England v South Africa, First Test at Lord's

[hans kraay fan club]

Day two begins with England on 357-5 (87 overs), Root 184* and Ali 61*

Crucial early session with the nearly new ball... SA could get themselves back into it this morning with some quick wickets, or England could take it away from them...

Did SA take the new ball after 80 overs?

Personally, if they did, I reckon that was a big error on their part. Their bowlers were dead on their feet, and the ball was getting smacked about by two well set batsmen, in little danger.

Now they start with fresh bowlers this morning, with a ball that's had 7 overs of punishment, instead of a new one (its probably in a state that you'd expect it to be in after 15 overs of difficult play first thing this morning, if saved until now).

 

[Marshy]

they did take the new ball yesterday late on

 

[Papa Lazarou]

they did take the new ball yesterday late on

And they DID get smacked about

 

[LlcoolJ]

I try and forget his from Sheffield. At least his not a Massive fan.

Yeah he's a blade. He's also a thoroughly decent bloke. Have met him a few times down at Sheffield Collegiate as my son plays there. You wouldn't believe that he's the England captain and one of the world's best batsmen as there's no side or ego to him whatsoever. At the club he's just one of the lads.

I was chatting to him a week or so ago and he was more interested in how the Collegiate U10 lads were doing for South Yorkshire and Yorkshire than talking about England or himself.

He takes that attitude into the game where he just goes out to enjoy it. It's great to see.

 

[Titanic]

Did SA take the new ball after 80 overs?

Personally, if they did, I reckon that was a big error on their part. Their bowlers were dead on their feet, and the ball was getting smacked about by two well set batsmen, in little danger.

Now they start with fresh bowlers this morning, with a ball that's had 7 overs of punishment, instead of a new one (its probably in a state that you'd expect it to be in after 15 overs of difficult play first thing this morning, if saved until now).

Clearly they were hoping for a breakthrough... fairly standard captaincy... Morkel had only bowled 13, Philander 16 and Rabada 19 at that stage.

 

[Titanic]

Root has gone early doors.

Caught by de Kock off Morkel for 190, a bit of movement and bounce off a decent length undid him outside off.

England 367-6 (89.1 overs)

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Root has gone early doors.

Caught by de Kock off Morkel for 190, a bit of movement and bounce undid him outside off.

England 367-6 (89.1 overs)

Boooooooooooooooooo

Can't they check for a no ball?

 

[Titanic]

Blimey... Dawson given LBW straight away... immediate review possibly height?

 

[jakarta]

You just know that Root & Ali be out in the first couple of overs this morning and it will all subside to 380 ao, there we go my miserable ******* head is firmly on this morning!

Didn't want to be proved right...

 

[Pevenseagull]

This cup of tea tastes shit

 

[Titanic]

Ball tracking shows it was clipping the leg bail... he's a goner for a duck.

367-7

 

[Razzoo]

Game on Saffers, great start for them, has Steyn retired?

 

[Postman Pat]

Broad, Anderson, Wood isn't much of a tail!

Broad not been the same batsmen since being hit by some bouncers.

 

[Titanic]

There is almost no reaction from the crowd to either of these wickets... are there no Saffers left in London or have they given up supporting their cricket team?

 

[Titanic]

Broad lucky there... given not out... no review (why when they had two to spare??)... and it was smashing into leg from Philander.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Broad lucky there... given not out... no review (why when they had two to spare??)... and it was smashing into leg from Philander.

Yep. Poor call from Elgar there

 

[Titanic]

Broad thrashing away at everything... 8 balls, 3 fours, two edged through slips!

Moeen Ali playing classy aggressive shots... lovely pull from Philander though midwicket, and a fine clip off his legs brings up his 2000th Test run

4 fours in 7 balls... England 389-7

 

[Gazwag]

There is almost no reaction from the crowd to either of these wickets... are there no Saffers left in London or have they given up supporting their cricket team?

Maybe the meh attitude of players such as AB who cant be bothered with test matches has rubbed off on the fans

 

[Titanic]

Beautiful inside edge over top of middle down to 3nd man for 4 from Broad, double teapots from Rabada and de Kock

England 402-7 (96.2 overs)

Ali 80* Broad 20*

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Didn't want to be proved right...

or wrong