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.

[Mad for Chelsea]

and now a pretty ordinary bit of fielding by Morkel at mid-off, though it was a well-struck drive by Bairstow.

Wheels coming off for SA?

Wishful thinking MAD.

Of course, it's what us English do best really, you should have seen us in the 90s, partnerships exceding ten runs were wildly cheered. Days where the opposition finished on 300-3 were considered a success, and getting past the follow-on was the greatest feeling in the world

[VTR]

Misfield there. See No.1 is a curse, all your ability gets diminished because of it. South Africa have only got hand on the mace, and the wheels are coming off.

Maybe that's why we called up Frodo - to see if The Ring could counteract it!

[eirebilly]

Still too early to be taking risks but England are still very much in this


Believe

[Biltong]

[Duty281]

If you're English and you know it, whistle along:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbsuAbTTsV8

[alfie]

Sir Ian has just given the statistic I was too lazy to research ...Trott involved now in seven run outs..and the partner tends to be the victim

Fits in with the fact that he is a player who tends to get very wrapped up in his own little cocoon when batting ...good and bad in that of course , and he is nonetheless a vital player.

But probably wiser for his partners to be absolutely sure they are both on the same page when contemplating potentially risky runs...

[Mad for Chelsea]

Bairstow plays one with soft hands and th edge drops short of the slips. Even better, it bounces between them and runs away for four. 271 more to win

[Mike Selig]

India is a tough place to go and win. India's batting may not be anything like what it was a couple of years back, but Tendulkar's still in good form, and at home will be looking to pay England back for not giving him the fairytale send off he wanted. Shewag is formidable at home when the ball doesn't swing so much and he can hit through the line with impunity. Gambhir's problems against the lifting ball are also negated.

Their spinners are also far more effective at home. Ashwin doesn't get through his action properly, which means he doesn't get a lot out of pitches outside the subcontinent, but on a dry turner he is a different proposition. Given how England managed to collapse to the incredibly average Herath, it will be a struggle.

Not saying India will definitely win, but they start as favourites for me.

Aus-SA will be intriguing: it's not long ago that Aus drew in South Africa, despite being seemingly all over the shop. They are a better side now (so are South Africa on this series's evidence) and I think it will be a fascinating battle.

[eirebilly]

Bairstow still has to be watchfull here...

[Mike Selig]

That's a beautiful straight drive from Bairstow. Ponting-esque.

[mystiroakey]

ok so we got to my 75 target on around 30 overs- we need to get 4.5 an over for the next 50 or so overs!

[Mad for Chelsea]

If you're English and you know it, whistle along:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbsuAbTTsV8

brings back fond memories of watching a horse dancing

SA have bowled a much fuller length to Bairstow so far in this innings, but that's a gorgeous straight drive for four more.

[mystiroakey]

The ginger ninga is on target!!!!!

[VTR]

2 good things to come out of this Test:

Bairstow has played really well. That 95 is the best innings any of the pretenders to the middle order slot have played in a Test match. Well ahead of Bops/Frodo/Mogs now.

Finn has bowled well and appears to learn fast. Needs a run in the side now and I think he'll be as good as Morkel in a couple of years time.

[EnglishReign]

So what's our best starting XI?

[eirebilly]

I wonder if Strauss has given Baistow a free reign here and told him to just give it a go for the win? Could be a good move but could also spell big problems. Either way, i am glad he is giving it a go

[Mad for Chelsea]

SA review an LBW shout against Bairstow, but suspect this will be "umpire's call" at best on whether it's hitting leg stump. Yep, just clipping leg, so we stick with Taufel's decision.

[Duty281]

SA lose their first review, England well and truly have them on the ropes.

[Mike Selig]

Close, but always enough doubt on whether down leg for me.

Bairstow is playing a bit of a counter-attack now.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Bairstow batting quite beautifully here, a short-arm pull for four the highlight as he takes 8 from Morkel's latest over. 87-4

[Mad for Chelsea]

Tahir into the attack. With Bairstow playing his shots it's a good move by Smith...

[Duty281]

Bairstow goes aerial, that's another boundary. 92/4.

[eirebilly]

Please no more wickets before lunch. I like what Bairstow is doing but i get nervous

[alfie]

Actually give England a decent chance in India , as long as they don't turn over selection to a vote of 606v2 contributors

India are going to be rebuilding , and if they don't get heir new selections right first time there might well be some weaknesses for England to exploit. Wonder what the pitches will be like ? You'd expect the archetypal Indian dry turners , but they may want to have a bob each way given they have a couple of promising quicks and the spin department isn't quite in the Bedi/Prasanna/ Chandra class at present.

If SA play like this in Australia I reckon they'll win , but will they be able to get it so perfectly together again ? Still have doubts on the Australian batting , but it will be an interesting series for sure.

One of the good things about having no dominant side around at present - all series hold a lot of interest.

[Duty281]

Another boundary, 50 partnership off of just 52 balls.

[eirebilly]

50 partnership from 52 balls

[EnglishReign]

We'll get 120 by lunch, another 150 by tea. Finish the job this eve, easy.

[mystiroakey]

Trott is the perfect anchor for this.

Bairstow still in!!, prior, swan and broad to come!!

come on england..

[Fists of Fury]

Go on Jonny son!

[Mike Selig]

I don't think Bairstow rates Tahir much.

This is fine, but don't do anything outrageous. So far it's been positive, but all the balls he's hit have been there to be hit.

[Duty281]

Trott opens the face, 4 more, 100 up for England. Easy, easy, easy!

[Mad for Chelsea]

I don't think Bairstow rates Tahir much.

This is fine, but don't do anything outrageous. So far it's been positive, but all the balls he's hit have been there to be hit.

well to be fair he's whacked a full half volley back over his head and swept a couple of balls which were full and legside. Perfectly decent shot selection, just playing with an aggressive mindset.

[mystiroakey]

100 up!!

[Mike Selig]

Trott playing a good supporting role. It's still a long long way off, but another 50 or 60 from these two and SA will begin to get a bit worried. More so if Tahir really doesn't get a grip, because asking your seamers to do all the work is a lot.

[Mad for Chelsea]

much better running from Bairstow there, calls "push" as he hits it and then a loud and early call of "NO!"

[Mike Selig]

I don't think Bairstow rates Tahir much.

This is fine, but don't do anything outrageous. So far it's been positive, but all the balls he's hit have been there to be hit.

well to be fair he's whacked a full half volley back over his head and swept a couple of balls which were full and legside. Perfectly decent shot selection, just playing with an aggressive mindset.

Absolutely. So far. Just hope he doesn't get carried away.

Tahir round the wicket now. It is basically a free hit into the leg-side if you get over the top.

[eirebilly]

These two have turned the run rate on its head. Another 10 overs like this and SA will get worried.

[Duty281]

5 easy singles off that over, 109/4.

[EnglishReign]

Jesus, Bairstow 41 off 29 balls.

Trott with 7 more off 120.

[alfie]

I expected Smith to go for that review ...not as if they are likely to have desperate need of a review to save the match later , and if it had come off would have eased their task .
But it was a bit unlikely really and I can't help feeling these tactical reviews are somewhat at odds with the spirit of the drs .
Which is why I can't go along with the seemingly reasonable suggestion that teams should not lose a referall for "umpires call" cases. It would encourage too many of those.

[mystiroakey]

England back to 11/1 - you could get 50 at one point today!!

Trotts gets lucky- England will need that as well as top play!!!

[Duty281]

Last 10 overs - 63/0.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Bairstow with a poor shot there, whoosh outside off and misses.

[Duty281]

50 for Trott. Hang in there, hang in there for another few hours.

[eirebilly]

50 to Trott

[alfie]

Not going to get carried away and suggest that a miracle is on the cards. But you certainly can't complain about the entertainment on offer this morning...

Fifty Trott

Needs another hundred to make up for the run out , mind

[Mike Selig]

Good 50 from Trott, you suspect he needs at least to double that. However given how badly he was playing this morning, and how involved he was in Taylor's run-out this has been a fine effort of concentration.

[mystiroakey]

All Believe. We can do it!

[Duty281]

104/2 in that session, still 226 runs to get. At least we're fighting.

[mystiroakey]

Thats all i wanted- a fight! going for the win..

I am happy..

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