South Africa v England, 3rd Test, Port Elizabeth, 16-20 January, 2020

So, 1-1 going to PE.

It seems Jimmeh was injured (is he?). Is Archer OK? Will he come in?

Are SAf injury-free, or were the troubled (e.g. Nortje) virus-addled?

At a guess, Archer for Anderson.

Not sure what the state of injuries is in the South African laager.

Let's hope the next Test is a good as the first 2.

Viva la Test Cricket.

skully wrote:Let's hope the next Test is a good as the first 2.

Viva la Test Cricket.

Viva la FIVE DAY Test Cricket.

Yes, it was great to see a five day test which went deep into the last day.

Think the toss will be important at the slow and low PE venue.

Jimmy is out of the rest of the tour with a rib injury. There must be a serious doubt whether he can be risked on another overseas tour.

He’s apparently targeting the next Ashes in two years’ time. Which seemed optimistic even before this latest setback.

These seemingly ageless sportspeople tend to find that at some point age catches up with them quite suddenly, either through injuries or a drop off in form.

beamer wrote:He’s apparently targeting the next Ashes in two years’ time. Which seemed optimistic even before this latest setback.

These seemingly ageless sportspeople tend to find that at some point age catches up with them quite suddenly, either through injuries or a drop off in form.

Wow, really? He'll be pushing 40.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him retire prior to the coming County season.

Basil wrote:

skully wrote:Let's hope the next Test is a good as the first 2.

Viva la Test Cricket.

Viva la FIVE DAY Test Cricket.

Sage.

skully wrote:

beamer wrote:He’s apparently targeting the next Ashes in two years’ time. Which seemed optimistic even before this latest setback.

These seemingly ageless sportspeople tend to find that at some point age catches up with them quite suddenly, either through injuries or a drop off in form.

Wow, really? He'll be pushing 40.  

I wouldn't be surprised to see him retire prior to the coming County season.

I think he'll want his 600th test wicket before he retires.

Basil wrote:

skully wrote:

beamer wrote:He’s apparently targeting the next Ashes in two years’ time. Which seemed optimistic even before this latest setback.

These seemingly ageless sportspeople tend to find that at some point age catches up with them quite suddenly, either through injuries or a drop off in form.

Wow, really? He'll be pushing 40.  

I wouldn't be surprised to see him retire prior to the coming County season.

I think he'll want his 600th test wicket before he retires.

Yeah, and probably to get past Apple for third on the all time list, which would be a monumental achievement for a paceman. And make him the most prolific drug-free non-chucking bowler of all time

I love watching him bowl when he's in the middle of a mesmerising spell.

skully wrote:I love watching him bowl when he's in the middle of a mesmerising spell.

Yep me too. While a pretty different bowler I have enjoyed watching Vern in the same way. Both will be a loss to the game.

Leach on the way home. Still wobbly, it seems.

All in all, so far, a "quick rise and fall" story at international level. I've been looking, but have found no trace of any Lancashire connection ... ....

Jack has certainly made a mark for England. Initially with a surprisingly resolute and courageous bat, and then primarily as a "character" - another unlikely-looking hero whose presence has not only cheered the crowds, but roused at least some of his teammates to better things.

But to be honest, he hasn't made much in the way of inroads in his primary role. And if he can't grab some wickets and/or dull the scoring rate, he's unlikely to remain in the Test team for long - if he regains his place at all.

I guess he is still young enough, and curious enough  - in the good sense - to learn how to vary flight and guile a crucial bit more at international level. (There seems little reason why, in a year or two of sufficient application, and with a following wind, he couldn't become a mirror image version of Garry Lyon - in almost every respect, bar even less hair.)

In the meantime however, I wish the lad a sound convalescence. And not too many haunting thoughts of his county understudy usurping him. (And not too many more excessive trips to the crapper ...)

Being an England spinner and establishing yourself is a thankless task, particularly if you’re not a middle order batsman, which with all due respect to the greatest 1 not out of all time and the 90-odd in the Jon Snow role against Ireland, Leach will never be.

It’s a role where you’re generally only as good as your last game and with a risk of being left out completely even if you’re the nominal first choice. In Leach’s case, the health issues threaten to make him a risk to take on tour again as well. All the best to him anyway, he will always own a part in English cricketing folklore...

Just one added point: if he is suffering from sepsis (!), diarrhoea AND some flu-like ailment, why on earth was he kept in the party for weeks?

Even the positives-taking, "anything-but-straight-talking" ECB can't be SO dishonest as to overstate his medical incapacity simply as an excuse to release him, can it? I've got to to the stage of wondering, so disingenuous they continue to appear. That announced triple horror of illness, headed by blood poisoning, would warrant an immediate passage home, surely?

Just one added point: if he is suffering from sepsis (!), diarrhoea AND some flu-like ailment, why on earth was he kept in the party for weeks?

Even the positives-taking, "anything-but-straight-talking" ECB can't be SO dishonest as to overstate his medical incapacity simply as an excuse to release him, can it? I've got to to the stage of wondering, so disingenuous they continue to appear. That announced triple horror of illness, headed by blood poisoning, would warrant an immediate passage home, surely?

If it's the same point twice is it still only one point ...

maybe Leach pleaded to stay. or refused to go home to an english winter. perhaps they thought the hot sun would aid his recovery. if you can rationalise putting in RSA at Pretoria then anything makes sense.

collingwoods remarks suggested archer was not fit, wood would return and it was a choice between bess and woakes. now it seems bess will play and they havnt decided which of archer wood and woakes to play.

after cape town they must be pretty upbeat, but they didnt play too well last summer after the headingly miracle.

Lost Wombat wrote:maybe Leach pleaded to stay. or refused to go home to an english winter. perhaps they thought the hot sun would aid his recovery. if you can rationalise putting in RSA at Pretoria then anything makes sense.

collingwoods remarks suggested archer was not fit, wood would return and it was a choice between bess and woakes. now it seems bess will play and they havnt decided which of archer wood and woakes to play.

after cape town they must be pretty upbeat, but they didnt play too well last summer after the headingly miracle.

Woakes' overseas record is execrable. He'll be lucky to get another tour. Wood it is if Cricinfo' article is anything to go by.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

Basil wrote:

Lost Wombat wrote:maybe Leach pleaded to stay. or refused to go home to an english winter. perhaps they thought the hot sun would aid his recovery. if you can rationalise putting in RSA at Pretoria then anything makes sense.

collingwoods remarks suggested archer was not fit, wood would return and it was a choice between bess and woakes. now it seems bess will play and they havnt decided which of archer wood and woakes to play.

after cape town they must be pretty upbeat, but they didnt play too well last summer after the headingly miracle.

Woakes' overseas record is execrable. He'll be lucky to get another tour. Wood it is if Cricinfo' article is anything to go by.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

Hope JL picks up his his health.

...and I will also add my welcome to Lost Wombat.

embee wrote:If it's the same point twice is it still only one point ...

Damn "unposted" first post ...

Basil wrote:

Lost Wombat wrote:maybe Leach pleaded to stay. or refused to go home to an english winter. perhaps they thought the hot sun would aid his recovery. if you can rationalise putting in RSA at Pretoria then anything makes sense.

collingwoods remarks suggested archer was not fit, wood would return and it was a choice between bess and woakes. now it seems bess will play and they havnt decided which of archer wood and woakes to play.

after cape town they must be pretty upbeat, but they didnt play too well last summer after the headingly miracle.

Woakes' overseas record is execrable. He'll be lucky to get another tour. Wood it is if Cricinfo' article is anything to go by.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

He didn’t go straight to the politics thread so I guess he’s not shitburn...

Lost Wombat wrote:maybe Leach pleaded to stay. or refused to go home to an english winter. perhaps they thought the hot sun would aid his recovery. if you can rationalise putting in RSA at Pretoria then anything makes sense.

collingwoods remarks suggested archer was not fit, wood would return and it was a choice between bess and woakes. now it seems bess will play and they havnt decided which of archer wood and woakes to play.

after cape town they must be pretty upbeat, but they didnt play too well last summer after the headingly miracle.

Welcome to our humble forum, LW.

Looks like Mark “Glass” Wood will get the nod, with Joffrey not fit enough.