Really pleased how we've improved since the Ashes 5-0 loss and world cup embarrassment. Of course we'll always be on the brink of a gd ol' English collapse but at least we are looking competitive against good sides. We'll probably lose this series 4-0 now.
English cricket 2015 - NZ, The Ashes, Pak and SA
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
Another 50 NO for Joe Root. Absolute machine.
Their top order is woefully out of form. Don't think Amla has been the same player since taking over the captaincy.
Gotta back Amla to turn it around, in my opinion. England backed Cook, and he's had a pretty good 2015 after many doubted his position in the team period.
Already too many for SA to chase
Should he 1-0
And if Steyn is out, that is a huge blow, especially as Anderson should return
Should he 1-0
And if Steyn is out, that is a huge blow, especially as Anderson should return
There is no depth in the SA batting line up, there no 8,9,10 & 11 all avg under 20 runs, where England batting only Finn has a under 20 avg
It's so strange really that since coming back to international cricket in 1992 Saffers have always had some top quality fast bowling all rounders. They had McMillan, Pollock, Klusner and Kallis etc who provided balance to the team. As an Indian fan I always felt so jealous because we always had a long tail in our batting lineup but now pretty much every team apart from SAF has all rounders who can add depth to the batting.
Indeed they did and as probably you can imagine, I was well smug
One too many passengers there. Steyn (and Duminy) will be gone in no time, leaving ABdV with an impossible task. England have been excellent so far and they've got this Test firmly in their hands.
Moeen
Finn, Anderson and Broad when on form is a great seam attack and adding Stokes and Ali leaves England with a number of options allowing bowlers rest periods.
Our pace reserves are great. I was really impressed with Woakes, again, who, again, bowled without luck. He swings the ball both ways and was constantly quicker than Dale Steyn, he's going to be great for us. Consistently bowled high 80s/low 90s.
Wood's a great bowler, and I hope he can get over his injuries, Footit's very highly regarded too. I've got a huge amount of time for Plunkett and haven't given up on Jordan, either.
In fact, I think I just love this England side fullstop. Dare I say it? I think I love it more than the side that got us to number 1 in the world. So much talent.
Good side this is, just need to iron out the opener and keeper issues, think there's a lot more to come too. Root has had a terrific year but needs to convert 50's in to 100's, Taylor is bedding in, Bairstow seems to be getting comfortable (batting wise), Stokes will get a lot better, Ali will undoubtedly get better into his 30's and Finn finally seems to be accepted for what he can bring to the team (wickets!).
Longer term, I believe Ballance will be in England's no 3. If we can sort an opener then we have the makings of a very good side. The batting collapses must be eliminated though as that has often proved our weakness. That can only come if we have a consistent team who build up experience.
Compton opening and Ballance showing the form when he first came into the test team at 3 would really make it a quality batting order from 1-8 IMO, that top 3 could be construed as far too conservative for modern cricket however and an alternative would be to move Root to 3, Taylor to 4, Bairstow to 5 and bring Buttler back in at 7 as WK.
Tbh, I don't think it matters and people should get over slow scoring at the top of the order. Games rarely last 5 days now and you've got got more time than ever for a player like Compton or Cook to go about their work.
I'd rather be 100-0 off 50 overs than 30-3 off 5.
I would honestly prefer them both to open and have Root at 3, I think it's the perfect balance.
I'd leave Root where he is whilst he's scoring runs. He might move to 3 eventually but theres certainly no rush.
Same for Compton really, I'd give Hales a bit of a run opening and even if he fails I wouldn't be desperate to move him to open. He's batting where he is for his county and its a position we've struggled with historically.
2 days rest between tests?
Good first session by England. SA are there for the taking, such an average bowling line-up.
Good first session by England. SA are there for the taking, such an average bowling line-up.
Interesting start to after lunch session, they seem to have decided the spinner is going 
Nick Compton
Well played Hales he's out scored Cook in all 3 of his innings should give him some confidence.
Makes you wonder why it took SA so long to get Morkel back in the attack
Makes you wonder why it took SA so long to get Morkel back in the attack
First time I've seen Rabada since a ODI series where he sprayed it a round a bit.
Very impressive. He'll need to be too, big shoes to fill.
Thought Hales was good too. A bit like Hamish Rutherford though in that he scored exclusively in boundaries, needs to be able to work good balls into the gap rather than just block them.
Very impressive. He'll need to be too, big shoes to fill.
Thought Hales was good too. A bit like Hamish Rutherford though in that he scored exclusively in boundaries, needs to be able to work good balls into the gap rather than just block them.
Ballance's aggressive batting is understated. He is a constant fixture in Yorkshire's ODI team and is a really good accumulator. Compton also seems a while to get going but seems to accumulate well when he does. I would leave Root where he is. Buttler needs to work on his defensive technique for test matches.
To the shock of no-one, Root scores 50.
Stokes is starting to motor.
400 is on for England. Great chance for them to break their deceptive 59 year Newlands drought.
Ben Stokes is killing it!
Ben Stokes
Stokes has decided to go in hard then
Bairstow doing well to just keep it ticking over his end too.
Bairstow doing well to just keep it ticking over his end too.
Terrific knock from Stokes.
Almost 200 runs from 25 overs!! Amazing from Stokes..
So, maybe you've found your next Botham. Can see Stokes being one of Bayliss's favourites.
Incredible!
The only thing I can think to say is "feck me".
Dizzy welcoming Stokes to the 200 club.
And off he goes again
Don't think Gillespie ever misses the chance to remind us that he got 200 in an innings!!
Can't blame him really. Dizzy's double ton was as remarkable as Joe Root getting five wickets in an innings.
Don't think Gillespie ever misses the chance to remind us that he got 200 in an innings!!
I'm all for brave declarations but please let Stokes continue. If they play 25 overs more, Stokes has his 400.