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

Its not so much that, after all he ahs finished ODI/T20's from memory for England with aplomb, something Bopara can't even manage. It's his technique that's the problem. Awful against the short stuff, and a massive candidate on the front pad with anything straight.

Regardless of Bairstow's limitations we have to play 5 bowlers. As I said before, may as well lose by an innings and 250 as draw this, the outcome is the same - lost series and world number 3.

I suspect morale will be so low as to make little difference and they will roll us over, then the makeup of the squad to tour India will become the most uncertain and debatable in years.

But this is England v South Africa though- Dressing room in crisis, Captain on his last legs, bowlers looking toothless, middle order consisting of nervous schoolboys, everyone writing them off, South Africa on the verge of becoming the best side in the World if they at least draw the test.......Knowing England they'll somehow pull a win out of their arses.

English management must be applauded for their KP decision (man is a bit of a d!ck)

I love the S African pace attack and predicted/wanted them to win the series but now i won't mind if ENG win

SA nicely set up for the choke.

...from drinking the victory champagne too quickly?

I hope Engulund brings their A-game and not the D-game of T1.

Well it's hard to predict how they will respond to the events of the past couple of weeks. They could crapitulate or really pull together and deliver their best.

Stating the obvious, the batting looks weaker, so I guess the make up of the bowlers will be important. Has the final XI been announced?

I find myself strangely torn between hoping, as I usually do when they are not playing India, that England gets utterly smashed, simply because they deserve it; and for a change hoping that they might contrive a win, thereby cementing the belief and burgeoning arrogance (seemingly clear for the first time to some of their fans over this last week or so) in this group of players.

Failing that, I guess there's always the Zimmy option - a couple of career-ending injuries, say to Anderson and Swann - to 'root' for.

skully wrote:Stating the obvious, the batting looks weaker, so I guess the make up of the bowlers will be important. Has the final XI been announced?

No, they never announce before the toss.

I think we need to go with 5 bowlers as a draw is no use whatsoever, which would mean Swann replacing KP, but otherwise Bairstow will come in and Swann will replace one of the seamers. Batting order from 4 down to 6 or 7 will be interesting as well, presumably Bell will come in at 4 with the two youngsters at 5 and 6 if Bairstow plays. I'd like to see Prior get a go further up the order in KP's absence though.

Send Swann in at 7 with instructions to bat for his place in the side ... he's wasted some talent, that lad.

SA deserve to smite the Poms good and proper....they are more talented and play as a team...they also lack the hubris of the English squad...the evident management failure re KP is of concern.

beamer wrote:

skully wrote:Stating the obvious, the batting looks weaker, so I guess the make up of the bowlers will be important. Has the final XI been announced?

No, they never announce before the toss.

I think we need to go with 5 bowlers as a draw is no use whatsoever, which would mean Swann replacing KP, but otherwise Bairstow will come in and Swann will replace one of the seamers. Batting order from 4 down to 6 or 7 will be interesting as well, presumably Bell will come in at 4 with the two youngsters at 5 and 6 if Bairstow plays. I'd like to see Prior get a go further up the order in KP's absence though.

I doubt if England will pick 5 bowlers. The sacking of KP kiboshed that idea.

lardbucket wrote:I find myself strangely torn between hoping, as I usually do when they are not playing India, that England gets utterly smashed, simply because they deserve it; and for a change hoping that they might contrive a win, thereby cementing the belief and burgeoning arrogance (seemingly clear for the first time to some of their fans over this last week or so) in this group of players.

Failing that, I guess there's always the Zimmy option - a couple of career-ending injuries, say to Anderson and Swann - to 'root' for.

Surprised you ever wanted Australia to win a Test.

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:

skully wrote:Stating the obvious, the batting looks weaker, so I guess the make up of the bowlers will be important. Has the final XI been announced?

No, they never announce before the toss.

I think we need to go with 5 bowlers as a draw is no use whatsoever, which would mean Swann replacing KP, but otherwise Bairstow will come in and Swann will replace one of the seamers. Batting order from 4 down to 6 or 7 will be interesting as well, presumably Bell will come in at 4 with the two youngsters at 5 and 6 if Bairstow plays. I'd like to see Prior get a go further up the order in KP's absence though.

I doubt if England will pick 5 bowlers. The sacking of KP kiboshed that idea.

There's nothing to lose though, it's the equivalent of throwing your keeper forward for a last minute corner when you're 1-0 down, and if it doesn't come off you don't really care if the opposition break away and slot it into the empty net.

Weather looking pretty good for the five days. Pitch likely to be flat......Really can't understand why they didn't add Panesar to the squad. As it is, I reckon five bowlers has to be the way to go (but yeah of course it wont happen)-

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Bell
Taylor
Prior+
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Finn
Onions

Yes, it's a long tail. But at least those last three have pretty decent defensive techniques, unlike, say, Mulally, Tufnell, Giddins. *shudder*

The tail's not going to win us the match. We need 20 wickets, and a couple of the top order to produce three figure scores.

beamer wrote:

skully wrote:Stating the obvious, the batting looks weaker, so I guess the make up of the bowlers will be important. Has the final XI been announced?

No, they never announce before the toss.

I think we need to go with 5 bowlers as a draw is no use whatsoever, which would mean Swann replacing KP, but otherwise Bairstow will come in and Swann will replace one of the seamers. Batting order from 4 down to 6 or 7 will be interesting as well, presumably Bell will come in at 4 with the two youngsters at 5 and 6 if Bairstow plays. I'd like to see Prior get a go further up the order in KP's absence though.

Cheers beams.

Most journos aren't even considering the possibility of 5 bowlers, saying that it's between Bresnan and Finn for the final seamer's spot.

Ali Cook- What a complete contrast to KP. The ultimate team man-

"Strauss has been presented with a bat signed by all the living England players to have played 100 Tests. Cook organised the signatures"

Brass Monkey wrote:

lardbucket wrote:I find myself strangely torn between hoping, as I usually do when they are not playing India, that England gets utterly smashed, simply because they deserve it; and for a change hoping that they might contrive a win, thereby cementing the belief and burgeoning arrogance (seemingly clear for the first time to some of their fans over this last week or so) in this group of players.

Failing that, I guess there's always the Zimmy option - a couple of career-ending injuries, say to Anderson and Swann - to 'root' for.

Surprised you ever wanted Australia to win a Test.

Of course I have absolutely no idea what you mean. It's only arrogance that upsets me.

South Africa win the toss and bat. No 5 bowlers. Swann for Bresnan and Bairstow for Pietersen the only changes.

Hmm.

Yeeessss! Bresnan finally out for Finn!

Worrying that our quickest bowler doesn't g the new ball, and Broad who it is wasted on does! FFS

Remember when we used to be good at reviews? Like, not give in to the hysterics of wanker-faced bowlers?