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

[OverratedSanity]

Maybe it's time to forget a bit about yesterday's spectacular onslaught, and get things into perspective. We are 40% into this test, and we've seen just 6 proper wickets (+ 2 run outs). Two guys with each having 1000 test runs @28 managed to add 400 in a record tempo. Now we see two guys sharing 15000 test runs @50 wearing out the bowlers. Do we really expect De Kock, Du Plessis & Bavuma to fall like ripe apples, once a breakthrough is there?

Maybe this match has draw written all over it?

Nah, there's so much time and they still trail by almost 450 ffs. The pace of Stokes' innings means the England win is still way more likely than a draw.

 

[91Jmay]

Yeah Stokes should be averaging 40 with the bat given his talent, his bowling will never be anything more than 4th seamer imo but he has potential to take wickets in bunches if ball is swinging.

Moeen doing a really, really good job here. 17 overs at 2.52 RPO is really nice on this surface so we can rest/rotate the seamers.

 

[Pratters]

They have to get 18 South African wickets. That's going to be tough here. The pitch has flattened out. Even Moeen isn't getting much purchase or turn off the pitch.

 

[OverratedSanity]

They have to get 18 South African wickets. That's going to be tough here.

SA need to get 450 more runs just to make England bat again and need to bat another 2 and a half days in full if they want to save this. That is far tougher than England's task of taking 18 wickets.

 

[91Jmay]

Really good session for the Saffers. We have done ok, keep the run rate down and created the one chance. New ball needs to strike though, thankfully we have got there with a massive lead still so couple of quick wickets and we can get right back on top.

 

[Scaly piscine]

The main thing for me about Stokes' innings was to score that quickly and not provide chances, that's the thing that elevates it. To not hole out at long off or whatever while playing like that is incredible.

 

[Stapel]

Nah Stokes innings was still ATG, you should struggle to strike the ball that well against a county attack let alone a Test match one. But yeah it is clearly a road, just have to hope scoreboard pressure tells (if we'd have taken our chances also looks a totally different game).

Nah, there's so much time and they still trail by almost 450 ffs. The pace of Stokes' innings means the England win is still way more likely than a draw.

Sure, Stokes innings was ATG. I didn't mean to imply it wasn't. And yeah, a big lead does help. a lot.

My question is simply if this pitch is suited for any test attack to take 20 wickets. It might very well not be!

 

[Garson007]

We will want to bat until tea tomorrow, so all good for now.

 

[Pratters]

SA need to get 450 more runs just to make England bat again and need to bat another 2 and a half days in full if they want to save this. That is far tougher than England's task of taking 18 wickets.

250 not 450. Doesn't matter which task is tougher. If they can't get 18 wickets it's a draw. Eight sessions remain. The main thing is to avoid the follow on.

 

[vcs]

Stokes's talent was obvious from that knock in his debut series at Perth when Johnson, Harris and co. were steaming in on a pitch with massive cracks on it. Should turn out to be a great player.

Looks like England have the makings of a dominant Test side here. Amazing how quickly they rebounded from the 2013-14 debacle, and losing Pietersen, Trott, Swann, Prior over such a short period of time.

 

[Stapel]

Heh, Apparently I've picked you as my favourite disagreement partner .

Really good session for the Saffers. We have done ok, keep the run rate down and created the one chance. New ball needs to strike though, thankfully we have got there with a massive lead still so couple of quick wickets and we can get right back on top.

That is just not going to happen. Sure enough, cricket can be a funny game. Stranger things gave happened. But no. I can't see it happen.

 

[Pratters]

With Morris also there, they bat deep till eight. The tail would wag a bit too on such a wicket.

 

[vcs]

Well played Amla! Class act and a good man.

 

[Compton]

Great knock, Hash. Team needs him to get at least another 50.

 

[91Jmay]

Heh, Apparently I've picked you as my favourite disagreement partner .



That is just not going to happen. Sure enough, cricket can be a funny game. Stranger things gave happened. But no. I can't see it happen.

With this Saffer line up you discounting a couple of quick wickets is really strange.

Top knock from Amla, class is permanent. Good decision to attack Moeen before new ball arrives.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Really good session for the Saffers. We have done ok, keep the run rate down and created the one chance. New ball needs to strike though, thankfully we have got there with a massive lead still so couple of quick wickets and we can get right back on top.

Yeah new ball in half an hour or so is huge for both sides. We get wickets and we will fancy bowling them out today and setting up a charge for victory on day 5. They survive in tact and they will feel more confident about saving the game.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Batted Amla, glad he only found form once we were 1-0 up.

 

[MW1304]

Always mixed feelings seeing the great bearded one get runs against us, not one of his most fluent but great to watch nonetheless.

 

[91Jmay]

Ab has 41 off his last 135 balls. Seems like he is absolutely determined to make a huge score after that drop.

 

[vcs]

300s from both AB and Amla will do nicely.