South Africa in England July-Sept 2012

[puddleduck]

Hot and sunny

I know they've just spent a long time in the field, but to see your 3 best batsman get out after watching SA pile on 600+ is pretty dismal.

 

[barmyarmy]

Can't quite believe we're going to have lost 20 wickets for fewer runs than they lost 2. There have been warning signs that this might happen though. I've said consistently that the idea our batters would all "fill their boots" in home conditions was ridiculous.

 

[nelson111]

What a brilliant day! Cricket has been superb and now Ernie just won the open! It hasn't been too bad for you guys either with Wiggins - well done to him!

 

[puddleduck]

The reality is our batsman have piled on 400 against rubbish bowling attacks on roads, but didn't exactly rack up totals against an average Windies attack and have again failed to make 400 batting first against a genuinely world class attack. They struggled against the only other good bowling attack they've faced lately as well when they got thrashed by Pakistan.

The bowlers won't bail us out every time.

 

[Owzat]

Poor effort from England, 3.67 days and twelve wickets, they manage to lose four in 1/11 of the time.

There is still a glimmer of hope, if Bell or Bopara can make a hundred and be supported by the other, Prior and the rest of the order, then runs become priceless. Say England get to about 302/7 by tea tomorrow and then it would become fascinating. Two more wickets before lunch tomorrow and I think fat ladies will be singing across South Africa.

 

[puddleduck]

Yeah talk about a chance for Ravi to prove his test credentials

 

[cricket_icon]

I don't think we need to be too disheartened by England's bowling, this is their worst performance in a long, long time. And I think it was more to do with the greatness of SAs batsmen then the inadequacies of the English bowlers. Having said that, I find Bresnan a dreary bowler, he needs to go.

 

[puddleduck]

It must be said though, that to score a triple century against a bowling attack that has consistently bowled teams out ranks as a pretty special achievement. A far better knock than Hayden's 380 against Zimbabwe.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

It must be said though, that to score a triple century against a bowling attack that has consistently bowled teams out ranks as a pretty special achievement. A far better knock than Hayden's 380 against Zimbabwe.

It was a fantastic knock. One of the best I've ever seen. I've never seen someone look so relaxed for so long at the crease.

Hayden was a very ugly batsman compared with Hashim Amla.

 

[Sulaiman7]

Are you seriously comparing Hayden with Amla ?

 

[sifter132]

South Africa have only batted once, England would unlikely declare and try to bowl them out, and it is highly unlikely England would be bowled out for say 260-290 and South Africa not make any runs needed to win ie the chances of England being bowled out for under 300 and South Africa being bowled out for the 1st innings deficit or less are remote.

The odds of South Africa losing from here are astronomic[

EXACTLY! I can't believe Smith is getting props for this declaration. It came about an hour too late in my view, maybe more. If you've got an innings in hand and you are confident your are the better team, I think you shouldn't need a lead much more than 100 - 200 should be the absolute max.

Look at this scenario: If SA had declared midway through the 2nd session, they would have been in front by 189 - more if Smith/Kirsten had told them to declare at that point because they would have sped up the RR.
With a 189 lead and 4.5 sessions left in the game, you might see 450 runs left in the game.
England could get 261 runs in front if they batted all that time (450-189).
If England went for a win, they would have to set SA half of that 261 - at MOST, because they wouldn't want to give away an easy victory chase ie. 130 runs in 1.25 sessions would be a pretty tasty target, even on the 5th day of a Test. So England would have needed to set something like 160 in 30 overs - if they were desperate to push for that win.

If SA were scared of batting those hypothetical 30 overs and delayed their declaration because of that yesterday - they are idiots, cowards, noobs, whatever you want to call them. Sure, by batting that extra hour they decreased their chance of losing from 0.5% to 0.1% (I'm estimating here )...but they decreased their chance of winning by much, much more. Essentially they've just given themselves an hour less to bowl out England. It was pure greed for Amla's 300. Smith/Kirsten should have told Amla, you have til the drinks break, maybe 30 mins to tea at the ABSOLUTE latest to reach 300 - get on with it man, you've been out there 2 days anyway...

It may turn out fine, but if England get a draw with only 3 or less wickets in the shed, then SA will have wanted that extra hour.

What a brilliant day! Cricket has been superb and now Ernie just won the open! It hasn't been too bad for you guys either with Wiggins - well done to him!

It must be relieving to see an Australian choke for a South African to win something

 

[War]

England football coach ROy Hodgson, chatting with Jonathan Agnew, during the tea interval on the 4th day.

 

[Owzat]

Bopara blew it, good chance to make his case. Extends a very disappointing run.

Next couple of wicket partnerships hold the key, the gamble was to declare low to give maximum time to bowl England out so England have a lower target to make the saffers bat again.

I think I said England needed to avoid two wickets in the session, nearly there *fingers crossed to avoid jinx*

 

[barmyarmy]

From Twitter:

England's 6th Test batsman this year: 22, 0, 18, 4, 16, 29, 9, 2, 31, 10, 0, 3, 14, 24. Ave 13. Steven Finn's international batting ave: 14

 

[Owzat]

So far so good, relatively speaking. If we can get through the afternoon session with no more than two lost wickets then we have a good chance, I doubt we'll get much in front by then but it will then start to become a runs vs overs equation.

But those who may still be doubting the sense in declaring yesterday, I'm sure South Africa would rather chase 100 off 15 overs with all wickets in hand than be three wickets shy at 5pm and shaking hands on a draw.