England v South Africa, 3rd Test, Lords, 16-20 Aug, 2012

Henry wrote:
I've always thought his first class stats were flattering. Most of his big runs have come against second division teams when he was at Leics- Averages 30 odd in division one for Notts this year, and I also remember a couple of big hundreds against the Universities.

Personally, I think it's pretty difficult in Div Two due to the Tiflex and unrolled pitches thing, but a 50 average as 'flattering' is still a cut above most others.

But he can pull it off. Sanga is a fully grown man of significant stature. He has coarse facial hair and a stare that will kill a man at 22 yards.

With Taylor, he looks like a little kid waiting outside the movie theatre, trying to impersonate a star wars character. I always expect to see him Mum holding his hand, walking with him out to the middle, before kissing him on the cheek, wishing him luck, and turning to warn Mr Morkel, finger wagging, to go easy on her little boy.

Nailed it, Trev.

Today could go a long way in deciding the no 1 ranking.

Smith also has a problem with which bowlers to open with today.

taipan wrote:
Smith also has a problem with which bowlers to open with today.

Why?

Brass Monkey wrote:

taipan wrote:
Smith also has a problem with which bowlers to open with today.

Why?

Eight overs to the new ball.

Oh yeah. They could do with a couple of overs looseners probably. Two from VernPhil and two from Fat Jack - then let the big boys take over.

That's the way I see it, but I think he would have wanted Steyn and Morkel first up.

taipan wrote:That's the way I see it, but I think he would have wanted Steyn and Morkel first up.

He could use Morkel first up and save Steyn and Philander for the new ball. After all there is not Strauss there for Morkel to have to torment with the new cherry. Philander is probably most effective with the new one as well.

Alternatively, they might just give Tahir a couple of overs to see if he can buy a cheap wicket before the new ball is taken.

Basil wrote:Alternatively, they might just give Tahir a couple of overs to see if he can buy a cheap wicket before the new ball is taken.

He usually only gets the tail doesn't he?

Brass Monkey wrote:

Henry wrote:
I've always thought his first class stats were flattering. Most of his big runs have come against second division teams when he was at Leics- Averages 30 odd in division one for Notts this year, and I also remember a couple of big hundreds against the Universities.

Personally, I think it's pretty difficult in Div Two due to the Tiflex and unrolled pitches thing, but a 50 average as 'flattering' is still a cut above most others.

Averaging 30 at Trent Bridge isn't that easy these days!

It takes a few innings to judge new players anyway, very few step in, make a century and never look back. At least we're giving some young batsmen a bit of Test experience now, rather than just the settled 5 or 6 with Chavi as permanent next cab off the rank. Depending on how certain situations develop, there may be a couple of permanent positions available and it's just down to who takes his chance at the right moment.

Red wrote:

Basil wrote:Alternatively, they might just give Tahir a couple of overs to see if he can buy a cheap wicket before the new ball is taken.

He usually only gets the tail doesn't he?

He's had Prior a couple of times.

Superficially (on pure maths), it might seem about even.

But there are various reasons SAf has quite a big advantage at the moment, I think:

1) their runs are runs on the board

2) stronger bowling attack

3) Broad and Swann can wield the willow, but haven't been doing so to any great effect for a while. Jimmy has slipped back from his role as nightwatchman with studious technique and occasional 20s or 30 to rabbitish status. Finn may score a few, but Number 11 .... so too much is reliant on the present two batsmen. If one or other (or both) go soon, SAf will have a sizeable lead with England to bat last.

4) England had quite a bit of luck in SAf's first innings, particularly with Kallis, and still couldn't get them out cheaply. Smith is a "second innings batsman" - hard to see they will fold second knock.

But then cricket is always a bit of an unpredictable game - part of its glory.

You forgot to add, Pete, that if they can get into our gutless tail they're quids in when batting second - the pitch is its usual belter and there isn't one sign of any clouds (for what looks like the entire day). That just equals easy runs.

Wasn't that what I was suggesting with a mix of 3 (gutless) & 4 (quids in)?

THough you are adding the sun - fair enough.

Bizarre from Prior. He seemed to want to take charge of Steyn's first over and also the new ball - good of him to shield Bairstow for that long, and team-minded - but also takes three swipes outside off stump in about 8 balls, with the eventual inevitable result.

He appears to get impatient to keep the scoreboard spinning sometimes - his big weakness. Pity for him, and his team. Because he is a very decent batsman.

WTF is Jonny Bairstow

Haven't seen any of the innings, but must be a decent player to get a ton against this Yarp attack.

Invader Zim wrote:WTF is Jonny Bairstow

Haven't seen any of the innings, but must be a decent player to get a ton against this Yarp attack.

Bit premature but a decent knock, notwithstanding.

Second 90 at HQ this season following Chanderpaul's 91 last May.

Zim, even though it was a rhetorical question (cricinfo has its uses), here is all you need to know about young Bairstow:

1. 22-year-old Yorkshire wicketkeeper.

2. Flaming red hair

3. Fancied by JK Lever

4. His father was David "Bluey" Bairstow, also a Yorks/England keeper. In a post-career depression, he hanged himself. His son apparently discovered the body ... which explains the particular warmth and goodwill of the public towards him, not just because he is a promising young cricketer

5. Made his name mainly as an attacking bat in limited-overs, has had a perceived weakness against short-pitched bowling, which he appears to have gone some way to remedying. (See also 6)

6. Recently coached by Graham Thorpe, which might explain the 95, if not the getting out on 95.

7. Drafted in at the last minute for this Test on account of Kev making a prat of himself.


Intelligent bowling by Cod, btw. Built up the pressure on the young fella, and he got sucked into the step-across.

Shame for Bairstow to fall short of that maiden Lords ton. A top knock, nonetheless.

And so it looks like both 1st innings will basically cancel each other out. Hefty 2nd innings for the SAffers then Engulund to hold on for a draw?

Shit luck for Bairstow. Well played though.

Invader Zim wrote:WTF is Jonny Bairstow

Haven't seen any of the innings, but must be a decent player to get a ton against this Yarp attack.

Yesgothimhe'sgawn!!!

Getting some practise in for the Ashes...