South Africa in England July-Sept 2012

[War]

Given the standard of the attack, i think this has to be Pietersen's bet test innings. Even better than his 150 odd at the Oval vs the great Aussies in 2005.

I also reckon KP is in the form of his life this year, ever since his back-to-back ODI hundreds in UAE vs Pakistan.

Its utterly distgusting that he won't be going to the T20 World Cup.

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I agree with you! We've butted heads on this before, but if teams just hurried up with their over rate, then they give themselves the option of 4 seamers ALL the time. It's not rocket science - stop switching fields on the last ball of an over, set goals on how quickly you can swap ends - it's not that hard.

My argument in the past is that Australia couldn't pull off 4 seamers because Ponting and Clarke to a lesser extent just don't have the urgency. We've also had bowlers who dick around during their over with long run-ups etc. - much easier when you've got guys like Hilfenhaus who try and bowl overs in 3 minutes.

True.

 

[barmyarmy]

Well that was a day of test cricket to remember. We were very lucky with the weather as only 7 overs lost.
Poor shots from Trott/Bell although the pressure being applied is a slight excuse. KP - what can I say?
Magnificent to watch; a real treat and looking forward to tomorrow. To be honest this is all on the bowlers now. The only way we will level the series is by bowling SA out for under 150. Injuries to Smith and Petersen could yet prove crucial.
With the forecast for tomorrow and Monday the draw is still heavy favourite.

 

[puddleduck]

Is there something to be said for a really bold move? If Smith and Petersen are injured tomorrow and the weather is bad... A declaration and a chance to bowl SA out as quick as possible and then bat for the win?

 

[shravi]

Honestly, I don't have words to do justice to that innings, but it was one of the best I've ever seen. I think it was mentioned on cricinfo that nobody else but IVA could have played an innings like that. I'm not comparing the two because that would be foolish, but that was just brutal stuff.

 

[War]

Liam Herringshaw: Was it worth having Lord's host the Olympics archery events? | Specials | Cricinfo Magazine | ESPN Cricinfo

I hope this archery stuff doesn't cause a problem come the 3rd test.

 

[MUFC1987]

Impressed with Taylor. Doesn't really look in form and it constantly seemed like a struggle for him, but he showed a willingness and the desire to stick it out and just see where he went. Something which we've lacked in the likes of Bopara, Morgan and even Bell. This type of innings showed us a lot more than any innings of bashing around a Division Two attack last year.

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Is there something to be said for a really bold move? If Smith and Petersen are injured tomorrow and the weather is bad... A declaration and a chance to bowl SA out as quick as possible and then bat for the win?

This is what we need to do. Either declare or just go Gung Ho straight away. If it's overcast first thing tomorrow, then they really should declare and get Anderson on it.

If England want to be the best team around, then they have to show the belief to act like it. Risk losing this Test (and the series) to give themselves a chance of winning it (and likewise, the series).

 

[barmyarmy]

Actually sunny here...
I think get to 500 by just after lunch then declare.

 

[Owzat]

There's no point worrying about declarations and taking chances on players not being able to bat, we've two days left and with KP at the crease the runs will come pretty quickly anyway. England need to get a lead first, so much depends on this morning's session.

I'd want to be declaring by tea although I suspect a declaration may be taken out of our hands by dint of being bowled out. 75+ run lead would be great, then just hope we can make inroads and execute a chase. REALLY cannot see us winning by an innings so we mustn't waste time. If we're gonna win then we'd have to bowl the saffers out in 2-3 sessions, IF that did happen then the chase might be tight with our size of lead depending on when we were bowled out etc.

Let's get a lead first, and not forget most of our position is down to Pietersen as was much of their's. I think only one other batsman besides the centurions has passed 50 and only just.

Good to see Prior go out and make himself 20 runs before close instead of sending out a nightwatchman. KP played an excellent innings, most of the batsmen played decent knocks although some of the dismissals were "soft" and Bell is about the only one I'd really criticise. Decent knock by Taylor on debut, although I'm not as enthusiastic about it as some media/pundits.

I'd also say the slip corden needs to move a few yards forward. Catches dropping short is a crime and few slips are ready to fall forward. I disagree with whoever reckoned the close catch in front of the wicket was one that either sticks or doesn't, the close catcher made a mess of what he's there to do.

 

[Haarithan]

That to me was the best test innings ever from Pietersen. Absolutely butchered the world's best bowler and Morne Morkel to shreds.

Found James Taylor to be impressive as well - so much more solid than any of our previous #6's.

 

[Owzat]

Pietersen out early, down now to Prior and help from Bresnan and Broad. If Prior can put together 70+ and the other two 20+ then England may eke out a lead.

Don't know if Prior coming out last night will put big question marks over the use of nightwatchmen, he scored 20 last night and 23 this morning while the nightwatchman might have a) got out anyway, b) scratched around for 3-5 runs not out and added a few this morning, or c) hung around and just meant all the order batted down one so probably leaving someone not out and run out of partners a la Steyn/Duminy

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Two more runs and Prior will have the joint fourth top score, seven more and he'll be in third. His knock could be very important to the game, in fact I dare say what Prior does may decide who has a chance of winning and whether or not either side is likely to.

 

[Owzat]

Surely can only end in a draw now. Decent knock by Prior, can't help but feel some of the dismissals were a tad soft today.

 

[shravi]

Damnit, woke up at 5am four days in a row for this match. Feel like an idiot now.

 

[puddleduck]

Why? The beauty of cricket is 4 days of hard fought cricket and no winner necessarily at the end of it

 

[shravi]

Why? The beauty of cricket is 4 days of hard fought cricket and no winner necessarily at the end of it

I don't mind a hard fought or exciting draw. This wasn't one, and it could have been if not for the rain today. There doesn't have to be a result, but this was a bit of a letdown.

 

[puddleduck]

You got to see a couple of excellent days of test cricket though? The two Pietersen/Peterson's hundreds completely contrasting each other. Two bowling attacks bowling pretty well. Could have been worse. Could have been India in England