Cricket

[kaosmark2]

Hell of a 3rd innings, have to match it in the 4th.

Rejig the order for sure, I reckon

Root, Moeen, Stokes, Butler, Bairstow, Bell, Cook would be excellent.

Edit: Word coming out that Stokes and Moeen to open. Happy with that. Butler confirmed. Got to have plenty more.

Edited October 17, 2015 by kaosmark2

[kaosmark2]

Butler burning time with a wasted review. Not the best decision.

[kaosmark2]

17 run over....

I believe.

[kaosmark2]

Inevitable but a shame.

[TheGayTent]

Where's Steve Bucknor when you need him?! 

[lharris92]

considering how it looked like it was tailing off towards a draw in day 4 it was a great effort. Just a shame they ran out of time due to the light. I suspect Pakistan are the happier of the two with the end result the way they slowed the game down and were pressing about the light as much as possible.

 

glad Rashid got some wickets in the 2nd innings, as it really was a poor pitch for the first few days.

[kaosmark2]

Excellent day, but another reminder of just how good Cook and Root are and how reliant we are on them.

Moeen in the wickets again.

[lharris92]

today has been a bit poor so far...

[kaosmark2]

Good day! How good remains to be seen but the bowlers have done their job (again). 

[TheGayTent]

the bowlers have done their job (again). 

Well...the seamers did. 

 

Feel for Stokes - that looked nasty. 

[kaosmark2]

I know the spinners were costly but we still got 10 wickets after being asked to field. They played their part in that. It was magnificent from broad and Anderson though. 

[kaosmark2]

Great cricket, particularly the running by Taylor and bairstow.

Hopefully we can eke out a hundred lead or so. Patel and rashid aren't mugs so let's see how far we can get it. Would love to see Taylor get to a century. 

[TheGayTent]

Makes you wonder why Taylor hasn't featured for so long...not as if anyone has been suggesting he should play...

[kaosmark2]

You know very well that I've been calling for him in the team for years.

There wasn't the media clamour to include him like there has been some other. It started around this series but he's been impressive in County and lions for a while. 

[TheGayTent]

He was hard done by. Particularly given how many chances some of the others have been given (yes I'm looking at you Bairstow)

 

Set up nicely for tomorrow now. 

[kaosmark2]

Bell dropped, Compton and Ballance recalled. Finn and Wood not fit.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/34866711

I feel dropping Bell was due, but if it had come at a previous time he was out of form there'd be far more of a route back for him. As it is, if he's recalled it'll be a short term measure out of poor form and lack of options.

That said, I think Cook, opener, Taylor, Root, Ballance is a nice lineup. I'm still dubious about Hales' suitability to test cricket but whether it's him or Compton they have to be given a good run.

[TheGayTent]

I think it's lunacy to be throwing two from Hales, Compton, and Ballance in cold against the best side in the world on their own turf. 

Disappointed by the absence of Rashid but I guess the 2nd spinner will only be a drinks waiter so may as well let Patel do that. 

[kaosmark2]

I think that's more a sign of how the selection in UAE was wrong. Particularly when you consider Taylor will be coming in after having played only one Test (albeit several ODIs).

Same. Though if Moeen gets injured it'll be awkward seeing Patel coming in instead.

[kaosmark2]

Why was Taylor not in the team until 1 test ago? 

[TheGayTent]

90 lead and SA have to bat last. We're more than capable of mucking this up but you have to say the bowlers have performed very well thus far and a few of the batsmen stood up outside of Cook and Root - promising signs. 

[kaosmark2]

Broad absolutely outstanding. Shame about the injury to steyn, particularly for South Africa, but great to see scores from Compton and Taylor. 

Hales frustrating me, but showing the ability to play himself on in this second innings is promising. Just need to see him work through the gears a bit better. Got to give him the Sri Lanka tour imo unless sa lack steyn and philander all series and he struggles. 

[TheGayTent]

An enjoyable watch this test. Suspect Anderson will come in for Woakes in Cape Town but other than that, same again. 

South Africa have to make changes don't they? Maybe de Kock to come in and take the gloves off ABdV? Change of captaincy possibly too? 

 

[kaosmark2]

I think Jimmy should only play if he's 100%. He'd clearly be an improvement on Woakes but it's not like Woakes was particularly bad, and a run in the side might do him some good.

De Kock is the obvious candidate IMO. Duminy looked completely shot as well. The question of captaincy is who else is there?

[TheGayTent]

17 hours ago, kaosmark2 said:

The question of captaincy is who else is there?

Genuinely don't think anyone could do worse for SA. Other than experience, Amla brings nothing. 

[kaosmark2]

19 minutes ago, TheGayTent said:

Genuinely don't think anyone could do worse for SA. Other than experience, Amla brings nothing. 

True. I was also questioning who else is guaranteed their place in the side, other than ABDV, but thinking about it Elgar could well be worth a shot.