2nd Test: England v South Africa at Nottingham, Jul 14-18, 2017

[Triggaaar]

(* on the other hand that is coming from Nasser Hussain!)

What are you trying to say?

 

[Scappa]

Ballance has 4 test hundreds already.
Ramprakash got 2
Hick 6

All of them in his first 15 innings (861 @ 61.5), since then he has scored 596 runs in 25 innings, averaging 24.8 - including two games v Bangladesh. Bowlers have figured out that you can push him further and further back with the short ball, then trap him in the crease with a full delivery, either kicking off or missing a straight one. He can get away with it in the county game, but against good seam attacks such as South Africa, Australia - even New Zealand - he will continue to be exposed until he changes both his technique and mindset

 

[Machiavelli]

Again fair.

England are extremely lucky at the moment with the quality of all-rounders at their disposal. Such is the batting talent of the wicket-keeper, plus Stokes and Moeen*, that they can afford to play so few specialist batsmen, (even when two of those in Balance and Jennings are yet to properly find their feet).

*A fit Woakes over Wood and that becomes even more true.

Agree with this, and in the spirit of fairness, I agree with your point on Rashid: we don't seem to want to play him on home turf.

 

[knocky1]

Its a fair point, but somehow I always feel Stokes should be considered a bonus, rather than one of four to rely on. He has a great knack of taking wickets but lacks control and can be very expensive.

Either way, I'm sure this attack will comfortably win the game, but entirely unconvinced by Dawson. If we were to play two spinners, then Rashid surely deserves to be ahead of him?

I was at Trent Bridge a couple of years ago when we won the Ashes. Memorable for Broad's brilliant 8-15 but in their second innings the Australians were strolling at 113-0. Stokes had come on and slowed the scoring rate, built up some pressure and then went through them taking 6-36 in 21 overs. England won by an innings and 78 runs. Good 4th choice bowler still.

I think we beat Notts Forest that night as well.

 

[Mellotron]

Looking good early on, causing them a few problems.

13-0 off 6.

 

[Titanic]

Heino Kuhn took a rap on his lower hand from Stuart Broad... looks in some discomfort... but FdP will be happy enough after the first half an hour... 8 overs, 18-0

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Heino Kuhn took a rap on his lower hand from Stuart Broad... looks in some discomfort... but FdP will be happy enough after the first half an hour... 8 overs, 18-0

Yep. We need a wicket or 2 whilst the conditions are favourable.

 

[Titanic]

WICKET!!! Elgar drives at Anderson... Great catch at backward point from Dawson

SA 18-1

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Great catch by Liam Dawson.

Elgar out b Anderson.

 

[Arthur]

Anyone having issues with Sky Go?

I keep getting Error code: 9303 when trying to connect to the desktop app. Have tried removing the device and trying again with no joy.

Works fine on my phone though.

 

[Titanic]

Wood steaming in... that one has smacked Kuhn on the side of the helmet... ouch!

He was thinking about hooking, but just too late on it.

20-1 (11.4 overs)

 

[Titanic]

Drinks, morning session... a tough examination in the first hour for the batters, Kuhn in particular... SA 25-1 (14 overs)

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Amla settling in now and less movement. Need a wicket.

 

[spring hall convert]

Hales should be in this side.

Much of a muchness. Both of them have got dodgy techniques that have been exposed at the top level.

Root knows and likes Ballance, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now. I agree that playing an out of form Habib could have been bad for his long term development but I'm looking to get him involved as soon as possible

 

[spring hall convert]

Again fair.

England are extremely lucky at the moment with the quality of all-rounders at their disposal. Such is the batting talent of the wicket-keeper, plus Stokes and Moeen*, that they can afford to play so few specialist batsmen, (even when two of those in Balance and Jennings are yet to properly find their feet).

*A fit Woakes over Wood and that becomes even more true.

I love Woakes but I prefer the look of this attack without him. I think a slingy, proper fast bowler like Wood is going to be worth more to us than Woakes extra runs. Stokes, Anderson and Broad are undroppable at present.

Nice problem to have anyhow.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Stokes is struggling to get into a rhythm and Amla looks in the groove.

And rain arrives.

 

[Titanic]

LBW review... Stokes on Amla... looks like he hit it

 

[hans kraay fan club]

lunchtime score prediction: 72/4 (with 20 minutes lost to rain).

Got that part right, anyway

 

[Rodney Thomas]

I love Woakes but I prefer the look of this attack without him. I think a slingy, proper fast bowler like Wood is going to be worth more to us than Woakes extra runs. Stokes, Anderson and Broad are undroppable at present.

Nice problem to have anyhow.

I would have agreed with you if it had been the Woakes of three years ago but before his recent injury he was bowling just as quick as Wood with more movement and was by far the best bowler in the side.

 

[Titanic]

Lunch, Day One

South Africa 56-1 (23 overs)

Kuhn 34* Amla 16*

Only one wicket in the abbreviated morning session: Elgar c Dawson b Anderson 6

Captain du Plessis will be pretty happy as he tucks into his lunch.