SA tour of Eng, July 19 - Sept 12

[alfie]

Has actually been a feature of England v SA Tests for quite a few years : usually well-contested series ; but individual matches all being decided by large margins.

Not unexpected this year anyway as both teams have fragile batting line-ups ; and whoever batted first in the rather difficult conditions which we have seen in both matches was at risk of collapsing cheaply. Generally if you get skittled for 150 on day one you aren't coming back.

I agree the England approach seemed more considered this week. Both batting (though I think the "Bazball" stuff is a bit of a media thing anyway , and to a large extent the degree of aggression is and has been dictated by the conditions and the nature of the opposition bowling) ; and with the ball : a lot more disciplined and they didn't go overboard with short pitched stuff and scattered fields , apart from a brief period in the first innings. Think they are learning to merge the basic theme of positive intent with a little more selectivity.

No question SA got selection wrong. Two spinners proved a bad call ; and leaving out Jansen looked daft at first and even sillier as the match went on. England by contrast can claim to have got it just right - with Robinson and the other pace men all firing , and even the embattled Crawley doing an important job in an uncharacteristic style. Leach no wickets but did a very good holding job which ensured the second new ball arrived with SA still miles adrift. Not often England win so well with virtual nil involvement of Joe Root !

[Slipstream]

I think England will name the same squad for the 3rd Test.

South Africa will have changes, Jansen for Harmer and someone for van der Dussen.

Last played at the Oval a year ago against India.

http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statisti ... hCode=2454
Only 5 current players in that team which is strange.

[bigfluffylemon]

There's another test? You mean they don't have to be played back-to-back all the time? Who knew?

I'd almost forgotten what a normal gap between tests looks like.

[sussexpob]

There's another test? You mean they don't have to be played back-to-back all the time? Who knew?

I'd almost forgotten what a normal gap between tests looks like.

Was thinking exactly the same. It feels like the 2nd test was long in the past...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Gonna get cancelled?

[Durhamfootman]

thank goodness the ECB didn't blow the £70million they said they'd saved up for when the Queen died

[sussexpob]

Gonna get cancelled?

Why?

[Arthur Crabtree]

I thought ECB were planning on shutting down after death of E2. Funeral is in ten days.

[sussexpob]

I thought ECB were planning on shutting down after death of E2. Funeral is in ten days.

Indeed, but why?

30 million citizens go to work today, but sportspeople get a week off?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well there's no logic but the funeral will be in the middle of the Test and the Conservative press will demand it's cancelled.

Maybe I'm wrong. I just expected this would happen. I've spent the morning reading a book, I don't know how mad the country has gone.

[Arthur Crabtree]

There'll be a public holiday for the funeral I expect.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well, I've had a quick look and parliament is suspended and strikes have been cancelled so it's not business as usual.

[Durhamfootman]

Well there's no logic but the funeral will be in the middle of the Test and the Conservative press will demand it's cancelled.

Maybe I'm wrong. I just expected this would happen. I've spent the morning reading a book, I don't know how mad the country has gone.

the SA team will be back home by the time of the funeral

Pretty mad, Arthur. Wall to wall TV at it's very worst... talking to anyone and everyone, just to keep the conversation going
Keep reading your book

[sussexpob]

I have heard the game is to continue apparently. Only the football is stopping, the rugby and cricket is going on.... not sure if what I read is correct

[Arthur Crabtree]

Shocking!