Proteas Tour of England 2012

[AirWolf]

Well done SA . Only point of concern is the extras - in a closer game it could come back and bite us.

[mercurial]

I hope SA can maintain the intensity in the remaining matches.

[Eskimos]

Well done SA . Only point of concern is the extras - in a closer game it could come back and bite us.

I don't think its a major concern. It was our first game back for quite some time, so its natural to be a little rusty. Also it was a batsman's pitch no matter what anyone says; so the guys had to over exert themselves at times to get that wicket. With such a high intensity, there will naturally be a slackening of some of the minor skills or at least the consistency.

It definitely needs to come down (the extras) but I think that will fall into place in the next couple of games, now that the 'rustiness' is gone.

[modern10]

Abe have some common sense. Tahir is only starting his international career.

[dominic]

my children and staff would like to thank the proteas for making me a far more pleasant and happy person over the last four days

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Well done SA . Only point of concern is the extras - in a closer game it could come back and bite us.

I think in the context of this game, the extras might be a positive sign. At least our bowlers were attacking unlike the English bowlers who looked like they were practicing in the nets.

[DJ...]

my children and staff would like to thank the proteas for making me a far more pleasant and happy person over the last four days

Representatives from ICASA have already sent the team a basket of fruit and nuts...

[McT]

I think in the context of this game, the extras might be a positive sign. At least our bowlers were attacking unlike the English bowlers who looked like they were practicing in the nets.

Remember also that a number of extras were given away through keeper (and this is no criticism whatsoever) off Tahir. Tahir got some big turn and was also stacking leg stump from around the wicket. All quite positive, I think. AB hasn't been asked to keep like this is a while, so it was a good experience for him to build on. Again, I am really happy with the way we attacked, positive attitude,.etc.

[undesign]

Well done to the SA lads, world class game of cricket.

good sportsmanship, gracious in defeat

[DrYes]

Smith won't be available for second test.
Any replacements?

[McT]

And now Graeme Smith: "This is an extremely proud moment for all of us. In the context of the first innings this is a great achievement for us. We found an intensity on day two and got a few more plans right. I always felt we were ready and just needed to get into the game. We've got a batting unit that's been successful all around the world and mentally can adapt to all conditions."

QFT. Their travelling record has been superb over the last 5+ years. Truly a versatile side that adapts well. Even Tahir performed superbly where Swann could not.

If a change was to be made to this side, and would be an unlucky one, it would probably be between Duminy and Rudolph (neither of whom failed in the game)... with Tsolekile coming into the side.

[Wall]

Smith won't be available for second test.
Any replacements?

why won't he be available? I thought he is flying back and will be at headingly for the second test?

[McT]

Smith won't be available for second test.
Any replacements?

Ingram or Elgar as possibles?

[Wall]

Latest icc player rankings.

batting:

1 892 K.C. Sangakkara
2 874 J.H. Kallis
3 872 H.M. Amla
4 856 S. Chanderpaul
5 821 A.B. de Villiers
6 789 G.C. Smith
7 771 M.J. Clarke
8 770 A.N. Cook
9 761 R.L. Taylor
9 761 Younus Khan

bowling

1 896 D.W. Steyn
2 832 Saeed Ajmal
3 782 H.M.R.K.B. Herath
4 774 V.D. Philander
5 765 J.M. Anderson
6 756 M. Morkel
6 756 B.W. Hilfenhaus
8 740 P.M. Siddle
9 724 S.C.J. Broad
10 704 Abdur Rehman

We have 4 batsman in the top 6and 3 bowlers in the top six.

Brilliant!

[Wall]

just reading some posts from English supporters..

There is a fault line in this England side that first became apparent in Abu Dhabi.

They cannot play on 'bunsen burners'.

They have to learn to play attritional test cricket; desperate to watch, but that is what South Africa play.

The series is gone but, for heaven's sake, keep those South Africans in the field until it hurts.

You won't win the series because they will do the same to you, but at least you will have the satisfaction of making them pay for the dull cricket that they have always played.

English being blind again.

Given the magnitude of the defeat i think ICC should suspend the universally accepted convention for declaring the match result and put on record that England lost to SA by 18 wickets and 12 runs. Nothing else would do justice to show the sheer dominance of SA in this game. I have not checked the records but England must be the only team to score 267 -3 on the first day (or bowl out the opposition for less than 100 on the first day - 3rd against PAK in UAE earlier this year) and go on to lose the game. Putting Anderson in the same bracket as Steyn has turned out to be a cruel joke.
Eng should just forget about dominating the world in test cricket or creating a Man U style legacy and just concentrate on playing competitive cricket.