*Official* South African tour of England and Ireland 2022

[slippy888]

Ollie pope is still playing baz ball even though England are 4 down

 

[Prince EWS]

Bring on Maharaj to Stokes....

More importantly, bring him on to Pope! I actually reckon Pope might have the biggest gap between proficiency vs seam-up and proficiency vs spin in the world, at least for a frontline batsman.

 

[BazBall21]

Proper shots from the Captain

 

[slippy888]

SA don't want to over use Rabada he better bowler with 6 over spells

 

[Bahseph]

It does baffle me that a batsman as talented as Stokes tries to play hoicks as often as he does.

 

[Uppercut]

More importantly, bring him on to Pope! I actually reckon Pope might have the biggest gap between proficiency vs seam-up and proficiency vs spin in the world, at least for a frontline batsman.

Haha I'm just realising the extent of this. He wouldn't last an over against an equivalent standard of spin to what he's handled this morning.

 

[trundler]

More importantly, bring him on to Pope! I actually reckon Pope might have the biggest gap between proficiency vs seam-up and proficiency vs spin in the world, at least for a frontline batsman.

So far England's middle order has fallen exclusively to memes. Root lbw to ball tailing in, Bairstow BOWLED. Stokes will get out bowled/lbw slogging spin at this rate. Pope to spontaneously combust at the sight of Maharaj.

 

[Prince EWS]

Haha I'm just realising the extent of this. He wouldn't last an over against an equivalent standard of spin to what he's handled this morning.

One of the very few occasions where I thought taking someone who primarily batted 4-5 in domestic cricket and trying to make them a Test #3 was a actually a good idea. He still needs to seriously work on his game against spin if he wants to make a serious fist of that, but batting him at #5-6 in tests was going to end in tears far more quickly than sticking him in the top 3 despite his lack of experience there.

 

[BazBall21]

SHOT BEN STOKES

 

[slippy888]

They will continue to play baz ball i know it frustrating to watch

 

[BazBall21]

50

 

[Shady Slim]

More importantly, bring him on to Pope! I actually reckon Pope might have the biggest gap between proficiency vs seam-up and proficiency vs spin in the world, at least for a frontline batsman.

surely he can't be worse than david warner away from home remembering even moeen ali managed to son him

 

[slippy888]

England tail starts when they 6 wickets down lol

 

[BazBall21]

Outstanding session for South Africa.

 

[wpdavid]

Bring on Maharaj to Stokes....

No need. Possibly SA's session.

 

[Heboric]

What a way to end the session

 

[Uppercut]

One of the very few occasions where I thought taking someone who primarily batted 4-5 in domestic cricket and trying to make them a Test #3 was a actually a good idea. He still needs to seriously work on his game against spin if he wants to make a serious fist of that, but batting him at #5-6 in tests was going to end in tears far more quickly than sticking him in the top 3 despite his lack of experience there.

Yeah I thought it was the right decision too, especially given the limited options at 3. But I did think he'd struggle more in such difficult conditions. Not that he's been perfect, but he's required a normal amount of luck to survive while keeping the runs flowing.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

It does baffle me that a batsman as talented as Stokes tries to play hoicks as often as he does.

His best innings are always when he starts slowly. Same as KP used to be too.

 

[trundler]

Nortje.

 

[BazBall21]

Stokes' stats since his return are grim.