England v South Africa, 3xODIs, 24-29 May, 2017

This tour starts in four days. I can't believe we don't yet have a thread for it.

I was announced this morning that Steyn has withdrawn from the A tour to England so is extremely unlikely for the test series.

taipan wrote:I was announced this morning that Steyn has withdrawn from the A tour to England so is extremely unlikely for the test series.

I was just about to post that. Seems he might be available for the 'A' series later in the year.

Big Dog wrote:

taipan wrote:I was announced this morning that Steyn has withdrawn from the A tour to England so is extremely unlikely for the test series.

I was just about to post that. Seems he might be available for the 'A' series later in the year.

Other away around. he was going on the A tour to England to prove his fitness.

taipan wrote:

Big Dog wrote:

taipan wrote:I was announced this morning that Steyn has withdrawn from the A tour to England so is extremely unlikely for the test series.

I was just about to post that. Seems he might be available for the 'A' series later in the year.

Other away around. he was going on the A tour to England to prove his fitness.

I believe there is a 'A' tour mid year between Australia, SA & India.

Thanks, didn't know about that one.

Think Abbott will be a big loss for this series for SA.

Red wrote:Think Abbott will be a big loss for this series for SA.

Abbott would still be behind Philander, Rabada and Morkel

First ODI starts today. For Australians it will be on Fox 503 at 11.00pm.

Ton for Morgs, and 77 off 51 for Mo.

But then, what's par these days?

Watched the first couple of hours. England were doing it easily. Saffie bowling seemed to lack any penetration.

Interesting first joust between these two teams. England by no means a finished article. Openers still look wonky - even though heavyweight boxer Hales scores runs more often than he doesn't, he seems more T20 than anything else. And Roy failed rather tamely again. Stokes (uh-oh - injury already) and Buttler still seemed half in India when they batted. And it was worrying how the RR went from a steady 5.7 to ... about 5.5, until Morgan's and especially Moeen's final flourish. A lot of dots. And they might have started the onslaught against Imran a couple of overs earlier.

Bowling-wise, exact same comments on Plunkett as v Ireland. Outstanding ability, application, and as near guile as a quick can get. Wily old bird at this stage. Also Wood - expensive first spell, then good. Rashid again someone they feel they can go after - but in this match, thankfully for England, several batsmen underrated his variation - or overrated their ability to whack him (same effect).

Quite a few plusses for England, though. Moeen - though intermittently slaughtered - generally came off well, foxy even. And once he was in and set, showed a violence with the bat you would not suspect. Morgan seems in good form (as against Ireland), and a decent leader and strategist. And there was one drop, but otherwise the levels of England's fielding were not noticeably way behind South Africa's - unlike so often in the past.

I keep mentioning comparisons a the recent match against another team in Green. Though South Africa got 10 runs closer than Ireland, in a similar match shape/progression.

I suppose South Africa are still getting tuned in. They are a side packed with muscle and talent. Maybe too much muscle this time: the middle order in particular (and De Kock) appeared to go at it like a T20. I presume they will get the pace right as they get used to the conditions. Dusty Miller, the guy from Brass Eye, etc. are always potential matchwinners.

Rabada is a gem.

Ton for Stokes, but not without a helping hand from the very poor SA fielding.

4 needed from 2.

4 needed from 1.

SA's gonna...say it

Blimey. The difference between Ball and Wood.

The latter has mettle. And he comes back.


SAf looking much more like it, until the death. Same dire worries for England as previously noted. Those back-up seamers :--O .... and the opening pair :--O

Portentous choke.

I prefer to focus on Wood's death bowling. Spot on. Even though he starts expensive. He has the right stuff. He's good, Wood.

Goodwood.

SA's fielding clearly cost it the game, coupled of course with the forced selecton of Behardien.

SA in yet another practise Hutchence choke.

Behardien 17 off 25 with no boundaries when acceleration was required. HTF does he keep getting picked??

Why was he promoted above Morris?


South Africa ... now envious even of Richmond's ability to maintain a leading position.

skully wrote:Behardien 17 off 25 with no boundaries when acceleration was required. HTF does he keep getting picked??

Quota numbers.

Who will answer all the rhetorical questions?