Third Test. SA v England. Jo'burg, Jan 14-18

[westoelad]

Botham was a great player at his peak, but as a commentator/analyst he does not make much sense

Yes and that's because he was so naturally gifted that he didn't have to think about his game. You would think though that his reading/insights of the game would have improved through working with the likes of Athers and Nasser who really do know the game.

[Arthur Crabtree]

25 during the Ashes, 26 in November. I don't really understand why Botham is saying Stokes' innings at Cape Town was his Headingley 81. I'm really struggling to think of ways it was like Headingley 81.
Just for publicity I suppose.

[Dr Cricket]

Botham was a great player at his peak, but as a commentator/analyst he does not make much sense

Yes and that's because he was so naturally gifted that he didn't have to think about his game. You would think though that his reading/insights of the game would have improved through working with the likes of Athers and Nasser who really do know the game.

I be honest you can't learn how to read the game, it naturally comes to you.
Athers and nassers are good at it because their always thinking about the game and probably watch far more cricket than botham.
Botham just isn't that interested in the game to be bothered to watch other cricket match and wonder why some things happen, or question anything cricket related.

Botham generally thinks get slips/attacking fields get wickets and see ball and hit ball.
Whereas if you listen to Warne, Nasser, Athers explaining why their did this and why he would bowl this delivery you get a far better explanation and it generally makes sense.

Although Vaughan is the surprising one, was a really good captain and an awful commentator/ reader of the game. no idea how he was a good captain, since he comes across a *modded* in the media now.

[Aidan11]

Ben Stokes should just be allowed to be Ben Stokes. Not a new Botham or Flintoff.

He'll be ok.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think Vaughan reads the game on air better than anyone. Maybe not so good on off field issues.

You can be coached into being a better or worse tactical captain. As in Cook under Moores, or under Bayliss.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Reports that Steyn may be back, though he has some previous lately for starting and not completing games. His record at the Wanderers is great, inevitably. As is Big Vern's.

[Dr Cricket]

I think Vaughan reads the game on air better than anyone. Maybe not so good on off field issues.

You can be coached into being a better or worse tactical captain. As in Cook under Moores, or under Bayliss.

I take your word arthur don't really listen to TMS but when I heard him speak on matters he awful also been an awful pundit when he appears on TV.
I be honest based my assumption on his twitter and his instant need of being the centre of attention, actually loves creating controversy so he can be in the news.

if he good at reading the game he should do it more often then trying to be a troll plus his article on Telegraph are not that great.
Yeah you can be better, if anything cook got better because he started being less stubborn and started listening to people.
A lot of the time Captains only get better when their listen to people and see if what their saying got any merit and then applying what their learnt in a future scenario.

Cook been far better with his field placing and bowling combination.

You can only be a worse captain when you don't change and are very stubborn in your thinking, Cook under him during 2013-2014 prime example, Downton and ECB didn't help him.
Cook was a far better captain in 2012 and 13 ashes, but the mess in the winter ashes changed him.

[Dr Cricket]

Reports that Steyn may be back, though he has some previous lately for starting and not completing games. His record at the Wanderers is great, inevitably. As is Big Vern's.

only morkel in the squad as an average record at the ground.
Although the new members in the squad have to be taken with a small caution the standard of SA domestic competition isn't that great, no way should any bowlers average less than 20 consistently in first class cricket.

[Aidan11]

For some reason I was thinking this was the 4th test.

Getting a bit ahead of myself.

[Aidan11]

Steyn is out of the third test.


This is now confirmed.

[bigfluffylemon]

England blew a good chance to take the series in Cape Town thanks to all those drops, but with Steyn out, they still have a golden opportunity to win here.

[Slipstream]

The plan was for Steyn to play 4 Tests. The most he has ever played in a series is 3. So I imagine that he would have been rested for the ODIs. Now I think he will be fit and raring to go. Morkel more likely to be rested.

[Gingerfinch]

Steyn is definitely out of this game, and more than likely the next.

[Making_Splinters]

With AB, Amla, and Faf all hitting their way into form, if England are to win the series then this is their best chance with Steyn out and Morkel clearly feeling the wear of leading the attack.

[dan08]

SA going with an all pace attack. Looks like VIljoen could debut.