England v South Africa, The Oval, 1st Test Thread

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

Here we go then, England v South Africa at The Oval where the battle for Number 1 will commence. A win or draw in the series for England will see them retain that coveted spot whereas South Africa need a series win to take the crown. This will be a true battle of the World's two best Test teams. Here are the lineups:

1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Ian Bell, 6 Ravi Bopara, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 James Anderson

England bat down to 10 with the formidable Cook opening (made 294 less than 12 months ago), KP (who walks into any team at the moment) and the best WK batsmen in the game, Matt Prior (averages over 40 and he bats at 7). Add the fact that their probable No.8 bats with an average over 40! England have probably the best all-round bowling attack in the game - 2 World-class quicks, a World-'class spinner and a very good all-rounder in Tim Bresnan who averages over 40 with the bat and under 30 with the ball. One weak link though, Ravi Bopara.

1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Alviro Petersen, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 AB de Villiers (wk), 6 Jacques Rudolph, 7 JP Duminy, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir

7 specalist batsmen which includes the best no.3 in the World and the best all-rounder seen in this era. There's also Graeme Smith and De Villiers who both average a shade under 50. Then the best fast bowling attack in the World, Steyn (best bowler in the World), Morkel and Philander (average of 14.15 in 7 Tests). Weak links? Petersen isn't the best opener, Boucher the usual WK is injured and Tahir is far from the best spinner in the World.

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My series prediction: 2-0 England.

Enjoy the game!

[trebellbobaggins]

as soon as folks go ahead of themselves here a man fell. I think need to be a little realistic. SA are mor ethan capable of giving england a torrid time.

[mystiroakey]

arrr - i think its been more about your lack of postings mr Trebbs

[trebellbobaggins]

yeah, i think i'm getting wireless interference.

[mystiroakey]

You need to water down my optimism

[Duty281]

200 up for England and Cook's in the 90s.

[skyeman]

200 up.

Eng 200-2 and the r/r improving slightly.

[ChequeredJersey]

Sounds like KP hit a monster

[Fists of Fury]

A front foot pull like an exocet missile, by all accounts.

[Fists of Fury]

Sublime, Cooky! Very well done. 20th Test century.

[skyeman]

Cook on 20th Test hundred.

Eng 218 -2

[Guest]

100 for cook!!!!!!!!!!!!


Philander hasnt been impressive today at all...

[mystiroakey]

cooky..

best batsman in zee world

[skyeman]

None of the SA bowlers have on this flat track.

[Duty281]

One of England's finest ever openers, Alastair Cook gets his 20th Test Hundred. Well done Cooky

[ChequeredJersey]

Gods I love Geoffrey's voice only a little less than I love Henry's...

[ChequeredJersey]

Cook is a glorious batsman. Met him too, good bloke

[skyeman]

Gods I love Geoffrey's voice only a little less than I love Henry's...

Does poor old Blowers still ramble on about buses

[mystiroakey]

he is such a top bloke- We cant say that about many people without knowing them- but you can just tell with him

[ChequeredJersey]

They all ramble about everything

[Fists of Fury]

Boycs is in great form on TMS. Some classic one liners - amazed we haven't had the 'booking in for bed and breakfast' one, yet.

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

I liked it when he called Steyn "Stayle" earlier

[Fists of Fury]

He really doesn't rate Tahir, does he? Earlier he said "I wouldn't hit Tahir for too many fours, they might take him off! I'd want to be batting against him all day!"

[mystiroakey]

KP is impressing me today- a very messured innings so far- punish the bad ball, leaving quite a few as well- he looks well chilled

[trebellbobaggins]

You need to water down my optimism

Hmm.

Cup of tea?

[mystiroakey]

Yeah i will take that tea with one of Kalliss pies

[trebellbobaggins]

He really doesn't rate Tahir, does he? Earlier he said "I wouldn't hit Tahir for too many fours, they might take him off! I'd want to be batting against him all day!"

He was bashing him earlier and the Safa with him took exception, well that was just red rags to a bull and he got worse. He is a character.

[LondonTiger]

My prediction of 30-4 is looking likely already!

Right, it is potential hat eating time again.

If England make 250 in this innings I will eat my hat.

246-2. Is your hat ready?

[Fists of Fury]

Oh damn, did you have to, LT?

Thankfully I don't have one with me. I'll assess my collection once I'm home, and see which looks most edible.

[trebellbobaggins]

Did someone infect fists with the trebell virus or something? Unusually me like right there.

[Fists of Fury]

It certainly is infectious, Trebs.

Thrilled to be proven wrong.

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Oh kp you silly moose

[LondonTiger]

tbb - you are the most pessimistic fan I have ever seen. So much so I almost believe you want En gland to lose.

Mind KP has just gotten himself out.

[trebellbobaggins]

Kp goes for a stupid one again. Just before the new ball. Shame, he was doing so well and then throws it away just as the new ball ones and bell won't be set.

400 looks fair way away. Hope they can as it looks per batting first here.

[mystiroakey]

arr well not bad from kp though

[trebellbobaggins]

I certainly do not but I have to give that impression or doom arrives.

[Duty281]

Right KP has gone for 42, we need to dig in. Don't lose any more wickets before stumps.

[Fists of Fury]

Good knock from KP. Just a shame it had to end - he is our one batsman capable of really taking the game away from the opposition, and not great timing with the new ball imminent.

[skyeman]

Right KP has gone for 42, we need to dig in. Don't lose any more wickets before stumps.

Especially with Bops to come in

[LondonTiger]

Anyone know where Kallis bought his hair?

[Duty281]

Still doing very well though, 252/3, we need another 248 runs with Cook, Bell, Bopara, Prior, Bresnan, Broad and Swann all capable of getting us to 500.

[LondonTiger]

Right KP has gone for 42, we need to dig in. Don't lose any more wickets before stumps.

Especially with Bops to come in

Ooh yes please. The more the 606 experts slag off Bopara the better he plays

[trebellbobaggins]

Tms saying England are in no way in a safe position. Sa were in a similar position in a previous game against eng and blew it and Safa chap says that if we think eng are safe we need to think again.

That is a warning to the team that as are ready to go,

[LondonTiger]

Good knock from KP. Just a shame it had to end - he is our one batsman capable of really taking the game away from the opposition, and not great timing with the new ball imminent.

Prior is actually a quicker scorer in test cricket. IF These two and Bopara can take it into the middle of the afternoon, the game is set up for Prior to take the game away from SA. SA will have other ideas of course.

[Fists of Fury]

I'd take 450. More would be great, but a collapse here would obviously leave 450 looking a long, long way away.

Just see this burst with the new ball off and start again in the morning.

[skyeman]

I am that confident in Bops in a situation like this i would rather send in Anderson, even with 5 overs or so left

[Fists of Fury]

Good knock from KP. Just a shame it had to end - he is our one batsman capable of really taking the game away from the opposition, and not great timing with the new ball imminent.

Prior is actually a quicker scorer in test cricket. IF These two and Bopara can take it into the middle of the afternoon, the game is set up for Prior to take the game away from SA. SA will have other ideas of course.

Over a shorter period, yes, but KP has the ability to score very fast double hundreds or big hundreds. Matty Prior has a part to play here though, granted.

[ChequeredJersey]

Useful 40, our batters should still make a decent score

[LondonTiger]

Other than being the answer to the ultimate question - 42 is a bit of a nothing score really. KP had done well to get there as he really was not timing the ball. He was trying to hit it too hard and had a lot of luck. In fact he looked like a player who has not played enough cricket recently. Having got in he will be bitterly disappointed to get out to such a poor effort (and ball).

[mystiroakey]

wasnt timeing the ball??

had luck???

did you see his innings- he was fine.

42 is an absoloutly fine score as well. no dramas- right spot on par

[Fists of Fury]

Anything over 40 is a very good contribution. All your batsmen score 40, with one going on, and you have yourself a good total.

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