[Cricket] 2nd Test Match South Africa v England

[Titanic]

JIMMY ANDERSON strikes in the penultimate over of the day!!

Hamza prods outside off and nicks to Buttler.

54.2 W
Anderson to Zubayr Hamza, OUT, finds the line, finds the edge, finds the breakthrough! Beautifully bowled, reversing enough as Hamza pushed out, scrambling off the seam and catching the blade before dipping low into Buttler's gloves! Hamza looks distraught, but he has to go
Zubayr Hamza c †Buttler b Anderson 18 (104m 59b 1x4 0x6) SR: 30.50

123-2, 315 runs or 8 wickets needed for the win.

 

[Titanic]

Close of play, Day Four

South Africa 126-2 (56 overs)

Malan 63* Maharaj 2*

312 runs or 8 wickets needed for the WIN on Day Five.

Four day Test matches... no thanks.

 

[big nuts]

Close of play, Day Four

South Africa 126-2 (56 overs)

Malan 63* Maharaj 2*

312 runs or 8 wickets needed for the WIN on Day Five.

Four day Test matches... no thanks.

All 4 results possible.

I make it

England win 49.8%
Draw 35%
South Africa win 15%
Tie 0.2%

 

[Guinness Boy]

Four day Test matches... no thanks.

THIS. I really don't understand the constant clamour to simplify or dumb down the game. The whole POINT of cricket for me is the length of time it takes. Not every test will last 5 days but generally the ones that do are the most interesting of the lot.

And as for 20/20 they don't even have a proper MEAL. What's that about?

 

[Is it PotG?]

Shirley not even England will choke in this one.

 

[knocky1]

Bess doesn’t seem to be able to land it in the rough at all.

Denly absolutely ripping it out the rough in his first over.

As an off spinner isn't Bess unable to find the rough in this match, whilst Denly as a leg spinner pitches into it? I always get confused with this, especially when you have RHB or LHB and even googlies coming into the equation.

I heard that the crack on the pitch had closed up today but could open up again tomorrow. I hope so, I think uneven bounce and jags from the seamers s our best bet for victory.

 

[BensGrandad]

I think the 2nd wicket has swung the game towards England rather than SA batting out for a draw. Would expect them to lose Malan and the nightwatchman before lunch.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Jimmy. Still doing his thing. What a great player he is.

 

[LlcoolJ]

Jimmy. Still doing his thing. What a great player he is.

Every time he's written off he comes back stronger.

Incredible.

 

[Machiavelli]

Every time he's written off he comes back stronger.

Incredible.

I haven't heard of anyone writing him off. Fools if they do. If anything, he's getting better -- I think there was a stat indicating that his average over the past four years is substantially better than his career average.

 

[LlcoolJ]

I haven't heard of anyone writing him off. Fools if they do. If anything, he's getting better -- I think there was a stat indicating that his average over the past four years is substantially better than his career average.

When he was out injured for a while, came back, was injured again, there were plenty of people in the media writing him off.

Actually a few years ago when he got the side strain and was out for a few months there were a lot of "is that it for Jimmy?" noises. He was about 33 at the time IIRC.

It's never been about his ability (obviously) but more that most fast bowlers start breaking themselves irreparably in their early thirties (or sooner).

As I said, he's incredible.

 

[Gwylan]

It's never been about his ability (obviously) but more that most fast bowlers start breaking themselves irreparably in their early thirties (or sooner).

England's greatest ever bowler, Syd Barnes, played his last test at 40 (and was selected for an Australian tour when he was 47 but wouldn't go). If Jimmy can emulate him, we may see him around for a few more years

 

[Machiavelli]

When he was out injured for a while, came back, was injured again, there were plenty of people in the media writing him off.

Actually a few years ago when he got the side strain and was out for a few months there were a lot of "is that it for Jimmy?" noises. He was about 33 at the time IIRC.

It's never been about his ability (obviously) but more that most fast bowlers start breaking themselves irreparably in their early thirties (or sooner).

As I said, he's incredible.

Physically, he's Bruno-esque, and that's some compliment.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Jimmy. Still doing his thing. What a great player he is.

Absolutely, genuine legend.

And all the more remarkable considering the England coaches almost ruined him over a decade ago.

 

[Beach Hut]

Jimmy strikes (again), night watchman removed 136/3

 

[Beach Hut]

164/4 du Plessis holes out, big error

 

[BensGrandad]

SA seem to be set on batting they day out for a draw, as they lead 1-0, and if the situation changes perhaps go for the victory. We need 2 more quick wickets to put us back into control.

 

[The Wizard]

Malan finally gone, bucket hands strikes again in the slips.

 

[BensGrandad]

That is the one we wanted now the rest should follow after these 2.

 

[BensGrandad]

These 2 arent interested in runs looks like fizzling out to a draw unless something drastic happens. 46 overs to go.