The Cricket Thread

[Super_horns]

Got a couple of wickets early so must fancy ourselves this time?

 

[RavenBish]

Game over. At least we won't drop below Bangladesh in the rankings now.

Good though, a lot were moaning about not getting 300 but 283 on a wicket as slow as this was good going, even if they should have got more with the power in the middle/low order. Well done Hales too, pretty productive tour for the Notts lads.

 

[Super_horns]

Have South Africa had this much trouble against spin in the past?

India are just ripping through them (apart from AB)

 

[Baz]

Have South Africa had this much trouble against spin in the past?

India are just ripping through them (apart from AB)

It's a relatively inexperienced Saffer lineup too, including this test they are at
Van Zyl - 7 matches
Elgar - 19
Faf - 23
Amla - 86
AB - 100
JP - 30
Villas - 3
Abbott - 4
Rabada - 2
Morne - 65
Tahir - 18

So it's a pretty inexperienced side at test level other than the big 3. Sure guys like JP, Faf & Tahir have been around cricket for many years but it's different when it's Test match cricket. However Faf is supposedly good at playing spin and it's not often Amla doesn't get a score, so I would say they are struggling with experience and form. If this is the kind of lineup fielded against England I fancy our chances.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Good win for England yesterday, very good to see the openers reign the big shots in a little and nudge the singles around, that's promising for the future - Roy looks a little bit better technique wise than when I first saw him play for England. Does that give Hales his place as opener in the first test in SA?

Australian wickets are becoming as flat and boring as these UAE wickets. No grass, bit of pace, just comes on nicely and Australia will score 500+ 9 times out of 10, it's extremely dull. Something has to be done to test wickets as far as I'm concerned. The ICC needs to work on it.

 

[Baz]

It's the height of summer for the Aussies too isn't it so the wicket should naturally be a little bit drier however the Aussies tend to love the reverse swing side of things too so hopefully the pitch will do something later in the match.

 

[Super_horns]

More batting practise down under with Williamson getting another high score and Taylor getting a double century.

 

[Aber gas]

It's a relatively inexperienced Saffer lineup too, including this test they are at
Van Zyl - 7 matches
Elgar - 19
Faf - 23
Amla - 86
AB - 100
JP - 30
Villas - 3
Abbott - 4
Rabada - 2
Morne - 65
Tahir - 18

So it's a pretty inexperienced side at test level other than the big 3. Sure guys like JP, Faf & Tahir have been around cricket for many years but it's different when it's Test match cricket. However Faf is supposedly good at playing spin and it's not often Amla doesn't get a score, so I would say they are struggling with experience and form. If this is the kind of lineup fielded against England I fancy our chances.

Steyn and possibly philander will be back. It's not impossible but make no mistake SA at home are a top side. Any side with steyn, morkel, AB and Amla are going to be a enormous challenge.

 

[Super_horns]

290 for Ross Taylor - highest score in Australia by a visiting player.

Smith and Voges looking set for big scores too.

 

[Baz]

Steyn and possibly philander will be back. It's not impossible but make no mistake SA at home are a top side. Any side with steyn, morkel, AB and Amla are going to be a enormous challenge.

They'll also only be playing one spinner at home too but they are coming to the end of their current cycle so are no doubt going to be in some kind of transition despite their very strong ranking position.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

290 for Ross Taylor - highest score in Australia by a visiting player.

Smith and Voges looking set for big scores too.

Couldn't sleep so was watching this - such a shame for Taylor he didn't manage to reach 300 especially as Southee and Boult both managed to hang around to give him the opportunity.

 

[Saddlerrad]

560 plays 620 plays 260-2.

Something's got to change. You just never look like taking a wicket at any of the Aussies grounds currently, it's terrible.

Some good batting on display for sure, but there's got to be more contest between bat and ball.

 

[Super_horns]

Mitchell Johnson retiring from International cricket..

The Barmy Army might miss him - maybe not the bastmen when he was on form.

 

[JJH]

Mitchell Johnson, you will be missed.

 

[Baz]

Mi-Jo took a few years to get going on the test scene, with his bowling at least. I'll fondly remember that ton he scored in South Africa in an innings loss, funny to think that was 6 years ago now, but then again he only made his Aussie debut 8 years ago.

 

[Aber gas]

Pakistan having a mare. 3 run outs already.

 

[JJH]

This has been an absolutely brilliant bowling performance, but a display of absolute incompetence and lack of communication from Pakistan.

8 wickets, 5 caught out on the boundary, 3 run outs! Hasn't been a boundary for 15 overs, superb bowling and field placings have helped to that!

Excellent position we find ourselves in.

 

[Baz]

We shouldn't lose from here......

 

[JJH]

208 all out. Disappointing that they couldn't knock the last few over quickly, but that's still a very good effort.

 

[mowgli]

Great bowling and fielding by England,Hales has just gone for 30 with England on 87-3.Let's not have a middle order collapse for once please.

 

[Super_horns]

Morgan and Hales out so in a bit of trouble.

Pakistan bowling well TBH.

 

[JJH]

Ball turning round corners.

Now or never for Buttler.

 

[Super_horns]

Buttler and Taylor doing a very good job.

As JJH says much needed for the former.

 

[Baz]

45 needed off 16 overs, really shouldn't be losing from this position now.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Immense 50 from Taylor, he just looks so good in these parts. He has to play in South Africa and most certainly in India next winter.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Great win for England, in a bit of trouble at 93-4 but Buttler and Taylor have put on 117 from 117 for the 5th wicket and have got over the line with 9 overs to spare.

Taylor with a brillant 67 and Buttler smashing a 6 for the winning runs finishing 49 not out.

Fantastic news to see Buttler back in form.

 

[JJH]

Nicely done between those two in the end. Buttler got a huge let off with the missed stumping on 0*, but sometimes you need a stroke of luck to go your way to re-capture some form. Still not entirely convinced for obvious reasons, but it's a start. Taylor looked excellent as well, top player of spin, not sure how he'll cope on hard tracks in South Africa with Morkel and Steyn running in at him although but we'll see.

Friday to seal it then.

 

[Baz]

Immense 50 from Taylor, he just looks so good in these parts. He has to play in South Africa and most certainly in India next winter.

You'd like to think so wouldn't you? However I have zero faith in these selectors making the obvious decisions.

 

[mowgli]

Pleased to see Buttler finally get a decent score,when he's on form with the bat he's so entertaining to watch. Well done Taylor as well for a superb 67.

 

[Baz]

Finn & Wood both expected to miss the Saffer tour so that gives an opportunity for someone to come in. Rumours are it's a three horse race between Foottit, Plunkett & Woakes.