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

beamer:

They might do better to spend a lot less, and engage a couple more experts to get the England batting properly applied (e.g. judicious shot selection, and how to "read" apparently quite readable spinners!)

The One:

Well, it IS Eid - and maybe if they can get everyone to look the other way for a couple of hours

Nice words from Matt Prior.

Caught the disappointment, the realism and the good grace just right.

PeterCS wrote:beamer:

They might do better to spend a lot less, and engage a couple more experts to get the England batting properly applied (e.g. judicious shot selection, and how to "read" apparently quite readable spinners!)

Well, I think it might be time for a change of approach, things have gone a bit stale and while I doubt Flower is under any real pressure, international coaches clearly have a shelf-life as do captains. I think whenever the captaincy handover happens it should be a clean slate with a new coach as well.

John Buchanan might be available

lardbucket wrote:John Buchanan might be available

Isn't he still in the snoozie pie chart love in?

Good Test that SA never really looked like losing. The sign of the times is that the shitter teams rue missed chances and Jimmy's in particular was a shambles.

Prior was definitely about to break down in tears... just two more questions from Athers, I reckon. Still, if you're a lonely soldier in amongst shitbags, you're going to be more gutted as you aren't regretting your own performance, you're regretting your teammates performances.

Congrats to SA - a likeable bunch as well as being bloody good cricketers. They're rightfully number one.

Yeah, the disappointing thing was that few England players really produced their best. Prior was top runscorer from number 7 (and did little wrong with the gloves), Finn got wickets once brought in, and Bairstow made an impact in his one appearance but I don't think anyone else would merit more than a 5 out of 10 really.

As I said, it's gone stale and while I suspect a similar looking squad will travel to India, something needs to change or otherwise we will be tamely handing back the Ashes in a year's time.

There are measures in place to make sure that all the players maintain their levels of fitness and skill. As I don't know the ins and outs, it's difficult to comment, but what I have seen is a lot of looseness from most of the batsmen and a heavy drop in pace from the bowlers. For instance, I thought Jimmy bowled well for a lot of the series, with little reward. I've been wondering whether the 'reward' comes with that extra half a yard. Broad looked a lot less threatening. Bresnan too. The common factor is the lack of pace. This all suggests that they need to work harder. I'd know that's case in previous teams, I can only surmise it now.

Congrats to SA for retaining the top spot after a long time. England like India have fallen to the curse of internal bickering and over the hill players. Still 2-0 at home is a huge comedown after that 4-0 win against us. SA have done well to beat Eng in Eng so decisively.

Do I see the daggers out and questions asked for retaining Strauss in the squad?

i would be quite surprised if he made it to india. its been an absolutely disastrous run while they were number 1

though with them dropping kp they may be tempted to keep some experience at the top

The One wrote:i would be quite surprised if he made it to india. its been an absolutely disastrous run while they were number 1

though with them dropping kp they may be tempted to keep some experience at the top

I'll be amazed if Strauss doesn't go as captain.

Congratulations to SA for the series win - worthy number one side.

Basil wrote:

The One wrote:i would be quite surprised if he made it to india. its been an absolutely disastrous run while they were number 1

though with them dropping kp they may be tempted to keep some experience at the top

I'll be amazed if Strauss doesn't go as captain.

Yeah, the only way he won't is if he decides enough is enough given time to think about it (I'd be surprised if he does a Vaughan, unless I suppose he had made a decision based on losing the series in advance). Not too long before the tour squad is picked anyway.

JAMODIs start on Friday by the way, has the squad been picked for those yet?

Classic coaching and great captaincy from Smith.

We are no 1 and deserve it.

Enjoy it!

taipan wrote:Classic coaching and great captaincy from Smith.

We are no 1 and deserve it.

Was that a quote from Smiffy?

beamer wrote:

PeterCS wrote:beamer:

They might do better to spend a lot less, and engage a couple more experts to get the England batting properly applied (e.g. judicious shot selection, and how to "read" apparently quite readable spinners!)

Well, I think it might be time for a change of approach, things have gone a bit stale and while I doubt Flower is under any real pressure, international coaches clearly have a shelf-life as do captains. I think whenever the captaincy handover happens it should be a clean slate with a new coach as well.

My own immediate thought is Graham Thorpe (if available) for Graham Gooch!

The batting in Tests has looked a little bit clueless since the UAE.

Well done to the SAffers on the win and on attaining a well deserved no. 1 ranking. Hard to see anyone taking it off them any time soon.

Looks a cracking last day. I thoroughly enjoyed the Trott/Bairstow fightback, but once the Ranga went, I thought "bedtime". But Prior, Broad and Swann had other ideas. At 7-282, the SAffers may have been twitching in their jocks just a little.

beamer wrote:

Basil wrote:

The One wrote:i would be quite surprised if he made it to india. its been an absolutely disastrous run while they were number 1

though with them dropping kp they may be tempted to keep some experience at the top

I'll be amazed if Strauss doesn't go as captain.

Yeah, the only way he won't is if he decides enough is enough given time to think about it (I'd be surprised if he does a Vaughan, unless I suppose he had made a decision based on losing the series in advance). Not too long before the tour squad is picked anyway.

JAMODIs start on Friday by the way, has the squad been picked for those yet?

I'd imagine an "announcement" will be made in the next couple of days in regards to Strauss. The fact is, he's just not the same batsman he once was. He looks so unsure at the crease these days. Thanks for the memories, Negs.....

Had a quick look last night just in time to see Trott caught in slips off a Steyn 'loosener'.
Could'nt see England pulling it off after that.

Just re-reading Basil's post, it could have two completely opposite meanings - I read it as "I'd be amazed if he doesn't go (to India) as captain", but it could just as easily be "I'd be amazed if he doesn't step down as captain"...

a good match but a well deserved victory for the saffies...better led and better batting and bowling..

...good effort from bairstow and commendable resolve from Prior throughout the series...england were let down by its bowlers and top order...all over fro Chinhead and Broad?...looks like Strauss may retire - pity in one way for him to go out in a losing series where he contributed so little with the bat

beamer wrote:Just re-reading Basil's post, it could have two completely opposite meanings - I read it as "I'd be amazed if he doesn't go (to India) as captain", but it could just as easily be "I'd be amazed if he doesn't step down as captain"...

Ahem: "I'll be amazed if Strauss is not captain of the side to India"

So KP averaged 53.75 with the bat and also headed the bowling averages. Should he have been England's MOS?

taipan wrote:So KP averaged 53.75 with the bat and also headed the bowling averages. Should he have been England's MOS?

...now that is just plain nasty...albeit you have an argument