*Official* Sri Lanka in South Africa 2020/21 Tests

[straw man]

There was a graphic yesterday which showed South Africa had 1 test win since 2019 and were statistically the second worst test side going. Their prominence ended in 2018.

Huh, TIL. Didn't realise it'd been that bad. I know SA have lost some big players but there's still 6 or 7 established good players in there, you'd think they'd continue to do well at home, at least.

Pakistan in South Africa Test Series	2018/19		South Africa	3-0 (3)
Sri Lanka in South Africa Test Series	2018/19		Sri Lanka	2-0 (2)
Freedom Trophy (South Africa in India)	2019/20		India	3-0 (3)
Basil D'Oliveira Trophy (England in South Africa)	2019/20		England	3-1 (4)
ICC World Test Championship	2019-2021		drawn	2-2 (5)
Sri Lanka in South Africa Test Series	2020/21		-

 

[Spark]

Huh, TIL. Didn't realise it'd been that bad. I know SA have lost some big players but there's still 6 or 7 established good players in there, you'd think they'd continue to do well at home, at least.

Pakistan in South Africa Test Series	2018/19		South Africa	3-0 (3)
Sri Lanka in South Africa Test Series	2018/19		Sri Lanka	2-0 (2)
Freedom Trophy (South Africa in India)	2019/20		India	3-0 (3)
Basil D'Oliveira Trophy (England in South Africa)	2019/20		England	3-1 (4)
ICC World Test Championship	2019-2021		drawn	2-2 (5)
Sri Lanka in South Africa Test Series	2020/21		-

The replacements that have come in after those established players have... not exactly set the world on fire. And their more established names have actually fallen away a lot too, even Rabada has declined in output notably since about 2017 (I believe his last 5w haul was actually in that series against Australia)

 

[TT Boy]

Great start by Nortje and Ngidi. Setting the tone. LBW and bowled are an endangered species with these two.

 

[SeamUp]

You wanted to set the tone from the start today and the first 2 overs have been anything but.

Our cricket is so far off right now. Just can't handle it.

 

[TT Boy]

Give Mulder and Bavuma the ball.

 

[Spark]

I don't see how you can build any semblance of pressure like this. Real mix and match of lines and lengths here, scoring both sides of the wicket.

 

[TT Boy]

Nortje seems to get some movement when he bowls back of a length, but anything pitched up is gun barrel from this guy.

 

[TT Boy]

Rajitha arrived at the crease with an average of 2. Only team he has ever scored runs against is South Africa. Gets a career best every time he plays against them.

 

[Bahseph]

I don't rate Ntini on comms but I understand his frustration here. SL haven't had to work for any of these runs this morning.

 

[Spark]

lmao, have fun with that ball.

 

[Bahseph]

I'm calling it now,but having seen all of the SL fast bowlers in action I have a feeling that they will make better use of this pitch. They focus on being accurate instead of whatever this is.

Nortje and these byes are starting to irk me as well.

 

[trundler]

Nortje has been a bit unlucky, fair to say.

That said, being pulled for 6 by the #8 isn't setting the tone to me.

 

[TT Boy]

He is fortunate to have 4 slips let alone pondering where is a 5th slip.

 

[Pup Clarke]

I think Nortje in time will dismantle a few batting line-ups, but probably a bit too much responsibility on him atm. He's still just a prospect

 

[Spark]

Nortje has been a bit unlucky, fair to say.

That said, being pulled for 6 by the #8 isn't setting the tone to me.

I mean, the length he's bowling, Don Bradman would have trouble nicking any of these, and the balls he does pitch up are middle stump half volleys. At some point it's more than just "bad luck".

 

[TT Boy]

I'm calling it now,but having seen all of the SL fast bowlers in action I have a feeling that they will make better use of this pitch. They focus on being accurate instead of whatever this is.

Nortje and these byes are starting to irk me as well.

Fernando bowls some magic balls. He will fancy getting Elgar caught in the slips and Markram LBW. This could be an innings job.

 

[trundler]

I mean, the length he's bowling, Don Bradman would have trouble nicking any of these, and the balls he does pitch up are middle stump half volleys. At some point it's more than just "bad luck".

It's definitely that rotten look pretty without being threatening length but yesterday he bowled a couple decent spells too. A bit unlucky then, as I said.

 

[Spark]

It's definitely that rotten look pretty without being threatening length but yesterday he bowled a couple decent spells too. A bit unlucky then, as I said.

Yeah, I'm mostly just frustrated with the lack of consistency. Wheels are no good if you can't land three consecutive balls in roughly the same spot.

 

[Spark]

decent way to bring up a maiden 50.

but seriously, what the **** is this bowling plan. there's movement and bounce, put the ball on a good ****ing length and bowl normally.

 

[Bahseph]

So we have a new ball and the plan is to try some bouncers from around the wicket? Hmmm.

Probably should hand the ball to Mulder.