***Official*** England in South Africa 2015/16

[Pratters]

Great crowd for the game. Excellent to see.

 

[Niall]

Mixed feelings about this match, have backed England to win the series for a big bet so happy that will be a winner, but a little annoyed this is another uncompetitive one sided series as I am gagging for a close non t20 match. Looks like I will have to wait for Australia to tour NZ for something where the result is not obvious so early.

 

[WalkingWicket]

I understand that spin will play a big role, but maybe give the seamers a few more overs with the new ball.

 

[Niall]

I understand that spin will play a big role, but maybe give the seamers a few more overs with the new ball.

Normally would agreed, but you seen how did in India against spin and how clueless they were against Ali last week, you can never get spin on to early against this lot.

 

[Pratters]

I understand that spin will play a big role, but maybe give the seamers a few more overs with the new ball.

It's a fair tactic because
a) it's a dry pitch with some thing for the spinners
b) Moeen was getting some nice revs on the ball.

 

[weldone]

Love the chant from those fans of batsman Hashim Amla

Hashim Hashim
Hashim Hashim
Hashim Hashim Hashim!

 

[Stapel]

It's a fair tactic because
a) it's a dry pitch with some thing for the spinners
b) Amla was getting some nice revs on the ball.

Not as nice as Moeen though .

 

[Compton]

I'd have given Stokes a couple of overs first, if he's not too tired that is.

 

[Pratters]

Not as nice as Moeen though .

 

[Tom Flint]

Mixed feelings about this match, have backed England to win the series for a big bet so happy that will be a winner, but a little annoyed this is another uncompetitive one sided series as I am gagging for a close non t20 match. Looks like I will have to wait for Australia to tour NZ for something where the result is not obvious so early.

I wouldn't write s.a off just yet. Even with how well we're playing and assuming we go on to win this test. Elgar looks in great form, if he can build big partnerships with ab later in the series and amla or one of the others manage to bat themselves into a bit of form, with Steyning coming back to lead the attack they can still claw us back. I'm just enjoying the moment for now!

 

[91Jmay]

Amla looks great here against Moeen. Masterclass against spin. Ali has been way to short though.

Stokes worth a trundle.

 

[Niall]

I wouldn't write s.a off just yet. Even with how well we're playing and assuming we go on to win this test. Elgar looks in great form, if he can build big partnerships with ab later in the series and amla or one of the others manage to bat themselves into a bit of form, with Steyning coming back to lead the attack they can still claw us back. I'm just enjoying the moment for now!

Maybe, but right now England just look much better, no guarantee Steyn does not break down when he comes back again sadly. England fans for once can feel very confident about an away series as they at this moment in time are the better side. Maybe if the series had been in six months, the likes of Amla and Faf could have been in better form and the bowlers may have been fit,but heh all England can do is beat what is in front of them.

 

[testcricketer]

Hash is a very good player of spin but is a bitt iffy against the seamers, maybe south africa should push him to the middle order

 

[Niall]

Hash is a very good player of spin but is a bitt iffy against the seamers, maybe south africa should push him to the middle order

Its not a bad point, and with all the hassle of captaincy, batting at number 3 is always very tough especially the older you get. However who bats at three instead? Faf is in horror form, Bavuma is a middle order batsman and still very inexperienced, while Ab likes his number 4 position a lot.

 

[Tom Flint]

Don't get wrong if u put me on the spot I'd back England to win 4-0 from here. But any team that includes ab and Steyn are still capable of winning the next two. That's if Steyn is fit of course

 

[testcricketer]

You could try stiaan van zyle at three, if im not mistaken! that's generally where he has batted his whole career

 

[91Jmay]

These two look really good. This is a belting pitch to bat on.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Amla looking back to his best here, going to be a long haul for the England bowlers.

 

[Niall]

You could try stiaan van zyle at three, if im not mistaken! that's generally where he has batted his whole career

South Africa selectors are not that sensible.

Cook/Elgar/Van Zyl/Amla/Faf/Bavuma/De Kock
Philander/Steyn/Morkel/Piedt

That could work I suppose.

 

[weldone]

How good it will be if the partnership record (in SA) is broken in this innings itself!