**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[grecian]

This being the only series that has ever happened of course.

Yeah, incredible statting.

KP clearly is the best spin bowler in England's modern history.

 

[benchmark00]

There wasn't much for Swann but he got 2-63 in 24 overs, respectable figures and had control. Tahir is going at nearly 4 an over.

Well batted Bell, apart from that UAE tour he has been immense for nearly 3 years.

Swann took one wicket off a rank half tracker and the other was with Philander trying to pick pocket him after they were 9 down.

Tahir has performed the best of the specialist spinners this series.

The problem with South Africa is that Tahir is very good against the tail, but not so against the true batsmen of the side, so when there's an innings when SA's pacemen can't totally get the business done Tahir's influence is marginalised.

 

[Stapel]

Well played Bell, another 50.

Time to push the run rate up a bit methinks - 37 per 100 balls is a bit on the slow side.

Nah,
At the end of day two you'ld rather trail by 100 runs with 6 wickets in hand than trail by 75 with 5 or 4 wickets in hand.

 

[grecian]

Swann took one wicket off a rank half tracker and the other was with Philander trying to pick pocket him after they were 9 down.

Tahir has performed the best of the specialist spinners this series.

The problem with South Africa is that Tahir is very good against the tail, but not so against the true batsmen of the side, so when there's an innings when SA's pacemen can't totally get the business done Tahir's influence is marginalised.

Tahir has been, but Swann has been clearly down on form, because of the injury. It doesn't stop Tahir being rank. Mind you if he clears up the tail, it maybe worth it, but he's shown incredibly poor control, let up pressure, and will always lose you a review.

Saffies should be looking for someone else, IMHO.

 

[benchmark00]

Tahir has been, but Swann has been clearly down on form, because of the injury. It doesn't stop Tahir being rank. Mind you if he clears up the tail, it maybe worth it, but he's shown incredibly poor control, let up pressure, and will always lose you a review.

Saffies should be looking for someone else, IMHO.

Has Swann been injured for 12 months?

 

[MW1304]

Tahir is a bit of a tailender basher but, let's be honest, we could have done with that today and last night.

 

[grecian]

Has Swann been injured for 12 months?

Dunno, but he's clearly injured now, may have had a problem throughout the year, it is a long-standing problem.

 

[Jacknife]

Has Swann been injured for 12 months?

He's been managing it for a couple of years but from the sounds of things it's deteriorated a lot the past 8 months or so.

 

[grecian]

Bollox, just when I was getting hopeful

 

[Heboric]

Phew Proteas really needed that one

 

[benchmark00]

My 'television' froze and then when it came back on I saw Bell walking off. Good ball or bad shot?

 

[Daemon]

Top bowling. Even though he's not picking up wickets at the ridiculous rate he was prior to the series, he's bowled just as well from what I've seen of him. Goes to show he's here to stay for a while imo.

 

[benchmark00]

Good enough.

 

[Pothas]

****.

Was going to praise Bell for managing to get runs when he doesn't really look in form but that's bloody frustrating.

Prior needs to do his thing and maybe it'll be a Broad looks like a proper test batsman game.

 

[MW1304]

Ahh typical old Bell. He might have been consistent of late but he just does not go on.

 

[Jacknife]

It was a good over, nagging away but having only just caught it the once could Bell have left it?

Need these two to get something going now and take us to close.

 

[Stapel]

Bollox, just when I was getting hopeful

Well, imho, it's pretty even now. I can see Prior & JB (what's with the YJB???) add a few before Broad and Swann add a few more. If they are, England won't be far behind after two innings.

 

[Pothas]

Ahh typical old Bell. He might have been consistent of late but he just does not go on.

Yeah but a few years ago I don't think he would have made anything in that situation. Not anywhere near the form he was in last summer but at least he is making a contribution.

 

[Heboric]

Well, imho, it's pretty even now. I can see Prior & JB (what's with the YJB???) add a few before Broad and Swann add a few more. If they are, England won't be far behind after two innings.

We have to see, this much vaunted England tail hasnt exactly done anything this series

 

[grecian]

Ahh typical old Bell. He might have been consistent of late but he just does not go on.

Oh it wasn't old Bell TBF to him, that was get out early, or look like a million dollars for a while before you got out to a joke shot. Here he was very disciplined, and just was undone by metronomic bowling. he's still a much more accomplished player than he was, will never be a great though.