England vs South Africa - test series thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

In the fast paced nature of international cricket, we are just over a week away from the first of four test matches between SA and England - should be a good one.

South Africa have named their squad...missing some big names in Steyn, ABDV - also no Dane Piedt, Stephen Cook either.

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Heino Kuhn, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Duanne Olivier, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Still a very strong team - especially in the seam bowling ranks. Although with Faf missing the first test, the batting is reliant on Amla and De Kock I feel

England have a few injury concerns - particularly Stuart Broad - any thoughts on the SA squad, and potential England one?

[alfie]

Ha

" Getting TRJ on strike" proving a questionable tactic as he races to21...

Useful runs. Morris going round the park . Six was a bit of a mishit - but a rotten ball and deserved the treatment.

And now Toby plays perhaps his best stroke in blocking that Rabada Yorker
He is clearly no mug with the bat .

[eirebilly]

The pull for four after the Yorker from Rabada was a very decent shot as well.

[eirebilly]

Dammit, he is out now.

[eirebilly]

I think I may have reviewed that, looked to be possibly missing leg stump...

[alfie]

Maharaj does the trick ...but that partnership has taken the score to 316 , quickly.

I thought overnight 330 was about where this was headed : wont be far away.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Useful 25 from TRJ there - moved the game along nicely, and we edge closer to 350...

[alfie]

I think I may have reviewed that, looked to be possibly missing leg stump...

No ...dead on I think. So does hawk eye.

Leaves a review for Broad

Maharaj has bowled well again

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Never thought I'd see the day when South Africa produced a half decent spinner. This lad Maharaj looks a top bowler.

[alfie]

Same tactics again ...givingStokes the single. A little more sense with Broad in ; but I still dislike it.

As a bowler I would hate it !

[eirebilly]

I think I may have reviewed that, looked to be possibly missing leg stump...

No ...dead on I think.  So does hawk eye.

Leaves a review for Broad

Maharaj has bowled well again

Didn't see Hawkeye, just saw the replay and looked to be going down leg. Fair dues though.

[GSC]

350 puts you in the game I think, England's bowlers should enjoy these conditions, SA will need to bat well to get in position to force a win

[KP_fan]

Stokes' might have played the inning that has swung the match Eng's way

[alfie]

Not altogether surprised to see Stokes launching Maharaj into orbit...

Will he go after Rabada now ? No ...singles it is.

[eirebilly]

Broad gone now, will Stokes get a ton? The way he has batted today he certainly deserves one.

[alfie]

Broad gone ...

Can Jimmy see Stokes to his hundred ? He deserves one.

[eirebilly]

Considering the conditions, this is already a very competitive total.

[eirebilly]

Well done Stokes

[JDizzle]

Fabulous innings from Ben Stokes. Very well batted.

[alfie]

That's the way to get a hundred

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Stokes

[alfie]

Not just getting his hundred but England are just about 350...

This has been truly excellent from Stokes. If Jimmy can nibble a few singles he might do more damage yet.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

3 sixes in a row

Erect

[alfie]

Jimmy holding out so Stokes gets another shot at Maharaj...or not. Morsel back.

Spoilsport , Faf

[eirebilly]

Innings over but 353 is a very competitive score.

Excellent from Cook and brilliant from Stokes.

There is a lot of movement out there for Jimmy, he will relish bowling in these conditions.

[alfie]

353 then. Wonderful Stokes innings comes to an end

I'm fine with Ben continuing to go after them...England ended up adding 182 today off just 44 overs and I reckon that is a bit over par considering the conditions.

Now we shall see if England can use the conditions with a new ball...

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Was gonna say 350 is a good score before Stokes got the 100 but didn't wanna jinx it (I can't escape jinxes, I haven't watched a penalty in 90 mins in years)

Competitive without being match-defining, you'd expect. These are good conditions for English bowlers.

[LionsV2]

Stokes looks much more suited to playing at 6 and his counter attacking ability at times is frightening, the issue is then having Bairstow and Ali at 7/8.

[dummy_half]

Stokes gone. Obviously didn't have faith in Anderson hanging round for long...

No problem though - 20 minute session with the new ball before the tea interval and then back fresh after, and in what should be reasonably helpful conditions for Jimmy A.

350 may not be a great score, but it's better than most of us probably expected when Stokes came in at 120-4

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

353 all out - considering the conditions yesterday, I think that's a good total first up. If England bowl well here, you'd think they can skittle SA out for below that.

Both Stokes/Moeen now have the same amount of test hundreds as Flintoff did his entire career.

[eirebilly]

I hate this Umpires decision when it comes to review, why have a review system? Out is out as far as I am concerned and Amla was out there.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Good move from Root to get Roland Jones into the attack early - Anderson wasn't bowling well and TRJ gets Elgar

[GSC]

Don't mind umpires call but you shouldn't lose a review if it is.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

And he gets Kuhn too!

[eirebilly]

How can the umpires then check for a No-ball if it has not been reviewed? Checking for a No-ball is part of the review process...

[sirfredperry]

Am I right in saying that the rule is soon to be changed and if it's umpire's call it's not out, BUT THE FIELDING SIDE DO NOT LOSE A REVIEW ? Certainly seems fairer.

[GSC]

I think the only question left is when TRJ breaks Muralis record

[eirebilly]

Must admit to thinking that Roland-Jones was a mistake for this test, never been happier to be wrong than I am now.

[eirebilly]

Jimmy may not have had a good first few overs but I would rest Broad now and get Jimmy on with Roland-Jones.

[GSC]

I'd get Stokes on, made a century, confidence should be up.

[eirebilly]

Stokes, to me, is better with the older ball. I would give Jimmy another couple of overs whilst the ball is still fairly new.

Roland-Jones again, that's 4

[GSC]

I think the only question left is when TRJ breaks Muralis record

1 closer

[eirebilly]

Should have been on a hatrick now as well...

[eirebilly]

Oh Jimmy

[alfie]

Game moving on , eh ?

Where has this Roland-Jones chap been hiding ?

Not a bad bag of four to start your career

And now Jimmy gets in on the act...

SA 47/5

[GSC]

Faf gone

[eirebilly]

I knew Jimmy was the right call there

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Wow. A test series of decisive wins each game

[Hibbz]

I hate this Umpires decision when it comes to review, why have a review system? Out is out as far as I am concerned and Amla was out there.

Irritates me also but I can just about see the reasoning I guess. I was more irked by the commentators criticising the decision to review with one of them saying (Botham I think quelle surprise) "it didn't have a lot going for it". What other than the fact it was hitting the stumps you mean?

Hardly looks like costing England though. Great bowling effort.

[GSC]

4 more presuming Philander isn't here. England might fancy another crack tonight at this rate.

[eirebilly]

4 more presuming Philander isn't here. England might fancy another crack tonight at this rate.

You would not enforce the follow on?

Difficult decision (should it arise) as the conditions suit England's bowlers perfectly so you would expect them to perform again but then again, day 2 and the chance to build a big lead does also play a role. Not sure what I would do yet.

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