21 Jan 05
Originally posted by Vargyeah i am probably being very unfair on england, they have 2nd spot because they deserve it..
Why would you put India ahead of England? India have a good home record and have given the Aussies more of a run for their money than most in a couple of series, but their away record is exceptionaly poor.
So, on balance I think they deserve 3rd place.
the only reason i have rated India ahead is because i do not think England would be able to beat them either home or away..
daniel
24 Jan 05
Originally posted by dan182Did anyone see Key's dismissal? I heard it was possible not an edge but didn't see it.
just rescueing the thread, werner where are you with the in depth analysis ???
bowled 12 overs today, am really sore...
spaniel
Vaughan out playing a stupid shot.
Tresco, stupidly run out when he was playing superbly.
All this after a decent bowling display from Flintoff and Jones.
Still, by the sounds of it it might still be a draw because of weather. 150 overs lost already!!
Flintoff and Thorpe at the crease now, both out of form but seem to be doing okay.
24 Jan 05
Originally posted by CrowleyAm I right in thinking Bucknor turned down the LBW decisions?
Bloody hell, Thorpe has survived 4 plum LBW decisions now, Bucknor seems to have gone absolutely blind now.
Thorpe seems to have cat-lives...
I think Dar is a bit more likely to give them, although he has a reputation of rarely making a decision. Dr. No, I heard one of the commentators call him.
24 Jan 05
1 edit
This is going to be a draw if SA doesn't get 6 wickets before lunch 😛
Seriously, England have been lucky with Thorpe not being given out once and this coupled with all the time lost means this is probably spiralling towards a draw.
Maybe the new ball can have a dramatic influence...?
24 Jan 05
Originally posted by CrowleyWhat do you think of SA losing their first home series against anyone except Australia?
This is going to be a draw if SA doesn't get 6 wickets before lunch 😛
Seriously, England have been lucky with Thorpe not being given out once and this coupled with all the time lost means this is probably spiralling towards a draw.
Maybe the new ball can make a dramatic influence...?
24 Jan 05
Originally posted by VargIt hurts. There are some positives though.
What do you think of SA losing their first home series against anyone except Australia?
Everyone thought England would steamroll us. In the end we were in with a shout in every test and it took a great batting display by Tresco, Thorpe and Strauss to save the second test and then another great bowling display by Hoggard to ensure victory for England in the 4th.
We seem to have a nicely balanced side now and if the government can just keep their pompous self-righteous noses out of the game, we will be in the top 3 sides in no time again.
24 Jan 05
Originally posted by CrowleyOddly, although it looks like England will win the series, there are some worries for us.
It hurts. There are some positives though.
Everyone thought England would steamroll us. In the end we were in with a shout in every test and it took a great batting display by Tresco, Thorpe and Strauss to save the second test and then another great bowling display by Hoggard to ensure victory for England in the 4th.
We seem to have a nicely balanced s ...[text shortened]... ir pompous self-righteous noses out of the game, we will be in the top 3 sides in no time again.
Obviously Strauss performed well, and Hoggard and Flintoff with the ball. Tresco pretty good, Giles and Harmison not bad with the bat, none of the middle order batsmen look very good and our best bowler (Harmi) is out of sorts, with our back up bowlers (Anderson) looking bad too.
At the end of the summer I was optimistic about this series and the Ashes, but not quite so sure now.
24 Jan 05
Yeah, if your middle order and strike bowlers don't shape up, Australia is going to mop the floor with you.
I shudder when I think how we would perform against them on our respective current form. We seem to collapse often if Kallis doesn't perform and our openers are not looking in form. If Pollock or Ntini don't take 4 new ball wickets, our bowling attack also looks vulnerable. We are struggling to find a third pace and strike bowler.
24 Jan 05
Originally posted by Vargfor me england's big worry would be this
Oddly, although it looks like England will win the series, there are some worries for us.
Obviously Strauss performed well, and Hoggard and Flintoff with the ball. Tresco pretty good, Giles and Harmison not bad with the bat, none of the middle order batsmen look very good and our best bowler (Harmi) is out of sorts, with our back up bowlers (Anderson) looking ...[text shortened]... e end of the summer I was optimistic about this series and the Ashes, but not quite so sure now.
when AUS toured SA they pumped a more established side and england have just about done enough to beat a young less established side with some politically motivated selections.
however with this said it has been an individuals tour with only 3 of 11 coming to the party in each test. if all 11 come to the party then they should give the Aussies a good go...
either way a series win in SA is nothing to be smirked at.. well done england..
daniel
24 Jan 05
Originally posted by LazerblueI had a punt on England to win it at the end of yesterdays play, and I still think it is possible. England aren't really going to have to worry about conceding runs, (as I type Nel just got Jones) if we can squeeze out another 50 runs and the rain stays away this could be a close finish. I hope so I have taken tomorrow off work.
Well, that's the first innings lead with out losing another wicket.
Draw almost certain now with the outside chance of an England win.
Some possible fireworks in the next hour !
Bit worried about the Ashes now though, where's Harmison gone?
24 Jan 05
Originally posted by squaccermanHarmison is dogged by a niggling injury, I only hope that is the only reason for his lack of input into the series.
I had a punt on England to win it at the end of yesterdays play, and I still think it is possible. England aren't really going to have to worry about conceding runs, (as I type Nel just got Jones) if we can squeeze out another 50 runs and the rain stays away this could be a close finish. I hope so I have taken tomorrow off work.
Bit worried about the Ashes now though, where's Harmison gone?
Your points are fair about the individual(s) nature of this series, but then those performances, when they have happended, have been quite superb.
I think it will be a first inninigs lead of arond 130, challenge then is to get SA to around 100 for 4 for a very tense finish.