England tour of South Africa 09/10

[angryangy]

Laughable dismissal after a hard hitting 47. Knowing the damage a new ball can do at Durban, they've managed to get right out of trouble.

 

[Howsie]

Yea England have really let South Africa off the hook here, I've heard they wasted a few reviews though and it cost them with Ntini?

 

[angryangy]

Well left, but only just.

 

[King Pietersen]

Yep, wasted one on De Villiers, and then Ntini was stone-dead playing no shot to a ball that would have turned and hit middle. Could have been over far earlier.

I expect England to struggle. Cook'll be out soon edging behind, Strauss'll play a wofty drive and edge behind and it'll be upto Trott, Pietersen and Collingwood to make the bulk of the runs. Which they clearly won't do, and we'll inevitably fall 150 behind. Gotta be optimistic!

 

[angryangy]

Ntini isn't impressing at all, but Steyn looks a chance, maybe moreso if there was some pressure at the other end.

 

[Howsie]

Ntini bowling far too short tbh. His line is all over the shot.

 

[TumTum]

Ntini bowling some lollypops. Nontheless shows how in good touch Strauss is in atm.

 

[Themer]

Jesus for all the good that partnership at the end did is being undone by Ntini here, really poor.

Can't help but think that De Wet would have been alot more dangerous with the ball swinging around.

This is shaping up to be a good game weather permitting, good pitch decently matched sides with S.A with a slight advantage perhaps.

 

[King Pietersen]

I hate that little circle Morkel does before he's about to run in. Surely takes away the point of marking up a run up if he just does a big circle and runs in from wherever it ends. Would probably decrease the regularity of no balls if he ran in like a normal person.

 

[Themer]

What on earth is happening here?

I don't understand why a half fit (in bowling terms) Kallis has the new ball when he is obviously rusty and operating at a low pace with swinging conditions when the worlds best bowler Steyn isn't.

Not that it bothers me its great for England!

Themer added 2 Minutes and 17 Seconds later...

Just to add to that Morkel is bowling very well. Fast, accurate and with a decent plan to Strauss.

 

[King Pietersen]

It's confirmed. Strauss > Sehwag.

Some quality strokeplay from Andrew Strauss, really taking it to the bowlers. They're bowling pies but Strauss is cashing in brilliantly and making the most of every bad delivery. He's also taking some of the pressure off Cook as well, as he can just plod along not needing to play any expansive strokes. Good batting from the skipper, and he's still striking at over 100!

 

[angryangy]

Would have been a good tidy start without all the long hops.

 

[stefan]

Ntini showed why he should have been dropped. Really poor, everyone who has watched strauss bat should know he likes it short.

Morkel was excellent and Steyn wasn't too bad, a bit down on pace but that's expected coming back from injury.

We needed to set the tone with the new ball but ntini ruined that with the first over.

Good batting performance to get to 343 after being 175/5, probably worth closer to 375 due to the outfield. Test still likely to be a draw due to the light and time being lost.

 

[JD10]

Strauss is better than other people think you know

 

[Ollie_H]

It's confirmed. Strauss > Sehwag.

Some quality strokeplay from Andrew Strauss, really taking it to the bowlers. They're bowling pies but Strauss is cashing in brilliantly and making the most of every bad delivery. He's also taking some of the pressure off Cook as well, as he can just plod along not needing to play any expansive strokes. Good batting from the skipper, and he's still striking at over 100!

You'll read the piece when I post it then . He certainly isn't rated as highly as he should be!