England v South Africa, Lords, 3rd Test Thread

[eirebilly]

First topic message reminder :

Yeah, the fielding certainly has left alot to be desired. Still the chances are being created and things must surely stick soon.

[mystiroakey]

Hibbz- Trebbs isnt cursed- he lays the curse and is a wizard

[Hibbz]

If we get them out and have a chance to win at 2.5 to 3 an over what ever the target - i will be a happy fan

Then prepare yourself for unhappiness Mysti.

[mystiroakey]

90 overs a day minimum hibbz!! do your maths again..

[mystiroakey]

But i will adjust it to 3- 3.5 anyway!!! because that seems alot more realistic

[Hibbz]

90 overs a day minimum hibbz!! do your maths again..

Done and corrected. Sorry.

[alfie]

One reason why South Africa are (probably) going to win this series is that they have negated Swann pretty well.
Still think it was daft to leave him out at Leeds , but perhaps if he'd played there we wouldn't have seen Finn so I guess I shouldn't complain.
Thought before the first match that spin was one area where England had a distinct advantage , but in fact it hasn't really been a factor at all . Partly the conditions , but also a lot of credit to Amla who has taken a lot of the sting from Swann.

[mystiroakey]

swann has been pretty good imo- the last 9 days have been spot on even- for some reason we wernt at the races in the first test.. Not taking anything away from SA though- We are at home!! And i dont think i am being arrogant to suggest that no other team could have done this to us!

[eirebilly]

There is the 300 run lead. Still very gettable but England really do need to mop up the tail sharpish.

[alfie]

It appears three wickets are still to fall at tea , and the lead is 300.

So unless they fall rather swiftly after tea , that target is going to be a very steep mountain to claim.

I think I will leave you fellows to it , in view of the lateness of the hour here

Hope there is still a competitive game on tomorrow , but I fear that may be a bit too much to ask ...been a great four days anyway.

Cheers all.

[mystiroakey]

if we can get em out within 20 overs- that levbes us with a minimum of 105 overs - and we have a chance to get 330..

If SA bat the day- we are history

[trebellbobaggins]

what's the record fourth innings chase for england? i didn't think it was that high?

[mystiroakey]

get through the new ball and we have a chance at 330- records are for historians not winners

[eirebilly]

Somebody posted the records yesterday trebbs and they wer'nt that high to be honest. England still have a lot of work to do and one of Strauss, Cook or Trott have to get a big score.

[Biltong]

Yeah I can't remember exactly, the highest run chase was WI with 344, the second highest was England with something like 218 or 248

[Shelsey93]

At this stage South Africa remain clear favourites. Philander can bat very well, and Duminy seems to have improved his game against Swann. Both of these factors are part of why SA will be number one at the end of the series - previous weaknesses (Swann was all over them in 09/10 and the tail was the longest in the world until Philander arrived) have quickly been negated.

Chasing 300+ is always very tough, and history tells us it just doesn't happen that often*. We'll do well to limit the chase to under 350 even from here and so it seems certain to be an uphill struggle.

* This stat is sometimes a little bit unfair. On numerous occasions teams have scored 400+ in the fourth innings at Lord's, but almost always in a losing or drawing cause.

[mystiroakey]

The track isnt gonna diminish- get through the first 20 overs with the new ball and id give us a good shot.

the problem is getting them out quick- otherwise the rest is immaterial

[Shelsey93]

The track isnt gonna diminish

You'd think not on the history of Lord's tracks in the last 10 years, but I do feel that this particular surface is a little different - a bit quicker and perhaps offering slightly more variable bounce than normal

[KP_fan]

Broad was a known weakness...........Anderson who i rate as world's fastest genuine swing bolwer....has surprised me.
he has gone flat.... lost a yard of pace......and somehow the wicket taking ability with the new ball

[ShahenshahG]

It happens that way sometimes - it was a golden opportunity for Finn who responded well. Broad is a very good bowler but Finn can be something special

[msp83]

Without Pietersen, there is absolutely no chance of England even coming anywhere close to chasing down 300+ in a day. South Africa already leads by 308, and there are 3 wickets left in the bag.

[mystiroakey]

msp- cook and bell could do it no dramas- however if we cant get them out!!

[KP_fan]

Broad was a known weakness...........Anderson who i rate as world's fastest genuine swing bolwer....has surprised me.
he has gone flat.... lost a yard of pace......and somehow the wicket taking ability with the new ball

and ^his catching has been Monty-esque
Looks like he is not enjoying his game and not happy

[mystiroakey]

that was out!! grrrr

[msp83]

msp- cook and bell could do it no dramas- however if we cant get them out!!

No chance, sorry about that. It is not just about having the ability to score big runs. Its about belief, it is about taking on the best bowlers and taking them apart, its about changing and taking the moments. We all saw how Trott, Strauss, Cook, and the rest faired during the last test. And even with KP in there, it would have been very, very dificult. But whi him players like Sehwag, they can do things with the selfbelief they have.

[Mike Selig]

6 singles in 8 balls. Completely unacceptable for a team trying to win a test to draw the series. Ludicrous.

[eirebilly]

Broad was a known weakness...........Anderson who i rate as world's fastest genuine swing bolwer....has surprised me.
he has gone flat.... lost a yard of pace......and somehow the wicket taking ability with the new ball

The same Broad that is the leading wicket taker in test cricket in 2012? Seriously, can you please at least approach things with some element of subjectivity?

[Mike Selig]

You can't build a wicket if you don't bowl more than 2 balls consecutively at the same batsman.

Same problem as in the first innings.

Pathetic frankly.

[KP_fan]

strauss over bolwing finn......understandabale thouhg the otehr two seamers haven't looked like getting a wicket

[Biltong]

115 overs left in the game, if SA bats another 10 overs then England will have a tough time chasing it down in 105 overs.

[Mike Selig]

Pitch is still good to bat on, but tough to score runs quickly, ball not coming onto the bat. South Africa probably have enough runs already.

Another single to Philander in the first two balls of the over. I give up, I really do.

[eirebilly]

Its almost too much for them now i feel biltong. There will be no draw this match...

[KP_fan]

I think Smith will declare with about 10 overs to go....

about 375 to chase in 100 overs.......he has been positive all throuhg the series and will feel safe with that equation

[Mike Selig]

This partnership has really put the nail in England's coffin. Looking very flat now.

Philander can bat, but he's not this good.

[Shelsey93]

I think Smith will declare with about 10 overs to go....

about 375 to chase in 100 overs.......he has been positive all throuhg the series and will feel safe with that equation

My defensive instincts tell me that that would be a tad too dangerous... on the off chance that SA are still batting by then I wouldn't expect a declaration till 400 to get from 2 and a half sessions or something along those lines. No need to throw things away, or ram home the advantage.

[eirebilly]

Philander is only four runs short of 100 runs this test

[Biltong]

This partnership has really put the nail in England's coffin. Looking very flat now.

Philander can bat, but he's not this good.

Well he has been that good this series

[liverbnz]

Get these last 2 quick and we have a game.

[Biltong]

I think Smith will declare with about 10 overs to go....

about 375 to chase in 100 overs.......he has been positive all throuhg the series and will feel safe with that equation

My defensive instincts tell me that that would be a tad too dangerous... on the off chance that SA are still batting by then I wouldn't expect a declaration till 400 to get from 2 and a half sessions or something along those lines. No need to throw things away, or ram home the advantage.

They won't last that long. Philander gone

[eirebilly]

Finally

[msp83]

At last Anderson gets a wicket, Philander has gifted that. Morne in now, could be some funn time!.

[GSC]

No need for SA to declare tbh. They win the series with a draw

[eirebilly]

No need for SA to declare tbh. They win the series with a draw

True but Smith is a very attacking captain. I would say now declaration now though.

[KP_fan]

Philander is underrated....but has shown himself good with the bat and ball.....another one in the long tradition of bowling allrounders fromn SA.....in their relatively short history.

won't be surprised if an IPL Franchisee picks him soon

[GSC]

Attack when it makes sense. Right now every run and second that passes edges SA closer to #1.

[mystiroakey]

Msp- you dont have to say sorry- I just dont agree with a word of it..

[eirebilly]

Again true but i am almost certain that Smith will want to win the series 2-0 rather than 1-0

[KP_fan]

Eng missing KP's bowling also

[Biltong]

2-0 does have a better ring to it.

[eirebilly]

Finn or even Broad would be good to get Morkel out i feel.

[mystiroakey]

errmmm is that out

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