*** Official*** South Africa in England 2017

[SeamUp]

This has been close to a masterclass from Big Vern. In his words somebody will step up without AB, Faf, Steyn. Its him so far.

Imagine if 1 of the Root chances were taken. Been scratchy but good players find ways to make runs.

 

[OverratedSanity]

This might be a bit blasphemous but I think he might be the superior Fatty.

 

[MW1304]

London, man. We really can't play here.

 

[kingkallis]

Jeez, Philander keeps getting better and better.

 

[Woodster]

Well, Bairstow trapped on the crease now and four down before lunch, thought height was the only issue but a decent decision really. 76-4 and in trouble, time for the new skipper and vice!

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Stokes all set for 206*

 

[91Jmay]

Philander such a gun, SA bowled really well this morning on a pitch with very little in it from what i've seen. No surprise our batting is the way it is with the clown shoes line up we've picked.

 

[Shady Slim]

*post in which i want about philander that offers nothing compared to my previous big vern wankery*

 

[Groundking]

Philander such a gun, SA bowled really well this morning on a pitch with very little in it from what i've seen. No surprise our batting is the way it is with the clown shoes line up we've picked.

What would you do differently with the team?

 

[wpdavid]

London, man. We really can't play here.

But apparently Lord's is a complete road and we can't expect our quicks do do much more than trundle in whilst the oppo score 500+

 

[StephenZA]

Take that as a first session... well bowled Philander.

 

[OverratedSanity]

17 years since SA/Eng won a series against the other at home. SA are such a weird team... have a similar record against Australia too.

 

[Jarquis]

So Moeen at 7... after all the talk about how he was a batsman first and foremost now etc

 

[vcs]

17 years since SA/Eng won a series against the other at home. SA are such a weird team... have a similar record against Australia too.

If only SA could figure out how to beat those two at home..

 

[social]

Good first session from SA but should have been great

Prediction is that England will be in a strong position at stumps as you cannot drop a good player twice

Night all

 

[MW1304]

So Moeen at 7... after all the talk about how he was a batsman first and foremost now etc

I mean it was a presumption, but it definitely seemed like a logical one considering how the last Test in India went.

Then Dawson was picked, which made it seem even more likely. As it is I just can't understand the thinking behind this 6 bowlers thing.

 

[Scaly piscine]

So how do we assess Ballance's first chance average? Is he 20 for 2? If his comedy review costs England later will he 20 for 3?

 

[Burgey]

So how do we assess Ballance's first chance average? Is he 20 for 2? If his comedy review costs England later will he 20 for 3?

It's about the same as Root's in this innings.

 

[wpdavid]

I mean it was a presumption, but it definitely seemed like a logical one considering how the last Test in India went.

Then Dawson was picked, which made it seem even more likely. As it is I just can't understand the thinking behind this 6 bowlers thing.

Maybe it's insurance due to some of them not being 100% fit.

So far I'm more worried about the gulf in quality between Philander and our batsmen than I am about the selection.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Dawson's bowling isn't insurance against anything. TRJ's is.