England v South Africa test series

I just wished we could have played a 5 match series against England. This is the true test and no one can argue after 5 tests are played. I don't know why this is only reserved for England and Australia.

Englander Wrote:

> I hope England have shown though that they are not
> as far behind as some of you may have thought,
> they are a very decent side. Until the next series
> when you are welcome to come and join me singing
> with the Army... <


The facts indicate otherwise...lost 6 out their last 11 tests...have been absolutely humiliated in a few...and contrary to what most englishman believe they never really had a chance yesterday...no very decent team losses by 18 wickets.

shrek Wrote:

---

> I just wished we could have played a 5 match
> series against England. This is the true test and
> no one can argue after 5 tests are played. I don't
> know why this is only reserved for England and
> Australia.

Shrek, I did post on this time a while back - all of this is strong rumour, not fact but...
England and SA did sign an agreement just before England's last tour here that all future test series would be 5 tests. We all expected them to add PE to the schedule for that tour but it didn't happen and this time again obviously not. Part of the problem is that England have another signed agreement with India that we will tour there every 2 years, personally I'd rip that up and tell them to go fark themselves but they have the money and the power at the moment. Obviously if England do that then it leaves them less time to play other countries, especially with the Ashes every 2 years. If its any consolation, Oz wanted to make it 6 tests so they could include one in Hobart (Taz) but England refused. The schedule and insistence on so many 1 dayers to fill the coffers also presents a problem. The calender does show that the next three series (up to 2020) should be of 4 tests each, 2 in SA and 1 in England, maybe that was what was agreed originally or that agreement has now been modified to 4 from 5. I think the "willing" is there but with everything else it becomes inpractical... the real solution is to fill every ground on every test day, then they would do it I'm sure.

FC Wrote:

---

> Englander Wrote:
>
> > I hope England have shown though that they are
> not
> > as far behind as some of you may have thought,
> > they are a very decent side. Until the next
> series
> > when you are welcome to come and join me
> singing
> > with the Army... <
>
>
> The facts indicate otherwise...lost 6 out their
> last 11 tests...have been absolutely humiliated in
> a few...and contrary to what most englishman
> believe they never really had a chance
> yesterday...no very decent team losses by 18
> wickets.

lol... contrary to what most Englishmen believe??? what game were you watching bud? :S England should on paper never really have had a chance yesterday (having lost the two wickets late on Day 4) but I doubt there were many SAs that at some point didn't have a little nerve twitching going on yesterday... the fact they nearly got there would imply that maybe SA aren't quite as good as you think or England are a little better than you give them credit for... without the two stupid run outs then SA COULD well have lost. Dropping the guy on fark all who then made 120 etc etc... All speculation, SA won and deservedly so. Durban last England tour to SA when England won by an innings and plenty... that meant SA were not a very decent team did it?

FC you are entitled to your opinion of course but 4 of those defeats came in "Asia", never easy to play out there. I have already gone on record as saying the Pakistan series was just unacceptable. The other two losses were to the world's number one team. I don't dispute that there is a consistency issue for England and the likes of Strauss, Trott and Broad had a disappointing series. A bit of a cross-roads time for the England team and they could go either way...

Englander Wrote:

> FC you are entitled to your opinion of course but
> 4 of those defeats came in "Asia", never easy to
> play out there. I have already gone on record as
> saying the Pakistan series was just unacceptable.
> The other two losses were to the world's number
> one team. I don't dispute that there is a
> consistency issue for England and the likes of
> Strauss, Trott and Broad had a disappointing
> series. A bit of a cross-roads time for the
> England team and they could go either way...


no opinion just facts...the lords test was a "new ball" wicket...the new ball as worth 3 to 4 top order batsmen wickets as the stats show...the middle and lower order never stood a chance against it...anyway the proteas missed a trick by not playing spinner pietersen ahead of tahir

The only fact you stated was the results FC. The rest is your opinion

FC Wrote:

---

> Englander Wrote:
>
> > FC you are entitled to your opinion of course
> but
> > 4 of those defeats came in "Asia", never easy
> to
> > play out there. I have already gone on record
> as
> > saying the Pakistan series was just
> unacceptable.
> > The other two losses were to the world's number
> > one team. I don't dispute that there is a
> > consistency issue for England and the likes of
> > Strauss, Trott and Broad had a disappointing
> > series. A bit of a cross-roads time for the
> > England team and they could go either way...
>
>
> no opinion just facts...the lords test was a "new
> ball" wicket...the new ball as worth 3 to 4 top
> order batsmen wickets as the stats show...the
> middle and lower order never stood a chance
> against it...anyway the proteas missed a trick by
> not playing spinner pietersen ahead of tahir

I feel the critics have been unfair on Tahir, who did all that was asked of him. However, perhaps the excruciating memory of Paul "Harro" Harris, our former "spinner", is still too fresh in the memory. Anybody is better than him.

The last innings bowling of Philander was magnificient. It was the first time in the series he had bowled like he did in his previous series. Before that I thought maybe the wickets didn't suit him but his bowling in that last innings will live long in the memory, especially his spell on the evening of the second last day.

Is England's captain still worth his place?

Tipster Wrote:

> The last innings bowling of Philander was
> magnificient. It was the first time in the series
> he had bowled like he did in his previous series.
> Before that I thought maybe the wickets didn't
> suit him but his bowling in that last innings will
> live long in the memory, especially his spell on
> the evening of the second last day.

(tu)

> Is England's captain still worth his place?

Good question Tipster but for me, yes. I would like a slightly more adventurous captain but his overall record is good and he did get England to number one so can't be too harsh. He has had frequent dips in form, he made a big hundred in Napier when last there was a lot of talk of him going. Cook's record is fantastic but not so long ago there was talk of dropping him too. Having been a staunch supporter of KP in the past, I think it might be time to just let him go and do his IPL and whatever his way. I am sure he causes AS more stress than the rest put together. Maybe a year out and KP will understand... but I doubt it. Sad but he just can't do what he does, I like the guy but there are times you have to tow the line. His departure may make things much easier for AS.

If we could find a decent spinner, nobody would be able to touch us :

Also I know it is conjecture, but I wonder what would have happened if Boucher were in the side - no Duminy (or maybe no Rudolph?) - if no Duminy, things might have turned out differenty (apart from the first test) :

Tipster Wrote:
> I feel the critics have been unfair on Tahir, who
> did all that was asked of him. However, perhaps
> the excruciating memory of Paul "Harro" Harris,
> our former "spinner", is still too fresh in the
> memory. Anybody is better than him.
>
> The last innings bowling of Philander was
> magnificient. It was the first time in the series
> he had bowled like he did in his previous series.
> Before that I thought maybe the wickets didn't
> suit him but his bowling in that last innings will
> live long in the memory, especially his spell on
> the evening of the second last day.
>
> Is England's captain still worth his place?

Tahir is a match winner and has lots of experience of playing under english conditions...he was an automatic pick for the first 2 tests...but in the 3rd with us leading maybe we could have added the extra "batsman" and a holding bowler...but tahir is definately our 1st choice

Frodo Wrote:

---

> If we could find a decent spinner, nobody would be
> able to touch us :
>
> Also I know it is conjecture, but I wonder what
> would have happened if Boucher were in the side -
> no Duminy (or maybe no Rudolph?) - if no Duminy,
> things might have turned out differenty (apart
> from the first test) :

Think Boucher would have seen you home mate, very tough nut to crack... always used to like seeing the back of him and big shame he couldn't finish at Lords with SA going to number one. Plus if Boucher had been there, AB could solely have concentrated on batting... very different proposition, he ain't too shabby with the willow!

Englander Wrote:

---

> The only fact you stated was the results FC. The
> rest is your opinion


england never really had a chance against the proteas...our bowlers are ranked higher than theirs...the same with our batters...in fact when you look at the ratings the 2 teams they are incomparable...kallis has more wickets than all the english bowlers.

i ever there was a "new ball' match it was this...go check how many balls prior lasted when the new ball was taken (this is after he was set)...1 in the 1st innings and i think 4 in the second...the middle order and lower order never had a chance against it on this pitch...also go check our wickets both teams lost in the 1st 20 over.

i hope the english enjoyed kallis because they will never have or see a cricketer like that again.