***Official*** England in South Africa 2015/16

[Furball]

Massive win this for England. It's great how the batting weaknesses were sort of filled by the emergence of Compton, Taylor and the brilliant Stokes of course.

Another great knock in this game to form a partnership with Root at a crucial stage. Incredible how much he adds to the team, totally makes up for a sort of misfiring top order.

In the last 4 years, England have now won two massive away series, absolutely incredible stuff this.

Gotta feel bad for South Africa though. For a team that had such an incredible away record for almost 8 years at a time when everyone was getting hammered overseas, to lose the number 1 ranking after 2 series losses should hurt. They should have had more points separating them from the number 2.

This does look like a broken team though, and there seems to be a lot going on behind the scenes. AB's comments are worrying for a guy who always wore his passion on his sleeve and who never made a secret of how much losing hurt him. Yet now he talks about workload and burnout and retirement and all that. There is obviously a lot bothering him at his workplace, and that will always effect how much you enjoy your work

South Africa have lost their most recent series against England, India and Australia. It's probably right that they're no longer number 1.

 

[Starfighter]

Sorry for posting well after events have happened!

Waking up this morning was a bit of a shock after last checking in when South Africa were ten for no loss.
Was not surprised that Broad was the main destroyer, makes me feel a little better about what happened in the ashes!
Looking at the recent results and the make up of the SA team I think it's pretty clear that they are no longer the indisputible best side, especially without Steyn.

The batting seems to lack application, and was thoroughly shown up last night. Without Kallis and Smith to provide steady guidance they don't have any steady accumulators who block or leave, and with only AB having consistent form over the past year or so there is too little to stand on batting wise. I'm not really surprised at such a total in india, but on their home turf, at Wanderer's no less?

I think that SA may continue putting together some performances, but I think it's pretty clear that their reign as the team to beat is over.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

The rankings have gone a bit weird. Steyn not being number one is something that will take some getting used to if you started paying attention around 2008.

In some ways yeah but he can't get on the park. Hard to dispute Broad atm.

 

[Compton]

Finn out of final test; Footit, Woakes, or Jordan to replace.

Brings up the glaring question: how does Chris Jordan keep himself considered an option? He must have dirty pictures of Mrs Strauss or something.

 

[grecian]

Finn out of final test; Footit, Woakes, or Jordan to replace.

Brings up the glaring question: how does Chris Jordan keep himself considered an option? He must have dirty pictures of Mrs Strauss or something.

Hope they go with Footit, he's getting on a bit now, if we don't give him a chance now it maybe too late. He's the quickest of the lot, not a like-for-like replacement, but none of them are. Plunkers would be, but we haven't picked him for some reason. Joverton would be cool if they flew him in, he said in an utterly unbiased way.

 

[Howe_zat]

Finn out of final test; Footit, Woakes, or Jordan to replace.

Brings up the glaring question: how does Chris Jordan keep himself considered an option? He must have dirty pictures of Mrs Strauss or something.

Jordan has just about enough pace to trouble at international level, particularly a lower order/tail, he provides variety when set against a new ball attack that is designed to get top order players out, he contributes with the bat and is an excellent fielder.

I don't want him to be a part of England's Test match plan A going forward but with a couple of injuries he can do a job.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Footit surely. Jordan shouldn't be bowling at international level until he can sort his run up out.

Footit goes for runs but its the best time to give him a try given its a dead rubber so slightly less pressure.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Hope they go with Footit, he's getting on a bit now, if we don't give him a chance now it maybe too late. He's the quickest of the lot, not a like-for-like replacement, but none of them are. Plunkers would be, but we haven't picked him for some reason. Joverton would be cool if they flew him in, he said in an utterly unbiased way.

This i'd love to see Footit get a go, if only because he is a left armer and would be a useful addition to the bowling ranks if he is good enough. Only way of finding that out is playing him and there aren't many better times to make a debut than against a battered batting line up on a decent bouncy track.

 

[Furball]

Footit getting a go has all the hallmarks of a 0/150 effort.

Woakes should play.

 

[Kippax]

If New Zealanders etc. want to see the Broad spell -

 

[grecian]

Footit getting a go has all the hallmarks of a 0/150 effort.

Woakes should play.

Woakes and Jimmeh are too similar. If the 0-150 happens, we'll know he's not up to it, and it'll free up a squad place for one of the Overtons or Lewis Gregory.

 

[91Jmay]

Woakes played well in first test and is much quicker than Jimmy at the moment. Has been our consistently quickest bowler of all who have played this series.

 

[Howe_zat]

Steyn out again. They may have done some real damage in allowing him to bowl another half an over after being injured at Durban.

 

[Compton]

Steyn out again. They may have done some real damage in allowing him to bowl another half an over after being injured at Durban.

Yeah Botham I think it was in commentary at the time took a break from talking ****e to spend 10 minutes explaining how stupid that was.

Saying that, I wonder if he's "not fit to play" or if he's "not fit to play a dead rubber"

 

[Groundking]

Steyn out again. They may have done some real damage in allowing him to bowl another half an over after being injured at Durban.

Yeah, with his recent injuries I'd be amazed if we ever saw him like how he was ever again, which is a massive shame, and I'm now doubtful he'll hit 500 wickets, but I do hope he does.

 

[Shady Slim]

wonder what would happen if SA were fit and firing

they had to call on their sixth or seventh string pacers so it's hardly ideal

 

[Johann]

Steyn out again. They may have done some real damage in allowing him to bowl another half an over after being injured at Durban.

Yeah seemed so stupid even at the time

 

[91Jmay]

wonder what would happen if SA were fit and firing

they had to call on their sixth or seventh string pacers so it's hardly ideal

Nah they didn't. Abbott and Piedt fit just not selected for this test, that is a choice no one forced them to.

 

[burr]

Bit disappointing from a neural perspective but, gosh, England are actually an exciting side to watch -- from a neutral perspective. I mean, we have known for a while Broad is capable of God spells. But combined with players like Root and Stokes, I'd pay to watch England. And I have - entering my 70 pounds odd in the Eng v Pak Lord's test. God, I love test cricket!

 

[Furball]

wonder what would happen if SA were fit and firing

they had to call on their sixth or seventh string pacers so it's hardly ideal

England's best bowler missed a Test and is struggling for fitness. It happens.