***Official*** South Africa in England

[Uppercut]

As I say, also - you're on slightly dangerous ground if you simply assume. Yes, it'd be fairly logical to assume that Chris Tremlett would make a better Test bowler than Mark Ealham, but things aren't always as simple as they seem. Sometimes, despite not looking the part anywhere near the way another does, a player can do a job.

The strange case of Ryan Sidebottom, for example.

 

[tooextracool]

Has it been confirmed that Ambrose will bat at 8?

Someone obviously told Duncan Fletcher that he will be.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jul/30/englandvsouthafrica2008.englandcricketteam2

 

[tooextracool]

True. More often than not, though, there'll not be enough between them for it to be cancelled-out. That was essentially what the selectors did, erroneously, last winter with Shah and Bopara, though Bopara had even less of a case than 2 good seasons - he'd just had 1 at that stage.

As I say, also - you're on slightly dangerous ground if you simply assume. Yes, it'd be fairly logical to assume that Chris Tremlett would make a better Test bowler than Mark Ealham, but things aren't always as simple as they seem. Sometimes, despite not looking the part anywhere near the way another does, a player can do a job.

Well I understand what you mean in that those with consistent performances would be safer bets than those without. However, it needs to be looked at on a case by case basis.

 

[tooextracool]

Well Smith has been passed fit for the test.

 

[Richard]

Has it been confirmed that Ambrose will bat at 8?

Either CricInfo or BBC Sport (maybe both) seemed certain he would, so I imagine someone has confirmed it.

 

[Richard]

Well Smith has been passed fit for the test.

Good. Let's just hope he's fit to perform and not just to play.

 

[superkingdave]

Good. Let's just hope he's fit to perform and not just to play.

Nah lets hope he gets a pair

 

[Richard]

Well, you can hope that obviously - I don't and never will.

 

[Richard]

Someone obviously told Duncan Fletcher that he will be.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jul/30/englandvsouthafrica2008.englandcricketteam2

Although what he's saying makes perfect sense, it will inevitably sound slightly iffy coming from someone who promoted Flintoff to six.

 

[GIMH]

Nah lets hope he gets a pair

AWTA tbh, desperate for us to win this

 

[Steulen]

AWTA tbh, desperate for us to win this

No no no, I want more pure acid from the English press. SA by an innings, me hopes.

 

[Richard]

Vaughan wins the toss and bats.

 

[superkingdave]

Hopefully we'll get a decent start

 

[GIMH]

320-5 at end of day, Cook unbeaten on 120

 

[tooextracool]

Although what he's saying makes perfect sense, it will inevitably sound slightly iffy coming from someone who promoted Flintoff to six.

Isnt that where he bats for Lancashire?

 

[Flem274*]

Strauss and Morkel to have good days imo.

 

[Richard]

Isnt that where he bats for Lancashire?

He so rarely plays for Lancs it's not really possible to say.

I've certainly seen him batting at five on the odd occasion where he has played in recent (ie, last 6-7 years) times.

Worryingly, it seems like the pitch is flat, which as I said earlier, isn't really in anyone's interests.

 

[Stapel]

Although what he's saying makes perfect sense, it will inevitably sound slightly iffy coming from someone who promoted Flintoff to six.

TBH, that was in a 5-men bowling attack.

Anyway, Freddy batting on 6 or 7...,or 8, I really doubt that will be the key to what is going to be decisive for this match.

 

[Stapel]

Strauss and Morkel to have good days imo.

I was wondering who had stolen my glass bulb, but I see it was you .

 

[superkingdave]

Isnt that where he bats for Lancashire?

at least...was batting 4/5 when he made his test debut and probably mostly at 5 in his career i think, varies on the year depending on our batting strength