July

[Richard]

I reckon G. Smith will score a few runs. Not just a flat track bully. South Africa could do well. I hope the tests v SL are closely fought. Wil Muri play? probably, but I reckon the 'controversy' (what controversy, where?) will rumble on.

Nah, I was talking about Harmison.
I'll be totally devestated if Graeme fails in Sri Lanka. Can't see it in a million years.
A repeat of the last 2 Tests of South Africa's last Sri Lanka tour would be nice... that they won one and had a chance in the other going into the final session has to be one of the most phenominal efforts in the history of cricket given the background (massive First Test loss after the catastrophic revelations a few months before).
That series really was exciting.
Anyway, I meant if Harmison's success continues against West Indies. If he were to average 40 in that series it would most certainly be interesting... the commentators would just blame it on overkill and would still give him a massive build-up going into the South Africa series, it doesn't really have that much of an impact.

 

[Langeveldt]

Nah, I was talking about Harmison.
I'll be totally devestated if Graeme fails in Sri Lanka.

Do we have our third resident SA fan? Coming out of the closet???!

 

[Richard]

I'd be amazed if Anderson didn't tour SA. Who would you pick instead of him?

I'd be pretty surprised if he didn't tour (barring injury) but if Jones has a good West Indies series or Jones has a shocking First and Second Test, gets dropped and Anderson does even worse, you never know. Anderson hasn't succeeded in Test-cricket for a very long time, nearly a whole year now.

 

[marc71178]

Has he played though?!

 

[Richard]

Do we have our third resident SA fan? Coming out of the closet???!

I'm far more of a Graeme Smith fan than a South African fan, but certainly South Africa are my second favourite international team, by some distance.
Don't have a clue why, though.

 

[Richard]

Has he played though?!

My point is it's not as if he was putting non-stop pressure on the in-place players with outstanding Test performances whenever he played, nor by being outstanding in ODIs.

 

[wpdavid]

My point is it's not as if he was putting non-stop pressure on the in-place players with outstanding Test performances whenever he played, nor by being outstanding in ODIs.

No, but as Marc says, he's only played that one test in SL since SA last summer, so he's not really been in a position to. I think the point about the Fletcher & co is there's far more emphasis on continuity nowadays, so Anderson really would have to be dire against WI not to tour. And quite right too, IMHO.

 

[Richard Jenkins]

If Graeme Smith grabs the opportunities, I think we could see a truley great cricketer emerge from his good self. Certainly his early performanced bode well for the SA team, who if they beat Sri Lanka, go second in the rankings.

 

[tooextracool]

I'd be amazed if Anderson didn't tour SA. Who would you pick instead of him?

i dont watch domestic cricket so i wouldnt know

 

[tooextracool]

No, but as Marc says, he's only played that one test in SL since SA last summer, so he's not really been in a position to. I think the point about the Fletcher & co is there's far more emphasis on continuity nowadays, so Anderson really would have to be dire against WI not to tour. And quite right too, IMHO.

well he has bowled rubbish all his test career really, except that little series against zimbabwe.