England v South Africa, 2nd Test , Leeds, 18-22 July

So, only 3 days away. Any changes? Any predictions?

Only changes I can think of is Nel in for Harris or Nel in for Ntini. Obviously England have Freddy coming in for Sidebottom/Broad/Collingwood. I really have no idea which of those three it will be though. The selectors are keeping their cards pretty close to their chests. Btw, it will only be Topbottom if he's still suffering with his back.

I think South Africa's pace attack will do much better here. I wouldn't be surprised if they blow us away in at least one innings.

Don't think SA will want to only pick Amla and Prince, so Ntini will play - also might be unfair to judge him on one bad game. Harris should play over Nel, as 5 right arm seamers would be very samey.

Sidebottom looked fit enough to me, there was no need for him to bowl in the afternoon session if he wasn't fit. So Collingwood will drop out for Flintoff.

Headingley is far from a seamers paradise these days too...

Seems like a lot of samey seamers in that post.

Seamless transition to Fred?

If smith wins the toss, he'd have to bat, wouldn't he? England's bowlers would start to feel the pinch pretty quickly after the first test.

Yeah, good point, Zat. Could be a disaster if that happens.

These days, enforcing the follow-on is something that must be thought through very carefully, I suspect this is why Australia doesn't do it often.

Not suggesting that Ponting thinks. Aus got bitten in India, and the philosophy changed around then.

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:Yeah, good point, Zat. Could be a disaster if that happens.

Step up to the plate, Ian Bell.

PeterCS wrote:

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:Yeah, good point, Zat. Could be a disaster if that happens.

Step up to the plate, Ian Bell.

Bell bowls?

He does. Dibbly-dobbly swingers.

Why does the phrase dibbly-dobbly being used about anything to do with Bell not surprise me?

You are not easily surprised?

Apparently not.

Fred for Colly should be all. Unless SiBo and Broad are both crocked.

amazed that colly would be dropped...he is a very gutsy trier whose presence will be missed in an otherwise pretty insipid team

horace wrote:amazed that colly would be dropped...he is a very gutsy trier whose presence will be missed in an otherwise pretty insipid team

He can't buy a run.

Reports coming through that McKenzie will be out.

Thank goodness for that. The odds of a draw just lengthened considerably.

Actually to be fair to McKenzie, I have seen him play some sparkling knocks. It just seems that like most of the South African batsmen, he plays within himself in the test matches.

I guess AB will open the innings, and Duminy will come in at six.

Spanked a tenner on Super Vaughany to be England's top batsman.

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:Spunked a tenner on Super Vaughany to be England's top batsman.

Fixed.

Most probably

Super Franky Vaughan.

Vauhghan = Rushdie of English cricket.

Furriner = racist of Flaming Bails.

LLL = champion of dubious causes. Or second rate writers.