The Cricket Thread

[capriccioso 2,545]

419 is a great first innings total, it'll probably be the highest score of the match. Looking forward to seeing what the quicks can do with some cloud cover, the ball should be able to swing a lot.

I think David Hussey should be playing tests.

[capriccioso 2,545]

Pietersen or not, there are only 2 possible results. South African victory or a draw, its day 4 and England still trail by nearly 70 runs. By the time they get a decent lead it'll be nearly tea time. 4 sessions aren't going to be enough to knock off South Africa for less than ~250 and then chase it down.

As long as South Africa don't go for the win and declare with a lead of 150 at lunch. If I was Strauss I'd tell the remaining batsmen to hit out or get out, wind up with a lead of about 50 before lunch on day 4 and then try and bowl out the South Africans for about 250 before lunch on day 5, leaving England 60 or so overs to chase that down.

[Ollie 4,400]

We have to get quick runs because with both teams getting 400+ inside day 4, someone really needs to mess up horribly to lose this one. South Africas batsmen are too solid to get skittled out cheaply. I think this will be a draw (i said that last time) then we really have to go all out to win the 3rd test and hope luck is on our side. Still should've been 5 tests tho, the 2 best in the world and only 3 tests? Crap decision really. Puts so much pressure on the team that loses the first test, it shouldn't be like that. SA know they only have to bat through and take a draw so they can't lose the series. Still, we deserve it a bit for our awful 1st test performance.

[capriccioso 2,545]

We have to get quick runs because with both teams getting 400+ inside day 4, someone really needs to mess up horribly to lose this one. South Africas batsmen are too solid to get skittled out cheaply. I think this will be a draw (i said that last time) then we really have to go all out to win the 3rd test and hope luck is on our side. Still should've been 5 tests tho, the 2 best in the world and only 3 tests? Crap decision really. Puts so much pressure on the team that loses the first test, it shouldn't be like that. SA know they only have to bat through and take a draw so they can't lose the series. Still, we deserve it a bit for our awful 1st test performance.

This isn't the first time South African series have been cut short. Australia played many excellent 1-1 draws from 3 test series with them, that would have been much better if they stretched out to 5 matches.

[Ollie 4,400]

Fucking hell, i knew KP would get out before he got his 150, fucking knew it. It always happens, always. Still, not bothered really, just get near their score and i'll be happy.

At least if they knock us over for 30 ish we have longer to bowl them out. This could be an entertaining hour or so.

[capriccioso 2,545]

Two slips and a gully in place. Not over-attacking from Smith

Place a fielder at 3rd Man, Smuth, you cunt!

So many tail end edges go for 4 through that area. 3 slips, a gully and a third man and you cut off a lot of their chances for survival/runs.

Also, JWA Taylor seems only to be in the squad so that Morkel gets auto-wided every time he drops anywhere near short.

[capriccioso 2,545]

Jesus Christ, he's Matt Prior, not Adam fucking Gilchrist.

[Ollie 4,400]

I've never known a spinner to no ball so much than that Imran Tahir. He's a slowy...

Anyway this is getting boring, hit out or get out, come on. Fuck sake it's day 4 not day 3!

[capriccioso 2,545]

Tahir just bowls filth all day. That must be the worst wicket in test match history.

All jokes aside, it looks as though England may not even get a first innings lead. Depends on Tahir's spin 'bamboozling' (read: miscued slog shots) the tail enders.

[capriccioso 2,545]

Fucks sake, all he does is bowl half track pies. Is there a worse international spinner in the world?

Even Doherty and Lyon are better.

[capriccioso 2,545]

Fucks sake. Tahir doing a 'Thisara' and defying my calls that he's an awful cricketer.

He can take 1000 wickets and he'll still be rubbish.

[Duppy Conqueror 1,494]

time for the England seam attack to step up now. conditions are good for them with the new ball and Rudolph opening. must make it pay.

[capriccioso 2,545]

Wasted review there.

South Africa aren't really the best team on paper. Great top 4, but suspect in the middle order. No competent spinner or wicketkeeper. Great trio of quicks but no spinner to support them.

It's a shit sandwich. The two pieces of toast are world class, the middle, not so much.

[Drogzola 283]

Wasted review there.

South Africa aren't really the best team on paper. Great top 4, but suspect in the middle order. No competent spinner or wicketkeeper. Great trio of quicks but no spinner to support them.

It's a shit sandwich. The two pieces of toast are world class, the middle, not so much.

And with this combination we still do relatively well. Cant wait for us to build a solid side.

[capriccioso 2,545]

Well, good job picking a spinner, England.

[Ollie 4,400]

225-6 49 overs to go. Something could happen. Hmm interesting.

Get these 2 out in the next 10 overs and anything could happen

[Ollie 4,400]

Brilliant bowling by Broad, he's had Kallis all over the place in this over now he's got him. COME OOOOONN!!!

EDIT because i'm not a spamming double posting whore: 247-8 Steyn C&B by Anderson, stunning. Game on baby!

Excellent from SA i must say. They coulda batted out the last day but they wanna try n win. Good on em. All results possible, turn the Olympics off and watch te cricket. This could be interesting.

England need 253 to win from 39 overs. It's not impossible, especially as we play CB40 and chase these totals down every week. COME ON!

[capriccioso 2,545]

England need 253 to win from 39 overs. It's not impossible, especially as we play CB40 and chase these totals down every week. COME ON!

Not a chance. Unless your line up is like this:

Jayasuriya

Hayden

Ponting

Lara

Tendulkar

Gilchrist

Sehwag

Jayawardene

Gayle

Even then, I'd say impossible, and those are the most well known big hitters of their generation.