England vs South Africa 4th Test Old Trafford 4th-8th August 2017

[Titanic]

Stokes plays all around a straight one from Rabada... and he's gone for 58... good ball and important wicket.

 

[Eeyore]

Stokes plays all around a straight one from Rabada... and he's gone for 58... good ball and important wicket.

Great delivery, mind. Not sure Stokes saw that. Mind you, he had been dropping it short of a length up to then.

 

[Titanic]

Close of play, Day One

England 260-6 (90 overs)

Bairstow 33* Roland-Jones 0* (nightwatchman to protect Moeen Ali and didn't face a ball... so Ali will come in at No.9 tomorrow)

South Africa will be pretty happy with their effort today... England have not got away from them... a very open and competitive day of Test cricket.

All to play for tomorrow morning.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I'd say South Africa have edged today, and considering they were without Philander that's a good effort. However, they have to bowl England out in the morning and restrict them to under 350. With a newish ball and a series to save they've really got to be looking at knocking us over for sub-310.

An exciting test match beckons...

 

[big nuts]

Puzzling to use a night watchman when Bairstow on 29 could deal in even numbers and ensure Ali doesn't face a ball. He now bats at number 9 and could end up batting with the tail in single figures. A small detail but could prove important if he is left on 25 not out tomorrow.

 

[BensGrandad]

What would be an acceptable 1st innings total for England now, I think any score above 300 then down to the bowlers

Hopefully Bairstow and Ali can take us past that total.

 

[knocky1]

The Saffers have to get rid off Toblerone first.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

The square still looks like it's flooded

 

[jakarta]

Second Day starts, very slowly... One leg bye so far 261-6

 

[knocky1]

Very important session this morning. Either team could wrest control by lunch. Lucky as f****** Sky won't let BT viewers watch after lunch.

 

[banjo]

7 down.

 

[BensGrandad]

The way we have struggled with the bat today does it offer hope for our bowlers?

 

[BensGrandad]

SA to bat before lunch it seems.

 

[larus]

Bairstow going a good job with Anderson here. Keeping most of the strike and managing to score some steady runs.

Partnership lasted 33 balls so far - Anderson faced 7. 27 runs added too.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

The way we have struggled with the bat today does it offer hope for our bowlers?

Run rate over 5 this morning BG don't know what your taking about

 

[Hillian1]

Good running Jimmy

 

[We're the Stripes]

Nooooo, so close.

 

[CHAPPERS]

Incredible how far down the pitch he was there and you still have to give it.

 

[larus]

Good knock YJB. Hopefully prove a decent total.

 

[larus]

2/1 - Elgar 3rd ball. LBW to Anderson.