Quote from: spangley1812 on July 22, 2012, 09:55:43 PMQuote from: OzVilla on July 22, 2012, 09:44:03 PMFirstly, SA for a very good side. They've got that balance where everyone in their team is the right age with the right level of experience, world class batters and bowlers and well lead. So while we've dined out on the likes of Australia, India and the West Indies for the last few years these were always the next best side.It's the classic Test Cricketing scenario though. Put a side in the field for 3 days and they are knackered. Put so many runs on the board that we can bowl aggressively and set ultra attacking fields. Had the roles been reversed it'd be us polishing off them make no mistake. That last session was always going to be the toughest and we cracked, just like most teams would and invariably do in those positions.We'll probably now lose by an innings. I'm not sure Finn would have made much difference as it was a slow pitch but Swann was disappointing. England have done less with the ball in 3 days than i've seen for a decade but i'm not panicking. So far on this page alone people have called for Bresnan, Swann, Pietersen and Bopara to get dropped. It aint gonna happen and nor should it. We're not Australia 1994-2007 but we're also not England 1989-1997 either. Their world class performers have all stood up in this match, as world class performers have a tendency to do from time to time, and good luck to them. Now we need to back ours to do the same in the next. As I am amongst those for calling for some of the players to be dropped I question you calling Bresnan/Bopara "world class" and I would drop them, KP and Swann deserve another chance but as has been stated above we havnt played well in Test Matches for ages and the team need a "wake up call" and lets hope this match gives it to them Where did I call Bresnan/Bopara 'world class'? I'm talking about our 'World class' performers, Cook, Anderson, Swann and Broad. Theirs, Smith, Amla, Kallis and Steyn got the job done - ours didn't. I think we played well in the second Test in Sri Lanka and the West Indies series.I bet every side we play against would love us to drop KP. And replace him with who?
Quote from: OzVilla on July 22, 2012, 09:44:03 PMFirstly, SA for a very good side. They've got that balance where everyone in their team is the right age with the right level of experience, world class batters and bowlers and well lead. So while we've dined out on the likes of Australia, India and the West Indies for the last few years these were always the next best side.It's the classic Test Cricketing scenario though. Put a side in the field for 3 days and they are knackered. Put so many runs on the board that we can bowl aggressively and set ultra attacking fields. Had the roles been reversed it'd be us polishing off them make no mistake. That last session was always going to be the toughest and we cracked, just like most teams would and invariably do in those positions.We'll probably now lose by an innings. I'm not sure Finn would have made much difference as it was a slow pitch but Swann was disappointing. England have done less with the ball in 3 days than i've seen for a decade but i'm not panicking. So far on this page alone people have called for Bresnan, Swann, Pietersen and Bopara to get dropped. It aint gonna happen and nor should it. We're not Australia 1994-2007 but we're also not England 1989-1997 either. Their world class performers have all stood up in this match, as world class performers have a tendency to do from time to time, and good luck to them. Now we need to back ours to do the same in the next. As I am amongst those for calling for some of the players to be dropped I question you calling Bresnan/Bopara "world class" and I would drop them, KP and Swann deserve another chance but as has been stated above we havnt played well in Test Matches for ages and the team need a "wake up call" and lets hope this match gives it to them
Firstly, SA for a very good side. They've got that balance where everyone in their team is the right age with the right level of experience, world class batters and bowlers and well lead. So while we've dined out on the likes of Australia, India and the West Indies for the last few years these were always the next best side.It's the classic Test Cricketing scenario though. Put a side in the field for 3 days and they are knackered. Put so many runs on the board that we can bowl aggressively and set ultra attacking fields. Had the roles been reversed it'd be us polishing off them make no mistake. That last session was always going to be the toughest and we cracked, just like most teams would and invariably do in those positions.We'll probably now lose by an innings. I'm not sure Finn would have made much difference as it was a slow pitch but Swann was disappointing. England have done less with the ball in 3 days than i've seen for a decade but i'm not panicking. So far on this page alone people have called for Bresnan, Swann, Pietersen and Bopara to get dropped. It aint gonna happen and nor should it. We're not Australia 1994-2007 but we're also not England 1989-1997 either. Their world class performers have all stood up in this match, as world class performers have a tendency to do from time to time, and good luck to them. Now we need to back ours to do the same in the next.
Talking of 'World Class' players. My world XISmith (C)CookAmlaJayawardneClarkeKallisPriorBroadSteynAnderson/SwannAjmalDepending on pitch conditions, I might go in with two spinners.
I think we are more than capable of salvaging a draw from this position. I'd agree with calls for Finn to be included, but I am not sure I'd drop Bresnan being as the next game is on his home ground. Would really like to see us go in with the five bowlers at Headingley, but not sure if Bresnan is a strong enough batsman at number 7.