South Africa v England, 1st Test, Durban, 26-30 December, 2015

Can't see a thread for this. Looking forward to this series. Should be very interesting.

I see Jimmeh may be in doubt

"Jimmy Anderson's participation in the Boxing Day Test is in doubt after he reported tightness in his right calf.

Anderson, England's record wicket-taker in Test cricket, reported the issue on Monday evening and underwent a scan on Tuesday morning. That scan will be evaluated by the ECB's medical staff in England before a firm decision is taken on his involvement in the Test. That decision is unlikely to be made until Thursday.

Even if the scan clears Anderson of any serious problem, it seems unlikely that England will risk his involvement in the first Test. There are only two days between the first and second Tests and the team management will be anxious to avoid worsening the problem. "

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Likely XIs?

Nice - MCG segueing into Durban with a bit of Big Bash to switch over to in the ads.

When too much cricket is barely enough.

Aye, Eng/SAf Tests generally have plenty of discussion-worthy happenings.

Potentially England's best chance for a good away (in SAf) showing in years.

If Steyn doesn't play, England should be in with a real shot.

Dale's been passed fit, hasn't he?

Whereas Anderson, ..... hmmm.

I rate Dane Paterson

Not sexually like

Anderson definitely out, according to latest reports.

So ... Broad, Finn, and Foottit. Moeen to provide spin ...

I think this puts the Saffies back on top.

No no no. Christi Blowkes is going to get the nod. Based on non-nodworthy things.

Well, a glimpse into the future then - an attack without Anderson is something we're going to have to learn to deal with permanently as of end of next year I'd guess.

Can't see us winning this game.

How did he pick up a calf muscle injury - he only bowled 5 overs in 1 warm-up game and he hadn't played a game prior to that since mid-November. ECB's strength and fitness regime strikes again or just bad luck?

I'd say it's a about 50/50. Most of the SA batsmen are out of form and we have only one opener. Steyn hasn't bowled in almost 2 months and he thrives on hard work. And Philander is still out but Abbott can do a job.

I agree you guys are not at your best - but home conditions, home crowd and a need to rid yourselves of the recent arse whipping in India will contribute to a win.

Our batsmen are hardly anything to fear - Cook and Root aside who looks remotely capable of hitting a ton. None that I can see. Winkle those two out for average scores or less and the rest can go quickly if the pressure is applied.

And if Woakes comes in for Anderson then that'll be the perfect way to Amla, Faf and co to re-discover their touch.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/steyn-v-anderson-by-the-numbers-20151223

Steyn and Anderson comparison.

Lindsay no.2 wrote:I agree you guys are not at your best - but home conditions, home crowd and a need to rid yourselves of the recent arse whipping in India will contribute to a win.

Our batsmen are hardly anything to fear - Cook and Root aside who looks remotely capable of hitting a ton. None that I can see. Winkle those two out for average scores or less and the rest can go quickly if the pressure is applied.

And if Woakes comes in for Anderson then that'll be the perfect way to Amla, Faf and co to re-discover their touch.

SA have been shit at home in the first test, particularly in Durban where there is no crowd. I think England have won thje 1st test on the last 2 tours here.

skully wrote:Aye, Eng/SAf Tests generally have plenty of discussion-worthy happenings.

Potentially England's best chance for a good away (in SAf) showing in years.

"Potentially ...". Hmm yes, .... potentially.

You might even think "good", if you look only at SAf's very recent slide into near-debacle in Bharat.

But now, like Antaeus (*) back in the day, they're now back on home soil, refreshed & renewed by contact with that familiar earth. A different proposition, usually.

And their ace in the hole is restored to them - missing as things went from bad to worse in India.


And if you switch the camera angle to their opponents - England are coming to this with a Test form of "LDLL.." .

And their own spearhead and talisman is out of the front line.


So, potentially, perhaps at best. ~ As ever, we'll see.


(*) "A son of Poseidon and Ge (Gaia), a mighty giant and wrestler in Libya, whose strength was invincible so long as he remained in contact with his mother earth. He would challenge every passer-by to a wrestling match. If by chance he was thrown to the ground, far from submitting, his strength was magically increased, and his "guest" demoralised. So he always won - never ceasing until he had killed his opponent." ...

Brass Monkey wrote:No no no. Christi Blowkes is going to get the nod. Based on non-nodworthy things.

GRRRR.

Thunderstorms around in Durban.

Covers are off.

Toss at 10SAT

SA win toss and bowl. Not sure it's the right decision.

SA stick to three seamers with Piedt gaining a berth. Both batting lineups look a tad shaky. Duminy's position must be under scrutiny. If he didn't bowl he might have found himself under pressure from RR.

Cook gawn for a duck.

Meh. Blsp. Good partnership from Compton and Taylor. Not a lot else. Meh.

Looks like that'll be Stumps, 179/4. Not the worst effort from England, especially having lost the only two reliable batsmen with less than 50 on the board. Compton and Taylor in partnership is about as dour as it gets, but they both quietly accumulated to get us up to a par position. Cook and Hales both out to rubbish shots which is disappointing from your opening batsmen.

what a tremendous amount of interest the other boxing day test is generating. can understand why south africa refuses to participate in ours any more