Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

m@tt wrote:I've heard a few keepers say that it was a tough chance to Bairstow as the ball went between bat and pad, meaning you see it late. And also that non-specialist keepers tend to follow the bat not the ball (the latter being much harder to do), therefore they don't expect the batsman to miss. There's a lot to process in a very short space of time, meaning that you don't actually process it's been missed/edged until after it's hit your gloves. As a non-keeper, it's interesting to hear their perspectives.

Still, a shame that the chance went down.

I also noted earlier during the Sky feature on the under 19s that Michael Bates (now retired from playing professionally?) was doing a play-and-miss drill with the keepers. I'm sure Bairstow and Buttler do a similar practice, but a bit more practice obviously needed!

He was playing for Somerset at the end of last year, but I've not heard anything about them keeping him on or about him retiring.

I think the point about the missed stumping being difficult is neither here nor there. I don't think the problem is bairstow missing the stumping, it's the fact that an analysis of his position, movement, technique and such really shows that, had this been an easy chance, he probably also would have missed it. His positioning was terrible, and its not the first chance he has failed to take, in Pakistan for instance.

The missed stumpings difficulty argument also hides the fact that he missed the easiest of catches in the first innings.

He can't keep for toffee, let's face it. Had this been 2012 Amla, we might see a far different test result....assuming ABDV don't go and play another of the Saffers notoriously grinding 5th day efforts .

I m all for a keeper who is a primary batsman, but they need to be a better level than this....Buttler is far better imo

If it wasn't over, it is now, thanks to Moen.

A stumping

Not a difficult one, mind!

Gingerfinch wrote:A stumping

Not a difficult one, mind!

First for three years. They should have it framed

In all seriousness it will be a relief and a morale booster for Bairstow after yesterday's slip up. As well as another handy step on the England march to what surely now is an opening victory...

Finn bowls Steyn so that is looming closer quickly.

Gingerfinch wrote:A stumping

Not a difficult one, mind!

First for us in three years. Long overdue so good to finally get one.

Hurray, wicket for Woakes!

Well deserved.

Moeen for POTM.

Compo maybe.

No obvious candidate.

Quite a few of our players had good matches.

Give them a Team of the Match award. It was pretty much a collective effort.

I'd give it to broad, it was his top order wickets in the first innings that won us the game

2015 is the first time since 1963 that South Africa have not had a 100 partnership in a year of Test cricket.

Bairstow batted as well as anyone, according to Dobell.

I'm glad I got up bright and early on my day off, but what the hell do I do now?

Even Beefy, who's looking redder than a raw cut of chateaubriand, thinks it's a team mom.

And the POTM goes to to everyone except Cook, Hales and Woakes?