*** Official*** South Africa in England 2017

[theegyptian]

ENgland lions bowling one bowler short. Garton and Helm not really bowled enough to be part of three man seam attacks, and Crane not exactly a guy who is going to bowl 30 overs on a day one pitch. Jennings and Livingstone could be getting some bowling in. If the weather was a little better I might have popped along for a little while.

 

[morgieb]

I can't see him playing next week to be honest as he's still taking fitness tests - would be a massive risk to pick him, Wood and Anderson as your 3 main seamers...

It would but given that 1. England's depth quicks are worrying with Ball and Woakes out and 2. the likely precence of Moeen and Stokes in the Top 6 means that I could see England taking the risk.

 

[Bijed]

Elgar to skip if Faf is with his missus.

Agreed. If Faf was with my missus I'd definitely skip the game to go and teach him a lesson

 

[SeamUp]

Fafzoolander is a dad as of today. Will be available for the first test.

 

[SeamUp]

Warne just announced his England team. It has Buttler & Crane in.

 

[harsh.ag]

Warne just announced his England team. It has Buttler & Crane in.

Never disappoints

 

[Starfighter]

Can always rely on Warnie to provide some colour to the team debate

 

[StephenZA]

Fafzoolander is a dad as of today. Will be available for the first test.

I wonder who is the most relieved and happy about this... his wife, him or the SA fans...

 

[Marius]

Guys, I still don't have my visa, so if you are inclined that way please ask your deity of choice to help me get it.

And if you're not inclined that way, please send me positive vibes.

 

[Howe_zat]

What if I'm inclined to hope I get your lords tickets

 

[StephenZA]

Kuhn continues to play brilliantly. Gotta be a first cap for him next week....

 

[SeamUp]

Kuhn continues to play brilliantly. Gotta be a first cap for him next week....

Hope he retired to give others a go?

CSA also confirming Faf is not a certainty to play first test.

To me that means he will definitely not play.

 

[Marius]

Everyone can stop panicking because I have just received notification that my passport is ready to be collected.

Of course, that doesn't mean I'll have a visa, but at least I'll know one way or another soon.

 

[StephenZA]

CSA also confirming Faf is not a certainty to play first test.

To me that means he will definitely not play.

Pretty much means this team plays, except Philander, if fit, then he comes in for Morris. Faf does make it back, then it will be Faf in for de Bruyn.

 

[Marius]

Hope he retired to give others a go?

CSA also confirming Faf is not a certainty to play first test.

To me that means he will definitely not play.

Normally that would be recorded as 'retired out' rather than 'retired hurt'.

Will be unlucky if he gets injured just before what would have been his debut.

But that would mean a debut for Markram.

 

[Marius]

ESPNCricinfo, and thus Moonda, (so take with a pinch of salt) is saying Faf is going to stay in SA for a bit because his wife had a difficult labour and wants to stay with Imari and the baby until they're settled.

 

[SeamUp]

Normally that would be recorded as 'retired out' rather than 'retired hurt'.

Will be unlucky if he gets injured just before what would have been his debut.

But that would mean a debut for Markram.

He hit his last ball for 4 off Plunkett.

I wonder because it is officially FC , you cannot retire out.

Holding thumbs here.

ESPNCricinfo, and thus Moonda, (so take with a pinch of salt) is saying Faf is going to stay in SA for a bit because his wife had a difficult labour and wants to stay with Imari and the baby until they're settled.

That is fair enough and right decision.

Just wonder how much he really wants to play a test at Lord's. Such an opportunity.

 

[harsh.ag]

Would be mad to not stay back imo

 

[vcs]

Correct decision of course.

 

[Marius]

That is fair enough and right decision.

Just wonder how much he really wants to play a test at Lord's. Such an opportunity.

I read playing a Test at Lord's is on his bucket list and is probably his last opportunity to do that. But he has to put his family first and I agree, he's making the right decision.