First Test. South Africa v England. Durban, 26-30 Dec.

[braveneutral]

Apologies if it has already been addressed but use of language on page 12/13 is unacceptable.

Please refrain from such language and perhaps a cold shower and a read of the house rules is the best advice that can be given.

[backfootpunch]

It's very clear from this that Anderson and Broad are in another level of bowling technique compared to the rest. Without them we'd be in a world of bother.

Woakes has been as good as broad just hasn't had that little bit of luck required

[hopeforthebest]

England saving their referrals for a rainy day.

[backfootpunch]

It looked like an inside edge but must have been two pads

[Arthur Crabtree]

Poor Stokesy. So unlucky...

[Arthur Crabtree]

In the context of the day, Bairstow's runs looking valuable.

England ahead?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Eleven overs not bowled.

[Aidan11]

Even stevens at this point I'd say.

[alfie]

England on top I reckon...only really Duminy to come after these two ; and SA to bat last. SA certainly not out of it , but Cook and co will sleep better tonight.

A good contest.

[backfootpunch]

i have england slightly ahead at this point, with de villiers, amla and faf out plus a rather long looking tail they will hopefully get a lead

the runs of bairstow and broad look like they might be vital, just a shame both moeen and woakes got out so quickly so bairstow never had a chance to make something substantial

[hopeforthebest]

i have england slightly ahead at this point, with de villiers, amla and faf out plus a rather long looking tail they will hopefully get a lead

the runs of bairstow and broad look like they might be vital, just a shame both moeen and woakes got out so quickly so bairstow never had a chance to make something substantial

I agree, ahead on points but they need to finish them off for under 250 to make it count.

[backfootpunch]

i have england slightly ahead at this point, with de villiers, amla and faf out plus a rather long looking tail they will hopefully get a lead

the runs of bairstow and broad look like they might be vital, just a shame both moeen and woakes got out so quickly so bairstow never had a chance to make something substantial

I agree, ahead on points but they need to finish them off for under 250 to make it count.

it was probably a good time for play to end

hopefully our bowlers can come back fresh in the morning and get a couple of quick wickets

[m@tt]

Bairstow is just a failure. How he still gets picked is beyond me, how we is picked to do a job he doesn't do makes it even more terrible.

I can't see them playing Bairstow as a specialist batsman again any time soon. They are now trying to give him a reasonable go as the wicket keeper. I think that's only fair. However I've never been confident that he will be a long term Test player.

Not sure what will happen if he fails in this series. Buttler probably is still next in line but ideally could do with match practice for Lancashire. Billings is in the Lions team and the limited overs teams, but only has one County Championship hundred. Read and Foster are both technically retired I believe, due to their involvement in the Masters Premier League. Foakes rarely keeps for Surrey, his teammate Davies no longer keeps at all.

[m@tt]

Suggestion on cricinfo that Steyn and ABDV will retire from Tests after this series.

Only a couple of tweets on it, nothing to suggest it will actually happen, I'd expect a lot more Twitter activity if there was any substance.

I'd be surprised. Steyn doesnt play enough to be finished. De Villiers would be quite selfish to quit with so many questions marks over the South African batting line up.

[backfootpunch]

Bairstow is just a failure. How he still gets picked is beyond me, how we is picked to do a job he doesn't do makes it even more terrible.

I can't see them playing Bairstow as a specialist batsman again any time soon. They are now trying to give him a reasonable go as the wicket keeper. I think that's only fair. However I've never been confident that he will be a long term Test player.

Not sure what will happen if he fails in this series. Buttler probably is still next in line but ideally could do with match practice for Lancashire. Billings is in the Lions team and the limited overs teams, but only has one County Championship hundred. Read and Foster are both technically retired I believe, due to their involvement in the Masters Premier League. Foakes rarely keeps for Surrey, his teammate Davies no longer keeps at all.

unless bairstow scores some runs this series i imagine buttler will be back for the tests this summer

he really just needed a rest more than anything, keeping in every format for a team that plays as much cricket as england must be tough on the mind and the body