*Official* South Africa in England Thread

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Bicknell has been an outstandingly consistent performer in County Cricket over the past decade. He deserved a chance to play for England on many an occasion. Now he gets his chance, after a 10 year break.

 

[Tim]

Fair enough, but im still a little confused as to why Chapple was left out after not even playing in the 3rd test and it wasn't like Bicknell was a first choice bowler coming back from injury either.

Was Chapple injured or was it just a straight swap?

 

[Andre]

Chapple is injured (ankle).

As for Bicknell, no doubting he has perfomred well, but at the age of 34, it is ridiculous to recall him - frankly, he adds no experiance - he's played 2 Tests.

Surely someone else could do the job. Surely.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

A name comes to mind and that name is Vasbert Drakes...

He had a 7-yr break between ODI's for the West Indies and only played his 1st Test last year. He's done quite well I would say. All those years in CC and South Africa brought alot to the team despite lacking international experience. Bicknell has faced all levels of opposition over his career and he will come into the side as the most experienced specialist bowler despite being a toddler in Tests.

 

[Craig]

That is because of the WICB's law that stating that players had to be playing in the Caribbean to be eligble while Drakes was playing for Border.

 

[Mr. P]

That is because of the WICB's law that stating that players had to be playing in the Caribbean to be eligble while Drakes was playing for Border.

allan?

 

[Craig]

No provinical side Border in South Africa.

 

[Rik]

no but we're talking about international pitches here.

the standard of club cricket pitches around the World will usually be of an average standard because alot of clubs just don't have the money or resources to be able to prepare an excellent pitch.

The fact remains that most of the cricket playing members of this forum know what it's like to bat on a **** pitch...

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

That is because of the WICB's law that stating that players had to be playing in the Caribbean to be eligble while Drakes was playing for Border.

And Warwickshire.

But it was when he was dropped from the team that he 'migrated'. My point is that even if you haven't played many at the highest level, you can still bring alot of experience to an international team.

 

[marc71178]

You cannot convince me out of the fact that whoever won the toss was more than likely going to win that test match.

But that happens in countless Tests worldwide.

Stop trying to discredit a very good English performance.

On the first day they batted very well, on the second they battled well and bowled to the conditions, and by then they were well on top.

Had SA been up to par on the first day, it's likely that they would've won the match IMO.

 

[marc71178]

With regards to the selection of Bicknell - he is a very experienced bowler and is just the sort of bowler that prospers at Headingley owing to the conditions.

He may even just play that one game and not at the Oval, but he may play both.

Good move IMO, especially as it srengthens the batting even more to stick him at 9 (assuming Giles plays since I don't see the point in selecting 5 seamers and no spinner)

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I think Bicknall will only play if BOTH Harmison is unfit and they decide to drop Giles, so both Kabir and Bicknall will play.
If Harmison is unfit OR they decide to drop Giles then it will be Kabir Ali will come into the team.

 

[luckyeddie]

Ian Smith on Radio Sport this morning said its the worst pitch he's ever seen in England.

Note: its the worst pitch SMITH has seen..there could have been others.

Strikes me as though it was a batting paradise compared to the ploughed field that New Zealand played on at Hamilton against India last year.

Oh, wait - that was due to the weather. Well, same reason here (or so the groundsman keeps saying).

 

[gibbsnsmith]

The fact remains that most of the cricket playing members of this forum know what it's like to bat on a **** pitch...

by god yes, yes i do.

That being said ive also experienced what i think is a good pith, its my schools.

it is flat, dusty, decent pace and bucketfull of spin and its in england...

i have no idea how my p.e teacher did it

its a joy to bowl leggies on it and a deathtrap to bat on if you ever come to face m,y school which have a 7very capable bowlers..2 fast[ in school boy terms but theyer both in the 60mph mark] 4 med-fast[ i reckon all 4 here are slow med but to most others there fast med] 1 spinner[ me bloddy slow at times but can bowl fast, wait, no, fast med, wait no slow med at best...

im proud of my school team and pitch [ there should be no doubt that when we have practice matches, sandip and arun [ ironically they too are indians, and fast bowlers] enjoy trying to take my head out amongst other things in other places.

 

[chris.hinton]

Well Done Englands that was a superb performance and great attacking bowling

Harmy will not play in the next test but i will bring in Kabir Ali as the only other change

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Personally, I would pick Bickers over Kabir Ali. He doesn't strike me as the type of bowler who can contain. Also, Bicknell will add experience to the side and strengthens the batting. I know that Kabir Ali can bat too, but I would put my money on Bicknell first.

 

[Mr. P]

ali would be a good influence on the side. a good allrounder is needed, and ali is certainly better then mcgrath. i still can't believe he was selected as an allrounder.

 

[Tim]

I've said before and i'll say it again that I believe the test matches between NZ & India were WON ON THE TOSS.

And i've never supported what the groundsmen both at Wellington & Christchurch produced during that series.
The pitches were such a disgrace that even NZ struggled on them which could have easily been much more of a laughing matter had India won the toss in either test match.

Yeah England got a good score, but the pitch was only good for 2 days then it started to turn into a mine-field.
I doubt any team except maybe Australia would have been able to chase 200+ on that pitch in the 4th innings so that tells me that winning the toss was vital in the outcome of the test.

The idea is that winning the toss does give you a slight advantage but not to the point where everyone says: "Oh well, whoever wins the toss on this pitch have pretty much won the test already"

 

[marc71178]

I think Bicknall will only play if BOTH Harmison is unfit and they decide to drop Giles, so both Kabir and Bicknall will play.
If Harmison is unfit OR they decide to drop Giles then it will be Kabir Ali will come into the team.

I wouldn't be so sure.

The Bicknell selection is to me a clear indication of wanting the right bowler for the wicket.

Ali is extra cover in case they want more seamers IMO.

Otherwise, why bother calling up a 34 year old inexperienced (at Test level) player?

 

[marc71178]

i still can't believe he was selected as an allrounder.

Well considering that even when the selection was made, David Graveney said that he wasn't being selected as an all-rounder, I don't know what on Earth you're talking about?