*Official* England in South Africa 2019/20

[Spark]

Ended up not being a bad session for SA...

Yeah this game has gone back to being near evenly poised if my admittedly very cursory reading of the pitch says anything. Anything 250+ will at least see SA in the game, and the comms are talking about cracks potentially opening up which means that the longer this game remains in the balance, the more it'll lean towards SA.

 

[StephenZA]

.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/injured-photographer-delays-play-in-proteas-test

He collapsed in severe pain from what was diagnosed as badly-sprained right knee ligaments and needed medical treatment on the spot before he was carried away on a stretcher.

Kotze's his wife Catherine took over his ground level camera, while after treatment he hobbled up to a more comfortable position in the press box.

"I hope I didn't cause Dean Elgar to lose concentration," he said.

"But when I was limping past some English guys they thanked me for the wicket."

****s

 

[trundler]

Lolfra Archer.

Atrocious bowling coupled with another Holding rant on pace. It really is Christmas season.

 

[StephenZA]

Complaining about the kookaburra ball in SA conditions is ridiculous...

 

[Gnske]

I've never seen a bowler more disgusted to pass the outside edge of the bat than Jofra.

 

[Prince EWS]

Complaining about the kookaburra ball in SA conditions is ridiculous...

Yeah I hate it elsewhere but it's an important part of the balance of the game in SA. Scores there have been low enough the past couple of seasons without giving bowlers Dukes.

 

[Gnske]

Pity about the wasted review, less so the follow up.

 

[Spark]

That line gets thicker on the pitch itself...

 

[StephenZA]

Pretorius did a better job than expected. Curran been best bowler by long way.

 

[trundler]

Yeah I hate it elsewhere but it's an important part of the balance of the game in SA. Scores there have been low enough the past couple of seasons without giving bowlers Dukes.

Can't remember many tests going to day 5 recently.

Good nut.

 

[trundler]

Would love me a Vern ton.

 

[SeamUp]

I used to really like him as a cricketer around 2015-16 when I had more hope for his batting and I still have a bit of a soft spot for him due to that, but I actually remain totally unconvinced that he should be batting ahead of Philander in this lineup, and that's not a good thing for someone who wouldn't be in contention as a specialist bowler.

Yup. There isn't any longevity in it for him for test cricket and his batting has degraded performance wise in red-ball cricket in recent years like you say. His batting was the potential to maybe sneak him into the team and play a support role but Wiaan Mulder is just all kinds of levels ahead of him for the role.

 

[trundler]

That would've been a glorious review.

 

[trundler]

Classic 'meter too short and look unlucky' bowling

 

[trundler]

Pretty low energy from England now.

 

[honestbharani]

Can't believe how under rated Curran still is among English fans. I am obviously exaggerating but it honestly could well have been 4-1 to us in England in 2018 if not for him. And while he may have limited skill sets in certain conditions, his attitude and sharp cricketing acumen should ensure he is a bit of a direct pick in almost all conditions.

 

[SeamUp]

Already been 1 or 2 jumping from a length.

Not just the cracks at Centurion but also the divots that can form when the wicket is slightly soft on day 1.

 

[honestbharani]

If they get to 350, England will have an uphill task here I think.

 

[StephenZA]

Already been 1 or 2 jumping from a length.

Not just the cracks at Centurion but also the divots that can form when the wicket is slightly soft on day 1.

The game has gone pretty much as expected. SA need about another 80 runs to feel in a good position. 120 runs and Eng in trouble.

 

[trundler]

If they get to 350, England will have an uphill task here I think.

250 more like.

Hope Philander is firing on all cylinders though. Olivier a big loss.