**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[Jacknife]

We're an exceptionally well drilled unit. We're like flaming robots. Machines. We practice harder than match conditions and it shows. Our bowling attack always keep us in it. Any half-decent batting side would've ensured we'd creamed Pakistan. We've managed to get this far because of a hard team ethic mixed with flashes of brilliance. Most of the teams we've played have been found wanting in at least one discipline - so this series will be refreshing as it'll be the first side we've faced since, well, SA in 09/10, that have their sheet together.

We're like Robots, really? could say that about Trott & Cook but KP, Bell & Prior no way. It's not as if robots as you say is a bad thing anyway, you need a few of those guys in every team, can't have too many mavericks.

 

[Manee]

I am praying that England aren't 350/4 at close. That would bum me out so much.

 

[Psycho Macaque]

We're like Robots, really? could say that about Trott & Cook but KP, Bell & Prior no way. It's not as if robots as you say is a bad thing anyway, you need a few of those guys in every team, can't have too many mavericks.

It is a good thing. I was citing it as the reason we're number one. The less professional teams haven't been able to cope with us - well, apart from those gents who spin.

 

[jan]

Too much expertise and punditry around atm. Lets find a less grainy online stream tomorrow and let the fun begin!

Almost impartial in this contest...go Dale go

 

[Psycho Macaque]

Even the most perfect of web streams could be rainy.

Oh, you said grainy.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I am praying that England aren't 350/4 at close. That would bum me out so much.

No chance either side will be, rain will intervene too much. Be about 60-70 overs I reckon.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Can't wait this to begin

 

[Furball]

Really!!! Good grief, well in defence of the poor guy he hasnt had the chance to pad his stats in playing in bowler friendly conditions. The bowling equivalent of flat track bullies

Bowling against Sri Lanka at home is the perfect opportunity for a South African paceman to 'pad his stats.'

 

[screamingfields]

Swann is the main spin bowler for England while the Saffers aren't good at spin. England's advantage here is the batting. Bowling of theirs is definitely good. But the Saffers also have... A good batting line up. Kallis will be looking for runs. Anderson vs Steyn. Smith vs Strauss. It's going to be a contest. I think the Saffers have the edge in the batting. But England have the slickness in bowling.

 

[Jacknife]

It is a good thing. I was citing it as the reason we're number one. The less professional teams haven't been able to cope with us - well, apart from those gents who spin.

Gotcha.

 

[Prince EWS]

Dude you're all over the place.

England's advantage here is the batting

Saffers have the edge in the batting

*gives up*

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Swann is the main spin bowler for England while the Saffers aren't good at spin. England's advantage here is the batting. Bowling of theirs is definitely good. But the Saffers also have... A good batting line up. Kallis will be looking for runs. Anderson vs Steyn. Smith vs Strauss. It's going to be a contest. I think the Saffers have the edge in the batting. But England have the slickness in bowling.

how is that Saffers have edge in batting?

 

[screamingfields]

England's advantage is batting because of the South African bowling, but overall the better batting side is South Africa. Amla, Kallis, Rudolph, Smith can cash in well if the pitch suits the batters.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

how is that Saffers have edge in batting?

Exactly. Peterson, Rudolph and Duminy have massive question marks against them as do De Villiers (gloves) and Kallis (poor record in England), lot resting on Smith and Hamish Ambler.

The England top 7 are ALL in form at present in varying forms of the game.

 

[Psycho Macaque]

Swann is the main spin bowler for England while the Saffers aren't good at spin. England's advantage here is the batting. Bowling of theirs is definitely good. But the Saffers also have... A good batting line up. Kallis will be looking for runs. Anderson vs Steyn. Smith vs Strauss. It's going to be a contest. I think the Saffers have the edge in the batting. But England have the slickness in bowling.

Sa have handled Swann pretty well, all-in-all, although Swann is prone to a devastating, match-turning spell every now and then. I just hope he can give it his all, that elbow has been hindering him for a while.

 

[screamingfields]

Exactly. Peterson, Rudolph and Duminy have massive question marks against them as do De Villiers (gloves) and Kallis (poor record in England), lot resting on Smith and Hamish Ambler.

The England top 7 are ALL in form at present in varying forms of the game.

Both teams have good batting. England right now is in good form. Yes, Peterson, Rudolph and Duminy, but looking at England's batting, Ian Bell, Trott, Bopara don't look better when out of form. Saffers have the edge to win it for me.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Both teams have good batting. England right now is in good form. Yes, Peterson, Rudolph and Duminy, but looking at England's batting, Ian Bell, Trott, Bopara don't look better when out of form.

They are all in form though so your point is irrelevant. The Saffers aren't exactly flying coming into the test.

 

[screamingfields]

They are all in form though so your point is irrelevant. The Saffers aren't exactly flying coming into the test.

Good point. But I expect them to do a lot better.

 

[MW1304]

I am praying that England aren't 350/4 at close. That would bum me out so much.

Huh? That would be awesome.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Huh? That would be awesome.

I'd take 10-0 after bowling them out for 220.