*Official* South Africa in England Thread

[Craig]

I think Smith will be a very good player and I think he is extremly good. I couldnt believe the critism he recieved here, by Zues some people here can be harsh. I dont think he is arrogrant.

 

[marc71178]

374/7, still 21 runs behind the follow on going into the final day.

I think this will be a draw, but if the 2nd day had not been rained out South Africa could have had a chance.

Tim, with that rain, they only lost 45 overs or half a day's play - on that wicket I don't see how that would be enough to get a result.

 

[Tim]

Well had Vaughan not scored a century, England would have been in trouble.

 

[marc71178]

And conversely, had the South African's not battled very well to survive the first session, they would've been in trouble.

 

[Mr. P]

And, if you had been caught drink-driving, you would have been in trouble!:P

 

[Tim]

So effectively South Africa did bat very well, whereas you keep saying this pitch is getting better & better to bat on so Vaughan must be disappointed nobody else really made a decent score.

 

[Craig]

I'm disappionted Vaughan didnt go on and get a 200.

 

[Mr. P]

he saved the match. he'll be happy enough

 

[luckyeddie]

I would not necessarily say that this game is over by a long way.

Graeme Smith has selected the heavy roller - as the wicket continues to wear, England will in all likelihood be faced with a pretty awkward few hours this afternoon (weather permitting).

Back to back tests too - 'mental scars' inflicted here will still be raw come Lord's on Thursday.

 

[Rik]

So effectively South Africa did bat very well, whereas you keep saying this pitch is getting better & better to bat on so Vaughan must be disappointed nobody else really made a decent score.

The pitch is getting worse, Flintoff was cleaned up by a grubber and the ball just kept on shooting across the ground. It's hard enough for anyone to bat on this pitch, let alone tail enders.

 

[marc71178]

And, if you had been caught drink-driving, you would have been in trouble!:P

My point exactly.

 

[marc71178]

So effectively South Africa did bat very well, whereas you keep saying this pitch is getting better & better to bat on so Vaughan must be disappointed nobody else really made a decent score.

Where did I ever say that the pitch is getting better and better?

Oh, that's right, I haven't said it once, let alone "keep saying it"

 

[marc71178]

The pitch is getting worse, Flintoff was cleaned up by a grubber and the ball just kept on shooting across the ground. It's hard enough for anyone to bat on this pitch, let alone tail enders.

I hope you're not calling Flintoff a tail-ender?

He batted very well indeed last night, and Giles seems to have continued his good form today - 41 on that wicket from a number 8 is encouraging on top of his earlier knocks.

 

[Rik]

I hope you're not calling Flintoff a tail-ender?

Hmmmm take a wild guess :duh: :duh: :duh:

 

[Rik]

Well England have avoided the follow on so unless Graeme Smith is prepared to throw this game wide open on the final day and give England a chase, then this will be a draw.

Ashley Giles seems to be playing some good shots this morning, although I find it bizarre because the last time I saw him bat he didn't really look like he could hold one.

Oh he could hold one allright...when he came into the England squad his FC batting average was 30, now it's about 26/27. He's even scored a Domestic OD 100. He's just taken some time to get used to it. I think his form with the bat for Warwickshire (which has been tempered by his lack of potency with the ball for the Bears) has helped him take some confidence into the Zimbabwe Tests and after his 2 50s in those Tests, helped him score the valuable 41 today. Oddly when he came into the side he also looked like he could take wickets...:alien8:

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

England still have a shot at victory. It's unlikely, but if Tresco and Vaughan can put on a quick 120-150 then it could be game on.

I'm surprised that Smith didn't bat the game out of England's reach.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Ok. Forget what I said before. If Butcher and Tresco can put up a quick 70 or 80....

 

[V Reddy]

I'm surprised that Smith didn't bat the game out of England's reach.

There is some criticism of him from commentators that he batted for a bit too long. If Eng are going to score that many on that kind of pitch then they really deserve to win the match.

 

[luckyeddie]

England still have a shot at victory. It's unlikely, but if Tresco and Vaughan can put on a quick 120-150 then it could be game on.

I'm surprised that Smith didn't bat the game out of England's reach.

Cloud and drizzle now - looks like the weather has had the final word.

There was no purpose whatsoever in batting England out of the game (unless SA wanted to keep England in the field for the rest of the day, bearing in mind that there are just two days of rest before Lord's) - all SA would have done by doing so would have been to have minimised their own chances of pressing for an unlikely victory.

 

[Bazza]

I was surprised SA didn't look to score faster and declare sooner. I also heard someone describe the declaration as sporting. Yeah 300+ in the last two sessions of the match. I can't believe England didn't win! :rolleyes:

These were probably the same people who think England were comprehensively outplayed by a side we're expected to beat. Our media really take the p*** sometimes!