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

[StephenZA]

How was that reviewed? Must have thought he hit the ground... But Rabada

 

[wpdavid]

Why would you review that?

Only because he's a **** of the first order.

 

[WalkingWicket]

Sweeps on England's total? 120?

 

[91Jmay]

This is an absolute shambles. So utterly predictable, and exactly why I knew we weren't number one in the world material whenever we have to rely on our batting.

In order for us to win a test our bowlers have to blow opposition away and Root/Cook has to score big runs. We aren't a really good team yet even if we have found a few more players this tour (Stokes/Finn/Bairstow have solidified their places to greater and lesser degrees).

 

[weldone]

Sweeps on England's total? 120?

204

 

[Stapel]

I guess sometimes batsmen honoustly think they haven't nicked it, whereas they did.

 

[Captain_Cook]

144

 

[StephenZA]

111

 

[weldone]

This is an absolute shambles. So utterly predictable, and exactly why I knew we weren't number one in the world material whenever we have to rely on our batting.

In order for us to win a test our bowlers have to blow opposition away and Root/Cook has to score big runs. We aren't a really good team yet even if we have found a few more players this tour (Stokes/Finn/Bairstow have solidified their places to greater and lesser degrees).

The very good lower order is also a factor contributing to England's success ... no other team has a no. 8 like Moeen Ali

 

[StephenZA]

I don't know why we are not crowding the bat here...

 

[vcs]

Chance for Root to be a hero here. He's already been great in this series but an Atherton-esque rearguard here would really enhance his resume.

 

[weldone]

If possible, don't use Piedt too much when Taylor is at the crease

 

[vcs]

Taylor's helmet is a couple of sizes too big for him.

 

[Captain_Cook]

This is an absolute shambles. So utterly predictable, and exactly why I knew we weren't number one in the world material whenever we have to rely on our batting.

It's annoying. England have two brilliant batsmen (one a prolific accumulator, the other the best English batsman since WW2) but an utter death of talent otherwise. Where are the young Smiths, Bells, Thorpes, Collingwoods, Trescothicks, Vaughans and Trotts?

At least we've got Stokes, but I'm suspicious that this series may be his magnum opus...

 

[Stapel]

On English openers: Is Sam Robson still in the picture? He's quite young. But I have no clue on how he performed in fc cricket.

 

[Cabinet96]

Only because he's a **** of the first order.

???

 

[Stace]

Hales going won't change the odds by a huge amount...it may jump from 2.1 (the odd now) to about 1.9...

2-3 wickets today will see a big shift in odds - I may cash-out only in that case

Edit: 1.57...hmmm, I was wrong...You may take the offer if you want

I got them at 7/4 now I can just about double my money if I wanted but might as well leave it and collect the full amount tomorrow.

 

[wpdavid]

It's annoying. England have two brilliant batsmen (one a prolific accumulator, the other the best English batsman since WW2) but an utter death of talent otherwise. Where are the young Smiths, Bells, Thorpes, Collingwoods, Trescothicks, Vaughans and Trotts?

At least we've got Stokes, but I'm suspicious that this series may be his magnum opus...

I'm prepared to believe that this series marks a genuine step up for Stokes.

But yeah, we haven't produced much new talent in the last few years. Apart from Root, there must be half a dozen or so tried failures in the top 5 since Strauss and Collingwood retired.

 

[91Jmay]

It's annoying. England have two brilliant batsmen (one a prolific accumulator, the other the best English batsman since WW2) but an utter death of talent otherwise. Where are the young Smiths, Bells, Thorpes, Collingwoods, Trescothicks, Vaughans and Trotts?

At least we've got Stokes, but I'm suspicious that this series may be his magnum opus...

Stokes will average 40+ and be a star I am pretty sure. Yeah the cupboard is fairly bare though until Sam Hain, Dan Lawrence get a go.

 

[wpdavid]

???

I was still annoyed at him trying to run out Cook so wasn't over sympathetic about him wasting a review for that.

Possibly harsh, but meh.