England tour to South Africa December 2015/February 2016

[dp458]

Been a brilliant effort from England, especially considering we lost the toss. We won't get the credit we deserve though, because X, Y and Z should have been playing for South Africa etc.

Mo has quietly been brilliant with the ball again and there aren't too many weaknesses for me. Woakes has bowled well without reward and will probably be the unlucky one to miss out when Anderson is back, but I think he's very much the next and line and should stay that way.

Also, all this talk about Stokes batting lower down or whatever. The guy has two Test centuries, that's more than Bairstow and Ali have managed, he deserves a run in the side at 6. His talent really isn't in doubt.

Stokes blows very hot and cold with the bat, bairstow is a much more consistent performer in county cricket

 

[MUFC1987]

Stokes blows very hot and cold with the bat, bairstow is a much more consistent performer in county cricket

He may well be, but this is Test match cricket. And so far, Stokes has looked a lot more at home with the bat in hand than Bairstow has. Hence why he bats above him. Bairstow was averaging what, Mid 20s before this Test? If that's not hot and cold then I don't know what is. You can't level criticism at Stokes when Bairstow has done just the same.

 

[dp458]

To be fair both are averaging in the 20s

 

[MUFC1987]

To be fair both are averaging in the 20s

Which is probably why, with his 2 Test centuries, that Stokes is seen as a better batsman, so bats higher in the order.

 

[bigred]

He may well be, but this is Test match cricket. And so far, Stokes has looked a lot more at home with the bat in hand than Bairstow has. Hence why he bats above him. Bairstow was averaging what, Mid 20s before this Test? If that's not hot and cold then I don't know what is. You can't level criticism at Stokes when Bairstow has done just the same.

To be fair, Stokes has been given a good run at 6. 11 tests. If give him the whole series there, but moving him is something they should think about if he continues to score below 10 a lot, which he does.

 

[PokerAce]

Yet another low scoring innings from SA. Their 9th straight with a score of below 217. SA do need to look at their batting closely. Amla and Faf can't buy a run right now, and with 2 of their three batting stalwarts struggling like they are, SA batting looks very very weak. When was the last time one could say that of the SA line up. Eng weren't even at their full bowling strength, and Anderson their best bowler wasn't playing.


If Steyn is injured for the second test, then Eng would start a huge favs. SA need to make a decision about ABD keeping, and also about Van Zyl. Is he really the best opener SA domestic cricket has to offer? Will they take the rather bold step of benching Faf who in his last 9 innings averages 7.88 !! He has scored a total a 71 runs in that period in 5 tests, and 39 of those came in one innings.

 

[MUFC1987]

All this talk of South Africa bringing better batsmen into the team....Are those not the players that England knocked over twice in 3 days last week, to win by an Innings?

 

[_Sam_]

Stokes has also just hammered a big amount of runs in the warmup games which probably gives him an edge.

 

[cooks1st100]

First blood to England. A very good all-round performance. Have been very critical of Ali as our front-line spinner in the past but he bowled well apart from his first spell. Anderson in for Woakes for the next Test will put a lot of pressure on the South African batsmen. Thought Hales batted fairly well in the second innings and was far more disappointed with his first dismissal than his second. I'm not convinced by him just yet, but think he should be given a decent run and it definitely helps having Compton coming in at 3 who did exactly what he does. Taylor impressed me once again also.

The signs are very good for England, South Africa have got a lot to think about and only a couple of days to regroup. Looking forward to Cape Town.

Ali MOTD, for me it was Compton for his first innings.

 

[grkrama]

seems qdk is in the squad for 2nd test that should relieve the gloves of AB!

But i dont think a couple of players in are going to strengthen SA bating much, its down to present players to hit form !

 

[Markkkkk]

So Morris has been called up over De Lange, Viljoen and Paterson and Cook has been called up... Im not watching the next game...

 

[dp458]

Three issues arise from this test for England; firstly, what to do about Hales. I am sorry, but he is not and will not be a test opener. He is a core member of the ODI side who lacks the technique and temperament to open in tests. Open with Compton and bat Hales at 4 (Root at 3) or drop him. Secondly, wicketkeeping. There is no choice for the rest of this tour as Bairstow is way ahead of Buttler, but if this test proved one thing it is that having an average keeper can be expensive. Alternatives must be considered in 2016. Thirdly, who drops out in the second test? The automatic cry is Woakes but for me his performance in this test was better than Stokes (by some way) and his new pace (up to 92mph) would be more suited to the expected faster track. I would drop Stokes who, once again, has shown ODI style with the bat and reinforced the perception that he turns up for one in five tests.

 

[dp458]

QDK being called up is good for RSA, but Morris looks like a nothing bowler, very much like tim bresnan, basically there for his batting, surely there are better options in south african domestic cricket. Also surely you had to drop Bavuma (who would struggle to get into the Warwickshire County side IMO) and JPD, and let VanZyl play middle order considering that from what i gather that is where he plays normally, look at joe root, natural middle order, opened for yorkshire as thats the way he got into their team, debuts for eng at 6 does well, opens doesnt do great, back in the middle order looks like a world beater, its a different game, and being an opener is surely something you need a natural for

 

[bigred]

So will SA's team be something like

1. Elgar
2. Roussow
3. Amla
4. de Villiers
5. du Plessis
6. de Kock
7. Morris
8. Abbott
9. Piedt
10. Rabada
11. Morkel

van Zyl, Duminy and Bavuma missing out. I think they might think that without Steyn, they need 5 bowlers. 4 man attacks with an average spinner never really work unless the 3 seamers are all world class.

 

[C Boomer]

England up against a stacked deck, defending just 300 with an under strength bowling attack on a plum pudding of a pitch away from home, I fear the worst !

ps And facing a wounded tiger in the form of some very hungry S African batsmen !!!

And what would I know about Cricket ?