Re: England v South Africa, 1st Test, Lord's 10-14 July (II)

by Allan D Sun 13 Jul 2008, 17:49

Typical England, when at long last the batting is finally sorted out the bowling, previously the strong point (at least in the last 5 games and the 1st innings of this) decides to go to pot. I have to admit it, I wuz wrong and PeterCS is right. It's fark off Colly and hello again Freddie at Headingley!

wave

by Guest Sun 13 Jul 2008, 17:53

Allan D wrote:
vilkrang wrote:Thankfully it wasn't expensive, but I'm annoyed that it wasn't KP that got Smith, would have been quality.

KP took the catch.

Yeah, it's hardly the same though is it?

by Lara Lara Laughs Sun 13 Jul 2008, 17:58

Allan D wrote:Typical England, when at long last the batting is finally sorted out the bowling, previously the strong point (at least in the last 5 games and the 1st innings of this) decides to go to pot. I have to admit it, I wuz wrong and PeterCS is right. It's fark off Colly and hello again Freddie at Headingley!

The bowling hasn't gone to pot. They've plugged away admirably on a flattie.

by LeFromage Sun 13 Jul 2008, 18:03

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:
Allan D wrote:Typical England, when at long last the batting is finally sorted out the bowling, previously the strong point (at least in the last 5 games and the 1st innings of this) decides to go to pot. I have to admit it, I wuz wrong and PeterCS is right. It's fark off Colly and hello again Freddie at Headingley!

The bowling hasn't gone to pot. They've plugged away admirably on a flattie.

But confirmed what we've always believed: without conditions weighted heavily in their favour, they're a one-dimensional, one-paced attack.

by furriner Sun 13 Jul 2008, 18:12

Played Mckenzie.

by Allan D Sun 13 Jul 2008, 18:20

McKenzie scores a ton on his Lord's debut although in his 4th game against England (he played in 3 Tests on the last tour as a middle-order bat).

by Guest Sun 13 Jul 2008, 18:29

Dello wrote:
Lara Lara Laughs wrote:
Allan D wrote:Typical England, when at long last the batting is finally sorted out the bowling, previously the strong point (at least in the last 5 games and the 1st innings of this) decides to go to pot. I have to admit it, I wuz wrong and PeterCS is right. It's fark off Colly and hello again Freddie at Headingley!

The bowling hasn't gone to pot. They've plugged away admirably on a flattie.

But confirmed what we've always believed: without conditions weighted heavily in their favour, they're a one-dimensional, one-paced attack.

So we get Fred back. Job done.

Played McK.

by JKLever Sun 13 Jul 2008, 18:51

Dello wrote:
Lara Lara Laughs wrote:
Allan D wrote:Typical England, when at long last the batting is finally sorted out the bowling, previously the strong point (at least in the last 5 games and the 1st innings of this) decides to go to pot. I have to admit it, I wuz wrong and PeterCS is right. It's fark off Colly and hello again Freddie at Headingley!

The bowling hasn't gone to pot. They've plugged away admirably on a flattie.

But confirmed what we've always believed: without conditions weighted heavily in their favour, they're a one-dimensional, one-paced attack.

Only just got back from a day out and haven't seen any of the play - but I'd agree with that, for as long as i've been watching us we've always needed a little bit in the deck and can be shown up on flat tracks.

Looks like we bowled pretty tidily judging by the scoreboard, and SA batted very resolutely.

Wouldn't entirely write this one off as a draw yet, as SA over 100 behind still can't afford to have a poor session but it's looking that way.

Probably answers the Flintoff question too. Or at least the bit about him coming back...

by PeterCS Sun 13 Jul 2008, 18:56

Now, where's Nigel?... bone to pick, etc.

by PearlJ Sun 13 Jul 2008, 18:59

Gutsy effort by McKenzie.

by taipan Sun 13 Jul 2008, 19:03

PeterCS wrote:Now, where's Nigel?... bone to pick, etc.

Eh?

by JKLever Sun 13 Jul 2008, 19:05

taipan wrote:
PeterCS wrote:Now, where's Nigel?... bone to pick, etc.

Eh?

You posted in reply to one of his posts last night - 'WTF are you on about?' or something like that and he gave you a bloody good reply - check it out, very pertinent given todays play.

by taipan Sun 13 Jul 2008, 19:09

Will have a look thanks.

More to the point, where is red?

by taipan Sun 13 Jul 2008, 19:14

PeterCS wrote:Cheer up a bit, N. Never mind the series, this first match is not over yet.

Even if the SAf batting doesn't pull its own morale and the game's momentum around from the first knock(back), the weather may well help out sufficiently to salvage a draw.

And then who knows what will follow in the rest of the series.

I'd only say that this does not look much of a summer here. There is intermittent sunshine, sometimes hot, but a lot of overcast skies along with some rain. "English conditions". I'd think on a hard fast bouncy pitch (as is more common down south on the map) we'd have seen a different story already. As it is, your seamers may have to tune in a bit more and nag and bite for wickets. If our sometimes good but hardly great seamers can do it ...

I hope you realise the AA point was a wry one. I sympathise with you lot especially for its more egregious absurdities (which (should) have little to do with cricket). The Pietersen addition was just me rubbing salt in the wound of Smith's (as it transpires) poor decision and its fallout, in a not particularly serious way. Unserious, because it is just the vicissitudes and tribulations of sport.

You should understand that subacid, countersunk brand of humour, no?

Fair enough, but still don't think Smith made the wrong decision given the facts at the time.

Unfortunately hindsight can make folls of the best of us.

by leg glancer Sun 13 Jul 2008, 19:22

Augustus wrote:That Ambrose fella's rubbish. Can't bat, not much of a keeper either. Definitely not a natural anyway, even if he has been passable so far.

There seems to be a sense of déjavu with whoever England pick as keeper. Starts career off well, takes catches to start with, gets runs against a shit team........................ and then can't buy a run or catch a cold. Same old story.

by JKLever Sun 13 Jul 2008, 19:24

leg glancer wrote:
Augustus wrote:That Ambrose fella's rubbish. Can't bat, not much of a keeper either. Definitely not a natural anyway, even if he has been passable so far.

There seems to be a sense of déjavu with whoever England pick as keeper. Starts career off well, takes catches to start with, gets runs against a shit team........................ and then can't buy a run or catch a cold. Same old story.

Matt Prior was more than decent as a batsman - got some decent knocks in SL but couldn't catch a cold.

We've not settled the position since 2003 when Stewie gave the mitts up.

by Gary 111 Sun 13 Jul 2008, 19:29

We've got the best keeper in world cricket. We just choose not to play him.

by Basil Sun 13 Jul 2008, 19:46

Gutsy effort by Smith and Mckenzie. Still all to play for as far as England are concerned. But if ever there was an advert for a five man attack - today was it.

by JKLever Sun 13 Jul 2008, 19:48

Basil wrote:Gutsy effort by Smith and Mckenzie. Still all to play for as far as England are concerned. But if ever there was an advert for a five man attack - today was it.

Need it to be really overcast tomorrow without chucking it down!!

by Basil Sun 13 Jul 2008, 19:51

JKLever wrote:
Basil wrote:Gutsy effort by Smith and Mckenzie. Still all to play for as far as England are concerned. But if ever there was an advert for a five man attack - today was it.

Need it to be really overcast tomorrow without chucking it down!!

Forecast is ok in as much as it will probably stay dry, but it's questionable how much cloud cover there will be. Still, it's supposed to be warmer so that might help the ball to swing.

Siders' fitness was being questioned on Sky - so we might be down to a 3 1/2 man attack!

by Allan D Sun 13 Jul 2008, 20:11

Looks as if it's tailor-made for the draw, then. We have all been assuming that if Freddie returns at Headingley it will be at the expense of Collingwood but I wonder if that assumption is correct. Sidebottom was one of the walking wounded in the field today, looking like an ageing hippy with lumbago. Apart from a few flashes, he has looked off the pace since his sterling efforts in NZ and he withdrew from the last couple of ODIs. I wonder if his golden run since his return to the Test side last year is drawing to a close.

In view of this and the fact that Freddie is still crap with the bat it may be Sidebottom, on grounds of fitness, or rather lack thereof, who will withdraw to accommodate Freddie leaving Collingwood in situ and the bowling attack unaltered with Flintoff, Broad and Ambrose to argue over who should be 7,8 & 9 (on the basis of his innings on Friday Broad deserves a promotion). I suspect that at close of play tomorrow Freddie will be simply added to the present England XII, with nobody left out, with Sidebottom withdrawing a few days hence.

by Gary 111 Sun 13 Jul 2008, 20:13

Just watched the highlights.

A frustrating day, well batted Smith and McKenzie though. I felt Monty's lbw appeal against McKenzie in the morning session should have been upheld though.

Also thought Jimmy Anderson bowled very well without much luck. Found the edge several times but it kept just missing the fielders, also caused the old ball to swing, got the batsmen to play and miss and showed good control. He's now dismissed Smith in both innings. Even when he went for runs they were either streaky edges through 3rd man, or pitched up deliveries inviting the batsman to drive - which is a necessity if you're a swing bowler.

He'll bowl worse than this and take plenty of wickets. His control and consistency has improved greatly over the past few months.

by Gary 111 Sun 13 Jul 2008, 20:16

Allan D wrote:Looks as if it's tailor-made for the draw, then. We have all been assuming that if Freddie returns at Headingley it will be at the expense of Collingwood but I wonder if that assumption is correct. Sidebottom was one of the walking wounded in the field today, looking like an ageing hippy with lumbago. Apart from a few flashes, he has looked off the pace since his sterling efforts in NZ and he withdrew from the last couple of ODIs. I wonder if his golden run since his return to the Test side last year is drawing to a close.

In view of this and the fact that Freddie is still crap with the bat it may be Sidebottom, on grounds of fitness, or rather lack thereof, who will withdraw to accommodate Freddie leaving Collingwood in situ and the bowling attack unaltered with Flintoff, Broad and Ambrose to argue over who should be 7,8 & 9 (on the basis of his innings on Friday Broad deserves a promotion). I suspect that at close of play tomorrow Freddie will be simply added to the present England XII, with nobody left out, with Sidebottom withdrawing a few days hence.

If Sidebottom can repeat his trick of getting Kallis early a few more times in the series I won't mind if he doesn't do much else. He's kept it tidy - figures of 18-6-23-0, so is doing his best on a flat pitch. Will be a big loss if he is injured.

by LeFromage Sun 13 Jul 2008, 20:20

Anderson probably bowled the best of anyone today.

Something's up with Sidebottom. After carrying the bowling all winter, he finally looked dead on his feet in the last innings of the series in NZ (19.5 - 3 - 83 - 1), and hasn't been the same since.

His control this summer's been pretty ordinary - and he seems to be forever struggling with a stiff back.

by Gary 111 Sun 13 Jul 2008, 20:24

Dello wrote:

His control this summer's been pretty ordinary - and he seems to be forever struggling with a stiff back.

From the weight of carrying our bowling attack all winter?!

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