England tour of South Africa 09/10

[CaptainOZ]

Come on Smith, get that ton

 

[King Pietersen]

Trying to change the shape of the ball maybe Dan? I've not watched it, but if he's stamped on the ball, then it could change the shape of it, or rough up a side.

He barely stamped on it tbh. The ball was knocked back towards him after bowling a delivery and he just stopped it with his foot. He didn't just randomly stamp on the ball. I doubt stopping the ball with his foot made any difference to the shape of the ball, or how much it'd swing.

 

[Simbazz]

if eating mints causes an outcry I can imagine stamping on the ball will do.

Well theres a bit of a difference, eating a sugary substance to give the shine a bit of an extra something is, in my opinion, fine.

Stamping on a ball to try to change its nature is wrong.

Simbazz added 1 Minutes and 6 Seconds later...

He barely stamped on it tbh. The ball was knocked back towards him after bowling a delivery and he just stopped it with his foot. He didn't just randomly stamp on the ball. I doubt stopping the ball with his foot made any difference to the shape of the ball, or how much it'd swing.

As I said, I don't have Sky so aren't watching it, however, if it was a plain stop without much force then yes, probably no harm done.

A strong stamp on a ball could change its shape, therefore ability to swing.

 

[King Pietersen]

It wasn't a strong stamp, he put his foot down on the ball to stop it, looked far worse in slow-motion than it did live.

I'm not even sure changing the shape of the ball has any positive impact on Reverse Swing anyway. If it did, why do you see teams trying to get the ball changed when they believe it's gone out of shape?

 

[Simbazz]

Well, I'm not saying reverse swing, but it'd have an effect on everything. Movement through the air, movement off pitch, a ploy which could work. Teams get "out of shape," balls changed because they want a ball which swings, so by making it out of shape, could get the ball changed. I dunno, all I know is that stamping on a ball will have an effect.

 

[King Pietersen]

Why would they have wanted to change the ball after 10 overs?

An out of shape ball is good for no-one. I doubt there'd be any noticeable difference in movement off the pitch, it'd be uncomfortable to hold in the hand, could have nullified any shine and work they'd put into the ball in the first 10 overs and it certainly wouldn't help with swing. Don't even think it's worth discussing anyway though, as Broad didn't stamp on the ball anywhere near hard enough to mis-shape the ball, and merely put his foot down to stop the ball. As I mentioned earlier, mountain out of molehill.

Hundred to Smith. Been a horrible innings to watch, but he's done a brilliant job for SA. Time to get out now.

 

[Ollie_H]

Well theres a bit of a difference, eating a sugary substance to give the shine a bit of an extra something is, in my opinion, fine.

Yes I agree, but I'm just trying to bring out the petty things people get fussed about.

 

[MUFC1987]

Finally a wicket. Smith's been brilliant though, just a shame we seem determined to help him out by having Trott bowling at him.

 

[Brook]

Yes Prior, "Swannatron". Excellent stuff!

 

[Fatal Shot]

A captain's innings if there ever was one. Smith seems to save his best for England. Would love to see him get the double hundred tomorrow, and then declare with a 450 lead or so. We have a great chance to level the series now.

 

[BackwardPoint]

We should be going up 2-1 with this victory and not levelling the series. A way better team than England.

BTW, if Broad was Pakistani, the media would have crucified him by now

 

[MUFC1987]

A way better team than England.

And we all know that the best way to prove that is to lose by an Innings....

Anyways, I think 420 in 5 sessions would probably be quite a good game. I expect it to be a lot closer to 500 in 4 sessions though, as South Africa never seem willing to take any risks on losing a game, even if they do need to win it.

 

[BackwardPoint]

The series is not over and you seem to forget what happened in England a few years ago. We also didnt get bowled out for 51 (and lose by an innings) against a minnow nation either.

 

[MUFC1987]

I'm pointing out that the best team will win the series and it's a bit rich to call South Africa a 'way better' team, when they were embarrassed in the last test match.

MUFC1987 added 3 Minutes and 21 Seconds later...

The series is not over and you seem to forget what happened in England a few years ago. We also didnt get bowled out for 51 (and lose by an innings) against a minnow nation either.

Minnow nation? My word you're an idiot. Do you really want me to reply to that by pointing out that at least we beat Australia at home?

If I were you, I'd wait for my team to win a match before getting all cocky about how good you are.

 

[BackwardPoint]

Try to beat them in their backyard, or better yet, try not to lose 5-0 then we can talk.