England Cricket - Tour of South Africa 2016

[ralphrj]

ASK1974 said:

spikeyhead said:

Nine down, Just how are the Saffers rated number 1 in test cricket?

About to start a run down the ratings I suspect. Ageing match winners not performing every game and an attack far too reliant on one, possibly two bowlers.

That and the weird and wonderful way the ICC rankings work.

South Africa are currently no. 1 and England are ranked 6th. England beating South Africa is very bad for the Saffers because of the large gap between the 2 teams before the series. If England whitewash South Africa 4-0 then the Saffers will drop all they way down to 5th. However, that same result will see England only climb to 4th.

[Spiffing]

A strong start from England. It's looking good at the moment and there are some real class players in the Lions set up. Hopefully the ODI and T20 teams will also do well and take the confidence into the T20 World Cup.

I wonder what Bell is thinking sat at home? A shame he didn't announce his retirement rather than being dropped...

[BlackLabel]

dav123a said:

I wouldn't describe Rashid as part time nor any of the others. Ali might have been a few years ago.

Part timer was probably the wrong word - I suppose what I mean is that they aren't genuine spinners in the sense that they would never be picked in a side just for their bowling.

However, after seeing what Moeen did over the past few days perhaps I'm wrong there too.

Anyway great performance by England and South Africa's horrible year ends - I read on twitter today that SA have played 8 test matches in 2015 and have not had a single 100 run partnership. Their batsmen have scored only 2 centuries this year - as a comparison the Aussies have 21.

[spikeyhead]

Steyn out for the second test, Anderson to return for us. I'm sure the Saffers will put in a better performance this time round.

[hornetrider]

Good news for us.

Interesting to see they have called Smith in as a batting consultant and also that he is making noises about having retired too early.

[hornetrider]

A pleasing start! 49/0 at 1st drinks.

[spikeyhead]

England's morning

[ASK1974]

Nice to see Hales notching up a few, I'd like to see him well.

[hornetrider]

Few too many wickets falling really, no one has converted a start. Hopefully we can get to 350.

[spikeyhead]

We've been sloppy today.

[spikeyhead]

Better in the last hour, finish on 317 / 5

If Stokes and Bairstow can push on, and Mo and Broad contribute then we've got the makings of a very decent total.

[hornetrider]

Yeah I refrained from posting in the last hour, boys done well. 400 in sight now.

[ASK1974]

Ben Stokes ton off 105 balls, hit the crease on 74 this morning and crashed through in the fourth over. JB tucking in too, this could be a highly entertaining morning...

[hornetrider]

How's stat?!

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"There have been 45 runs in four overs this morning. Chris Morris since the new ball has gone for 61 runs in six overs."

Bravo!

[anonymous-user]

Carnage in Cape Town.

[Baron Greenback]

Can't link Stokes wagon wheel look of where he is hitting them, but he is looking like he is enjoying batting today! http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-england... have a look at the stats page right of the statistics button!

[anonymous-user]

Even when stokes edges one, there's nobody to catch it as they're all on the boundary.

[fathomfive]

Baron Greenback said:

Can't link Stokes wagon wheel look of where he is hitting them, but he is looking like he is enjoying batting today! http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-england... have a look at the stats page right of the statistics button!

"He's having trouble hitting it behind the keeper" was the comment from the Sky commentary team

[anonymous-user]

stokes is awesome this morning.

[hornetrider]

Sensational batting!