*Official* England in South Africa Thread

[wpdavid]

Not quite true, there are 5 international players in the Nicky XI, the odd guy with a decent amount of domestic cricket and some youngsters.

Apart from Heath streak and, to a much lesser extent, Charl Willoughby, the bowling records are pretty dire though. Anyway, I'm not complaining at this stage.

 

[Langeveldt]

Because most of them are no-hopers who would struggle to get a game for Derbyshire?

Erm... Ohkay..

 

[tooextracool]

Because most of them are no-hopers who would struggle to get a game for Derbyshire?

err neil johnson, would make it into the current england ODI side, likewise heath streak. and from what ive heard tsotebe and jp duminy are both quality players.

 

[marc71178]

Well, I'm amazed, even though a lot of you got it dead right regarding Gibbs.

I heard something about him being injured?

 

[marc71178]

Why is Robert Key beating the Nicky XI around Randjesfontein??

I'd say how more than why?!

 

[wpdavid]

I heard something about him (Gibbs) being injured?

You heard right, which I didn't know when I wrote my last post about him. Apparently he'll miss the first 3 tests.

 

[wpdavid]

err neil johnson, would make it into the current england ODI side, likewise heath streak. and from what ive heard tsotebe and jp duminy are both quality players.

That's why I said "most".

 

[tooextracool]

That's why I said "most".

add ashwell prince and charles willoughby and you have 6 out of 11 who arent as bad as you make them out to be. perhaps the word you were looking for was "some"?

 

[wpdavid]

add ashwell prince and charles willoughby and you have 6 out of 11 who arent as bad as you make them out to be. perhaps the word you were looking for was "some"?

Maybe. Maybe I was just exaggerating. I do think Willoughby is thoroughly dire, but I'll concede he'd probably get a game for Derbyshire. Bear in mind we were discussing a bowling "attack" that was making Rob Key look like Viv Richards at the time.

 

[tooextracool]

Maybe. Maybe I was just exaggerating. I do think Willoughby is thoroughly dire, but I'll concede he'd probably get a game for Derbyshire. Bear in mind we were discussing a bowling "attack" that was making Rob Key look like Viv Richards at the time.

well this argument is rather pedantic, but there are 3 bowlers on that list that would - willoughby, streak and tsotebe. so i would say thats certainly not "most".

 

[wpdavid]

well this argument is rather pedantic ...

Indeed. Let's assume we both have better things to do with our time.

 

[Richard]

Maybe. Maybe I was just exaggerating. I do think Willoughby is thoroughly dire, but I'll concede he'd probably get a game for Derbyshire. Bear in mind we were discussing a bowling "attack" that was making Rob Key look like Viv Richards at the time.

Have you seen Willoughby bowl?
The appalling way he's bowled in his Tests is not remotely reminiscent of how he bowls in domestic games.
At the excuse for a First-Class ground (ie Taunton), while Pretorius was (sadly as so often) getting crashed all over the place, Willoughby had the batsmen in all sorts of knots and got 7 overs for 12. Believe me, I watched it.
I find it totally baffling that he seems incapable of swinging the ball at international level.
And I also think if he played a few more ODIs his record would improve considerably. He is very, very accurate in the main.
If he could ally swing to that accuracy (as he does in domestic games) he'd be a real handful.

 

[Richard]

Though i have a feeling Thorpe won't be around for ever unfortunately

Sadly no-one will be around forever.
Perhaps you meant you have a feeling Thorpe won't be around for much longer?

 

[Richard]

He's now on 22* off 59 balls and the RRR is 6 an over.

*Says to self* It's just match practice...

No, it's not - it's a charity tour-opener.
It does not mean a thing - but I do agree with wpdavid that the outcomes are eminently preferable to the only comparable game of recent years - Chairman's XII at Lilac Hill.

 

[Richard]

140 posts already... this better be a good series!

Past precedent has suggested it will be.

 

[Richard]

Is this Tsolekile any good? Seems like SA are making a big mistake going into this first test without Boucher, wickies are fairly important last time i checked.

Personally from what I've seen of AB De Villiers I'd prefer him keeping wicket to Boucher, but I'd certainly prefer Boucher to Tselokile, he looks totally rubbish to me.

ive seen bits of him, he looks alright. hes got some good knocks in FC as well.

No, he's got 1 or 2 - and you don't get to be "all right" by having a good knock or two, you get to be "all right" by averaging 30 at least.
I highly doubt Tselokile will average 30 in First-Class cricket, and if he ever does in Tests for more than an innings or two, yes - I'll eat my computer, and I think most would agree that would be a fairly safe bet.

 

[Richard]

Richard, I'm very impressed with your knowledge of SA cricket.. If you are a closet supporter, you can come out

I don't think Richard's support for SA has ever been in the closet.
The words "fifth" & "column" spring immediately to mind.

Err, eh?
Oh, and no, I'm not a South African supporter, or a South African national - but I have always liked South Africa second to England, and if they win this series I'll be least unhappy of any time England lose a series.

 

[marc71178]

No, it's not - it's a charity tour-opener.

No, it was a warm up game.

It was a chance for 8 players who haven't played in about 3 months to get some match practice.

 

[marc71178]

I highly doubt Tselokile will average 30 in First-Class cricket, and if he ever does in Tests for more than an innings or two, yes - I'll eat my computer, and I think most would agree that would be a fairly safe bet.

What, that you'll promise to do something then not do it?

 

[Richard]

Except I've never actually said "I promise I'll eat my computer", now, have I?