First Test. South Africa v England. Durban, 26-30 Dec.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Surprising to note that England haven't won away since the tour of India, and only twice this decade, so a series win here would be a recent landmark.

[hopeforthebest]

Good batting by Taylor. Scored fours of both bad balls bowled by Piedt in the over.

Good to see him playing well but who would he have replaced in the Flower team?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Probably would have had him ahead of Bairstow, several times over. Arguably could have replaced Ballance (under Moores, with Flower behind the scenes), or Bell recently.

Probably would have had him ahead of Root as well though...

[Alviro Patterson]

Just realised music has been played whenever a boundary is scored. Seems a bit untraditional for test cricket, but at the same time rather accompanying in a unique Durban atmosphere.

[Arthur Crabtree]

The surrounding square and outfield looks unusually spongy. I'm guessing that means no reverse swing, unless via zip.

Botham wants Stokes with him in the trenches. Call me misguided, but a cricketer wouldn't be my first choice.

[Arthur Crabtree]

50 for JT in a tricky situation. Good start.

[meninblue]

Good batting by Taylor. Scored fours of both bad balls bowled by Piedt in the over.

Good to see him playing well but who would he have replaced in the Flower team?

I guess by Flower team you means the time when Cook, JLT, Bell, KP were playing as regulars. Therefore, in that case as they were established as well as experienced players, it was tough to get in as specialist batsman. Also considering that Joe was one new comer who produced some good innings by time Andy retired I feel the chances of any other batsman getting place were more less in that lineup, than the chances of new comer getting a chance in this line up. Anyways he is getting chances now and 25 is still definitely enough age to get test cricket chance and make a brilliant career out of it as if he is consistent then there is more than decade of test cricket he can play considering he is a specialist batsman.

[hopeforthebest]

Probably would have had him ahead of Bairstow, several times over. Arguably could have replaced Ballance (under Moores, with Flower behind the scenes), or Bell recently.

Probably would have had him ahead of Root as well though...

Moores maybe but under flowers the personele remained constant except for injuries or unavailability. Was he really ready to drop into Collingwood's place in 2011?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not got a ton yet...

But him being so long overdue makes people talk as if he's more established than he yet is.

[meninblue]

Similarly Gauti,Sehwag, Rahul, Sachin, VVS and Saurav spoilt a lot of specialist batsmen careers due to their performance. So many consistent Ranji top scorers got no chance at all to get a decent opportunity.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Probably would have had him ahead of Bairstow, several times over. Arguably could have replaced Ballance (under Moores, with Flower behind the scenes), or Bell recently.

Probably would have had him ahead of Root as well though...

Moores maybe but under flowers the personele remained constant except for injuries or unavailability. Was he really ready to drop into Collingwood's place in 2011?

He was a successful Lions player by then, so arguably so. He could have come in ahead of Morgan. But Bairstow and Ballance's selections feel less justifiable.

[Arthur Crabtree]

This is also made worse by how often he was left out of the ODI side, most startlingly, after the winter, including being moved from 3 to 6, and then out the side.

[meninblue]

Wonderful partnership to ensure this is carried till 50th over as well as early wickets. Also considering Saffers do not have top class spin bowler to make use of 50 over old ball. It will help England as it makes Saffers 3 pacers less effective.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Fifty for Compo on his return. Very valuable.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Now the hundred partnership.

Plenty of batting to come.