England tour to South Africa December 2015/February 2016

[stefan]

He'd bat at 5, which is where he bats for Yorkshire. I wouldn't be fooled by what you saw in the ashes. The guy averaged 60 in his first year in test cricket, and had by far the best stats in English domestic cricket. He's a player, make no mistake about that.

You have seen more then I have so will take your word for it. Would say on his first year of test cricket that was all at home against side who notoriously travel poorly.

Will see what happens against Steyn and co if he plays.

 

[blockerdave]

He'd bat at 5, which is where he bats for Yorkshire. I wouldn't be fooled by what you saw in the ashes. The guy averaged 60 in his first year in test cricket, and had by far the best stats in English domestic cricket. He's a player, make no mistake about that.

This. Ballance had his confidence shot from being chucked in out of position and out of form in the World Cup with no warm up. Then with him & Bell both struggling they couldn't carry 2 players and I thought he was unlucky to be the one to miss out (I know, I hid it well...)

We'll find out a lot about Ballance if he plays the tests: can he cope with the pressure coming back in, can his technique - which he has stood by in the face of a lot of criticism- cut it against high class pace bowling.

If the answers to both of those are yes, we have a top player for the next several years.[DOUBLEPOST=1450344930][/DOUBLEPOST]

You have seen more then I have so will take your word for it. Would say on his first year of test cricket that was all at home against side who notoriously travel poorly.

You say that but in that year both Cook and Bell were not scoring big at all: Ballance and Root held the England batting together.

 

[War]

Hmm well I'm on the opposite regarding Ballance. Surprised he was picked because some serious technical flaws were exposed in Ashes & I'm not sure if he bats at # 5 if it will make a lot of difference vs what will be a better SA pace attack.

I wouldn't have picked him & I see it another obvious example where the selectors could have picked KP, but the obvious blacklist on him meant they wouldn't

 

[bigred]

Hmm well I'm on the opposite regarding Ballance. Surprised he was picked because some serious technical flaws were exposed in Ashes & I'm not sure if he bats at # 5 if it will make a lot of difference vs what will be a better SA pace attack.

I wouldn't have picked him & I see it another obvious example where the selectors could have picked KP, but the obvious blacklist on him meant they wouldn't

You need to let that go now. KP is finished. SA's attack is no better than Australia's. In fact, the Aussies have a decent spinner, which is more than can be said for the South Africans.

 

[War]

You need to let that go now. KP is finished. SA's attack is no better than Australia's. In fact, the Aussies have a decent spinner, which is more than can be said for the South Africans.

I've let it go just like how KP has. Just highlighting that the ECB stance on KP has meant they had to go back to a player who has been exposed technically and has done nothing to show those faults have been corrected in the short space of time.

AUS didn't have Harris in Ashes and they didn't bowl to form. Plus although Lyon obvious a better spinner than Tahir, Tahir is a very solid spinner. Also there is a likelihood the SA attack in most cases won't pick a spinner - a 4 man pace attack of Steyn/Morkel/Abbot/Rabada (and Philander from 3rd test) will be a level ahead of AUS Ashes without a doubt.

 

[stefan]

You need to let that go now. KP is finished. SA's attack is no better than Australia's. In fact, the Aussies have a decent spinner, which is more than can be said for the South Africans.

Having an OTG like Steyn makes up for any lack of quality in spin as he showed time and time again. Besides doubt we will need much spin except for newlands.

 

[bigred]

I've let it go just like how KP has. Just highlighting that the ECB stance on KP has meant they had to go back to a player who has been exposed technically and has done nothing to show those faults have been corrected in the short space of time.

AUS didn't have Harris in Ashes and they didn't bowl to form. Plus although Lyon obvious a better spinner than Tahir, Tahir is a very solid spinner. Also there is a likelihood the SA attack in most cases won't pick a spinner - a 4 man pace attack of Steyn/Morkel/Abbot/Rabada (and Philander from 3rd test) will be a level ahead of AUS Ashes without a doubt.

I'm not sure Tahir is even first in line if SA pick a spinner.

 

[Markkkkk]

Tahir is one of the best soinners in the world in friendly conditions. He does badly in SA as he is used as a holding spinner on wickets that dont turn. However he does fairly well in Durban (I think) as the pitch there has some assistance for spinners.

 

[stefan]

Piedt will be the spinner, Amla doesn't trust Tahir.

 

[Markkkkk]

Dane Paterson was called up to the South African A side! They've done it! South Africa are seeing the light!

 

[T.J.Hooker]

Hmm well I'm on the opposite regarding Ballance. Surprised he was picked because some serious technical flaws were exposed in Ashes & I'm not sure if he bats at # 5 if it will make a lot of difference vs what will be a better SA pace attack.

The problem I've got with Ballance : he's a grinder with crap defensive technique, and only one test class attacking shot.

I don't care how many runs he's knocked up against county medium pacers or lacklustre Indian or WI bowling attacks. His attacking technique is so limited that there aren't actually that many locations that he can reach properly with the middle of the bat, and he doesn't have the defensive ability to make up for it.

 

[Markkkkk]

I'll be surprised if England win this warm up match. Besides Ramela,Zondo and Hendricks this line up could challenge any team in world cricket (If you add Viljoen). We have the better Cook opening and the god of bowling in Dane Paterson. I'm more excited for this warm up then the actual tests!

 

[Markkkkk]

De Kock confirms that he isn't ready for test cricket yet while Cook continues to prove that he is...

 

[bigred]

Looks like Finn might make the Boxing Day test after all. He's bowling well in the current warmup game. Think he'll be crucial to England's chances. It'll probably mean that Footitt doesn't get his debut.

Also, what's wrong with Anderson? He only bowled 5 overs in the first match and he doesn't seem to have been picked for today's match. Should we be worried?

 

[Markkkkk]

Here comes the man fighting against the CSA to play for South Africa...[DOUBLEPOST=1450610194][/DOUBLEPOST]To be fair I've never seen a greater first ball edge like that in all my years of watching/ playing cricket. Why did he not play in India?