*Official* England in South Africa

[Langeveldt]

Atmosphere looks awesome in PE. Shame South Africa usually lose there.

Can hear it from here, and I'm on the other side of the valley

 

[superkingdave]

God here's Luke Wright to relieve the pressure

 

[King Pietersen]

Get rid of Jimmy Anderson? Don't think so, think he's been excellent in ODi's this year, and when your other options consist of Mahmood, Onions, Plunkett and Sidebottom, I think any calls of dropping him are incredibly harsh. Bresnan's bowled well today as well, really economical, has actually impressed me of late, not as bad a selection as I first thought.

Awesome catch from Strauss. 100 ODi wickets for Colly. Going to take a real English batting performance for us to lose this one from here.

 

[TT Boy]

When is the last time England won a ODI by 10 wickets?

 

[Briony]

SA no longer seems to be a force in ODIs with lots of really ordinary performances of late and the odd good one.

 

[Langeveldt]

Luke Wright.. England just do their best not to be really good sometimes..

 

[Briony]

BTW, cloud, grassy surface and early start, was it the wise decision to bat first?

 

[Briony]

At least they got their hundred but only one more wicket to fall.

 

[King Pietersen]

Luke Wright in doing something good shocker. Awesome catch. All over for 119. Jimmeh to score the winning runs in the 48th over.

 

[Arjun]

What's your opinion on Collingwood's all-round role in the series? He seems to revel in this role, as his main skill is unaffected. His bowling has its limitations, but he seems to make quite an impact here.

Luke Wright.. England just do their best not to be really good sometimes..

They're lucky to have him; he'd walk into some other teams more easily.

 

[King Pietersen]

Arjun, I'm going to presume that's sarcasm right?

Bit of nip and swing from Parnell. Not really seen him move the ball in the air too much in the past, so it's interesting to see him moving it around abit. The delivery that hit Trott on the pads was a really nice delivery.

 

[Scaly piscine]

What's your opinion on Collingwood's all-round role in the series? He seems to revel in this role, as his main skill is unaffected. His bowling has its limitations, but he seems to make quite an impact here.

Must be nice for him to actually be appreciated for a change. Is interesting how he used to bowl off-spin, then moved into bowling medium pace and now bowls stuff somewhere in between.

 

[Uppercut]

It's odd how England are capable of occasionally pulling a stunning bowling performance out of the bag and taking down a match. Seems to be happening more frequently lately too.

 

[TT Boy]

Arjun, I'm going to presume that's sarcasm right?

Bit of nip and swing from Parnell. Not really seen him move the ball in the air too much in the past, so it's interesting to see him moving it around abit. The delivery that hit Trott on the pads was a really nice delivery.

No, he likes "big six" players. I recall him thinking Justin Kemp was a vital cog in the South African team for a similar reason.

 

[Jarquis]

Cricinfo seem to think we got away with one there.

 

[TT Boy]

Been a productive limited overs series for both sides. South Africa now knows their two spinners can't be relied on, Ryan McLaren isn't the answer, Charl Langeveldt is coming on 35 and looks it and Jacques Kallis is irreplaceable. As for England, batting now looks solid and Bresnan whilst not being a world beater has done relatively well and should be ahead of Wright, Plunkett for the test side.

Going to be a fascinating test series as both sides have been very hot and very cold at times, though South Africa’s bowling has not clicked at all and Morne Morkel will have to start the first test as he is the only South African seamer who troubles left handers.

 

[Uppercut]

Been a productive limited overs series for both sides. South Africa now knows their two spinners can't be relied on, Ryan McLaren isn't the answer, Charl Langeveldt is coming on 35 and looks it and Jacques Kallis is irreplaceable. As for England, batting now looks solid and Bresnan whilst not being a world beater has done relatively well and should be ahead of Wright, Plunkett for the test side.

Going to be a fascinating test series as both sides have been very hot and very cold at times, though South Africa’s bowling has not clicked at all and Morne Morkel will have to start the first test as he is the only South African seamer who troubles left handers.

Ntini absolutely tortured Strauss in England last year with the ball that leaves him from around the wicket.

 

[Howsie]

How'd Bresnan look today, did he look at all threatening?

 

[Arjun]

I'm going to presume that's sarcasm right?
/QUOTE]
He's no Kallis, but just right for this team. Fair, if Collingwood can settle as the reserve all-rounder, he wouldn't be needed, but he adds a lot to this team. While I did stretch it with how many teams he can make, he's a lot better than India's current crop of all-rounders, and can match his Lankan counterparts. After all, on the back of a strong top six, he's just the bloke you need for a final overs charge, and also to keep it tight in the middle-overs, and save lots of runs on the field. He's not a terrible player, no way.

 

[Arjun]

Must be nice for him to actually be appreciated for a change. Is interesting how he used to bowl off-spin, then moved into bowling medium pace and now bowls stuff somewhere in between.

He's done well, but do you see him as a regular fifth bowler option? After all, he's also a vital middle-order batsman for them, and they need his runs a lot more than the few wickets. So far, he seems to have settled nicely.