Re: South Africa v England, 2nd Test, Cape Town, 3-7 January, 2020

by Basil Sat 04 Jan 2020, 19:57

beamer wrote:
skully wrote:6 of England's top 7 made 29 or more but didn't convert (except Pope - well done him).

Simply unacceptable in Test cricket.
I just don’t see a solution to this in the near future, given we have a generation brought up on T20 alongside red ball cricket scheduled during the barely playable outer edges of the English season. The patience and technique to make Test centuries just isn’t something you can develop from that background.

It wasn’t so long ago that every other batsman (and even keeper) we picked made a hundred on debut. Now if someone makes one in his first 10 Tests he’s in for the foreseeable future. That frustrating generation of batsmen who did just enough to keep averaging above 40? Now 30’s a benchmark of almost-competence that will buy you a Test career in the top order.

I’m still tempted by the idea of just sending the ODI side out there to slog the f*ck out of it.

We tried that with Roy opening in The Ashes - and that went well.

Mind you, I would not mind Morgan as skipper.

by skully Sat 04 Jan 2020, 22:09

Nice fightback by England.

by Basil Sat 04 Jan 2020, 22:46

We need to roll over the last two pdq tomorrow morning and then set SA a minimum of 270. One ball from Broad brought out a decent lump of turf with it.

by Red Sat 04 Jan 2020, 23:35

Basil wrote:We need to roll over the last two pdq tomorrow morning and then set SA a minimum of 270. One ball from Broad brought out a decent lump of turf with it.

It was a good toss to win.

Oddly enough it is hard to remember the last time Faf won a toss.

by Red Sat 04 Jan 2020, 23:36

horace wrote:
Red wrote:
horace wrote:Geebers. I hope Langer doesn't see those numbers. If so he will open with Mitch Marsh.

Except that he would average lower as an opener.

Lower than 26? He already holds the worst record of Number 6s with 30+ Tests. As an opener, he could eventually hold the worst record as an opener as well.

With Cam Green slotting in to No.6, Langer will prolly want Marsh as an opener because of his all round skills.

Langer always sounds weird wehn he talks so nothing would surprise there.

by beamer Sun 05 Jan 2020, 00:35

Basil wrote:
beamer wrote:
skully wrote:6 of England's top 7 made 29 or more but didn't convert (except Pope - well done him).

Simply unacceptable in Test cricket.
I just don’t see a solution to this in the near future, given we have a generation brought up on T20 alongside red ball cricket scheduled during the barely playable outer edges of the English season. The patience and technique to make Test centuries just isn’t something you can develop from that background.

It wasn’t so long ago that every other batsman (and even keeper) we picked made a hundred on debut. Now if someone makes one in his first 10 Tests he’s in for the foreseeable future. That frustrating generation of batsmen who did just enough to keep averaging above 40? Now 30’s a benchmark of almost-competence that will buy you a Test career in the top order.

I’m still tempted by the idea of just sending the ODI side out there to slog the f*ck out of it.

We tried that with Roy opening in The Ashes - and that went well.

Mind you, I would not mind Morgan as skipper.

They went for the halfway house, worst of all worlds with Roy - block or leave a lot of balls then get out to a rash shot. If we were to go for that approach, it would be a case of committing fully to it and saying go out and score 350 off 50 overs. Probably wouldn’t work, but until you try it...

by skully Sun 05 Jan 2020, 09:27

So Jimmeh cleaned up the tail to give England a small 1st innings lead (and wrap up another michelle - well done him).

Can Eng put 300 on the board to really ram home the advantage?

by Basil Sun 05 Jan 2020, 17:03

Steady day's cricket. A shame about the two quick wickets at the end, but England are handily placed.

by beamer Sun 05 Jan 2020, 18:56

Well, at least one of them was only the nightwatchman, so we’re only really three down.

Great effort to put us in what should be a winning position. Sibley has stepped up having been thrust into the role of senior opener, and a maiden century should secure his place into the summer.

by skully Sun 05 Jan 2020, 21:24

Good position for England. Another 100 will make it very hard for the Yarps.

by Red Mon 06 Jan 2020, 05:02

England has this sewn up.

by lardbucket Mon 06 Jan 2020, 06:43

Yep, they already have enough.

by JGK Mon 06 Jan 2020, 07:40

They’ll still want to bat after lunch though.

by horace Mon 06 Jan 2020, 07:43

Is Faff capable of one last good knock?

by Red Mon 06 Jan 2020, 08:44

Philander struggling with injury and Nortje ill. Makes matters worse for the home team.

by skully Mon 06 Jan 2020, 10:33

Well done to Sibley on his ton.

England are surely out of range now for the SAffers.

by PeterCS Mon 06 Jan 2020, 12:01

The run chase is on.

by Red Mon 06 Jan 2020, 12:08

438, SA hasn't a hope in hell of staving of defeat either by crease occupation or getting the runs.

by JGK Mon 06 Jan 2020, 12:18

438. Why does that number sound familiar?

by horace Mon 06 Jan 2020, 19:46

Red wrote:438, SA hasn't a hope in hell of staving of defeat either by crease occupation or getting the runs.

The late wicket did not help. Still with a bit of luck, a few Yarp batsmen might put in an effort.

by skully Mon 06 Jan 2020, 20:16

Good start to the Yarp chase.

by lardbucket Mon 06 Jan 2020, 23:30

Ah, match drawn already, then, under the new 4 day Test rules proposed by the ~~******~~ geniuses running Test cricket.

by Red Tue 07 Jan 2020, 00:37

lardbucket wrote:Ah, match drawn already, then, under the new 4 day Test rules proposed by the ~~******~~ geniuses running Test cricket.

Yes, this is why we need five day tests.

As an article in The Age today suggests, it's a true test of players' skills and mettle.

The epic Greatbatch innings would not have occurred if it it had been a four day scenario.

England should win here in the end, but at least SA is putting up a fight, unlike the pathetic kiwis.

by PeterCS Tue 07 Jan 2020, 01:31

ESPN. "[IMAGE] South African double-centurion Keshev Maharaj raises both arms aloft as teammate Kagiso Rabada slams a Jos Buttler curveball for home run, consigning opponent England to crushing defeat."

by skully Tue 07 Jan 2020, 02:14

lardbucket wrote:Ah, match drawn already, then, under the new 4 day Test rules proposed by the ~~******~~ geniuses running Test cricket.

Indeed.

I imagine the Sheep would've had a whole different approach to their batting yesterday arvo if it was a 4 day Test.

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