***Official*** South Africa in England

[Laurrz]

Cook doesn't look too clever on the odd occasions when the bowlers get it right

AWTA

Kallis seems like the type of bowler that will trouble him imo o Morkel even with the height.. a bit like Clark or Sammy.. just that back of a length and the right line really does trouble him a lot..

 

[GIMH]

Just looked at Strauss's figures so far, playing it safe I see. He'd never get an IPL gig

 

[Richard]

Wish people would talk more about 1981 and 1980 than 1984 as far as West Indian attacks are concerned.

Even though Marshall wasn't yet a first-choice, that was probably the strongest attack they had.

 

[Goughy]

Nah anyone with any sense would have fielded IMO. I hate the way captains are jumped on for fielding unless it pays-off instantly. An unsuccessful decision is not necessarily a bad one. It's the bowlers who've failed to do the job, not the captain.

Boycott on TMS (and others) dont agree with you

 

[JoeShmoe]

The saffies are bowling short, not letting it swing late. Where Sidey and Jimmy have done well lately is pitching it up and trying to get them to drive in the V

Eng scoring a lot backward of square

 

[JoeShmoe]

Cook is being allowed to play himself back into a bit of form here .. his foot movement has been poor this summer but the longer he stays there ....

 

[Manee]

Boycott on TMS (and others) dont agree with you

Holding just seemed plain pissed off by the comparison, although I expected more of a rant from him. However, his style has sort of become a silent bitterness these days.

12 ribs and a can of sweetcorn and sitting in front of the Test match - is there anything better?

 

[Kweek]

Holding just seemed plain pissed off by the comparison, although I expected more of a rant from him. However, his style has sort of become a silent bitterness these days.

12 ribs and a can of sweetcorn and sitting in front of the Test match - is there anything better?

working for EMI and finding stuff like this under emails : ''P Save a tree...please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to''

kuddo's Emi for thinking ofthe world

 

[Manee]

Not entirely related to todays play considering Ntini's poor form so far but interesting how Ntini and Chris Martin are both successful against left handers with wide of the crease, open chested actions which means that they push the ball across the right hander rather than bowl it across with the entire body.

 

[Richard]

Boycott on TMS (and others) dont agree with you

Seriously, I'd like to see someone tell me - before the toss, any fool can use hindsight - that batting first was the obvious decision.

 

[GIMH]

I'm off, looks like a decent first session though (Y)

 

[Manee]

Oigah! Steyn's bouncer has always been quite slippery but what the hell was Strauss doing.

 

[Goughy]

Seriously, I'd like to see someone tell me - before the toss, any fool can use hindsight - that batting first was the obvious decision.

How can they now tell you something before what has already happened?

 

[GIMH]

Seriously, I'd like to see someone tell me - before the toss, any fool can use hindsight - that batting first was the obvious decision.

You know Geoff Boycott though, @if you win the toss bat. If you're not sure, think about it, and then bat.@

 

[Manee]

How can they now tell you something before what has already happened?

That's some philosophical **** right there.

 

[Richard]

How can they now tell you something before what has already happened?

What I mean is I won't take anyone seriously if they're saying a decision was bad with hindsight.

If Boycott had clearly stated as the toss was happening, before any play had been played, that he believed the winning captain should have batted first, then I'd be able to take him seriously. If he did, well done to him - in the end I suppose he (or anyone who said such a thing) would have been right, as even despite the fact SA's bowlers have been far too wide, there's been little swing and no more than normal in the way of seam.

But if someone is only saying afterwards, as I say - that's use of hindsight and no more.

 

[Richard]

You know Geoff Boycott though, @if you win the toss bat. If you're not sure, think about it, and then bat.@

Aye, and that's an outdated mantra. Based in the days of covered wickets.

 

[Richard]

I'm off, looks like a decent first session though (Y)

If we are wicketless at lunch I shall be very, very, happy.

Ind33d.

 

[Goughy]

Aye, and that's an outdated mantra. Based in the days of covered wickets.

Why is it outdated? There may be reasons why it was more relevant but there is a weight of evidence to suggest it still holds true.

Basically batting allows you to dictate the game. There are countless other reasons that I guess Ill get dragged into if you go into why bowling first often is a good idea.

 

[open365]

Decent session for England here, neither Strauss or Cook look entirely comfortable yet but there haven't been too many alarms either. Pitch is a bit dull as well, but SA's attack has been mightily disapointing thus far, far too many wide and short deliveries that aren't at all threatening, especialy to the steadfast Strauss.