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

[bradman99.94]

I too would like to see Taylor in the team for the next Test but, with Bopara back playing for the Lions, shouldn't he take his place back in the team? I personally would prefer to see Taylor in the side but Bopara wasn't (of course) dropped for this match but was unavailable apparently with the management's blessing

[GSC]

If its 0-1, with the strength of this SA batting lineup, and the recent history of Lord's pitch, I think 5 bowlers have to play

[JDizzle]

I see your point that Bopara was never really dropped, but I think it sends the wrong message if we walks back in without doing anything to justify getting his place back whilst Taylor performed admirably on debut. Look at someone like Mark Butcher who was in the England side, injured himself so was left out and never made it back in because someone else took their chance. I think it is only fair Taylor gets a decent crack now, rather than going back to Ravi.

[Fists of Fury]

Great return catch from Anderson there. Such a shame that this sterling effort is an hour too late.

We have to look back at 2 things in this match. 1) the non-selection of Swann and 2) Cook dropping an absurdly easy catch off Petersen when he was in the 20's. That has effectively cost England the win.

However, the rain hasn't helped either. We may well have won this match given more playing time. It'd certainly have been interesting.

[Biltong]

That was fun, I love watching tailenders bat.

Morkel was excellent for the bit he was there.

So England need 253 off 38 overs.

Will Pietersen and Prior open?

[Fists of Fury]

Declaration comes. Michelle for Broad.

Surely too much for England to do here.

[GSC]

Could be an interesting half hour if England go that route.

Though I suspect with Strauss as captain itll be business as usual

[mystiroakey]

such a shame we wont get a result!!

personally i think england should go all out fro this.

I would open with cook and kp- cook will try for the correct RR. he is a true team player- so i have no problem him starting- add Kp and we possibly have a 1 in 20 chance of pulling this off

[Biltong]

I didn't see it but Barry Richards and the rest of the SA panel in the studio was not happy about the Greame Smith wicket.

According to Barry Richards the AB de Villers decision was also wrong but becaue the "review of Smith was upheld and therefor no more reviews available AB couldn't have his reviewed.

Did anyone see this?

[Fists of Fury]

I think they'll open with Strauss and Cook.

No chance of chasing 6.6 an over in a Test. No bowling restrictions, no fielding restrictions, no leg side wides, much more lenient off side wide margins.

Forget about it. Play for the draw.

[dummy_half]

Send in our one day specialists - Cook and Trott

I guess with the series context we've got to have a bit of a bash early to see if the chase is feasible. We've enough batting to shut up shop later if too many wickets go.

[Fists of Fury]

I think Richards is a whinging old fart.

[Duty281]

253 in 39 overs. RRR 6.4.

[GSC]

KP up to open

Bold

[Biltong]

Is he right though?

[mystiroakey]

Send in our one day specialists - Cook and Trott

I guess with the series context we've got to have a bit of a bash early to see if the chase is feasible. We've enough batting to shut up shop later if too many wickets go.

our preffered one day openers is cook and kp. so them for me.

But you make a good point- if we approach this like a dl affected one day game we would offcourse go for the win!!

And we have won the last 10 one day games!!!


so it makes sense to go for it

[GSC]

If KP goes, maybe Prior at 3.

They have batsmen to shut it down if those 2 fail.

[GSC]

KP fancies it while the field is in

[Duty281]

12 from the first over. Tasty.

[GSC]

England cashing in while the field is in, had to really.

[eirebilly]

Away for two hours and come back to this, totally astonished

[JDizzle]

Is he right though?

I didn't think Smith was out. But he didn't look sure about reviewing it and if he was positive he hadn't got something on it he would have gone for it straight away instead of asking his partner, which makes me think that perhaps he did get a feather on it that didn't show up on Hotspot. The communication between the Third Umpire at Steve David was poor though. And yes, ABDV would have had his decision overturned it he had DRS's it. I'm not sure he would have done though, as it was one of those that looked stone dead but was just sliding down leg.

KP opening at 12 off the first over. We are going for it! Nice and positive, I like it.

[eirebilly]

It would be absolutely amazing if England force a result here. I am not sure that Cook is the player to take the attack to these bowlers though...

[GSC]

KP gone, that should be that

[JDizzle]

Prior not padded up either suggest England are not fully behind a bid for victory here.

And now KP out, probably the last chance of a positive result (For England anyway) gone.

[eirebilly]

That should be that then

[JDizzle]

And Strauss in at three. It just seem a bit limp wristed from England, almost as if sending KP in to open was just a token gesture and they don't really fancy the chase which is a little disappointing seen as they are 1-0 down in the series.

[GSC]

No team has ever chased down more than 200 at more than 6 an over. Itd be foolish to be all into the chase.

[Biltong]

9 more wickets.

[mystiroakey]

No team has ever chased down more than 200 at more than 6 an over. Itd be foolish to be all into the chase.

records are they to be broken

[Biltong]

No team has ever chased down more than 200 at more than 6 an over. Itd be foolish to be all into the chase.

records are they to be broken

Or to taunt you.

[GSC]

Yes.

However I'd rather retain a chance of being #1 than chase some record. This is a tough chase in an ODI, let alone on day 5 of a test match.

[mystiroakey]

I want a result either way!!

id rather lose going for it

[GSC]

England can take some confidence, from getting through this lineup today. Not so invincible. Especially with no Swann

[GSC]

And that Myst, is why you're a fan.

[mystiroakey]

yaaa.

At least we have a bit of exitement- I like the way SA declared as well- good on them. I feared a very boring days cricket

[Biltong]

England can take some confidence, from getting through this lineup today. Not so invincible. Especially with no Swann

Agree they did well, but they had help.

Kallis was a stiff as a honeymoon... Well you know what I mean.

Smith and AB from what I hear is also a little contentious.

[eirebilly]

I would say give it a go until they lose another wicket then bat out until close. Get a draw and go into Lords with the confidence that they can bowl SA out twice (well almost).

[eirebilly]

England have resigned themselves for the draw, wise move i think

[mystiroakey]

argg i hope they havent

[eirebilly]

With 200+ needed in 30 overs with Test field placings? It would be a very wise move to finish this match and take this confidence to Lords.

[mystiroakey]

ok a few boundaries- not completely over- if we could get to the last 5 overs with 9 an over needed we have a good c hance

[eirebilly]

Well if they do, not only would it be a record but an amazing achievement. I would still er on the side of caution though.

[eirebilly]

Strauss gone, a good thing maybe?

[eirebilly]

Thats if England still hold hope of chasing this down, i mean

[msp83]

Are England up to it? No more contribution from Pietersen, but he has already one the man of the match.
May be they should start going for it from now with a bit more intensity. And if a wicket falls, they should send in Matt Prior.
Just as I type, Strauss gone, Duminy the man for SA.

[eirebilly]

Trott comes out, no attacking intent. A draw it is.

[msp83]

Duminy has turned a couple there, England will have to be careful, they never have been the greatest batting unit against spin.
Seems like England has given up, its Jonathan Trott!.

[GSC]

Cook's third 6 in test cricket

[eirebilly]

It was a nice hit as well

[Sponsored content]