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

[Top_Cat]

Wood absolutely must tour Australia too. Is the only bowler in England who could make the Aussie hop at home.

 

[Howe_zat]

For Australia - you can see the selectors looking for a real strike option with pace outside those 4. Whether it is Woods is another story.

That is the only reason Wood has played as many tests as he has, I think.

'You were the chosen one! You were supposed to bring balance to the attack!'

 

[91Jmay]

I can see them going for Overton and Wood in what will be a shambles of a tour. Could make the last one look good in comparison.

 

[Adders]

Well I'll just have to agree to disagree with you all. Highest successful run chase at Oval 263/9 (Ashes 1902); England's lead here 492. Madness in my opinion.

FMD how can you not realise that stat means nothing to this situation? Dead set clueless.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Wood absolutely must tour Australia too. Is the only bowler in England who could make the Aussie hop at home.

Not if he can't bowl at full pace any more. Guess he will get a chance later in the summer but the injuries look to have caught up with him at present.

 

[Howe_zat]

Wood absolutely must tour Australia too. Is the only bowler in England who could make the Aussie hop at home.

When we won in Australia, Anderson had the most wickets and Bresnan had the best average. More than one way to skin an Australian.

 

[Top_Cat]

Ja but Smith, Warner and Lyon are the only original members from that tour. I like Wood vs Smith at somewhere like The 'Gabba too.

 

[Top_Cat]

Not if he can't bowl at full pace any more. Guess he will get a chance later in the summer but the injuries look to have caught up with him at present.

Point. I didn't click that he's crocked.

 

[Prince EWS]

When we won in Australia, Anderson had the most wickets and Bresnan had the best average. More than one way to skin an Australian.

>inb4 "east coast wet summer"

 

[91Jmay]

>inb4 "east coast wet summer"

Maybe if Australia sorted out it's **** climate that wouldn't be an issue

 

[StephenZA]

The difference for the SA batting lineup if SA could find a decent opening partner for Elgar will be huge.

Edit: Now that Duminy is gone.

 

[91Jmay]

Pitch looks pretty docile now, SA will be kicking themselves for yesterday's clatter of wickets. Perhaps some pace from Stokes after lunch.

 

[King Pietersen]

Oh Moeen. What a man.

 

[MW1304]

Poor Elgar. Hope he carries his bat.

 

[91Jmay]

Moeen!

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Good time to get a wicket. New ball available around drinks if we haven't got the job done already. Perfect morning really getting 3 wickets and Elgar getting his ton.

 

[ImpatientLime]

Beardddddddddddd

 

[StephenZA]

Frustrating...

 

[marc71178]

Well I'll just have to agree to disagree with you all. Highest successful run chase at Oval 263/9 (Ashes 1902); England's lead here 492. Madness in my opinion.

To be fair to Root, he probably forgot that Wood wasn't playing which is why he felt he needed the extra 100 runs insurance.

 

[S.Kennedy]

You left out SA 182/6 with 78 overs remaining in your little equation.

That was subsequent to the declaration and thus is irrelevant and pertaining to hindsight. The wicket has obviously flattened a great deal and SA have batted well; even if it is a worst case scenario, the wicket suddenly becoming a road, an England bowler breaking down, and the others bowling rubbish, it is still difficult to see them requiring anywhere near the 492 runs (overs withstanding)!