[Cricket] England v South Africa- Fourth Test- Johannesburg, Jan 24-28 2020

[Yes Chef]

Highveld summer weather is very localised.
Can be raining and yet sunny 1km away - so difficult to predict.
Forecast to stop raining in about 30 mins but then start again at 3pm, with over 80% chance of rain through to midday Saturday when drops to 20%.

I remember watching a test at the Wanderers circa 2011, and every day at 2 the skies darkened, the players went off and it chucked it down for an hour. We'd retire to the pub, get back at about 4 and play had resumed in bright sunshine.

 

[pasty]

CricInfo

11.35am "The hessian sheet is going back on," is the latest from George. "It can be used to draw out moisture or retain it. I wouldn't read much into it. Covers not coming back on. It's cold, but brighter. Inspection at 12"

 

[BensGrandad]

Any team news?

 

[A1X]

Sounds like Archer's injured himself in the warm-ups, receiving some consolation pats on the back and looking gutted while being comforted by Broad and Root

[TWEET]1220655860248141824[/TWEET]

 

[knocky1]

Any team news?

Joffra looking doubtful talking to Doc now. Same as 3rd Test?

 

[The Wizard]

I guess that’s what overbowling a young player at such a high level does, England management of Archer since his introduction has been really disappointing IMO

 

[DJ NOBO]

Phil salt now on bt sport

 

[BensGrandad]

I guess that’s what overbowling a young player at such a high level does, England management of Archer since his introduction has been really disappointing IMO

Perhaps they should let him leave the tour and return to get himself comnpletely fit for next season rather than try to rush him through.

 

[A1X]

Looks like 1 change, Woakes for Bess

 

[pasty]

Eng win toss and BAT

 

[BensGrandad]

Looks like 1 change, Woakes for Bess

That shouldnt weaken us as at least Woakes has shown that he can bat unlike Bess who we were told can but hasnt shown it yet.

 

[The Wizard]

Bat or Bowl is a real tough call, this pitch is a really zippy one But I wouldn’t fancy batting last on this, if the pitch behaves as it normally does and cracks up. Feel like you get more control of the game batting first, particularly in a game that could be heavily rain affected.

 

[A1X]

That shouldnt weaken us as at least Woakes has shown that he can bat unlike Bess who we were told can but hasnt shown it yet.

Scored 50 on debut at Lord's

 

[The Wizard]

Umpires

Sibley plays a terrible shot and get caught, umpire spots the no ball instantly.

 

[pasty]

Sibley caught behind off a no ball

 

[pasty]

50 up without loss

Sibley 19
Crawley 29

 

[studio150]

75-0

Crawley 49 Sibley 23

 

[pasty]

Whisper it quietly, but Root might have just made the right decision on the toss

 

[A1X]

For once we can legitimately say "Crawley's looking good". Maiden 50.

 

[blue-shifted]

OK, we're not facing Pattison, Cummins, Starc and Hazelwood, but I think England have uncovered some very good young openers. It's brilliant to see the old fashioned virtues. Stokes, Buttler etc have got to be thinking, that by the time, they get in, the bowlers might have bowled between 60 and 100 overs. That would be an appetising prospect. It's certainly better than 25-3, which is what they've been coming in for for the last few years.

Burns doesn't automatically get back in for me. Denly should do alright in Sri Lanka, but he is the one at risk for next summer