South Africa in England

[Leicester Fox]

I expect Cook to come good, last time he was out of form he hit a hundred in the third test of the ashes and then scored loads of runs against the West Indies. people forget how long he's been around for his age, he's come through bad spells before. Having said that last time Colly was out of form he single handedly won us the commonwealth bank series and go himself the captaincy pretty much so maybe we shouldn't have dropped him.

 

[Collingwood50]

I expect Cook to come good, last time he was out of form he hit a hundred in the third test of the ashes and then scored loads of runs against the West Indies. people forget how long he's been around for his age, he's come through bad spells before. Having said that last time Colly was out of form he single handedly won us the commonwealth bank series and go himself the captaincy pretty much so maybe we shouldn't have dropped him.

excacly, colly hasn't been playing well but he's so nitty gritty, we know he will grind out a ton sooner rather than later. Bell is technicaly fantastic, but so inconsistant, i wonder if he ever will make 200

 

[PhilD123]

right then, cook was out when he shouldn't have been so surely it is only right for the England selectors to replace him in the team with someone we have never heard off. At least, thats what they did for colly so i assume he's going to be treated like the others

Apart from Cook doesn't have someone as inspirational as Flintoff to replace him.

excacly, colly hasn't been playing well but he's so nitty gritty, we know he will grind out a ton sooner rather than later. Bell is technicaly fantastic, but so inconsistant, i wonder if he ever will make 200

I know, such a bad player, that 199 really makes me wonder if he has the consistency to get to 200.

What a great day of cricket though, chances for the bowlers, some chances for decent strokeplay, 13 wickets (and FLINTOFF!!!!!!!).

We're not out of this game by a long, long distance. Some dodgy weather tomorrow so should do a bit if we get play. 3 key batsmen out, possibly one more should have been, but I can understand the 'benefit of the doubt' reasoning. Great to see Flintoff back, hopefully he'll get a couple more wickets tomorrow.

 

[Valaskjalf]

Another fail for the "rock" Kallis....seriously need to drop him hes become so full of it over the last few years, thinking his place in the side is a formality - time to give someone else a go so Kallis can wake up a bit! Why keep him in the side when hes completely out of it couldnt even make runs on the flattest pitch we've played on in year at Lord's. Ntini should go as well....hes still one dimensional and still too scared to bowl a slower ball and its showing...1 wicket in three inns is pretty crap for an opening bowler.

Pretty sure we wont balls it up tomorrow but not extremely confident about that...Kallis' wicket really messed it up and at the moment its like playing with one less batsman in the side so hope Amla can use the good fortune he had today and make it count - no point in second chances if you dont make the opposition pay! If they can get a good partnership going and get us up to about 280-300 it would be pretty decent for us.

Regarding England: Flintoffs looking good, didnt do much with the bat, but neither did any of the English batsmen so i guess its excuseable from his point of view. Very confused about the inclusion of this Pattisen chum....he looks pretty mediocre, got Smith to miss one or two but otherwise hes been quite aweomse - If you're a Saffer like me :P Not sure about why Jones didnt even make the squad, you guys will know better I suppose, he was a legend in the 2005 Ashes and QUICK! Flintoff today was also very impressive with the ball got it up to 90mph, which just proves the point I made in an earlier post about how ludicrous this whole thing is about our extreme pace! None of our bowlers bowled faster than Fred today...

 

[lancashire666]

in terms of pace Jimmy Anderson was well down on what we expect from him today, must still be feeling his back strain a bit

 

[adyhorn]

Jones isn't in because England want him to prove his fitness.

 

[Will_NA]

Flintoff's batting this season has to be the most overrated drivel I have ever seen but he's shown why he is our best bowler. If conditions are overcast tomorrow, we should bowl SA out for under 250.

 

[evertonfan]

In fairness, his batting hasn't been overrated at all. It has constantly been lambasted by all forms of the media.

 

[lancashire666]

In fairness, his batting hasn't been overrated at all. It has constantly been lambasted by all forms of the media.

and rightly so, he hasnt preformed too well with the bat at all, definalty not as a number 6 or even 7, but then again he is our best bowler, and when did glenn mcgrath ever have to get runs to get his place in the team, flintoff playes no matter how he bats for me

 

[Stephen Bailey]

Another fail for the "rock" Kallis....seriously need to drop him hes become so full of it over the last few years, thinking his place in the side is a formality - time to give someone else a go so Kallis can wake up a bit! Why keep him in the side when hes completely out of it couldnt even make runs on the flattest pitch we've played on in year at Lord's.

I can't help but think you have something against Kallis. He's averaged 86 in his last 9 tests!! He is one of the best batsman on the planet and you want him dropped after a couple of low scores?

excacly, colly hasn't been playing well but he's so nitty gritty, we know he will grind out a ton sooner rather than later. Bell is technicaly fantastic, but so inconsistant, i wonder if he ever will make 200

I agree that Collingwood is a real battler and will never give up, but he is so out of form at the moment that not even he can scrap his way to a few runs. Sure he got a bad decision at Lord's but the fact is he can't buy a run at the moment.

What a great day of cricket though

Completely agree, I can't think of anything that didn't happen today to be honest. Quick run rate, good bowling, bad shots, controversy, poor umpiring decisions and yes, Freddie. Someone even ran onto the ground!!

 

[lancashire666]

yeah good day, but slow over rate ment we lost about 8 overs

 

[Will_NA]

In fairness, his batting hasn't been overrated at all. It has constantly been lambasted by all forms of the media.

I meant his runs for Lancashire this season. He blasts a quick 32 and he's back in form.

 

[Cricketman]

I seriously am loving the atmosphere in this thread

 

[barmyarmy]

Well seeing someone I'd never heard of in the team was a bit of a shock! I like to think I know a fair bit about English cricket. If I was Tremlett I'd be pretty narked right now.
Not going to talk about the score as I'm pretty sure our chance to win the series vanished before this test started.

 

[karnog]

in terms of pace Jimmy Anderson was well down on what we expect from him today, must still be feeling his back strain a bit

Nevertheless he still looks dangerous. I personally think Jimmy has passed the prolonged purple patch. I think he's finally entering into maturity. He's only 25... i didn't know that. People harp on about Flintoff but if i recall Flintoff averaged 40ish with the ball at the same age. Jimmy averages 34.

I like broad. I really do. But i think he needs more time in county cricket.