England v South Africa 1st Test, Lords

kristinson · 9th July 2008, 10:33

Iv been really looking forward to this series, I reckon it is going to be a very tough and keenly fought contest.

SA only have 2 games under their belt coming into this, whilst England are coming in on the back of a good win over NZ. However SA are a much better and more rounded team than NZ.

Englands batsmen need to score runs, although they beat NZ it was never by a massive margin, if they are to win this series the middle order need to man up as well as the lower order trying to chip in with the odd 20 or 30 here and there.

If the weather holds up I reckon this could be a fast paced exciting test with England just coming through, however even though SA have played very little cricket (esp Smith and Ntini) they always get pumped up for this series.

Cant wait.

teague · 9th July 2008, 13:11

I have seen very little of Steyn's bowling so far but his figures look ridiculously good.
An average of 21.6 and a strike rate of 35.8.
That is the seond best strike rate in history. Only bettered by some bloke in the 1800s back when pitches were like minefields.

Utd heap · 9th July 2008, 13:14

Should be a class series, SA seemed to e of made slight favourites, which i find suprising.

Weather's absolutely shite at the minute, so the first test may well end in a draw (i've got tickets to the 4th day aswell

)

Alot will rely on Englands batsmen, if SA's bowling attack is as good as they say it is...which i doubt.

kristinson · 9th July 2008, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by teague

I have seen very little of Steyn's bowling so far but his figures look ridiculously good.
An average of 21.6 and a strike rate of 35.8.
That is the seond best strike rate in history. Only bettered by some bloke in the 1800s back when pitches were like minefields.

yea pretty good, he topped the bowling ranks this week overtaking muraly.

Looking foward to seeing freddy back in a week or two

Rams · 10th July 2008, 12:54

I don’t understand SA. They’ve packed their side with out & out quickies, yet the conditions in England favour swing and spin. Old Trafford isn’t even a test venue. I think SA have missed a trick here, surprising since they all seem to play in the county championships.

Proof? England 70-0. Even the Kiwis caused us more problems….

Utd heap · 10th July 2008, 16:35

185-3

Good days test cricket thus far. England will be the happier, although a wicket will bring a run of dodgy batsmen in.

Spoonatov · 10th July 2008, 16:48

SA have to be the most overrated team, ever. And they've got an awful record in England. I for one, can;t understand why people thought it'd be a difficult series.

I dislike SA. . .more than any other team.

Utd heap · 10th July 2008, 17:11

Pietersen taking the piss out of SA now

236-3

I did warn you all that SA's pace attack is over-hyped.

Rams · 10th July 2008, 18:43

309 - 3
end of play

FlawlessThaw · 10th July 2008, 19:35

Got a South African colleague at work, when Pietersen score his fifty I just shouted "our South African's better than yours!"

Rams · 10th July 2008, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlawlessThaw

Got a South African colleague at work, when Pietersen score his fifty I just shouted "our South African's better than yours!"

our South Africans

FlawlessThaw · 10th July 2008, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams

our South Africans

Strauss didn't set the world alight today, and he's as posh as Lord Brocket so wouldn't class him as South African.

Rams · 10th July 2008, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlawlessThaw

Strauss didn't set the world alight today, and he's as posh as Lord Brocket so wouldn't class him as South African.

he should never have been given out

crappycraperson · 11th July 2008, 00:33

Draw. England don't have the bowling attack to bowl out SA twice cheaply.

Rams · 11th July 2008, 12:21

Over 400 now. Bell has his 100, KP his 150.

Rams · 11th July 2008, 12:26

oops... KP out for 152

kristinson · 11th July 2008, 13:44

great knock KP, I fancy we will stuble to 520, and hopefully knock a few over later on tonight. Time is my only main worry

Rams · 11th July 2008, 15:49

535 - 6

Bell 171
Broad 54

broad should be batting no. 7

A1Dan · 11th July 2008, 16:50

Bell and Broad need to lash out for their century/double now. If they do it, then we have a massive total, if they fail we've got plenty enough to declare now anyway. One thing they ought not do is hang around - we should get a few balls in at SA this evening...

Think we may not be seeing much more of Collie in test cricket for a while (or ODIs, as it happens). Can't see how Freddie can take Broad's place at the moment.

Red442 · 11th July 2008, 17:09

Ambrose is in the squad purely as a keeper, not a batsman. I personally believe that if the batting has this much depth anyway, this is the way forward. I do not however think that Ambrose has impressed at all with the gloves- the only reason he is in the squad. Can't see his position under threat though, as the management understand that they need to keep faith in their keeper for once.

Rooney1987 · 11th July 2008, 17:54

What a shame Bell out for 199

rimaldo · 11th July 2008, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rooney1987

What a shame Bell out for 199

yep, was a good innings. i wonder how long it will be before smith is offered the light.

Rams · 12th July 2008, 11:43

SA 20-1, Smith out.

Rams · 12th July 2008, 12:11

34 -2

Rams · 12th July 2008, 12:37

51 - 3

kristinson · 12th July 2008, 13:38

looking good at the moment.

FlawlessThaw · 12th July 2008, 14:18

104-4 South Africans look dodgy against Panesar

FlawlessThaw · 12th July 2008, 18:54

Don't think I've ever seen this before but spinners are opening the bowling after South Africa follow on

Rams · 13th July 2008, 11:07

In the past 3 test matches England's bowling & fielding has started to look as good as it was in 2005. And we've still got Flinthoff and Jones coming back to their best.

manux399 · 13th July 2008, 11:27

Yeah looking forward to Jones coming back, he's probably been the most missed of all our players though Tres runs him pretty close on this. Your right about the fielding been top draw of late..!

RSA have looked completely out of practice thus far so expect a tougher game in the second test once their bowlers sort things out..!

Red442 · 13th July 2008, 11:40

I think that Tres is missed mostly in the one dayers. One of our best one day players of all time, but in tests Cook appears to have taken over his role well.

rimaldo · 13th July 2008, 12:46

bumble asking pollock if he was straight or bent and pollock replying he was bent.

massey · 13th July 2008, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by rimaldo

bumble asking pollock if he was straight or bent and pollock replying he was bent.

see that too,said without hessitation.

ZIDANE · 13th July 2008, 21:47

242 for 1

Decent recovery that.

A bang on draw, unless they collapse spectacularly...

9th July 2008, 10:33	#1 (permalink)
kristinson Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dubai Posts: 930	England v South Africa 1st Test, Lords Iv been really looking forward to this series, I reckon it is going to be a very tough and keenly fought contest. SA only have 2 games under their belt coming into this, whilst England are coming in on the back of a good win over NZ. However SA are a much better and more rounded team than NZ. Englands batsmen need to score runs, although they beat NZ it was never by a massive margin, if they are to win this series the middle order need to man up as well as the lower order trying to chip in with the odd 20 or 30 here and there. If the weather holds up I reckon this could be a fast paced exciting test with England just coming through, however even though SA have played very little cricket (esp Smith and Ntini) they always get pumped up for this series. Cant wait.

9th July 2008, 13:14	#3 (permalink)
Utd heap Last Man Standing (joint) Champion 2008 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: At an away ground near you... Posts: 7,084	Should be a class series, SA seemed to e of made slight favourites, which i find suprising. Weather's absolutely shite at the minute, so the first test may well end in a draw (i've got tickets to the 4th day aswell) Alot will rely on Englands batsmen, if SA's bowling attack is as good as they say it is...which i doubt.

9th July 2008, 13:11	#2 (permalink)
teague Youth Team Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 216	I have seen very little of Steyn's bowling so far but his figures look ridiculously good. An average of 21.6 and a strike rate of 35.8. That is the seond best strike rate in history. Only bettered by some bloke in the 1800s back when pitches were like minefields.

10th July 2008, 12:54	#5 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,589	I don’t understand SA. They’ve packed their side with out & out quickies, yet the conditions in England favour swing and spin. Old Trafford isn’t even a test venue. I think SA have missed a trick here, surprising since they all seem to play in the county championships. Proof? England 70-0. Even the Kiwis caused us more problems….

10th July 2008, 16:35	#6 (permalink)
Utd heap Last Man Standing (joint) Champion 2008 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: At an away ground near you... Posts: 7,084	185-3 Good days test cricket thus far. England will be the happier, although a wicket will bring a run of dodgy batsmen in.

10th July 2008, 16:48	#7 (permalink)
Spoonatov El Presidente - Voted best poster 2007 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Number 17. (Laura's got a cellulite arse). RIP Jermaine Stewart. Posts: 26,286	SA have to be the most overrated team, ever. And they've got an awful record in England. I for one, can;t understand why people thought it'd be a difficult series. I dislike SA. . .more than any other team.

10th July 2008, 17:11	#8 (permalink)
Utd heap Last Man Standing (joint) Champion 2008 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: At an away ground near you... Posts: 7,084	Pietersen taking the piss out of SA now 236-3 I did warn you all that SA's pace attack is over-hyped.

10th July 2008, 18:43	#9 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,589	309 - 3 end of play

10th July 2008, 19:35	#10 (permalink)
FlawlessThaw most 'know it all' poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 9,266	Got a South African colleague at work, when Pietersen score his fifty I just shouted "our South African's better than yours!"

11th July 2008, 00:33	#14 (permalink)
crappycraperson "Resident cricket authority" Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: <Insert something funny here> Posts: 10,974	Draw. England don't have the bowling attack to bowl out SA twice cheaply.

11th July 2008, 12:21	#15 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,589	Over 400 now. Bell has his 100, KP his 150.

11th July 2008, 12:26	#16 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,589	oops... KP out for 152

11th July 2008, 13:44	#17 (permalink)
kristinson Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dubai Posts: 930	great knock KP, I fancy we will stuble to 520, and hopefully knock a few over later on tonight. Time is my only main worry

11th July 2008, 15:49	#18 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,589	535 - 6 Bell 171 Broad 54 broad should be batting no. 7

11th July 2008, 16:50	#19 (permalink)
A1Dan First Team Regular Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Where the goals come from. Posts: 10,622	Bell and Broad need to lash out for their century/double now. If they do it, then we have a massive total, if they fail we've got plenty enough to declare now anyway. One thing they ought not do is hang around - we should get a few balls in at SA this evening... Think we may not be seeing much more of Collie in test cricket for a while (or ODIs, as it happens). Can't see how Freddie can take Broad's place at the moment.

11th July 2008, 17:09	#20 (permalink)
Red442 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Here> Posts: 1,354	Ambrose is in the squad purely as a keeper, not a batsman. I personally believe that if the batting has this much depth anyway, this is the way forward. I do not however think that Ambrose has impressed at all with the gloves- the only reason he is in the squad. Can't see his position under threat though, as the management understand that they need to keep faith in their keeper for once.

11th July 2008, 17:54	#21 (permalink)
Rooney1987 Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 2,063	What a shame Bell out for 199

12th July 2008, 11:43	#23 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,589	SA 20-1, Smith out.

12th July 2008, 12:11	#24 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,589	34 -2

12th July 2008, 12:37	#25 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,589	51 - 3

12th July 2008, 13:38	#26 (permalink)
kristinson Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dubai Posts: 930	looking good at the moment.

12th July 2008, 14:18	#27 (permalink)
FlawlessThaw most 'know it all' poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 9,266	104-4 South Africans look dodgy against Panesar

12th July 2008, 18:54	#28 (permalink)
FlawlessThaw most 'know it all' poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 9,266	Don't think I've ever seen this before but spinners are opening the bowling after South Africa follow on

13th July 2008, 11:07	#29 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,589	In the past 3 test matches England's bowling & fielding has started to look as good as it was in 2005. And we've still got Flinthoff and Jones coming back to their best.

13th July 2008, 11:27	#30 (permalink)
manux399 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Dubai, UAE. "Dubai Les Sealey Reds..!!!!" Posts: 3,015	Yeah looking forward to Jones coming back, he's probably been the most missed of all our players though Tres runs him pretty close on this. Your right about the fielding been top draw of late..! RSA have looked completely out of practice thus far so expect a tougher game in the second test once their bowlers sort things out..!

13th July 2008, 11:40	#31 (permalink)
Red442 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Here> Posts: 1,354	I think that Tres is missed mostly in the one dayers. One of our best one day players of all time, but in tests Cook appears to have taken over his role well.

13th July 2008, 12:46	#32 (permalink)
rimaldo Out of the closet, into life. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: renowned and profound prophet of rimglish. Posts: 8,816	bumble asking pollock if he was straight or bent and pollock replying he was bent.

13th July 2008, 21:47	#34 (permalink)
ZIDANE Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: "..undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation" Posts: 4,409	242 for 1 Decent recovery that. A bang on draw, unless they collapse spectacularly...