I think the issue is they have to lock the June date and it has to be a venue where there will be some sort of crowd at least. The options are fewer and once you bring in things like table topper gets the home advantage and such, they cant really plan and the biggest challenge as it is in international cricket right now is the scheduling and the timings.Is anyone actually going to turn up to watch an Australia vs South Africa Test at Lords?
Having the WTC final always at Lords is bizarre. Top of the table should get a home test (with neutral curators)
It's never been at Lords beforeIs anyone actually going to turn up to watch an Australia vs South Africa Test at Lords?
Having the WTC final always at Lords is bizarre. Top of the table should get a home test (with neutral curators)
There is a big expat south African community in London. Hopefully they turn up for the Proteas.Is anyone actually going to turn up to watch an Australia vs South Africa Test at Lords?
Having the WTC final always at Lords is bizarre. Top of the table should get a home test (with neutral curators)
In a single test anything can happenDoes anyone actually think that SA has a chance?
They qualified by playing scrubs
Is anyone actually going to turn up to watch an Australia vs South Africa Test at Lords?
Having the WTC final always at Lords is bizarre. Top of the table should get a home test (with neutral curators)
This is why I keep saying the WTC final should be a 3 match series. 1st match at Lords, the second at a venue in the number one seed, third test in the home of the second seed.I think the issue is they have to lock the June date and it has to be a venue where there will be some sort of crowd at least. The options are fewer and once you bring in things like table topper gets the home advantage and such, they cant really plan and the biggest challenge as it is in international cricket right now is the scheduling and the timings.
Quality pace attack & improving batting lineup against a quality pace attack & a batting lineup that looks past its best in a one-off match.Does anyone actually think that SA has a chance?
They qualified by playing scrubs
Undefeated since Bavuma took over. Wouldn’t write them off. Rabada hasn’t necessarily been at his best in England (though I mean 5 wickets a match actually pretty good) but both batting lineups are fragile and Jansen has been in excellent form.Does anyone actually think that SA has a chance?
They qualified by playing scrubs
Back in 2010, the crowds for Pakistan v Australia at Lord’s and Headingly were pretty small.Can’t imagine any English having any interest in attending. But then it may still well be a bigger attendance than any SA Test outside of CT.
Maybe in general but kg loves lords. Ran through England last time there. Jansen also had a good time there.Undefeated since Bavuma took over. Wouldn’t write them off. Rabada hasn’t necessarily been at his best in England (though I mean 5 wickets a match actually pretty good) but both batting lineups are fragile and Jansen has been in excellent form.
They played 2 Tests at home to India. And yes, there's no denying they had a very easy route to the Final, didn't play Aus/Eng at all.Did SA play Australia, England or India to gain qualification for the WTC? If not (and I think I know the answer) the whole thing is a farce.
Yes Aus and Eng are a farce because they didn't want to face South Africa.Did SA play Australia, England or India to gain qualification for the WTC? If not (and I think I know the answer) the whole thing is a farce.
To be honest, I don't think it's who you play which is so much the problem, it's how many. It's become pretty obvious that to reach the Final the optimal route is to play the least amount of Tests, which is ironic tstl.we played all three last cycle and ended third, one win away from making the final. That cycle also had one of our weakest teams ever.
This idea that we had no chance if we played all 3 is rubbish.
You have no margin for error in a short series. If you lose the first game in a 2 match series its done for you. While in a 5 match series you can comeback as aus showed vs India. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.To be honest, I don't think it's who you play which is so much the problem, it's how many. It's become pretty obvious that to reach the Final the optimal route is to play the least amount of Tests, which is ironic tstl.
In S African conditions, the two teams most likely to test the home side are Australia and England. They played neither, either home or away. It's not hard to see why it's being questioned. Would SA have qualified had they had England's itinerary including 5 Tests in India and 5 at home to Australia?The issue we as SA fans have is this narrative that some are trying to spin that we don't deserve our spot.