England v South Africa, 4th Test, Old Trafford, 4-8 August, 2017

TRJ didn't last long ... now Moeen comes in, 'hiding' at number 9.

Where's Faf?

PeterCS wrote:Where's Faf?

At the crease.

Poor day for SA.  Bairstow runs riot after they had tamed the tail and then Amla loose as a goose hands the hyphen a wicket. Kuhn predictably fails again.

Still not convinced that England will find the Ashes as easy going as this depleted and at times dysfunctional SA side.

I don't think anyone is convinced that the Ashes will be "as easy". Australia are strong favourites, with this shaky England top order. If they don't sort it out then, against the likes of Starc, winter is coming for England

The Aussie batting line-up isn't amazing but not sure the England bowlers will find the conditions as much to their liking as the home attack. If England can so much as make it competitive it will be a decent effort.

Aye beams. It's hard to see either Ashes side dominating. Hopefully it's a classic series.

Meanwhile, England continue to monster the Yarps.

Another limp effort from SA; they're playing like a team with one foot on the plane after being in the country since May.

What is wrong with the Saffies elite school system??

it's not over yet

Cook goes cheaply. Pretty mediocre series for him in the end, averaging 33 with no centuries, we'll need a lot more from him in the winter.

Jennings dropped on 0 again, stroke of luck he needs or only a matter of time?

beamer wrote:Cook goes cheaply. Pretty mediocre series for him in the end, averaging 33 with no centuries, we'll need a lot more from him in the winter.

Jennings dropped on 0 again, stroke of luck he needs or only a matter of time?

Surely only a matter of time. Dropped on nought and batting under much less pressure with runs already on the board for England, he would need to score heavily to be in with a shot for the Ashes. He looks limited.

Westley also fails, he's made the best impression of the three relative newcomers but the jury is still out until he's made a proper big score.

A couple more and this could get interesting, thoughts of batting them completely out of this are a long way off at the moment.

Meanwhile Hameed returns with a 39-ball, hour-long innings of 6 for Lancashire. Looks like time to stick a pin in the Playfair again for the selectors...

beamer wrote:Westley also fails, he's made the best impression of the three relative newcomers but the jury is still out until he's made a proper big score.

A couple more and this could get interesting, thoughts of batting them completely out of this are a long way off at the moment.

Pitch keeping low with variable bounce over the past few days, SA is no hope.

Red wrote:

beamer wrote:Westley also fails, he's made the best impression of the three relative newcomers but the jury is still out until he's made a proper big score.

A couple more and this could get interesting, thoughts of batting them completely out of this are a long way off at the moment.

Pitch keeping low with variable bounce over the past few days, SA is no hope.

250 is always gettable, just takes one partnership. We need at least 100 beyond that to be properly comfortable.

beamer wrote:Meanwhile Hameed returns with a 39-ball, hour-long innings of 6 for Lancashire. Looks like time to stick a pin in the Playfair again for the selectors...

"not names" (anagram)

Lax by the Essex duo. Credit to "Cod", though.

Looks like Jennings and Malan are late test cricketers.

Another shambolic batting display, we may well have enough but this effort deserves to lose a Test. Commentators have pointed out that the rough is on the wrong side for a right-arm spinner...

A priceless 50 from Mo here, England's batting depth proving the difference between two teams with decent bowling attacks and flimsy top orders.

Aye beams. I hit the hay as Jonny and Mo were scratching around struggling to get it off the square. Pleasantly surprised to see England extended their lead to a way-unattainable 360.

Malan seems to have a more correct technique at T20 than Test cricket. ...

Maybe he's just trying too hard, but he hasn't pressed his claims at all.

The wondrous influence of I Ron extends to the current and hopefully the future pom middle order

Have to say that the Aus pace trio/quartet that will line up this summer will be licking their lips at the prospect of bowling to the likes of Jennings, Westley and Malan, if they are the best England can send down under. Cook, Root, Stokes and Bairstow are a different story.

Of the three, Westley looks far and away the best bet.

It's not just about scores (though the Essex chap will have to make a score before long ...), it's the way they shape up, address the ball, the appearance of their temperament and technical nous. "The cut of him", as they say in Ireland.

Root and Piggsy were two the few who tried on the last tour here. The others led by Swann, Prior and Jandy seemed more intent on their menu specifications.