*Official* England in South Africa Thread

[Richard]

Yes, yes, I know, there's still 21 days (and 7 matches) to go until England arrive in South Africa, but surely World cricket's most exciting series of the last 10 years deserves some early discussion?
I don't think Michael Vaughan is alone in thinking wistfully of the time when the Zimbabwe tour is over (hopefully without too much embarrassment on any part) and the real business can start.

 

[chris.hinton]

It will be a Good Series IMO

we will win 2-1

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

World cricket's most exciting series of the last 10 years

 

[tooextracool]

i look forward to graeme smith smashing harmison all over the place and proving to all of us what a lucky bowler he really is.....

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

i look forward to graeme smith smashing harmison all over the place and proving to all of us what a lucky bowler he really is.....

Sounds distinctly like someone else before the West Indies series.

 

[Langeveldt]

England to win 2-1

 

[Richard]

Name a better one.
Australia-India is the only one that comes close - and that was only 2 series (2000\01 and 2003\04).
Since 1994, there have been two sensational England-South Africa series and three that have been better than much of the rubbish we've seen in the last couple of years.

 

[Richard]

England to win 2-1

Either way, you're a winner.
I'm presuming you'd prefer a South African victory?

 

[Neil Pickup]

Your phraseology suggested that the upcoming Test series would be the best seen in the last ten years...

 

[Neil Pickup]

Either way, you're a winner.
I'm presuming you'd prefer a South African victory?

Being the disgusting blood traitor he is, you'll be right.

 

[Richard]

i look forward to graeme smith smashing harmison all over the place and proving to all of us what a lucky bowler he really is.....

And if it doesn't happen I'll admit Smith played poorly, something he hasn't done all that often - let alone over a period of 5 whole Test-matches.

 

[Richard]

Your phraseology suggested that the upcoming Test series would be the best seen in the last ten years...

Well, it might be.
Of course, it might be a totally one-sided monopoly or a rain-ruined farce or anything that makes cricket boring.
But surely it has all the makings of a classic.
So, we might remind ourselves, did the recent India-Australia.

 

[Richard]

Sounds distinctly like someone else before the West Indies series.

Difference is, there I predicted it and no-one said "don't be so stupid, Harmison's the best bowler England have produced in... well... the way some people talk you'd think since SF Barnes..." Which most people who don't know me would do if I said that.
Before the West Indies series Harmison was considered a good prospect whose time was just around the corner, and so I'd have been more likely to get comments along the lines of "oh, don't be such a negative pessimist!"

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Difference is, there I predicted it and no-one said "don't be so stupid, Harmison's the best bowler England have produced in... well... the way some people talk you'd think since SF Barnes..." Which most people who don't know me would do if I said that.
Before the West Indies series Harmison was considered a good prospect whose time was just around the corner, and so I'd have been more likely to get comments along the lines of "oh, don't be such a negative pessimist!"

Ah but I predicted Harmison to have a big series. I never said "You're an idiot Richard, there's no two ways around it you foolish ninkanpoop. Harmison's the best bowler England... yadda... yadda... yadda..." but I did oppose your opinion in my own treehugging way.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Well, it might be.
Of course, it might be a totally one-sided monopoly or a rain-ruined farce or anything that makes cricket boring.
But surely it has all the makings of a classic.
So, we might remind ourselves, did the recent India-Australia.

If you're talking of a series of brilliant and entertaining cricket, West Indies v Australia 1999 wasn't the worst by any means, but if you mean most anticipated you may have a case. I'd still disagree, but I don't feel the need to back myself with an alternative and/or evidence considering I'm conversing with you.

 

[tooextracool]

And if it doesn't happen I'll admit Smith played poorly, something he hasn't done all that often - let alone over a period of 5 whole Test-matches.

of course there isnt a possibility of harmison bowling well is there?

 

[Neil Pickup]

No. Please.

 

[tooextracool]

Name a better one.
Australia-India is the only one that comes close - and that was only 2 series (2000\01 and 2003\04).
Since 1994, there have been two sensational England-South Africa series and three that have been better than much of the rubbish we've seen in the last couple of years.

err WI-aus 99?
pak-ind 99?

 

[tooextracool]

If you're talking of a series of brilliant and entertaining cricket, West Indies v Australia 1999 wasn't the worst by any means, but if you mean most anticipated you may have a case. I'd still disagree, but I don't feel the need to back myself with an alternative and/or evidence considering I'm conversing with you.

argh beat me to it....

 

[Richard]

of course there isnt a possibility of harmison bowling well is there?

Oh of course there is - but given that it hasn't actually happened yet in his Test-career I'd not think it very likely.
If it happens, of course I'll equally acknowledge it.