Second Test. SA v England. Cape Town, Jan 2-6

[alfie]

7 overs and this new ball has only produced one edge , which didn't carry to slip. Not to panic yet , but the window of opportunity for England is getting narrower .

Think we will see Finn after drinks - yes , here he is...

[sussexpob]

7 overs and this new ball has only produced one edge , which didn't carry to slip. Not to panic yet , but the window of opportunity for England is getting narrower .

Think we will see Finn after drinks - yes , here he is...

There is the chance, not taken

[backfootpunch]

i dont think we want to win

this game would be pretty much over if these two were out

[alfie]

Hectic few minutes !

Two "got him" ... "No , we aven't" ...moments

Followed by another dropped catch...

Looking like South Africa's day. Still 360 behind ; but you get the feeling that it just isn't going to happen for England today.
Unless there is a dramatic clatter later - which looks unlikely - you'd think England will be paying for the dropped catches with a long stint in the field again tomorrow.
I don't think SA have the bowling resources to effect an Adelaide 2006 reversal ; but they'll be very happy to get out of this with a draw after yesterday's battering.

[sussexpob]

Well England missed chances against both batsman in the first test also, give to batters who average 50 enough chances, and they will eventually punish you.... especially on wickets like this.

[backfootpunch]

WE ACTUALLY CAUGHT ONE


still 360 behind

another wicket or two here and this game is wide open again

[alfie]

Blimey ... What happened ? I nip out for a shower and come back to see AB has gone !

Might try making a cup of tea and see if that shakes another one loose

[mikesiva]

Now it's up to FAF to justify his continued selection....

[backfootpunch]

Now it's up to FAF to justify his continued selection....

looking at bavuma and van zyl, its pretty clear they dont have anyone any better coming through so may as well stick it out with him

[alfie]

That wicket may have come a bit too late for England. They now face two and a half hours after tea , still pretty warm I'd imagine ; and really need to take at least four wickets - maybe five - with a ball already 17 overs old. Fortunately they have four seamers ; but they'll still be feeling the effects of the earlier spells in the heat...it won't be easy.
Du Plessis has started quite brightly ; must pick him up quickly after tea (Amla will still be batting on Wednesday ) if they're to have a chance of running through the SA late order.

Big contrast with yesterday. But Test Cricket is endlessly fascinating.

[mikesiva]

Obvious statement No. # 3,541 - Even if South Africa get bowled out for under 430, it's unlikely that Cook will enforce the follow on.

[KipperJohn]

Sometimes one just has to smile at the way cricket pulls your leg.

Bayliss was saying after the last Test how the England batsmen had left about 100 runs on the pitch.

Not this time - but the fielders have and probably considerably more!

[backfootpunch]

Sometimes one just has to smile at the way cricket pulls your leg.

Bayliss was saying after the last Test how the England batsmen had left about 100 runs on the pitch.

Not this time - but the fielders have and probably considerably more!

well dropping AB on 5 cost us 83 runs

and so far dropping amla on 76 has cost 63 runs

had those catches been taken we would have won this game as of now a draw is very possible

[mikesiva]

Now it's up to FAF to justify his continued selection....

looking at bavuma and van zyl, its pretty clear they dont have anyone any better coming through so may as well stick it out with him

Looking at the poor batting of the A team, it's pretty clear they don't have any better coming through to put pressure on Bavuma and van Zyl as well....

[sussexpob]

I think South African cricket is in a bad state at the moment generally. If there is any truth in the rumours that ABDV and Steyn are ready to quit test cricket, then they could be in very deep trouble in a couple of years