England tour to South Africa December 2015/February 2016

[Markkkkk]

So Steyns out. If he cant play the next game who would you want to play? I'd say Paterson but that isnt going to happen so my next option would be McLaren for batting depth but that isnt happening so looks like Rabada will...

 

[bigred]

This is where I'd really like to see Compton just up his strike rate slightly. There's turn and uneven bounce for Morkel out there. Soon it'll start to reverse as well. A ball is going to have his name on. So why not play a bit more freely. If he gets 30-40 he'd have done a good job.

South Africa won't be able to chase anything north of 280 I don't think.

I'm glad Graeme Smith and Mike Atherton agree.

 

[Markkkkk]

This is where I'd really like to see Compton just up his strike rate slightly. There's turn and uneven bounce for Morkel out there. Soon it'll start to reverse as well. A ball is going to have his name on. So why not play a bit more freely. If he gets 30-40 he'd have done a good job.

South Africa won't be able to chase anything north of 280 I don't think.

Or anything south. Our batting consists of two very good inform players, an out of form player and a bunch of names. None of them have done anything to be selected for this test...

 

[PokerAce]

Alex Hales, what a stupid shot, straight out of the Rohit Sharma handbook on batting.

 

[Markkkkk]

Alex Hales, what a stupid shot, straight out of the Rohit Sharma handbook on batting.

I'd love of copy of that...

 

[cooks1st100]

This is where I'd really like to see Compton just up his strike rate slightly. There's turn and uneven bounce for Morkel out there. Soon it'll start to reverse as well. A ball is going to have his name on. So why not play a bit more freely. If he gets 30-40 he'd have done a good job.

South Africa won't be able to chase anything north of 280 I don't think.

We've got plenty of batsmen who can up the ante. Compton is exactly what we've been missing in the top order. Hales getting out like that is a perfect example why we need a grinder. he's the perfect replacement for Trott imo

 

[LiveLoveABD]

I don't have the energy to debate for this series I guess. All this talk of de Villiers retiring. He's 31. CSA is doing a good job of making sure he quits.

 

[Markkkkk]

Well that was out of context...

 

[bigred]

We've got plenty of batsmen who can up the ante. Compton is exactly what we've been missing in the top order. Hales getting out like that is a perfect example why we need a grinder. he's the perfect replacement for Trott imo

He doesn't have to go down the ground in the air. It's the fact that he doesn't keep things ticking. Trott was very good at just working the ball into gaps on the leg side. It will start to put pressure on the other end. Hence Hales' shot. I can see Root doing something similar if it continues.

 

[cooks1st100]

He doesn't have to go down the ground in the air. It's the fact that he doesn't keep things ticking. Trott was very good at just working the ball into gaps on the leg side. It will start to put pressure on the other end. Hence Hales' shot. I can see Root doing something similar if it continues.

I think you're wrong, he's doing a good job just as he did in the first innings. We've got plenty of attacking batsmen. Much rather have him in the side than Bell or Ballance.

 

[bigred]

I have to say, I'm quite enjoying the combination of the Sky and Supersport commentators. I really enjoy Pollock, Smith and Ackerman on the mic. The only problem is Holding. I have never liked him as I can't stand commentators who talk about 'my day'.

 

[Aalay]

Really feel for Morkel here. He has bowled his heart out and the fielders just can't catch anything.

and finally AB catches one.

 

[bigred]

I think you're wrong, he's doing a good job just as he did in the first innings. We've got plenty of attacking batsmen. Much rather have him in the side than Bell or Ballance.

Root and Taylor have taken absolutely no risks in this partnership and the scoring rate is healthy. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind Compton being in the team, but he has to find a way, especially in the second innings, to rotate the strike more frequently.

 

[bigred]

An excellent day for England. Ideally, they'll only want to bat until lunch, but I reckon they'll want SA to chase at least 400. Expect some fireworks from Stokes, Bairstow and Ali.

 

[bigred]

Mike Atherton spoke in commentary about the fact that the SA public have very high expectations as they are world number 1, but he feels as though they probably aren't the world's best side now. So therefore who is the best test team in the world? Or are there 4/5 teams at about the same level?