England tour to South Africa December 2015/February 2016

[blockerdave]

It feels weird to criticise Cook for declaring too early but I think I might agree with you.

I was gutted when Stokes let himself get run out. He's an amazing player sometimes but such a dope at others. Imagine how bad AB would have felt about that drop without the run out, and how much extra pressure that might have put on his batting.

It's captaincy by numbers: 600-odd, let's declare.

No, it's 2nd session, 2nd day on an absolute belter - their bowlers were facing 200 against, they were dropping catches, there was nothing in the pitch... Smash them into the ground!

And you're right, Stokes runs through properly, goes to 300+ and ABDV is feeling a right louse!

 

[MUFC1987]

I don't see a problem with the declaration. You always want to have a go before the end of a session, rather than the start of a new one. And as you guys said, it's a good pitch, we need as long as possible to try to bowl South Africa out twice. It was an aggressive declaration for me, rather than taking the rest of the day to try to post 800 or something, which would be pointless, as South Africa would just block it for 3 days.

 

[PokerAce]

This is the key pair. 318 still required to avoid follow on for SA. If this pair doesn't do it, then SA could be looking at a collapse. Faf in next will not fill most SA players with a lot of confidence give the poor recent form he has been in. Since the tour to India, in the past 5 tests (4 vs India + the first Eng test), he has dropped 10 points in regard to his average.

Till 1st Oct, right before the start of India series, he averaged 51.55, right now he averages 41.21. Thats some serious plummeting of the average in jsut 5 tests. That gives one an indication of just how poor his form has been.

The only other such alarming drop in average after 5 tests, I recall was Kohli after his tour to England in 2014. He went in averaging 46 and finished the tour averaging 39. Thats a 7 point drop. Kohli has since worked that average back up to 44. It was actually back to 46 after the tour of Aus, and his 4 hunderds in 4 tests. However it has dropped a further 2 points since.

Faf would no doubt be looking to get that average going soon.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Well, at long last! I've been a huge supporter of Ben Stokes as my friend @richowebbo will allude to on these forums and I'm really happy for the bloke.

For all those that are expecting him to become a 'model' of consistency, it could happen but I fear the period will not be more than four years. But, I will always have a Ben Stokes in my line up because his numbers will never be a 50+ batting average and a 25 bowling average. But, when he makes a 100 or takes 4/5 wickets in an innings, England will WIN.

I know I'm going to get trounced for saying this but I always felt Kallis was a once in a generation cricketer. I think his slip catching and support act as a bowler (in terms of locking an end up) absolutely snow balled his reputation as an 'all rounder.' For me, Freddy fit that bill a bit more perfectly. He could explode with ball or bat and when he did England would win. I see a lot of that in Stokes and M Marsh.

Edit- I've had it pretty rough the past month and it would be timely if ABDV could put a smile on my face tomorrow.

 

[PokerAce]

I know I'm going to get trounced for saying this but I always felt Kallis was a once in a generation cricketer. I think his slip catching and support act as a bowler (in terms of locking an end up) absolutely snow balled his reputation as an 'all rounder.' For me, Freddy fit that bill a bit more perfectly. He could explode with ball or bat and when he did England would win. I see a lot of that in Stokes and M Marsh.

First of I like Stokes too, and never fail to have him in the fantasy side. However more importantly why do you think you will get trounced for saying Kallis was a once in a generation cricketer. Of course he was, I don't think there will be many disputing this.

 

[Markkkkk]

The thing about Kallis is he started his career with Donald and co infront of him and then Ntini and Pollock and then Steyn and Morkel so he was always used as a partnership breaker so he often bowled to batsmen who got in and faced the best bowlers. If Kallis was part of a weaker bowling attack he would of shone and averaged 25 odd with the ball.

 

[dp458]

Dobbell sums it up perfectly

George Dobell: Stunning Stokes writes his own script | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[stefan]

Great innings by Stokes. Poor bowling by SA thought.

Only positive was to see hash get some runs again.

 

[bigred]

Did anyone else think the 'Moeen/Hashim' song was pretty annoying?

 

[cricket_icon]

I'd be very impressed fi SA came back and drew the game. Amla looks to be finding himself again and AB is still there. Very interesting day tomorrow.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

First of I like Stokes too, and never fail to have him in the fantasy side. However more importantly why do you think you will get trounced for saying Kallis was a once in a generation cricketer. Of course he was, I don't think there will be many disputing this.

What I meant was that for me, an all rounder is someone that can win a test match with bat or ball. Kallis was one of the top 3 or top 5 batsmen of his generation but I don't think he was a 'genuine match winner' with the ball. His supporting act though, was invaluable.[DOUBLEPOST=1451896920][/DOUBLEPOST]

I'd be very impressed fi SA came back and drew the game. Amla looks to be finding himself again and AB is still there. Very interesting day tomorrow.

Don't count SA out for a win either. My only issue is that their bowling doesn't seem to have bite.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Trail by 460 odd and Cook has fielders on the boundary everywhere.

 

[RUDI]

Lucky for Amla, Anderson just like Morkel caught napping.

 

[zwarrior]

Partnership of 100 after more than a year for SA. And ABD completes 8k runs. Amla is nearing 7k.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Cook has put this test match in a lower gear. I can't for the life of me understand why he's got an in out field?