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*Official* England in South Africa 2019/20
- Thread starter StephenZA
- Start date
hazsa19
International Regular
I imagine he’ll have a go with the new ball at some stage. I think Root has used the bowlers nicely this morning.
Father Time
School Boy/Girl Cricketer
I'm impressed with Dominic Bess! Also Malan, how has he not been selected before this?
wpdavid
Hall of Fame Member
Interesting take on things below from whoever is writing the Guardian's commentary.
76th over: South Africa 163-3 (Malan 77, du Plessis 19) Root had Curran lined up, but Stokes said he wanted one more. Another case of Stokes getting what he wants, and it not bearing fruit. He’s a commanding batsman now, and has always been a great fielder, but he doesn’t get quite as many wickets as he thinks he does.
76th over: South Africa 163-3 (Malan 77, du Plessis 19) Root had Curran lined up, but Stokes said he wanted one more. Another case of Stokes getting what he wants, and it not bearing fruit. He’s a commanding batsman now, and has always been a great fielder, but he doesn’t get quite as many wickets as he thinks he does.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
He's neither eye-catchingly talented nor a domestic run god (other than in longevity, and I guess maybe three day cricket when he plays that). He was a very good selection but if anything I'm more surprised he's been picked for this game I am that he wasn't picked earlier.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Weird take I think. If anything Stokes is sometimes underbowled. This may be due to his own desires and the first half of that take may be correct, but I don't think he over-rates his own wicket-taking ability. His strike rate is under 60 and they still sometimes decide they're gonna pick four other seamers and bowl him about as often as Joe Root.
weldone
Hall of Fame Member
Wow, seriously?
StephenZA
Hall of Fame Member
Picked on some recent form but really for his FC experience. It is obvious that all the new selection picks have been players with a decent FC records and experience. I still would have preferred Moore.
hazsa19
International Regular
Be prepared for sarcastic ****s on this forum. I’ve been impressed too, certainly surpassed my expectations. Maybe my bar of an acceptable spinner is pretty low when it comes to England, but I think there’s something there.
This is surely the most important passage of the day/ match, can’t see why you don’t go to Jimmy and Broad here.
It’s more a strange critique for me, as I can’t imagine there is a professional cricketer who doesn’t overrate their own ability. Doesn’t it come with the territory of being a pro athlete?
weldone
Hall of Fame Member
I was not being sarcastic. I was genuinely surprised that Bess impressed someone.
wpdavid
Hall of Fame Member
Yeah, it was probably more a criticism of Root for not taking charge. If that's what actually happened. Curran unlucky last ball before lunch fwiw.
wpdavid
Hall of Fame Member
Not necessarily. A bowler can be economical without being threatening, for instance.
Father Time
School Boy/Girl Cricketer
Why would I not be impressed with Bess. He's bowled consistently & tightly, & given England control. The pitch isn't a raging turner. What else is he supposed to do? I see an excellent young player who is developing & growing in stature.
Bess has done his job, kept things tight and snaked two crucial wickets out.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Yeah I totally agree, and I liked the selection. It shouldn't really be a surprise to anyone that he hasn't played before now when he neither oozes talent nor has an amazing record (other than in experience) though. Sometimes a pick can be excellent without necessarily meaning it should have instead just been a good pick a year earlier.
wpdavid
Hall of Fame Member
He's done much better than most of us expected. But I think that the quicks need to be given full use of the new ball as Bess won't run through the last six wickets. I thought Root gave the still new ball much too soon to the spinners at the start of this innings.