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

[backfootpunch]

i have to say my confidence in our batting is a lot higher now that taylor is in the team

i feel like he will join cook and root as the world class batsmen in this team

[Making_Splinters]

i have to say my confidence in our batting is a lot higher now that taylor is in the team

i feel like he will join cook and root as the world class batsmen in this team

I feel the real difference has been Compton stopping the rot at number 3 with a bit of graft.

[m@tt]

ABs body language all game has been of someone who does not want to be wicketkeeping

You'd think he'd have enough clout to let them know he really doesn't want to do it ...not as if a replacement keeper could make less than Duminy .

one of the commentators said de kock has made a century in the first class games going on now, so i would imagine he will be playing in the second test

I'm sure the selectors would like a reason to play De Kock, he's clearly a special talent despite an indifference start to his Test career.

The problem is South Africa's (well-meaning) transformation policies. It means you can't drop Bavuma or Duminy. Meanwhile, Du Plessis has a decent record but is out of form. Van Styl scored a century not too long ago.

With Steyn's injury, South Africa could now be able to drop Bavuma for De Kock because Rabada would likely be the one to replace Steyn.

[m@tt]

i have to say my confidence in our batting is a lot higher now that taylor is in the team

i feel like he will join cook and root as the world class batsmen in this team

Although it still needs to show in our totals, I feel the line-up is better balanced. A 5-8 of Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler, Moeen was exciting but flimsy. Taylor can now be the Collingwood of our batting unit, able to read a match situation and play accordingly - and he's more talented than Collingwood too so should be capable of having a better career (the typical analysis of Colly being that he lacked the talent of others but his hard graft made him a successful international player) though that remains to be seen.

And Compton is a #3 much more like Trott than Bell. I don't think he'll be able to match Trott's achievements, but hope he is capable of averaging low 40s for a few years.

[dan08]

Expecting SA to go into draw mode when they come out.

Maybe look to declare at lunch.

Should be able to get a lead of 400 by lunch so would seem the right time to declare. They might want 450 just to be safe though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I doubt they'll declare at lunch. But if SA go into block mode, the runs won't be a factor, only time. Can't presume that'll happen, but (on paper) this venue is England's best chance of a win in the series, so they need to give themselves a good chance.

[Dr Cricket]

ABs body language all game has been of someone who does not want to be wicketkeeping

You'd think he'd have enough clout to let them know he really doesn't want to do it ...not as if a replacement keeper could make less than Duminy .

one of the commentators said de kock has made a century in the first class games going on now, so i would imagine he will be playing in the second test

I'm sure the selectors would like a reason to play De Kock, he's clearly a special talent despite an indifference start to his Test career.

The problem is South Africa's (well-meaning) transformation policies. It means you can't drop Bavuma or Duminy. Meanwhile, Du Plessis has a decent record but is out of form. Van Styl scored a century not too long ago.

With Steyn's injury, South Africa could now be able to drop Bavuma for De Kock because Rabada would likely be the one to replace Steyn.

how is the transformation policies well meaning it is stupid and ridiculous.
If the government think people are still racist in SA they should sort it out instead of making sport federation do what the government should be doing.
let them pick the best team possible.

could right a longer paragraph on it but not bothered.
I am against this policy.

[m@tt]

ABs body language all game has been of someone who does not want to be wicketkeeping

You'd think he'd have enough clout to let them know he really doesn't want to do it ...not as if a replacement keeper could make less than Duminy .

one of the commentators said de kock has made a century in the first class games going on now, so i would imagine he will be playing in the second test

I'm sure the selectors would like a reason to play De Kock, he's clearly a special talent despite an indifference start to his Test career.

The problem is South Africa's (well-meaning) transformation policies. It means you can't drop Bavuma or Duminy. Meanwhile, Du Plessis has a decent record but is out of form. Van Styl scored a century not too long ago.

With Steyn's injury, South Africa could now be able to drop Bavuma for De Kock because Rabada would likely be the one to replace Steyn.

how is the transformation policies well meaning it is stupid and ridiculous.
If the government think people are still racist in SA they should sort it out instead of making sport federation do what the government should be doing.
let them pick the best team possible.

could right a longer paragraph on it but not bothered.
I am against this policy.

Well meaning doesn't mean it's right, it means the overall aim is right regardless of the methods used. Something can be both well-meaning and stupid!

It's well-meaning because the vast majority of the South African population is black African and CSA want to tap into the hidden talent that is amongst this population in order to preserve cricket as a popular sport in the country.

But because of the history of South Africa, there is still 'presumed racism' (i.e. black Africans presume there are no opportunities for them) and 'institutionalised racism' (i.e. the system makes it far easier for white players). It doesn't necessary mean that there is deliberate racism happening. CSA are trying to solve those two issues by making it easier for black players to move through the system, which simultaneously puts successful black players in the public eye to hopefully inspire other players.

It does mean short-term pain - i.e. poorer players selected over stronger players, stronger players emigrating to England etc - but they believe it's in their long term interests. It's a very difficult situation for them with no easy answer, so I can understand why they've taken this route.

[hopeforthebest]

On this pitch a target of 380 should be more than enough, uneven bounce is showing and there's turn for Moeen. Just don't bowl him when ABDV is there.

[Dr Cricket]

CSA only wanted these plans in domestic cricket and youth cricket, government wanted the national team to mirror the rules.
but CSA are totally against it since they believe the best players will naturally rise to the top since they are not racist.
it is the government that are wrong.
Black players and white player hate it because it ruins careers and causes loads of issues that are not needed.

CSA do not want this they prefer efforts going into grass root and domestic level not internationals, rugby the same.

It is wrong for a black guy to be guaranteed a spot because he black.
If he good enough he will get a game.
I have no complaints about them doing this in franchise and domestic level.

It is wrong that the government doing this so they can get votes and for political reason when their not really helping cricket especially at a time when a good amount of black people are playing cricket and watching cricket and looking at the under 19 teams they got loads of talented players let them get into the national team by merit now.
all the good work CSA did after 2000 his playing fruit now, it is pathetic the government trying to stop it by introducing the law again last year.
By reports many in the team are against the policy anyway, G smith, Steyn, Philander, De villiers supposedly might walk away because of it now.
Although so many rumers without any actual news.

Anyway this is my view on it.

[Dr Cricket]

On this pitch a target of 380 should be more than enough, uneven bounce is showing and there's turn for Moeen. Just don't bowl him when ABDV is there.

I would want 430-450.
You just never know what SA can chase here, Chennai always comes into my mind.
380 is tempting if SA get close to 200 with only 2-3 wickets down.

Spin looks playable and variable bounce is always new ball dependent.
tricky to bat but 300 is chaseable if SA bat well, 380 could be done by a special innings.

[Arthur Crabtree]

The Guardian is suggesting Smith comes back as captain for the next Test! Presumably some tongue in cheek payback for the disarray SA have caused in England dressing rooms in the past.

[hopeforthebest]

If England bat too long they may run out of time and England need another 120 to reach 380 and that will take time anyway. To reach 430-450 could take 60+ overs. This SA is not the SA of old.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England will probably bat normally for about 90 minutes, to ensure they don't collapse in a heap.

[Dr Cricket]

The Guardian is suggesting Smith comes back as captain for the next Test! Presumably some tongue in cheek payback for the disarray SA have caused in England dressing rooms in the past.

feel odd that South africa have all the issues of captaincy, out of form players and outside interferences causing havoc.