England's Winter

[Duty281]

204 - that’ll do. Brilliant showcase of England’s formidable batting depth that will make them leading contenders at the upcoming World T20 events. South Africa took regular wickets, but England kept blasting away.

My top 7 for T20s would be - Buttler, Roy, Bairstow, Banton/Malan, Morgan, Stokes, Moeen.

Archer and Rashid have got two bowling spots locked down. Interesting battle between the Currans, Wood, Jordan, Brown, Mahmood, Parkinson and possibly Gregory for the final two spots.

[JDizzle]

I don’t really like Stokes at 6 - he’s not a quick starter by any means and think he’d be better off at 3/4, where he could be the Root-esque anchor but with a higher top gear. Also think Mo could be floated about too - he absolute mauls spin in T20 cricket. But all good problems to have!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

One too many overs for spin in the power play Morgan - don’t mind giving Moeen 1 or even 2 up top, but asking a spinner to bowl 3 overs right through up top is a poor tactic in my opinion.

Especially when Moeen and Rashid are so good in the middle overs too

[Duty281]

Ferocious innings from De Kock against some pretty poor England bowling...and he gets out to an ugly full toss. 65 off 22, great effort.

Just about keeps England in the game. More wickets needed.

[Soul Requiem]

Such a terrible sport, zero skill required.

[king_carlos]

Such a terrible sport, zero skill required.

Why follow it then...

[king_carlos]

Poor start to the over by Curran followed by a good recovery.

This is going to be tight.

[Soul Requiem]

Such a terrible sport, zero skill required.

Why follow it then...

The unfortunate impact it has on the test team.

[Gooseberry]

If england lose this I'm blaming Denlys selection

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Superb comeback from Curran in that over - great game!

[Duty281]

Just about got there. Jordan enhancing his T20 reputation over the last two games. Ballsy last over from Curran who just about held his nerve.

[Gooseberry]

Just about got there. Jordan enhancing his T20 reputation over the last two games. Ballsy last over from Curran who just about held his nerve.

Have to hold up my hand on this one I absolutely couldnt understand why england went back to him but hes proven to be an absolute specialist in this format and arguably englands best performer since his recall ( most of the "first choices" have tended to get rested for T20s caveat)

[alfie]

Ha. Didn't think it would be that close...went back to bed expecting an easy England win and slightly shocked to see SA got within one hit...
Still haven't seen highlights but wonder if it was all down to de Kock's brilliance or did England bowl some rubbish ? I see others have questioned Moeen being used for three overs straight at the start and have to say it sounds a bit weird. Hey they won so no problem but it looks as if there might be a bit of experimentation going on ; which I guess makes sense as this series doesn't really matter.
Jordan seems to be continuing to make a case for a spot in this team. Assuming a fit again Archer will play in the first choice outfit I suppose Curran and Wood are duelling for the next spot in the pecking order , although they are somewhat different in style.

Third match Sunday. Will Malan get a run out ?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

England Lions started their red ball game against Cricket Australia XI today - batted first and ended the day 367-4

103 for Sibley, 141 for Jennings and 103* for Dan Lawrence. Crawley and Northeast with failures

[king_carlos]

A good start to the Lions winter tour for the selectors. It seemed that their first choice opening partnership for Sri Lanka with Burns injured would be Sibley and Jennings so centuries for the both is timely.

[king_carlos]

Such a terrible sport, zero skill required.

Why follow it then...

The unfortunate impact it has on the test team.

I stand corrected, an afternoon well spent.

On their deathbed many an exalted gentleman has spoke with great warmth about the meaningful hours he wiled away watching children play football in the park just so he could seethe about the negative effect it has on the health of the grass.

[Gooseberry]

Indeed good news for the lions.

Talk is that England do want Buttler in the top 3, but why that means Malan cant play in his old position I cant fathom.

Steyn is available for this match.

More off field drama for SA, theyve now postponed their tour to Pakistan because of player workload ( they play less than most of the other top nations although this winter is really busy for them). Underlying suggestion is its driven by the continued problems over pay and their players wanting to be able to play the big T20 domestic leagues.

[king_carlos]

Malan in the top 4

1.Roy
2.Buttler
3.Bairstow
4.Malan
5.Morgan
6.Stokes
7.Moeen

If Mo can keep showing batting form in T20 then that is a very powerful line-up. Once dropped by England he was brilliant for Worcs in the Blast so hopefully there's some confidence there.

[Duty281]

It’s an exceptional batting line-up, probably the best in the world.

They’ll have a job to do mind - South Africa 52/0 after 4 overs.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Only Curran knows how to bowl!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Ben refuses to accept my nonsense. 84-1 from 7.4 overs

[alfie]

Going to be chasing a few , eh ?

Thought England had pulled it back a bit once they started taking wickets but Klaasen has made a mockery of that theory. Wood is having a horror day...

[alfie]

Klaasen at last falls to the excellent Curran

Been some right old rubbish from most of the other bowlers today though. Including six wides so far. Still looking like well over 200...

[alfie]

Even Curran has caught the "wide ball" bug...those nine extra balls are probably what will sink England today.
Curran still fine effort 2/33

Lord knows what Wood will go for in the twentieth...

[alfie]

222 ! Good luck chasing that , England

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Be a decent chase if they get this!

[alfie]

Apparently last time they played here they went for 241 so they're improving

And they have successfully chased 230 once - against SA.

But I fancy the bookmakers will be offering good odds if anyone likes a gamble on this chase ...

[Duty281]

England 5/2 to chase it. Not sure that’s generous enough, though it is within England’s capabilities.

If England have learned one thing from this series, it should be that Wood is not the answer at T20 Cricket.

[Duty281]

62/1 after the PP. England giving themselves a chance with a decent platform.

[alfie]

The two JBs putting on a bit of a show here...has been a good time for Jos to get his mojo back !
Lots of boundaries. But SA have also managed a lot more dot balls than England were doing. And less wides.
Still going to need a lot more magic to get near that 222

[alfie]

And fifty for Buttler

Which is why they wanted him opening , I guess. Only it means someone else will have to be the "finisher" ...unless he's going to bat through !
Hundred up in the ninth ...they're giving this a red hot go ...

[alfie]

Buttler gone for 57...now we shall see if Malan is a worthy stand in for Denly

A great over from Pretorius but England are actually halfway to a super over after ten...

[alfie]

Ahead of the rate - amazingly - but with Bairstow gone now it's all up to the four left handers...

Not much time to settle in .

[king_carlos]

Excellent comeback over from Shamsi after being hammered in his first two.

[alfie]

Malan gone after wasting most of a Shamzi over...

Looking tough now : need a Ben Stokes special , I think.

[Duty281]

Another test of England’s batting depth. One sizeable innings from Morgan/Stokes/Ali should be enough for England to win...

[alfie]

Another test of England’s batting depth. One sizeable innings from Morgan/Stokes/Ali should be enough for England to win...

Need more than twelve per over now though...Steyn bowling well but finished now so possible ...but I suspect it will be - just - beyond them...

[king_carlos]

Morgan is batting brilliantly here. Took no time at all to get in and has punished anything in the slot.

[Duty281]

Tremendous from Morgan and Stokes blasting a couple now.

Job almost done. Keep your head, England!

[alfie]

Twenty off that Ngidi over will help ! Stokes joining the party now too...

This is ridiculous ! Who'd be a bowler at this ground ?

Only need 17 off the last two now...

[Gooseberry]

So OK my question about why not Malan down the order has maybe been answered

Another nail chewed finish!

[king_carlos]

What a performance by Morgan.

[alfie]

Two sixes from Cap'n Morgan has surely done it ! Three off seven needed...though now he's nearly got out going for another big hit ...

Level. Over to go so England win...wow. Silly game this...

[Gooseberry]

Good way to get the win for Mo.

Englanda batting is ridiculous when given these sort of condition s.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

That was a superb series - in fact it has been a thoroughly entertaining tour in all formats!

[Duty281]

Well done England. Like the 50 over side, capable of chasing down even the most imposing of targets. Superb from Morgan, Buttler and Bairstow.

Rounds off an excellent tour for England, with steps forward made for the Test and T20 sides.

[king_carlos]

The bowling is a work in progress particularly whilst missing Archer.

The batting is outstanding though.

Moeen and Rashid are so vital to the balance of the side.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

The batting lineup and depth is ludicrous - you could field a second string batting lineup that I reckon would be more than competitive at international level;

Banton
Livingstone
Hales
Vince
Salt
Billings

(I'm probably missing some others too!).

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

The batting lineup and depth is ludicrous - you could field a second string batting lineup that I reckon would be more than competitive at international level;

Banton
Livingstone
Hales
Vince
Salt
Billings

(I'm probably missing some others too!).

Missed out Root!

[VTR]

No Bopara either!

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