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

Yeah, I was mortified that Jimbo dropped that one. Everybody but Broad bowling well. He's bowling totally unthreatening dobbish half-trackers. Dreaded.

Did Anderson drop the dolly (trophy)?

"You make your own luck in cricket."

Not always true, but both Amla at the start of his innings and DeV on 8 have been put down, at high cost in runs and to England's morale.

Looking a high mountain now.

Why are England suddenly poor catchers? It can only be a lack of intensity and concentration compared to 1010-11.

Henry wrote:Why are England suddenly poor catchers? It can only be a lack of intensity and concentration compared to 1010-11.

Ah yes, the summer of 1010-11...I remember it well...Athelstan was a fine slipper...reminded me of Pliny the Elder in his pomp.

I'm not sure England have become rubbish catchers.

It's just that a particular catch or two, taken or dropped, can swing a match. Waugh's World Cup as has been noted. Giles's catastrophic shelling of Ponting in Adelaide, 2006.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEa2zTDplew

Anderson has put down a few this series. They have twice dropped Amla early in big innings too.

Burnley lads don't cope well with the heat.

Congrats to Hashim Amla. Top bat.

To think he might not have lasted four Tests - or played international cricket at all - had it not been for the much-maligned Quota System!


Maybe England should have a quota system for Lancastrians.

Finn as mentioned earlier finally gets Amla. Shame it's too late.

Amla gone. This test will just not die.

PeterCS wrote:Congrats to Hashim Amla. Top bat.

To think he might not have lasted four Tests - or played international cricket at all - had it not been for the much-maligned Quota System!


Maybe England should have a quota system for Lancastrians.

He was dropped after 4 or tests. Went back to FC and sorted his technique out.

holcs wrote:Finn as mentioned earlier finally gets Amla. Shame it's too late.

Charlie: would you apply to the ECB as non-playing captain? Strausser could maybe concentrate on his technique then.

And I think you're right. Probably 60-80 runs too late for a fifth wicket.

Or even for a sixth.

Now, if England had saved themselves those ?155? runs by taking two catches ...!

Test match on again.

And another goes down. Strauss seems to be stood very close at slip to Swann.

England contriving to not allow the Saffas to choke here.

holcs wrote:And another goes down. Strauss seems to be stood very close at slip to Swann.

England contriving to not allow the Saffas to choke here.

Turning into a good test match but thought you would have left the choke comments to the likes of red.

Broad is proving a bit costly, isn't he.

Is Jimmy crocked or something?

He would normally be trying like eff to get swing and reverse swing going at this point.

PeterCS wrote:Is Jimmy crocked or something?

He would normally be trying like eff to get swing and reverse swing going at this point.

Reverse swing after 27 overs?

If it wasn't for the pace of Finn this would have been a VERY one sided match.

Maybe not (quite). But should be able to do something, if there is something to be done, around 30 overs?

PlanetPakistan wrote:If it wasn't for the pace of Finn this would have been a VERY one sided match.

Not just pace (you and your pace!) - accuracy, too.

He is certainly showing up the other England seamers (notably Broad).