1st Match - England v South Africa at The Oval

[StephenZA]

Good total from England but feels like SA momentum. We shall see.

 

[stephen]

SA will have to work for it but they'd be happy with the total. England probably feel about 20 runs short.

 

[Cabinet96]

Strange innings really. Never had a period where we were able to properly accelerate.

 

[Daemon]

Stranhe to think that good club batsmen would probably smash these slower balls to bits (obv SA would just bowl quick to them but still)

Another strange thing is that 312 seems like England have been restricted. That’s how stupidly good this English side have been playing.

 

[91Jmay]

Poor total, losing YJB early had a pretty big impact even though we recovered well. He usually gets off to an absolute flyer.

Saffers game to lose this.

 

[cnerd123]

Not really been through lack of trying. Been a lot of mistimes, shots not finding gaps, and good fielding.

Yea it's lack of execution more than intent, but it's really hard to separate the two. If they're hesitating then they're not going to connect as cleanly. From what I've seen it feels like they've just held themselves back a bit.

SA could easily get 312 here if they bat sensibly.

 

[morgieb]

Excellent performance from South Africa. Bowled and fielded very well.

310 probably around par for most sides, but it doesn't really feel a par score for this England side. Still it's not exactly tiny.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Most good teams in this WC would consider themselves favs chasing 312 tbh.

 

[SeamUp]

Should be a good 2nd innings battle.

 

[Daemon]

Haha 312 is the 4th highest run chase in a WC if they make it.

Like I said earlier the cakey batsmen are going to be super important this WC. WC pressure is a different beast.

 

[Jarquis]

Bookies say 60/40 ENG

 

[SeamUp]

Ngidi has recovered really well... nice to see from the youngster.

Tipped him for leading WC wicket-taker....

 

[PikeyB]

Pretty impressed with South Africa , negated the English batsmens' proclivity for quick runs. England did try to push on but never got into that groove . Good fielding , nice captaincy , a good run out for them .

Now England are in the position of having to bowl em out or hold them down .Neither option suits them . There are plenty of bonus runs available with this England attack . Archer is obvs the wild card but aside from that ....
Ali hasn't been bowling well
Rashid is a wicket taker but can be a bit of a luxury option .
For some reason , the England bowling attack often seems weaker than the sum of its parts ?

 

[MrPrez]

A lot of Gambhiring going on in this thread. Yes England are used to better but 312 is a really good total to defend - particularly against a somewhat fragile batting line-up.

 

[SeamUp]

A lot of Gambhiring going on in this thread. Yes England are used to better but 312 is a really good total to defend - particularly against a somewhat fragile batting line-up.

This. We've been watching this SA batting line-up last couple of years. We have to see it happen to believe it can be done.

The consolation for me is this wicket is very South African and we've gone for a reliable top 5 (instead of top 4) who can score at a good enough click on a wicket like this.

 

[weldone]

For those watching, how is the pitch? If the pitch even has a tiny bit in it for the bowlers, it maybe a good match. If a road, SA should chase 312.

 

[Burgey]

Clubber Lang called. He wants Archer’s necklace back.

 

[stephen]

For those watching, how is the pitch? If the pitch even has a tiny bit in it for the bowlers, it maybe a good match. If a road, SA should chase 312.

It's a road. The ball may not be coming on like it does at the WACA but it's true and there's not much movement. SA bowled a lot of slower balls so perhaps there's a bit of grip in the surface.

On another topic, de Kock always looks like a villain with that beard.

 

[Daemon]

For those watching, how is the pitch? If the pitch even has a tiny bit in it for the bowlers, it maybe a good match. If a road, SA should chase 312.

Hard to tell if it was just very slightly on the slow side or that England just weren't able to adapt to the slow balls. Otherwise looks like a road.

 

[Howe_zat]

Bookies say 60/40 ENG

Definitely agree with that.