[Cricket] South Africa V England 1st Test

[Pavilionaire]

Compton looked good today, as did Taylor. Very encouraging for England, although the new ball is only an hour away. We need Compton to get through until lunch and help see it off.

 

[Bigtomfu]

We need to bat deep here. Anything less than 380 spells trouble.

 

[jakarta]

We need to bat deep here. Anything less than 380 spells trouble.

Par 1st Innings Score here is 300, why do we need that many? It would be nice to get more of course...

 

[pasty]

WTF !!!!

Got up this morning and we were going quite nicely at 246/5. Go downstairs to make coffee and have a fag, come back upstairs and we're 275/9

 

[BensGrandad]

Hard work to come for the bowlers.

 

[Giraffe]

No surprise for me. We haven't batted well in the bottom order for a long time. If Root and Cook don't get big scores we never get past 300.

 

[pasty]

Nice, Broad second ball, SA 0/1

van Zyl b Broad 0

 

[Giraffe]

Broad bowling like a demon.

 

[crookie]

Those extra 30 odd for the last wicket could be crucial yet

 

[crookie]

Could be a costly spill that

 

[Giraffe]

Damn. Not sure whether he should have left for Cook, but wicketkeepers generally take those.

 

[crookie]

Damn. Not sure whether he should have left for Cook, but wicketkeepers generally take those.

Yeah, but looked he got his hand across but just couldn't keep hold of it, I think keepers have to go for those, sharp chance but should have held on

 

[Eeyore]

The Bairstow drop holds me to my view on the keeping position.

I'd rather have a keeper who averages 20 with the bat, and takes a sharp chance off Amla before he's barely scored, than one who averages 35 and drops him.

The England keeper should always be the best the County Championship has to offer.

 

[big nuts]

So frustrating that once again we are splling chances behind the wicket. We have enough all rounders to pick our best wicket keeper without compromising our batting.

 

[big nuts]

Lovely stuff. Huge wicket

 

[Titanic]

That looked out to me. A life for ABdV... seemed over-cautious to me by 3rd umpire.

 

[jakarta]

Very interestingly poised and a very good example of why Test Cricket is head and shoulders above the shorter forms of the game...

It is a pain in the arse that I am just about to get a taxi to LHR and spend the next 27 hours travelling to NZ so I will miss the whole of tomorrow's play!

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Apparently you can buy tickets for all five days in South Africa for less than a single day's play in England

 

[big nuts]

Apparently you can buy tickets for all five days in South Africa for less than a single day's play in England

South Africa have just sacked three finance ministers in quick succession which has dramatically affected the strength of the Rand. It's now 24 to £1 which is ridiculous. I've been to Cape Town twice when it's been between 16-18 rand to the pound and even then it was ridiculously cheap. You can probably get a pint for 30p and a quality steak and bottle of wine for a £10.

I'm planning on going again in 4 years time for my 40th would love the Rand to still be this weak but can't see it. I would heartily recommend anyone who wants a bit of winter sun to head over to Cape Town it might cost a bit to get out there, but you will struggle to spend money when you are there plus it's a truly wonderful place.

 

[Trevor]

The Bairstow drop holds me to my view on the keeping position.

I'd rather have a keeper who averages 20 with the bat, and takes a sharp chance off Amla before he's barely scored, than one who averages 35 and drops him.

The England keeper should always be the best the County Championship has to offer.

I agree with you, I would always select the best keeper but would expect that player to make the best of their batting talents however limited. I don't think many selectors would agree though. (Incidentally, I don't think Bairstow is a poor keeper by any means - certainly not the best available though)