*Official* England in South Africa 2019/20

[Daemon]

I mean, I think he's been fine in this innings. A bit short though. But SA have almost tried to hit him out of the attack like an offie.

Interesting tactic. Maybe it’s forced him to go short because putting it on a length and collecting wickets seems to be what has worked so far in the match (and most of test history), not sure why anyone would try differently.

 

[Daemon]

Interesting tactic. Maybe it’s forced him to go short because putting it on a length and collecting wickets seems to be what has worked so far in the match (and most of test history), not sure why anyone would try differently.

Unless..he’s been influenced by Wagner

 

[SeamUp]

https://twitter.com/JofraArcher/status/444515062716174336

 

[slippy888]

Run rate and time not going to be a issue have the England batsman got enough patience to grind down the South African bowlers though

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Run rate and time not going to be a issue have the England batsman got enough patience to grind down the South African bowlers though

Have they got enough energy given the bug?

May as well walk off and forfeit the game and spend next few days in bed recovering.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

England will lose by 200 runs, blame it on illness and "take the positives". Next...……………..

 

[Slifer]

A bit off topic here but why have England and NZ seemingly shot themselves in the foot by essentially going into challenging away tests a batsman short. As good as Stokes and Grandhomme are they are decent batsmen at best imo. And it's not just these two teams. What's this new obsession with 5 bowlers? If 4 cant do it, I highly doubt one more will make a difference. Pick your 4 best and back them. Dont sacrifice batting depth especially in tougher conditions....

 

[flibbertyjibber]

England will lose by 200 runs, blame it on illness and "take the positives". Next...……………..

Yep they will, the fact they recalled Bairstow after dropping him when he hasn't even had a chance to sort out the technical issue that caused him to be dropped in the first place means they get everything they deserve which is a humiliating defeat.

 

[slippy888]

Only way England win this is if they show a old style of test cricket and score around 2.5 runs an over and make the bowlers come to them in search of wickets with the frustration.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

A bit off topic here but why have England and NZ seemingly shot themselves in the foot by essentially going into challenging away tests a batsman short. As good as Stokes and Grandhomme are they are decent batsmen at best imo. And it's not just these two teams. What's this new obsession with 5 bowlers? If 4 cant do it, I highly doubt one more will make a difference. Pick your 4 best and back them. Dont sacrifice batting depth especially in tougher conditions....

Stokes is one of our best bats so you are talking out of your arse.

 

[Slifer]

Stokes is one of our best bats so you are talking out of your arse.

He might be one of your best batsmen but that's a poor reflection if one of your best only averages 35. And coming in at what 5 vs RSA away is shooting yourself in the foot. You don't like my opinion you're welcome to ignore it...

 

[slippy888]

Stokes should be in top 4 in batting order

 

[D/L]

It looks like yet another defeat for us. Very impressed with South Africa's bowling. First time I've seen Nortje and he looks quite handy. Philander just carries on being a class act.

Stokes is another one of our batsmen who cannot adapt his game from one day mode. Congratulations to him on his gong from the Queen in the New Year's Honours list but Clive Lloyd deserves his (better one) far more.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

He might be one of your best batsmen but that's a poor reflection if one of your best only averages 35. And coming in at what 5 vs RSA away is shooting yourself in the foot. You don't like my opinion you're welcome to ignore it...

You clearly haven't watched any cricket this year if you think Stokes shouldn't be batting at 5.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Stokes is better than his average and currently, he'd make most top 5s in the world.

 

[Spark]

I mean ideally Stokes would bat 6 but that's purely for workload reason, he's certainly not getting nosebleeds at 5.

 

[StephenZA]

Stokes is the only eng batsmen avg over 50 in the last 18 months.

 

[Slifer]

My main issue truth be told isn't necessarily Stokes but the balance of the team. Essentially 5 bowlers and 5 batsmen plus a keeper. And again it's not just England. Several other teams have been on this 5 bowlers theme which imo makes no sense. Anyway we can all agree to disagree....

 

[SeamUp]

Every run is like gold dust here. The more we can get , the more it may help us to stay attacking with Maharaj when England are on top for a bit when the ball gets soft. It's still so early for the cracks to play a more prominent role at the moment. It's more excessive bounce than lack of bounce to get bowleds and LBW's

 

[StephenZA]

Need to bat until there is nothing left in Eng bowling legs. Still a series to play.