South Africa v England, 4th Test, Johannesburg, 24-28 January, 2020

Just surprised at Big Vern coming in above a recognised all-rounder. I know they had used a nightwatchman already...

Now, what’s Jimi got with the bat, in support of Doctor Kock?

Not much, is the answer. Glass finishes them off...

Now, put them back in, Joe, while they’re on the ropes.

Joe didn't heed your advice, but thanks you for the best wishes.

I’m waiting for the reverse Calcutta, where a team gets badly burnt by not enforcing it... either by getting rolled cheaply batting again, or by someone chasing down 450 or so. Not saying that will happen here but it will one day.

The only reason not to enforce is if you’ve been in the field a day and a half or have an injured bowler, IMO.

And that fear of batting last, it’s purely psychological these days. Anything can be chased down if you put two or three partnerships together, or have an inspired individual effort as per Stokes or Perera. The fourth innings being the highest of the match is far from implausible in this era, we’re not talking pitches of a generation or two ago.

beamer:

I didn't mention Harmi, Batty or Kimber when discussing TS's various contractees, did I?

FWIW:

Harmison is sincere and all, good-hearted, but not much insight to contribute.

Batty is, to my surprise, even more irritating as a talker than as a player. Every worst sort of bumptious. Speaks a lot, says very little. A Yorkshire version of Tufnell.

Kimber is "good-bumptious". In yer face too, but knows his stuff (a very decent statto), and when he isn't overdoing it, jolly. Sharp-witted, when not overpushing himself. Maybe he's nervous. Needs to calm down a bit, like Lemon did. Could easily be a Zalzmann. Which is high praise.

I haven’t really listened enough to TS to judge all the individuals, to be honest. It’s just like, say, walking into a pub where you don’t know anyone, with a totally different atmosphere, as opposed to your local. I just don’t have the inclination to put it on when not by the TV, as I would normally.

Anyway, Denly gone cheaply, must be under some pressure. He’s done a job in a difficult position for England over the last year or so, but averaging 30 without any big contributions isn’t sustainable forever. He may get SL as a last chance, but I suspect a top three of Burns, Sibley and Crawley, in some order, is the long term line-up.

Hell of a last test for Vern, his team are being properly rogered, he has been fined 15% of his match fee and he has tweaked a hammy.

Malan gets one to go along the floor.

86/2 at tea, 303 ahead. Should be 400+ ahead by the close.

We’re making a good job at giving them a faint sniff of this...

Root must be kind of tempted to declare on 49 to avoid another unconverted fifty on his record

What was Broad doing there? Nearly a case for a timed out appeal...

And five for Jimi, thanks to an absolute Peaky of a catch from his skipper. Stokes-esque. I couldn’t have done that when I was 35 (then again, I couldn’t have done it when I was 21 either...)

At nearly 470 in front Eng should romp home.

Basil wrote:Hell of a last test for Vern, his team are being properly rogered, he has been fined 15% of his match fee and he has tweaked a hammy.

Agree. Has been a terrific player and servant of Saffie cricket.

Belated congrats to Hendricks on his debut Test michelle.

Indeed. Nice marker of any debut.

Good morning for the home team, with some good, sensible (not too passive) batting, up until Elgar's indiscreet waft at the end.

I suppose an away win is now fully back on. Despite De Kock & The Dutchman.

Or rain.

Hard work for England, but it'll turn.

"One wicket brings two"

Poor Razzle-Dazzle. Has DRS to thank for avoiding the pair, but then - in the absence of a frontline spinner, it has to be noted - took 'em on. I suppose getting out on 98 is better than on 99, but cruel.

England still have to get De Kock uit!

The others too, obviously, but the Cook is the key.

actually bavumas wkt started the slide, and
you were right, once they got de kock out,
it was all over. great 4 england, but judging by the
crowds, test cricket is dying in SA.

we're going to need another spinner for SL if leach
has still not healed, and Foakes should replace buttler.

Well done England, that was some turnaround after the shambles of the first test.

On to Sri Lanka. Hopefully, Root can sweet talk Mo into making himself available.