Cricket

[Billy Dean]

De Kock standing firm. Bit of morning glory for SA.

Providing stiff resistance this morning

 

[Billy Dean]

The shorter format with a largely unheralded squad can bring less pressure and better performances despite so many big name retirements and with top players resting, the domestic one day game in the RSA has always been strong.

The T20's with world cups on the horizon will mean far more imo than the one dayers whose world cup was last summer and It's the shortest format of all where South Africa must be looking to be most competitive.

Without du Plessis and Rabada they'll be very much dependent on the hugely talented de Kock to lead by example, he's their one true superstar with some other useful relatively new names (to English ears) to help.

Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne, and all-rounder Jon-Jon Smuts will all be looking to contribute and have the talent although I don't know that much about some of the other names. Lutho Sipamla and Sisanda Magala are two seamers brought in with the (left arm?) spin option of Bjorn Fortuin.

South Africa always play hard, competitive games and will be really up for it with some new lads chasing places in the World cup squad. I'd expect them to be very tough to beat at home and they should get the crowds who turn up for the shorter game.

Does van der Dussen play T20? Thought he looked good for them in the World Cup last summer

 

[JimmyJeffers]

De Kock is out! Repeat. De Kock is out. It will be all over soon

 

[toffee82]

Wood's got De Kock.

I thought De Kock got wood.

I'm confused

 

[toffee82]

Will De Kock be able to get up and go again if we enforce the follow on?

 

[ToffeeTim]

Serious bowling from Mark Wood

If they can always have at least one if Wood and Archer then that can only be a good thing.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Straight forward decision for Root, they want Wood bowling in their second innings so England have to bat again.

KP saying it's a beautiful wicket to bat on today, Nasser give it another day under the hot sun and then bowl

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Does van der Dussen play T20? Thought he looked good for them in the World Cup last summer

Yes if the T20 squad mirrors the one day squad although South Africa won't officially announce their T20 squad until the one dayers are under way but I'd anticipate him being an integral part of their plans.

David Miller is another well known white ball specialist as well as Bavuma and Beuran Hendricks playing in this test are also included in the ODI squad and must be fancied to also do the T20's.

I would expect RSA will be captained by du Plessis in the T20's and possibly have Rabada back too, so they may just be only rested for the one dayers.

 

[toffee82]

Straight forward decision for Root, they want Wood bowling in their second innings so England have to bat again.

KP saying it's a beautiful wicket to bat on today, Nasser give it another day under the hot sun and then bowl

Think all out under 150 they might have considered the follow on.

Batting will get more difficult so runs on the board are important. Give the bowlers a rest.

Plus it will be more pressure if SA can only bat for a draw.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Solid but not without alarms, 50 battling partnership

South Africa showing some fight here.

 

[arminisgod]

not really sure why Stokes needs to play a shot a ball

 

[JimmyJeffers]

not really sure why Stokes needs to play a shot a ball

It’s entertaining I guess. Which is surely what it’s all about

 

[Toast]

not really sure why Stokes needs to play a shot a ball

His natural game.

 

[arminisgod]

It’s entertaining I guess. Which is surely what it’s all about

It is... but i'm not really sure its that necessary

 

[arminisgod]

i just don't understand that. He is out now