South Africa in England

[RoboRocks]

This day proves how much we could use a five man bowling attack and how much we need Freddie. Regardless on how he's been batting in recent years, we could sure use is bowling.
Monty was a little disappointing to the left handed Smith since he should have bowled a few more balls wider of off stump to draw him out to the ball and perhaps going through the gate, apart from that there's not much England could really do on a flat pitch such as this and there is nothing to tell me that England will have a better day tomorrow. I should have known that this was a possibility but I thought England could have picked up one wicket in the whole day.

 

[Ollie_H]

England did pick up one wicket in the whole day?

 

[m_vaughan]

I'm gonna requote myself

So, South Africa get another 230-240 runs in 2 sessions, leave themselves about 40 overs to bowl England out.

And Paul Harris will have to become Shane Warne and Murali and Mendis combined

If the pitch has variable bounce, Steyn could cause PLENTY of problems late in the day tomorrow.

SA scored 229 runs the whole day, so I dont see them scoring 230-240 in 2 sessions especially with these two at the crease.

Sidebottom to get the early breakthroughs tomorrow and Monty to rip through the middle and lower order.

 

[Sureshot]

This day proves how much we could use a five man bowling attack and how much we need Freddie. Regardless on how he's been batting in recent years, we could sure use is bowling.
Monty was a little disappointing to the left handed Smith since he should have bowled a few more balls wider of off stump to draw him out to the ball and perhaps going through the gate, apart from that there's not much England could really do on a flat pitch such as this and there is nothing to tell me that England will have a better day tomorrow. I should have known that this was a possibility but I thought England could have picked up one wicket in the whole day.

All today proved was how Lord's is set-up to make every day of cricket last the whole day. Fred will not have destroyed South Africa today. Were people calling for him when we bowled them out for 247? We bowled quite well today - getting only one wicket, that sounds stupid - but they batted a lot better, and rode their luck on occasion. It's still a flat track though. No swing, no seam, no pace, no bounce, very occasionally spinning. Their 1st innings was a false dawn.

As much as I like Freddie, I don't think we need him at the moment. Though I would love to proved wrong.

 

[irottev]

That's more like it from South Africa! Still have no chance of winning, need to bat 2 sessions and they will probably draw it. Looking like they have a good shot at it now.

 

[zub2005]

a victory for south africa is very very very unlikely, but you never no. hope amla can bat well, africa were poor with the ball in the first innings. a draw tomorrow, i hope then a good game in the 2nd test

 

[PhilD123]

Any side is better with Flintoff in it, I'm pretty sure of that, He's an impact bowler with the ball, who he'd come in for, I'm not sure, but a player of his standard can be fitted in. The bowlers did well today, however Flintoff could have been important with some reverse swing. Sidebottom's back looks like its troubling him a little, so that might be the answer for Headingley.

 

[Huegel]

I'm still hoping England can come out in the morning and do some damage but I guess the smart money's on a draw. Still imo the morning session will be the crucial one.

Sidebottom's back looks like its troubling him a little, so that might be the answer for Headingley.

Definitely gets them out of the 'who do we drop in order to give Fred a go' hole if Sidebottom needs to rest his back.

 

[Arunava]

good resilience shown by SA. hope they can continue this today as well. Hoping that if they wud have few wickets in hand in 2nd session. .they they can score quickly and put England to bat.

 

[aussie_ben91]

I remember something like this happened last year with England against India. England should've won the first test but then got steamrolled in the final 2 tests.

You can slowly feel the momentuem of this series swaying in the way of the Saffas if they can pull off a draw.

 

[sohum]

The South African cricket team traditionally have been quite a defensive team, so I doubt they would by trying to make wine out of water by pushing on tomorrow and making a sporting declaration. So, draw, barring an extraordinary bowling performance or an extraordinarily pathetic batting collapse.

 

[angryangy]

For a target to be sporting, they'd have to produce something like 300 runs in the first session. Declaring any later than lunch would be pointless.

 

[mattfb]

There is no way SA would even think about going for a win in this game. That would be insanely stupid.

 

[WestIndian]

For SA to think of a win is insane, I believe that they should opt for batting practice, leave the Eng. bowlers out in the sun for as long as possible, knowing the second test commence on Friday, they might just have some tired guys facing come Friday. So far this morning, nothing to shout about, they bowlers are putting their all into their deliveries but the batters are up to it and the short pitch stuff have no effect on Amla thus far.

 

[Leicester Fox]

Right well we won't win now. Why the pitch is like this is beyond me. Anyway I fully expect Englands batsmen after getting so pumped up about this attack to get complacent and get bowled out for 150 in the next game.