*Official* England in South Africa 2019/20

[Spark]

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....

If you have an all-rounder of the quality of Stokes, you use him as an all-rounder.

 

[OverratedSanity]

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....

England actually have six batsmen. The problem is several simply aren't that good. Bairstow especially has been given so many chances it's kind of ridiculous, it's not likes he's some all time great who you know can bounce back.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Hopefully Root can bat and he just infects the entire South African team with the lurgy so they are shafted next week.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Has he bowled as well as the potential 5-fer suggests?

He’s bowled as well as a fast bowler going at 6 an over in decent bowling conditions.

 

[Flem274*]

the main allrounder for nz and eng isn't an issue. if anything bith sides are sacrificing bowling for extra batting recently. both sides have picked or tried to pick their best bats. they can't just magic up 6 50+ batsmen.

i like what i hear about sa trying to smoke the mercenary. has the heartbeat of a dead fish.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

He’s bowled as well as a fast bowler going at 6 an over in decent bowling conditions.

A Steven Finn 5fer.

 

[StephenZA]

Good fight by the SA lower order... we going to need that going forward.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

160 maximum here.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

That was a howler from an umpire at this level.

 

[StephenZA]

DRS has done good work in this match.

 

[trundler]

Burns looks decent here. As decent as is possible with that style.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Trying to win it tonight I see.

 

[Jarquis]

Most interesting thing for me is whether Sibley can inch his average closer to his SR.

Career is currently 45 off 179 @ 11.25 (25.13)

 

[NUFAN]

Sibley looks like he has just resurfaced after being trapped underground for some time. A real dear in the headlights look about him.

I cant stand either openers technique. Not quite as bad as Kepler Wessels but up there on my worst opener style list.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Nice to see they are giving us a chance by dropping easy chances.

 

[Uppercut]

There’s nothing in this pitch now, assuming it doesn’t turn. A better/healthier lineup would fancy their chances.

 

[Tom Flint]

It's still seaming and a quick pitch. Should still be a bowlers wicket

 

[flibbertyjibber]

It's still seaming and a quick pitch. Should still be a bowlers wicket

This, add in the fact we have a rubbish batting line up full of sicknotes then we will be lucky to get over 250.

 

[NUFAN]

Not my cup of tea style-wise but a terrific start by the openers. Get the target to under 300 with 10 left in the shed and its game on.

 

[Rasimione]

I really hope Nortje doesn't go the Chris Morris route. There's something there to work with.