TumTum
International Cricketer
The thing is England will now bat for a draw, if Smith gave them a smaller target, they would of flayed at wider deliveries.
England tour of South Africa 09/10
- Thread starter Mike23
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Valaskjalf
Club Captain
To tell you the truth I think before the start of the match Smith would have settled for a draw. Without our main strike bowler and without a bowling Kallis we didnt look as threatening. De Wet looks ok, but not exactly setting the world alight I dont quite see him as a strike bowler.
Of course now we have a chance of winning and I get your point of a smaller target giving England incentive to chase and offer chances to SA but again, the unpredictability of the pitch will even make blocking out for a draw difficult. Both Smith and Amla got out today playing defensive shots with balls creeping on the ground and I think even if England try to smother this game into a draw the pitch might not allow them to do that very easily upfront.
Like I said I think he set the target as such because he doesnt feel 100% confident in the bowling. One could see that at the end of the day's play with Morkel taking the new ball over de Wet who only took 1 wicket in the first innings, and that was Cook who I dont really rate a class batsman by any means. So I dont blame Smith for perhaps being a bit cautious. I think he got it just about right and we already have Strauss and him along with Collingwood are, in my view, their best batsmen currently. Im actually much more weary of Strauss than Pietersen, because that guy can bat for ages.
Valaskjalf added 18 Minutes and 54 Seconds later...
I wouldnt be that harsh though....he went through a bit of a slump when Australia was here (our entire team looked underperformed actually) and the 100 against Bangladesh was just before our previous tour to Australia where he averaged over 50. So to say he was saving his ass today is a bit much lol He has consistently become better since his debut in 2004 and in fact, 2008 was the first time he's gone over 1000 runs in a calendar year averaging 52.8 - again his highest average in a year. The 2008/2009 stats are less good but he's still going at about 42 which is fine.
Lets face it, not all players start their careers off with a bang like Mike Hussey :P I think Amla is steadily showing hes sorting his batting issues out and showing the talent and temperament he was selected for in the side.
And to be honest if not scoring a 100 for another few games where it is not needed means that he will score one to get us out of trouble and into a winning position...then im all for it.
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It is ironic that two players with South African connections are England's best hope of salvaging a draw against South Africa. I'm not too distressed that we lost two wickets early, Cook is not in great form and scoring runs against West Indies doesn't really conceal his poor form to those with two brain cells or more to rub together. I don't agree with nightwatchman either, just a chance for the bowlers to get an early wicket and early momentum. The real loss was Strauss yesterday, and would be Trott and/or Pietersen today. I hope both are motivated by the opposition and hold out until tea.
As for yesterday, we got the start I had hoped for but then England over-bowled Swann. Sure the spinners had taken 11 wickets up to that point in the match, but you have to go with the options that are taking wickets there and then. And as we were chasing the game, you can't let the game drift. If a bowler doesn't take a wicket after a few overs, you have to change things. Anderson was the main threat, Onions took three wickets 1st innings while Broad had to do something soon with the ball to justify his place. We didn't even give Trott a bowl, or Collingwood more than six overs. Swann bowled 1/3 of the overs, took 0/7 of the wickets.
Of course now we have a foreshortened tail with Anderson already out. That means one of Broad or Swann will have to bat at ten, although that isn't such a big problem as runs are not so much the issue. That said, England do need to keep the score moving so that the outside possibility of England winning plays on Smith's mind and he might take out a catching fielder or two. That may not come into play until tea or after, if at all given our run-rate
As for yesterday, we got the start I had hoped for but then England over-bowled Swann. Sure the spinners had taken 11 wickets up to that point in the match, but you have to go with the options that are taking wickets there and then. And as we were chasing the game, you can't let the game drift. If a bowler doesn't take a wicket after a few overs, you have to change things. Anderson was the main threat, Onions took three wickets 1st innings while Broad had to do something soon with the ball to justify his place. We didn't even give Trott a bowl, or Collingwood more than six overs. Swann bowled 1/3 of the overs, took 0/7 of the wickets.
Of course now we have a foreshortened tail with Anderson already out. That means one of Broad or Swann will have to bat at ten, although that isn't such a big problem as runs are not so much the issue. That said, England do need to keep the score moving so that the outside possibility of England winning plays on Smith's mind and he might take out a catching fielder or two. That may not come into play until tea or after, if at all given our run-rate
I would love to see England actually try and chase this down, it would just send a message to South Africa that we're here to dominate the series and not just lie down when we feel like it, but the problem is, Trott just seems to be set on becoming the next Rahul Dravid. KP always has the possibility to turn the screws. Swann and Prior are aggressive players as well so there is a chance. Anyway isn't the new england motto with flower to play aggresive cricket? This has the aggression of dead wet fish.
Maxkarter
Battrick Tournament Host
If Trott wants to play like Dravid, he just brought the new meaning to being 'the wall' with what he's just done. Could this be a small opening that can bring about a result in the match?
stefan
International Coach
He got quite a few 50's against aus with a 70's just kept missing out on the 100's. He was under no pressure.
Really missing Dale Steyn today. No one in the attack seems like they are going to get that 5/6 wicket haul to take the side home. Morne has bowled pretty well and de wet did ok on debut. Harris has been steady and ntini disappointing.
Good to see JK bowling even if its just his cutters. Means he will be able to bowl at Durban and with steyn back the attack will be better.
shravi
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Averaging 54 in test cricket is a problem now?
I think Trott has made the right decision in becoming a more defensive batsman. He has the ability to hold the team together and allow players like Pietersen to go out and play their natural game without fear.In this situation however, I do not think he himself chose to be defensive. I think that it was the captain's orders.
wolf
International Cricketer
Here we go....
*worried face*
*worried face*
wolf
International Cricketer
****
Horrible situation for Onions now.
19 balls to survive.
Horrible situation for Onions now.
19 balls to survive.
aditya123
National Board President
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we're just giving you a minor bit of hope, troll
Troll, Who?
How on earth could a side manage to lose this one after cruising along with 10 overs left! That`s England for you.
I ahve to admit that I felt Broad was`nt out. With the review system, if there is`nt conclusive evidence that a batsman is out, he should be given not out. Thats how cricket has always been played. I don`t see why the TV umpire should stick to the on-field umpire even when the replays conclusively don`t show that there is an edge. What happened to the benifit of doubt going to the batmsan?
I feel for Collingwood here. I`m egging him on here to play these out.
Luckily Smith saved that game for us by declaring so late/not accelerating early enough.
MUFC1987 added 5 Minutes and 21 Seconds later...
Oh, and Broad almost middled that, it was so clear that he edged it. What were you watching?
MUFC1987 added 5 Minutes and 21 Seconds later...
Oh, and Broad almost middled that, it was so clear that he edged it. What were you watching?
stefan
International Coach
How is smith to blame that de wet overstepped when he had kp plumb and jp missed the run out chance just before and after lunch?? We take those chances and we win the game.
He was always going to be slight cautious not having his main strike bowler in steyn and kallis not being able to bowl. In the end he was just unlucky.
I hope the selectors make the right call and pick de wet for the next test and drop ntini if steyn is fit which is 99% certain.
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