The Test

Yet again from the jaws of victory.....

quote:

And they're going to play another one? Yep!

Yes - can't wait because we're gonna win this time

It's all balls ...

Bring back uncovered wickets I say! When we played cricket on Saturday after a week of rain the ball was bouncing off a length, three people we hit on the helmet and we skittled the opposition for 72. Great stuff.

Seriously, not all cricket needs to be wham-bham. Recent test matches have rattled on at a real pace (finishing NZ off early caused lots of upset people in this very series). I wouldn't want all matches to be like Lords but you have to admire the South Africans's resilience. When Atherton did the same thing against S Africa a few years ago, batting for days to save the test, it was lauded as a great performance. The brilliant thing about cricket (sorry, one of the brilliant things) is that it can change in a few minutes. One half-chance taken, one moment of inattention and the batting side are suddenly on the skids. Believe me, that wicket would not look anywhere near as flat after 2 quick wickets have fallen.

Bruce

It was great cricket and I for one can't wait for the next one. If you want a quick result, watch a different sport, like 20.20. If you want to be gripped for 5 days, bring on the next Test.
Ken

Test cricket is fabulous. Atherton's rearguard action was one of those transcendent moment when sport becomes heroic. The fact that it should, in any normal universe have been extremely boring is the magic of the game - and that's because, as Bruce said, it could all have changed in a moment and didn't.

I am so pissed off that it's on Sky. I haven't seen a test match since the ashes.

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
The brilliant thing about cricket (sorry, one of the brilliant things) is that it can change in a few minutes. One half-chance taken, one moment of inattention and the batting side are suddenly on the skids. Believe me, that wicket would not look anywhere near as flat after 2 quick wickets have fallen.

Bruce

Don't forget what happened in England's innings - they lost three quick wickets for very little until Bell and Petersen came together for their excellent partnership. Had one of them fallen quickly it could have been SA on top.

Good to see Freddie back, he's always good value, especially with ball in hand. It would be good to see Simon Jones given a try too he seems to be back to his best. The current attack lacks genuine pace though Broad is very promising (bats well too). Anderson is still too erratic and Sidebottom is a typical decent English swing bowler, who, on his day, can run through a team but is steady rather than spectacular (think Geoff Arnold).

quote:

like 20.20

Nah. Has it's points, generates interest and all that but a bit like rounders. Nope, I fully buy into the five day game and wish I had the chance to see more of them. Merely observing that in a rational, objective approach it's a peculiar game. (Although I am glad I wasn't at this one on the 5th day...)

Darren who..?

Not such a good first day for England this time.

Second day was even worse - still when you get them out they are called back by the ump. Whereas our player are out when it comes off their thigh.

I think this is going to be another draw.

BTW who on earth picked Pattinson?

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
BTW who on earth picked Pattinson?

Especially if Simon Jones is fit.

England's best bowler is a Welshman in my opinion. 90mph reverse swing? Yes please!

It's just so depressing. I watched the golf instead.

Way I see it if Anderson can hang around and Cook can make a century and Pietersen, Bell, Ambrose and Flintoff can all chip in then we can still set them a respectable target and fight our way back.

Thought Anderson bowled really well and had no luck.

Didn't like the booing of de Villiers - he may not be an entertainer or honour the spirit of the game, but he made a hard earned century and that should be respected.

ATB Rotf

PS What's the weather forecast for the next couple of days.

Forecast is bleak (ie sunny with outside chance showers Tuesday).

Bruce

(PS ROTF, you really are the eternal optimist; hoping that Ambrose can contribute!)

Oh well that was 50p down the drain - I had odds of 5000-1 on an England victory when South Africa came in for their second innings. Perhaps, if Anderson hadn't been hit on the head then it might have been different.

Oh well, Edgbaston next to square the series and set it up for victory at the Oval.

Rotf

not listening. can't make me. lalalalalala

What test match?

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
What test match?

The Edgbaston test, which we're sure to win - I think Sidebottom will replace Pattinson - so watch those South African wickets tumble.

...but who replaces Vaughan? Ambrose? the selectors?

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
...but who replaces Vaughan? Ambrose? the selectors?

Oh dear, what a lamentable display, especially 1st innings.

Now that SA have been gifted the initiative, I can't help getting that
feeling about the remaining matches.

Putting that bowling attack back and add Jones - it might be different.

Steve

I think that it is rather good that the England test side has been exposed as an over-hyped bunch of minimal achievers, built on the back of the narrowest margin of victory in an Ashes series.

How about a 3-0 series victory to SA?

quote:

How about a 3-0 series victory to SA?

No way, it'll be 2-1 to England.

Just a bit unlucky in the last test - it'd got to happen once in a while.

quote:

Originally posted by Nick from Suffolk:
I think that it is rather good that the England test side has been exposed as an over-hyped bunch of minimal achievers, built on the back of the narrowest margin of victory in an Ashes series.

How about a 3-0 series victory to SA?

Bit harsh Nick. Any victory over the best side in the world is not to be sniffed at. You don't fluke a series win against those guys.

The latest match was a complete debacle IMO, brought on by some amazing selection decisions. Having proved what consistency can deliver - they then chose to throw it away. Amazing.

Steve

quote:

Originally posted by Steve S1:

quote:

Originally posted by Nick from Suffolk:
I think that it is rather good that the England test side has been exposed as an over-hyped bunch of minimal achievers, built on the back of the narrowest margin of victory in an Ashes series.

How about a 3-0 series victory to SA?

Bit harsh Nick. Any victory over the best side in the world is not to be sniffed at. You don't fluke a series win against those guys.

I agree, Steve. England had got to that point after a few years of building and were deservedly the second best team in the world at that time.

The team actually started to break up through injury after the fourth test (Simon Jones missed the fifth test if you remember and we struggled) and never played together in that formation again.

This was a team with excellent batting right down the list and the best bowling attack I can rememeber in an England team - hostile fast bowling from Harmison, 90mph reverse swing from Jones and Flintoff and solid medium pace traditional English swing bowling from Hoggard. The Aussie batsmen just couldn't cope with it.

The England teams of the eighties are viewed through rose-tinted specs in my opinion. There were flourishes (notably the Botham Ashes) but the 2003-2005 team was better I think.

Mark