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

[Gob]

Not many players have played over a hundred tests and average more than 50. I think his record is fine, just had a poor series by his high standards.

an Average of 51 with 21 100's is pretty good. You expect him to be averaging 60?

I said given his ability. He is, and i've said this several times here, close to the most talented batsman i've seen and considering that he is at the peak of his powers i'd expect him to average in the mid 50s with few more hundreds

 

[jimbags]

I cant believe people are critiscising de villiers, why are people so quick to judge ,also ofcourse de villiers has faults, everyone has faults, it's what makes us human even the don had his faults

He was happy enough criticising Anderson after a couple of poor tests

 

[Gob]

He was happy enough criticising Anderson after a couple of poor tests

Man Anderson got him out as well right? Revenge is a dish best served cold etc

 

[testcricketer]

He wasnt really critiscising anderson, the press as they so often do made a story where there was none

 

[Spark]

an Average of 51 with 21 100's is pretty good. You expect him to be averaging 60?

I definitely reckon he should have more than 21 hundreds after 100 Tests. Compare that figure to his major contemporaries, for example (e.g. the bloke on 73* right now)

 

[wpdavid]

He wasnt really critiscising anderson, the press as they so often do made a story where there was none

Oh please. Unless he was suggesting that Broad and Stokes were down on their pace.

It's not that his comment was inaccurate. It's just better left unsaid when you're in front of a microphone unless you want to end up looking silly.

 

[91Jmay]

So what is the SA target here? 425 and 110 overs to bowl at England?

They can put their foot down from now, especially as it will be Stokes/Ali/Woakes doing lion's share of the bowling.

 

[wpdavid]

So what is the SA target here? 425 and 110 overs to bowl at England?

They can put their foot down from now, especially as it will be Stokes/Ali/Woakes doing lion's share of the bowling.

Probably around that sort of figure. Let's hope for their sake there isn't too much rain about.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Probably around that sort of figure. Let's hope for their sake there isn't too much rain about.

If there is (and there is some forecast) if they don't start getting a move on they will only have themselves to blame.

 

[Stefan9]

I definitely reckon he should have more than 21 hundreds after 100 Tests. Compare that figure to his major contemporaries, for example (e.g. the bloke on 73* right now)

Well that is more down to him getting out in the 90's a lot. he has gotten out in the 90's 8 times compared to amla only getting out in the 90's once.

 

[Stapel]

The pitch is still good, I think. A draw getting more likely?

 

[vcs]

SA will have their work cut out taking 10 wickets with a bowler short. Unless pitch really starts misbehaving tomorrow, but no signs of that so far.

 

[91Jmay]

Boucher said on TMS that Abbott will bowl. Even in a reduced capacity having him able to rotate and spell Morkel/Rabada would be huge.

 

[Stefan9]

I think abbot will bowl. How well how much is still to be seen.

 

[wpdavid]

England haven't shown much inclination to get after Piedt or even Elgar, so I can see them bowling long controlling spells if need be and Morkel & Rabada contributing short bursts. Anything from Abbott will be a bonus.

Cue Abbott taking a hatful, of course.

 

[Compton]

How many overs are left in the day?

 

[Stapel]

How many overs are left in the day?

40.

 

[91Jmay]

2 for the change and will likely lose some for light. Would be looking to declare in 20 overs time.

 

[Captain_Cook]

England should back themselves to block out for the draw. The way Amla and Bavuma have batted makes this track less threatening than it appears. SA really need to declare after Amla's century to give themselves enough time as England won't attempt to chase this target unless they want the day off tomorrow.

 

[91Jmay]

Hales should go for it and rest block. Hales won't survive blocking and him scoring quickly could put pressure onto SAs and get some catchers away from the bat.