CRICKET SA vs England

[Fiekus]

We had a bad day, thats for sure. But Eng bowled well, we were under pressure etc etc. There is a lot more to it than just us 'self destructing' as there always is in a game of test cricket. Proper test teams will always 'test' you in a game. Sometimes you fail sometimes you pass. We failed thus far, but we were tested by a very good test team in their own backyard.

I just dont agree that we self destructed, but somehow I tend to not agree with many people when it comes to cricket, might be me, but I like to believe I am always right

No worries, reading your replies again makes me realise we are probably saying the same thing, although I would NEVER give Aus or Eng credit for our downfall
T20 played its part in our bowlers not getting their lines right and too little warmup games prob caused our guys to be impatient. The second innings will be much better

 

[WonderBob]

We bowled like $hit the first day, started bowling better later, but was to late to change anything. I dont think they batted that well, more a matter of us letting them in the game with cr@p bowling. Maybe KP and Bell did well, but I still blame our bad bowling more than I credit their batting.

Not to sure we can blame the IPL too much, might be a factor, but these guys gets paid a cr@p load to play, and if thats an excuse, they should not be there!! professionalism and all that!!

And unfortunately thats where Smith falls flat as captain. If things are going well, Smith looks good, he makes the right moves and so on, but he struggles to pull something out and make that difference when the chips are down. Very similiar to Ponting in that regard, when under pressure the cracks shows, and they cant come up with plan B or C quick enough.

But thats all history now. If we can draw the game from here, which will take one helluva 2nd innings from the likes of Smith/Amla/Kalles, I reckon we will take quite a bit from this game phsycologically.

 

[stefan9]

England can count themselves lucky they didn't win the toss. That's were we got ourselves in this position. We should have batted the pitch was flatted. Smith got fouled by all the rain before the game.

Had Vaughan won the toss and done like he said he would have, we would probably now be in a similar position as england.

Then when we came out to bat the pressure of england's big total was too much.

 

[Hogrod]

England can count themselves lucky they didn't win the toss. That's were we got ourselves in this position. We should have batted the pitch was flatted. Smith got fouled by all the rain before the game.

I don't think England can count themselves lucky, England have outplayed. I would assume they have weather forecasts in England, I guess Smith missed that one including the 'flat' pitch?

Had Vaughan won the toss and done like he said he would have, we would probably now be in a similar position as england.

That's a grand assumption.

Then when we came out to bat the pressure of england's big total was too much.

They are professionals, they should understand the need to build partnerships and build a total regardless of what they are chasing. It's a test match for goodness sake, not a one day.

 

[LancelotSA]

I don't think England can count themselves lucky, England have outplayed. I would assume they have weather forecasts in England, I guess Smith missed that one including the 'flat' pitch?

That's a grand assumption.

They are professionals, they should understand the need to build partnerships and build a total regardless of what they are chasing. It's a test match for goodness sake, not a one day.

Every expert present stated that they too would have chosen to bowl, including Vaughan, and expressed surprise at how slow the pitch was on the first day. They also felt it would quicken as the game went on. Did these experts also not have access to the weather forecasts? Although I do not know what role a weather forecast would have had as it was past weather that would affect the decision to bat or bowl and not really future weather. The pitch had been covered, it was expected by all that the overcast weather would continue so one would have expected movement and some zip on day one.... but there was none!

 

[Hogrod]

Every expert present stated that they too would have chosen to bowl, including Vaughan, and expressed surprise at how slow the pitch was on the first day. They also felt it would quicken as the game went on. Did these experts also not have access to the weather forecasts? Although I do not know what role a weather forecast would have had as it was past weather that would affect the decision to bat or bowl and not really future weather. The pitch had been covered, it was expected by all that the overcast weather would continue so one would have expected movement and some zip on day one.... but there was none!

So since every expert got it wrong, then we can admit that the playing field was level for both teams and the conclusion so far is that England have basically outplayed SA so far. Excuses such as 'we self-destructed', or 'they can count themselves lucky' doesn't justify what's gone on so far.

 

[LancelotSA]

So since every expert got it wrong, then we can admit that the playing field was level for both teams and the conclusion so far is that England have basically outplayed SA so far. Excuses such as 'we self-destructed', or 'they can count themselves lucky' doesn't justify what's gone on so far.

Hmm not sure if only the first part of the post was aimed at me... but i am not sure the playing field is ever really level in a test match. That is why the toss is regarded as being so important.

Bowl first on a pitch which is a bit damp or a little green and you will cause havoc to the bowlers.

Bat first on a flat dry pitch and you in all likelihood will have the opposition batting last on a pitch which is crumbling and full of land mines.

In this instance what most people expected from the pitch on the first day based on what could be visually seen did not materialise when it was bowled on. That is the intrigue of cricket. Like Geoff Boycott says it is played on real turf which is variable not astro turf or concrete. The pitch plays a part in the match. It changes as the match progresses.

Yes, as a top team you need to vary your tactics along with this changing pitch but the bottom line is that it appears that England may have got to bat on this pitch when it was at it's best to bat on. This was totally against the generally accepted view of how things would pan out.

The only real problem from SA is that we do not have a top spinner! One just has to look at Monty getting four wickets in our first innings to show the value of a good spinner when you realise the pitch does not have pace...

 

[LancelotSA]

How speed reading can result in you seeing something totally different to what it actually being said...

I merely swapped out one letter while speed reading the following commentary on cricinfo and what a difference that one letter would have made...

22.2 Panesar to McKenzie, no run, McKenzie skips down the pitch and miscues it into his foot, the ball scooting to silly point who, with some sharp work, nearly runs him out

Now the mistake I made was reading neaTly instead of neaRly! Need to read slower in future!

 

[LancelotSA]

...

Chris: "Two years ago, Sri Lanka were in the same position as South Africa, battling to save the test match at Lords. They made 500+, batting for more then two days, and snatched a draw. Could this happen again?" It's flatter than an ironing board, this pitch. Here's Sidebottom once more

 

[milomak]

They do seem to be a lot more composed. As long as people keep their heads we should get the draw.

 

[Devill]

So since every expert got it wrong, then we can admit that the playing field was level for both teams and the conclusion so far is that England have basically outplayed SA so far. Excuses such as 'we self-destructed', or 'they can count themselves lucky' doesn't justify what's gone on so far.

England played better than us so far.

If we bowled fuller on the first day we would have done a lot better IMO.

But we did not so now we are batting to save the test

 

[milomak]

Smith ton

 

[Devill]

Smith ton

nice.... hope we can force the draw.

 

[WonderBob]

well thats a shame. A very well fought century by Graeme, could not have been easy and under huuggeee pressure. sux donkey b@lls that KP got the catch!!

Looks like Mac is getting tired, hopefully he can stay around till the close of play today, and start fresh tomorrow. will need his type of batting.

 

[milomak]

Mac ton. Very happy for him.

 

[WonderBob]

Mac ton. Very happy for him.

yes, thats awesome! surviving 2 new balls under huge pressure.

 

[LancelotSA]

With all the Smith bashers out there it was interesting to see the guys quote his stats in the studio after play today. The fastest SA player to 5000 runs, multiple opening partnerships of over 200 and yet people still knock him... damn we South Africans can be s strange bunch sometimes!

 

[.geek]

Kind of like those Bok-bashers before yesterdays game.

 

[milomak]

With all the Smith bashers out there it was interesting to see the guys quote his stats in the studio after play today. The fastest SA player to 5000 runs, multiple opening partnerships of over 200 and yet people still knock him... damn we South Africans can be s strange bunch sometimes!

i am a sometime smith basher and i have to say that those stats have led me to reflect about my attitude towards him. He also still has an average in the high 48s.

Now they better not capitulate tomorrow.

 

[WonderBob]

With all the Smith bashers out there it was interesting to see the guys quote his stats in the studio after play today. The fastest SA player to 5000 runs, multiple opening partnerships of over 200 and yet people still knock him... damn we South Africans can be s strange bunch sometimes!

Smith is actually on most of the batting record lists. He is also the second youngest batsmen to many batting milestones, with Tendulkar the youngest.

Another intersting one: did you know that Smith and Gibbs is the only opening pair with 3x 300 opening partnerships?

If he plays for another 10 years, he will end up as one of the greats of test cricket stat wise. Sadly though, his public image and peoples perception of him wil negate that, I think.