for a bit, but long term they find their level again.

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

At least my Mrs will be happy as I won't be watching the highlights this evening. From an English point of view there weren't any. Seriously good deliveries to get cook and root btw and respect to SA for a damn fine all round performance.

 

[Daemon]

Maharaj has taken 3 or more wickets in half of his innings and 4 or more wickets in 6/8 tests*

*not counting Hobart here where he bowled 3 and 4 overs respectively


Bit disappointed with his batting though, expected a lot more after I first saw him casually belt Lyon for multiple sixes

 

[srbhkshk]

Team records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

This list makes for grim reading.

To be fair here, most teams suck when faced with 200+ in last innings.

 

[social]

England's batting lineup almost makes Australia look solid

Almost

Jennings and Ballance probably should go as neither look up to it but I also think that there's a case for standing firm and giving them the series

Whatever way they go, Root should bat 3

 

[Scaly piscine]

What an absolute shitshow. It was always around the corner with England though, who have this bizarre logic that you can't change a winning side and show similar rigid thinking towards the balance of a bowling attack (sticking to the same makeup in a tour or series, regardless of the pitch or previous results).

 

[Spark]

To be fair here, most teams suck when faced with 200+ in last innings.

View attachment 23551

Not disputing that, but it's the total lack of fight that stands out here.

 

[BoyBrumby]

England's batting lineup almost makes Australia look solid

Almost

Jennings and Ballance probably should go as neither look up to it but I also think that there's a case for standing firm and giving them the series

Whatever way they go, Root should bat 3

Yeah, I actually don't envy the selectors. Especially given the lack of CC games currently.

I would fudge things slightly and heave Dawson for a proper batsman. Five bowlers plus Root and (at a pinch) Jennings should be plenty.

Trouble is who to bring in? Westley, Stoneman and Denly have all been in the runs this year, but all have (I think and CBA to check) FC averages south of 40.

Jos, maybe? Unquestionably has the talent.

 

[vcs]

To be fair here, most teams suck when faced with 200+ in last innings.

View attachment 23551

India have by far the best record there.

 

[SeamUp]

Ballance going for an x-ray on a digit so could be an enforced change.

A few calls for the experienced County batsmen who haven't been given a chance yet on twitter ie Stoneman, Malan, Westley

 

[social]

Yeah, I actually don't envy the selectors. Especially given the lack of CC games currently.

I would fudge things slightly and heave Dawson for a proper batsman. Five bowlers plus Root and (at a pinch) Jennings should be plenty.

Trouble is who to bring in? Westley, Stoneman and Denly have all been in the runs this year, but all have (I think and CBA to check) FC averages south of 40.

Jos, maybe? Unquestionably has the talent.

I doubt that England can afford another bits and pieces all rounder which is all Buttler would be at this level

IMO it should be

Cook
Specialist
Root
Specialist
Bairstow
Specialist
Stokes - hard to justify batting him higher whilst he averages 33
Bowlers

 

[fredfertang]

Maybe the selectors should pick on temperament as they can't use form, so cheerio to Ballance, Jennings, Wood and Dawson and hello to Hameed, Hales and the brothers Curran

 

[Furball]

Fair play South Africa, that is an absolute paddling.

 

[SeamUp]

For those like a bit of stats :

That was only the 17th test win without a 100 or 4-wicket innings. Team performance.

 

[Pothas]

Maybe the selectors should pick on temperament as they can't use form, so cheerio to Ballance, Jennings, Wood and Dawson and hello to Hameed, Hales and the brothers Curran

Hales? We did that already.