South Africa v England, 2nd Test, Capetown, 2-6 January, 2016

taipan wrote:Still England's game. SA will have to bat through tomorrow just to avoid the follow on, and then there will still be 2 days left.

Avoiding the follow-on might not be enough, if the pitch deteriorates. That's the benefit of England scoring quickly and declaring early, it expands their options in terms of winning the match. With three days still to go, there's a lot of scope for England wining the match. As long as they can get a 3-figure lead as a minimum.

Holy shit, didn't expect to wake up to another World Record!!! Massive stuff from Benny and Jonny. Hope I can find a highlights package of the partnership.

It sounds similar to the Gilchrist/Martyn partnership, but obviously went longer.

Stokes has well and truly arrived. His Mum may have arrived several times during his innings, too.

lardbucket wrote:His Mum may have arrived several times during his innings, too.

England still well on top. 430 is a massive follow-on target but if SA bats for a significant amount of time they probably wouldn't enforce it anyway. It will get down to what lead England would still have and how quickly they can build on before a second declaration. If the pitch then deteriorates SA could be in big trouble.

Red wrote:If the pitch then deteriorates SA could be in big trouble.

Where is Zat, Captain Obvious, and his rock?

Hey taips who's the chick who commentates on saffie radio? Not sure of the station but she was on with Aggers.

I guess it would have been Natalie Germanos.

http://you.co.za/news/natalie-germanos-on-cricket/

lardbucket wrote:

Red wrote:If the pitch then deteriorates SA could be in big trouble.

Where is Zat, Captain Obvious, and his rock?

Selective quoting!

Bairstow gets 150? Just how crap is this SA attack.

Lardy, if the pitch doesn't deteriorate, SA may not be in big trouble. Did you think of that?

So Anderson drops Amla off Root. Joe shouldn't have cast an omerta on Anderson, who was obviously out for rewenge.

With AB out will and end open up? Still over 350 behind!

FdP has some arrears to clear.

Fortress South Africa,

Dropped catches lose matches, but you can't blame Amla, AB & Faf for that. Well done esp to Hash - back against the wall to a captain's innings. Boyks will be proud!

Maybe the docile pitch puts the England - bar Hulk - into perspective. But however docile, it was a hell of a mountain to climb. And the home 3, 4, 5 have pretty much climbed it.

Amla's big hand may have just about seen the Jaapies to safety.

I say chappies, the England attack looked a bit poor today, what! Only one dismissal in 87 overs. Heads must roll as this looks a weaker attack than even the poor maligned West Indies.

taipan wrote:I say chappies, the England attack looked a bit poor today, what! Only one dismissal in 87 overs. Heads must roll as this looks a weaker attack than even the poor maligned West Indies.

I wondered if you'd say anything.

TBF though, we're very sub-standard on belters.

We toiled well, but lack any sort of pizazz, as per usual. Yes, we were unlucky in the fact we couldn't catch a cold. But they only are regretted when chances are scant.

Top batting though, especially by Amla. Looked like he'd never been out of form.

Brass Monkey wrote:

taipan wrote:I say chappies, the England attack looked a bit poor today, what! Only one dismissal in 87 overs. Heads must roll as this looks a weaker attack than even the poor maligned West Indies.

I wondered if you'd say anything.

TBF though, we're very sub-standard on belters.

We toiled well, but lack any sort of pizazz, as per usual. Yes, we were unlucky in the fact we couldn't catch a cold. But they only are regretted when chances are scant.

Top batting though, especially by Amla. Looked like he'd never been out of form.

*sniigger*

Those who follow cricket ( red excepted) should know that you only judge a track once both teams have batted. Total overreaction by some.

Having said that, it was a great knock by Stokes.

taipan wrote:

Brass Monkey wrote:

taipan wrote:I say chappies, the England attack looked a bit poor today, what! Only one dismissal in 87 overs. Heads must roll as this looks a weaker attack than even the poor maligned West Indies.

I wondered if you'd say anything.

TBF though, we're very sub-standard on belters.

We toiled well, but lack any sort of pizazz, as per usual. Yes, we were unlucky in the fact we couldn't catch a cold. But they only are regretted when chances are scant.

Top batting though, especially by Amla. Looked like he'd never been out of form.

*sniigger*

Those who follow cricket ( red excepted) should know that you only judge a track once both teams have batted. Total overreaction by some.

Having said that, it was a great knock by Stokes.

Indeed taips, indeed. Steyn might have made a difference but as you say, wait until both teams have batted before judging the pitch.

That said, the Stokes innings was still very special indeed. Will be interested to see whether Bairstow can make a century against a decent attack on a pitch that isn't a batsman's paradise (still don't think he's capable, but even with favourable conditions you still have to score the runs, so well done to him).

I have a poem.

That Geordie Lad called Sto-iks
Is not one of life's stoics.
But when he starts the ho-icks
He can pull off heroics.

Thank you. Thank you.

Top captains knock

Was there any rain? Only just over 200 in the day is very painstaking on an alleged belter.

So more dropped catches from England, ay? Costly stuff, obviously.

Still, well done to Hash, ABdV and Faf for steering this to what looks like a draw now.

No rain. See "Fortress South Africa" comment I made above.

The game situation - and the complete lack of form of two of the three going into this match - clearly determined the policy of great caution, with the very occasional breakout just to make sure nobody's muscles got locked up! :o)

Hence difficult to criticise the batsmen - England did not not snap up their few chances on a bat-friendly wicket. Or force mistakes.

is it too early to call this a draw?