South Africa tour of England

[Aislabie]

Looks pretty good to me. Big fan of Woakes but would be tough on Roland Jones.

It would, but for me Roland-Jones is definitely the next cab off the rank. He'd probably play as often as not because Broad, Woakes and Anderson hardly have a track record of all being fit at the same time.

Heard Sky commentators talk about Hales at 5 which is interesting. Be less pressure on him but does he have right technique to play at test level?

Technically, I think he'd be fine at Test level so long as he wasn't starting against a Philander, Starc, Amir or Shami with the new ball. He would also fit into this new English idea of an "engine room middle-order" that cluld potentially win a game in a session.

Don't know enough about Browne to comment but we need to find a partner for Cook soon as he will be retiring in a couple of years probably.

I figured that the best bloke to succeed a tall, patient left-handed Essex opener would be a tall, patient left-handed Essex opener. They also know they bat well together from that 400-stand earlier in the year.

 

[zimrahil]

It would, but for me Roland-Jones is definitely the next cab off the rank. He'd probably play as often as not because Broad, Woakes and Anderson hardly have a track record of all being fit at the same time..

yes cannot find any fault in that logic !

I figured that the best bloke to succeed a tall, patient left-handed Essex opener would be a tall, patient left-handed Essex opener. They also know they bat well together from that 400-stand earlier in the year.

I hope you are right as issue has been unresolved for years now. Perhaps county cricket needs shaking up to prepare cricketers better for step-up to test cricket but that is a discussion for another thread

Anyhow day 4 about to start, hope the forecast is good in Manchester!

 

[zimrahil]

The ball is moving sideways. Saffies doing well to only be 2 down....

 

[Ahmad94]

Amla really is a class apart from other batsmen. Really gave South Africa a solid chance to win this one.

 

[zimrahil]

Amla really is a class apart from other batsmen. Really gave South Africa a solid chance to win this one.

Moeeeeeeen. 3 wickets for 10 runs.........

 

[Ahmad94]

Moeeeeeeen. 3 wickets for 10 runs.........

Good on him man. Guess you really have to respect the beard.

The game might be over before the end of the day.

 

[zimrahil]

Good on him man. Guess you really have to respect the beard.

.

Indeed - if I just wasn't so against it, I would grow one to honour him

It really suits him but I just know I would look terrible !


Yes game hopefully wrapped up this evening

 

[Santander]

I think this series has put beyond any doubt that Moeen is a genuine all-rounder.

I won't disrespect his bowling again.

 

[Jenocide]

Good on him man. Guess you really have to respect the beard.

The game might be over before the end of the day.

I think the beard is his style and he should keep it.[DOUBLEPOST=1502201304][/DOUBLEPOST]

Amla really is a class apart from other batsmen. Really gave South Africa a solid chance to win this one.

Now jlets not get to hasty South Africa are a good team I feel Enlgand were good or certain players stepped up.

 

[IceAgeComing]

I think this series has put beyond any doubt that Moeen is a genuine all-rounder.

I won't disrespect his bowling again.

He's bowled well in England before (although not quite that well); its when they play away that he struggles a bit more. I mean he's an incredibly useful player to have since he's a proper good batsman who on his day can bowl very well, but I'd like to see him have a good winter somewhere before we start talking about him being this big all rounder.

 

[Rehan_24]

Moeen hails Saqlain role in success | cricket.com.au

 

[zimrahil]

Moeen hails Saqlain role in success | cricket.com.au

Thanks for the link - having watched him at Worcestershire since well before his test playing days, his bowling has come on in leaps and bounds. In fact he was always primarily a batsman but I feel his bowling is what holds his place down in the test team nowadays. Just needs to be slightly more consistent.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

AB de Villiers steps down as SA captain in all formats and makes a return to all 3 formats!! I'm over the moon!

The best decision for himself and SA cricket!