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

[Dr Cricket]

Bairstow having some luck, but a punchy wk style intervention. Maybe he'll be happier in that role. If he starts keeping adequately.

Botham thinks Finn is faster than Woakes?

Anyone that still thinks Finn is quick is stupid.
Hard to believe anything botham says considering he doesn't watch cricket lol.
surprising enough Llyod thinks finn quick as well.

Saying that llyod is a parody of himself the hype and twitter get's to him, needs to stop trying to make jokes, he is a natural comedian doesn't need to make people laugh all the time.

[hopeforthebest]

Bairstow has changed the whole nature of this innings.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looked out.

[Dr Cricket]

Atherton really loves Stokes, I wonder if he has shares in him. England's most valuable player??

Stokes is the most loved player in England, can understand why got huge potential but need to start performing consistently.
Looks like he will be more flintoff then the likes of Botham, Kapil, Imran Khan, hadlee.

He really need to improve on the bowling front.


Also what is it with England hyping all rounder.

Flintoff himself said Stokes should look at being far better than him lol.

England are not gonna drop Stokes because he gives the 4th seam option but he does need to bat at 7, issue being Ali *modded* with the bat as well.
Be wrong to promote bairstow when he actually had a good game with the bat and gloves.

[sussexpob]

Atherton really loves Stokes, I wonder if he has shares in him. England's most valuable player??

People have invested their reputation in pretending he is the second coming for so long, they continue to sell the message even though it is apparent he is quickly becoming a huge turd.

Not many teams accommodate a number 6 that averages 27....but I guess he does bowl to the same average as the legendary off spinner mark Waugh, so it makes sense

No wickets in the 2nd dig and England have to drop him

[mikesiva]

Piedt gets his five-fer....

[Dr Cricket]

Bairstow has changed the whole nature of this innings.

Got to say he looked far better playing as a keeper than a batsman.
if he does well in this series quite possible Buttler doesn't get into the team till India, although that would be idiotic since Buttler does struggle with turn and picking spinners.

[mikesiva]

Stephen Cook has another century. I reckon he'll be in for the next Test.

might be hard to get him in.

Should come in for Van Zyl. Don't think there's any problem with that change.

I think van Zyl has been guaranteed two Tests, so maybe the third....

[hopeforthebest]

Bairstow has changed the whole nature of this innings.

Got to say he looked far better playing as a keeper than a batsman.
if he does well in this series quite possible Buttler doesn't get into the team till India, although that would be idiotic since Buttler does struggle with turn and picking spinners.

Don't you mean he looked better batting than keeping?

[Dr Cricket]

Bairstow has changed the whole nature of this innings.

Got to say he looked far better playing as a keeper than a batsman.
if he does well in this series quite possible Buttler doesn't get into the team till India, although that would be idiotic since Buttler does struggle with turn and picking spinners.

Don't you mean he looked better batting than keeping?

I mean he looked good at batting while playing as a wicketkeeper if that makes sense.
in previous test he looked averaged with the bat when he played as a specialist bat.
Needs to improve keeping though but he should get better at that more he plays in that role.

[pompeymeowth]

We look better without our best bowler than they do without theirs.

It's hammer time.

[pompeymeowth]

This innings will do Rubs the power of good.

[dan08]

Good knock from Bairstow.

Should declare right now.

[dan08]

We look better without our best bowler than they do without theirs.

It's hammer time.

SA are missing their two best bowlers.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Expecting a run an over blockathon.