England vs South Africa: 2nd Test Match Thread

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

Here is the match thread for the 2nd test at headlingley

Likely teams

England: Strauss,Cook,Trott,KP,Bell,Taylor,Prior,Bresnan,Swann,Broad,Anderson

S.Africa: Smith,Peterson,Amla,Kallis,AB,Rudolph,Duminy,Philander,Steyn,Morkel,Tahir

Although massive rumours going around that, england will play 4 quicks and leave out swann!

DISCUSS MATCH HERE

[liverbnz]

Finn has been generally inaccurate and quite possibly the least effective of the bowlers this morning. He was the same for most of the evening session.

I just don't understand England's logic to be honest. If they felt it was a bowl first pitch due to the cloud cover then what exactly does Finn add? He doesn't really swing the ball much and Headingly is not exactly the hardest pitch in England so I'm not sure what he offered over Swann. They already have 3 pace bowlers who combined offer everything that Finn does except for the overrated extra few yards of pace.

The decision has now backfired as they would surely have expected to be batting by now after winning the toss. (They possibly would be if Swann was playing as he's a much better slipper than Cook). The only way to win this match will be to bat big and bowl South Africa out again in a limited amount of overs - but with no spinner. I can't see that happening.

Interestingly, the "overrated few yards of pace" still managed better figures than your golden boy.

yep, the wickets of Morkel and Steyn should see his place solidified for the next few years as well as the dross he served up to the top 6 who he gave away over 4 runs an over to.

And neither is Bresnan my 'golden boy', I was just trying to counter the exagerrated argument that Finn would make some sort of massive difference to this England side.

As far as I can see, it's only the anti-Finn fans who have said anything about a massive difference. Or the Pro-Bopara / Morgan / Bairstow / Taylor fans who would rather waste a position that have an other bowling option.....

I haven't seen one poster on this forum who is anti-Finn. I see a lot however that are unrealistic about his current ability.

[JDizzle]

It's top level sport, and in any top level sport the difference between winning and losing can be as much as a couple of percent of performance and I still feel that Finn offers more than Bresnan with the ball to this team both currently and in the long term.

And the 5 bowler argument will be put to bed with a James Taylor hundred.

[msp83]

The rain is countering chances of an England fightback and win by the minute.
Unless Kevin Pietersen bats 4 hours in the first innings with a couple of hours from Matt Prior, England at best can settle for a draw.

[msp83]

As the match restarts, Dale Steyn gets the England captain of a fine ball. Not much that Strauss could have done about that, it moved in forcing him to play, and got to bounce on him more than expected, taking an edge to AB behind the wicket. Strauss gone for 37, England 85-2.
Time Pietersen really steps up.

[msp83]

KP hasn't really gone firing as yet. May be all the criticism that came his way aftr the first test got to him a bit?

[eirebilly]

Not going too well is it

[msp83]

Steyn replaces Philander and strikes 3rd ball, Jonathan Trott edging to Smith at slip. England 142-3.

[liverbnz]

More ill-discipline from England's top 6. You can't keep doing this against top class attacks.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Bell out... SA well on top. Flatt footed drive and edged.....

I was completely wrong to suggest that Kallis' bowling wouldn't play much of a role in this series....

[msp83]

Kallis comes in replacing Morkel who was spraying it all over the place, and strikes 2nd ball, Ian Bell playing a poor shot, going after one that was outside off, and edging to Smith at slip.
James Taylor comes in, on debut.

[msp83]

Taylor getting his first runs in test cricket, driving Tahir straight down the ground for 4. Tea it is, 183-4.

[mystiroakey]

I hope taylor does well!! about time he was tried out!

[Hibbz]

I love watching KP bat.

Pretty sure people will only really appreciate him once he's gone. Heck we're yet to find a decent No6 so replacing a man who averages 50 at No4 will be a hell of an ask.

Please make him feel wanted ECB so that he'll stay as long as possible.

[mystiroakey]

I dunno what they can do hibbz- They are stuck between a rock and a hard place with KP!

Great player though!! our true match winner- or hopefully in this case saver!

[mystiroakey]

by the way- anyone watching- i cant at the moment- How is taylor looking!

[Hibbz]

by the way- anyone watching- i cant at the moment- How is taylor looking!

Very small.

[mystiroakey]

yes he is tiny... Hows he playing?

[Gregers]

KP playing pointless shots at the moment, this is why he will never be a great in my eyes.

Taylor looking fairly good

[mystiroakey]

Just stuck sky go on. Whats with taylors helmet- thats a different style!! Is it the junior edition?

[Duty281]

KP leading the counter-attack and is 15 runs away from 7000 Test runs.

[liverbnz]

Taylor looks completely unflustered which unfirtunately Bairstow didnt vs WI. Solid defensive technique is serving him well. Helps having KP at the other end.

[liverbnz]

And as I say that he fends at a few wide ones.

[mystiroakey]

Yeah he went for a couple he shouldnt have- however i am impressed with his atitude so far- I hope he can get a good score- I have been pinning my hopes on him for the last year and very glad he has got his chance!

[Gregers]

Yeah he went for a couple he shouldnt have- however i am impressed with his atitude so far- I hope he can get a good score- I have been pinning my hopes on him for the last year and very glad he has got his chance!

Going at some he shouldn't is why he needs to be bled in now. I'll stick my neck out and suggest he'll score a 50 in this match

[Duty281]

KP is going so wildly that this'll turn out in one of two ways:

a) He's out for below 115 leading to questions about his temperament.
b) He makes 150+.

[eirebilly]

God i hope KP stays in this form. Taylor will do well to stay with him and play the anchor role.

[Duty281]

KP has reached 7000 Test Runs, he's the quickest to reach said landmark.

[mystiroakey]

well done KP

[mystiroakey]

Yeah he went for a couple he shouldnt have- however i am impressed with his atitude so far- I hope he can get a good score- I have been pinning my hopes on him for the last year and very glad he has got his chance!

Going at some he shouldn't is why he needs to be bled in now. I'll stick my neck out and suggest he'll score a 50 in this match

yeah this is one player that I would forgive a bairstow start- I would give him a year at least- Personally i think he will start well anyway so it wont become an issue

[Gregers]

Flower should come out and say that Taylor is our number 6 for the rest of the year, takes the pressure away (which Ravi had to live with before Taylor) of one bad innings resulting in a drop.

[mystiroakey]

England going along very well- Impressed with this! KP doing the right thing for me. Sticking it to the bowlers- He only plays well one way lads- so we have to remember that

[alfie]

7000 runs KP ...well done ...

Doing a fine job for England here too , and young Taylor seems to be supporting him well so far...good scoring rate since tea.

Still 180 behind - keep going boys...

[eirebilly]

KP is something special to watch when he is in this mood.

[GSC]

Classic KP.

Taylor looking the perfect foil for KP. Looking solid and working the field.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Decent performance from extras. 37 and counting.....

[eirebilly]

Yeah thats some tally of extras...

[msp83]

Hundred for Kevin Pietersen!!!.

[eirebilly]

Top hundred there from KP

A real match saver.

[GSC]

Probably needs to double it if England are to push for a win

[mystiroakey]

KP!! 100

[alfie]

KP to a century !

He looked a bit happy about that

[Hibbz]

KP playing pointless shots at the moment, this is why he will never be a great in my eyes.

Taylor looking fairly good

How were they pointless shots? The point is to score runs and his shots scored runs.

Like I said during the tea break he'll only really be appreciated once he's retired.

And as I type he nearly decapitates Stain.

Eat that Stain you baby eater.

[Hibbz]

A straight six off Stain now!

Snarl that one off Stain you old lady mugger.

I love you KP xx

[eirebilly]

Stunning from KP, simply stunning. What a 6 back over Steyn's head

[msp83]

What is KP doing out there, he's making Dale Steyn, the best fast bowler in the world, look like some ordinary net bowler, smacking him to all parts of the ground, just as he pleases!. Carnage, this is absolute carnage!!. Reminds me of his first test hundred!!!.

[eirebilly]

As i said earlier, when KP is on form like this he really is something special to watch

[eirebilly]

Taylors job is to anchor and not get out today. Been very impressed with him

[msp83]

A partnership of 126 and Taylor's share is 27!. But he has played his role to perfection so far though. Early days, but he looks like a player with a good temprament.

[eirebilly]

They are motoring along as well at 4,5. Kp has been immense and Taylor is doing the anchor role perfectly

[mystiroakey]

First game in the test arena - playing this way is almost more impressive than a quick 50- esp in this situation

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