England tour of South Africa 09/10

[Fatal Shot]

This is where Steyn would be essential. He is very good at cleaning up the tail. But the new ball is almost here, and I expect Morne to get rid of the tail quickly.

 

[angryangy]

You know, Steyn was playing when Broad made his two highest scores. I think the difference between genuine tailenders and more competent players like Broad and Swann is often glossed over. Based on average, you could say that between them, they are worth the wicket of Ntini six or seven times over. It might not mean everything, but it does accurately describe how there are a variety of skill levels in those that bat between 8 and 11. It really seems that the classic tailender is an endangered species as more and more young bowlers present with good batting skills.

 

[Fatal Shot]

I was just speaking generally. Steyn has been used by Smith to pick up the tailenders wicket's and he usually does. Both Swann and Broad are not tailenders in the same sense as Chris Martin for sure. Both can handle the bat well, and have made 50's against quality teams, so good disciplined bowling will have to used to get them out. And more often than not, Steyn's pace and bounce does the trick. But Broad's gone, and Jimmy can stick around, but his batting ability is no where near Broad's or Swann's. But yes there are times, when it won't happen.

 

[Boundaries]

Can't believe Strauss went early in a new day again. He always seems to get out after lunch or a new day etc.. Hopefully we may still get 280 and perhaps save a draw.

 

[Fatal Shot]

Just nick one already. He's played and missed like 5 times in 10 deliveries.

And he does... Ntini has bowled really well, but has been unlucky.

 

[Fatal Shot]

FFS... this is getting annoying now.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

Swann is playing amazingly.

though I will use this as another opportunity to ask why broad is in the team if swann is just as good at bolstering the tail?

 

[barmyarmy]

Can't believe Strauss went early in a new day again. He always seems to get out after lunch or a new day etc.. Hopefully we may still get 280 and perhaps save a draw.

Wasn't his fault today; got a shooter.
Great to see Swanny batting well again. He's been one of England's best batsmen in this calendar year. Loved the switch hit too!

Edit: according to his stats he's averaging 41 in test cricket (13 matches).

 

[angryangy]

For players like Swann, I think a full on one-day field is necessary, probably even one-day tactics, like slower balls. He likes to go after the big gaps in an attacking field, but he gets away with a lot of rash shots early on.

 

[Boundaries]

I think we may have found our no.7 batsmen. I have never figured out why Broad bats ahead of Swann!

 

[Raj_Aryan]

Swann is on 72, this is his highest score, lets see if he can manage to get his 1st 100 here..

 

[sarinaide]

We are a vary iffy new ball bowling side, time and time again on a dead late afternoon wicket with a new ball leak runs aplenty.

1] Late afternoon, every day and in numerous games in south africa in recent years the late afternoon is dead, keep the old ball which is slower and spongy, by now we would be batting and probably around 50 or so runs.

2] why run in and bowl 140+ shorter run up bowl cutters just outside off, no pace to work with.

 

[King Pietersen]

Graeme Swann > *. Best cricketer in the world tbh.

 

[Highlander999]

Swann could give Tendulkar lessons on not just spin bowling, but also batting

 

[Ollie_H]

We need to learn to get it up in the right areas.