The Cricket Thread 2017

[tomd2103]

Commentators talking about scores on this pitch and they think 300 would be a very good score.  Sounds about right to me, this doesn't look like a big scoring pitch, there's been lots of movement and and the footholes already look big after less than 70 overs.  Anderson and Ali will both be looking forward to bowling on this.

Reading the BBC coverage, the general consensus is that the pitch is becoming a bit easier to bat on.  Sounds obvious, but I think we need to squeeze as many first innings runs as possible.  Going to come down to Stokes and Ali to do it, as I can't really see the remainder of the side adding too many. 

[paul_e]

Commentators talking about scores on this pitch and they think 300 would be a very good score.  Sounds about right to me, this doesn't look like a big scoring pitch, there's been lots of movement and and the footholes already look big after less than 70 overs.  Anderson and Ali will both be looking forward to bowling on this.

Reading the BBC coverage, the general consensus is that the pitch is becoming a bit easier to bat on.  Sounds obvious, but I think we need to squeeze as many first innings runs as possible.  Going to come down to Stokes and Ali to do it, as I can't really see the remainder of the side adding too many. 

I think the movement with the new ball showed that the pitch isn't massively easier than yesterday, it was just that losing Philander and not getting any control with the spinner meant we could make hay in the 60-80 period.  Morkel looks just as dangerous now as he did yesterday.

[paul_e]

Very handy knock from Roland-Jones here and we're over 300 I think this is a decent score, if we can add another 40-50 then I'd say we're firmly on top.

[manic-road]

Roland-Jones out LBW, bugger.

[manic-road]

England 331-9 Broad out.

[Villan For Life]

If Jimmy can stick around I think Stokes will unleash the big shots. He wants a ton and the team needs 350+ to bowl at.

[manic-road]

Great ton from Stokes.

[Villan For Life]

In the context of the series, that ton from Stokes is vital.

[manic-road]

353 all out, great 112 from Stokes.

[paul_e]

I think that's a good score and there's plenty for the bowlers to work with.

[Villan For Life]

It will be a difficult 20 minutes or so before tea for the South African batsmen. Hopefully we can eke a couple of them out.

[paul_e]

If we haven't taken 4-5 by the close then our bowlers will have failed in my opinion, there's plenty to work with here.

[Dr Butler]

It will be a difficult 20 minutes or so before tea for the South African batsmen. Hopefully we can eke a couple of them out.

that would be perfect to have them 15-2 at tea..

UTV
The Doc

[Risso]

If we haven't taken 4-5 by the close then our bowlers will have failed in my opinion, there's plenty to work with here.

4 for 5 would be some collapse! 😉

[Villan For Life]

Roland-Jones started well. He bowled a nagging line and was rewarded with his first scalp after a review. 18-1 and Elgar gone so an early tea has been taken.