Cricket

[Chris O'Connor]

Should have had a run out in the last over too btw.

Often the case in hectic last overs in T20's with every run so crucial.

Having been on the end of a 3-0 drubbing in the ODI's, for Ireland to turn the tables on West Indies in the first of the 3 T20's was the perfect antidote

 

[Chris O'Connor]

So it's definitely Wood, let's hope he lasts the Test.

South Africa v England: Mark Wood likely to play with Jofra Archer injured

England fast bowler Jofra Archer is set to miss the third Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth, with Mark Wood likely to play.

www.bbc.co.uk

Seems the right decision if Jofra is still struggling to get up to speed, it's always a huge risk with Mark Wood but one they seem to have to take.

He deserves some luck after the long road back to fitness so you have to hope he can now play a crucial role in helping us win the series.

Hopefully pair them both for the fourth and possibly even fifth tests, although the odds are Wood won't be able to do all three.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Seems the right decision if Jofra is still struggling to get up to speed, it's always a huge risk with Mark Wood but one they seem to have to take.

He deserves some luck after the long road back to fitness so you have to hope he can now play a crucial role in helping us win the series.

Hopefully pair them both for the fourth and possibly even fifth tests, although the odds are Wood won't be able to do all three.

Forgot four test not five test series, so hopefully Wood can play both

 

[ToffeeTim]

Sounds like a lifeless, flat wicket.

Need to get 350 plus on the board.

 

[JimmyJeffers]

Sounds like a lifeless, flat wicket.

Need to get 350 plus on the board.

I’d say more to be honest. 4-500

 

[ToffeeTim]

I’d say more to be honest. 4-500

I used to think you needed those bigger scores.

But teams cant bat that well anymore. If you make 350 first up you usually win.

 

[Ivo]

I used to think you needed those bigger scores.

But teams cant bat that well anymore. If you make 350 first up you usually win.

Plus we're scoring at 2 an over so it would take about 4 days to get 500!

 

[davids]

I’d say more to be honest. 4-500

So another batting collapse then.

 

[Ivo]

4 down now.

 

[Connor]

 

[ToffeeTim]

Decent day that really

Big advantage to not be batting last

 

[BigMick]

Pope looks quality.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Pretty attritional stuff but a solid foundation set which Stokes and Pope are threatening to take advantage of.

An unresponsive incredibly lifeless wicket meant the ball was tough to get away with scoring quickly out of the question with a platform to be built, but equally tough for the seamers with little or no real help on offer.

There was some slow turn for Maharaj which given a first day pitch bodes well for Bess. Denly especially needs to find a way to rotate the strike, the spinner bowling maiden after maiden to him.

du Plessis will be pleased his field settings winkled a couple out and England haven't got away from them. A lot depends on these two at the wicket continuing their fine repair job and building on the unbeaten stand of 76.

England the happier of the two camps but both sides have reasons to be pleased.

*****************************

Incidentally quite interesting to hear former England spinner Robert Croft on the selection of Bess over Parkinson for the last test when asked did he agree with it.

He answered rather critically "Yes and No"......

"Yes in that it was the correct choice as he thought Parkinson wasn't capable of bowling quickly enough for South African wickets. He added he was possibly thought of as someone to have a look at in the nets as part of his learning process rather than be ready to play - saying we know this happens (rightly or wrongly) therefore questioning his selection for the squad in tge first place

And 'No' in that Bess had to be brought in given that Leach was out and England hadn't picked a replacement they were confident in playing.

He concluded that they had made the right selection in the end.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Rain has delayed the start, no indication of when likely to start, could be an on/off day - rainy, cloudy and humid.

Makes a mockery of four day tests being suitable anywhere.

 

[summerisle]

I see nothing wrong with this, ridiculous.





Meanwhile, England have pummeled South Africa this morning : England 297-4, Stokes 83 Pope 63.