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

[Slipstream]

I think when Anderson comes back in the 2nd Test it might be be Stokes who misses out. He had pain in his foot and was limping until the pills kicked in. Woakes to bat at 6?

[Making_Splinters]

I think when Anderson comes back in the 2nd Test it might be be Stokes who misses out. He had pain in his foot and was limping until the pills kicked in. Woakes to bat at 6?

Surely Bairstow to bat 6?

[Aidan11]

He wont be in the second test when Anderson returns.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Is he definitely fit?

As Slipstream says, if Stokes is injured, Woakes might stay in.

Rabada for Steyn. Not sure there'll be other changes. The squad they picked was for the first two Tests. There'll be a change if ABDV can't carry the gloves for another game.

Wicket for Broad. Well done to him. A huge win.

POTM?

[Aidan11]

Bumble reckons he's fit.


Nice win. England possibly losing their slow-starters tag?

[Gingerfinch]

Is he definitely fit?

As Slipstream says, if Stokes is injured, Woakes might stay in.

Rabada for Steyn. Not sure there'll be other changes. The squad they picked was for the first two Tests. There'll be a change if ABDV can't carry the gloves for another game.

Wicket for Broad. Well done to him. A huge win.

POTM?

Ali?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Snap!

[Aidan11]

Not much rest now to the 2nd test.

[m@tt]

Is he definitely fit?
Rabada for Steyn. Not sure there'll be other changes. The squad they picked was for the first two Tests. There'll be a change if ABDV can't carry the gloves for another game.

De Kock and Morris have been added to the SA squad. So presumably Rabada will replace the injured Steyn, then De Kock will keep with one of Bavuma and Duminy dropping out. The selectors will then hope Rabada has a good enough game that they can drop Abbott when Steyn returns in order to keep the quota.

[backfootpunch]

im not sure its worth risking jimmy for the next test if he isnt 100% fit now that we are 1-0 up, especially with finn and woakes bowling well in this test

jimmy is 33 now and one serious injury away from potentially retiring i would give him more time and get him fit and firing for the last two tests

[bigfluffylemon]

Is he definitely fit?
Rabada for Steyn. Not sure there'll be other changes. The squad they picked was for the first two Tests. There'll be a change if ABDV can't carry the gloves for another game.

De Kock and Morris have been added to the SA squad. So presumably Rabada will replace the injured Steyn, then De Kock will keep with one of Bavuma and Duminy dropping out. The selectors will then hope Rabada has a good enough game that they can drop Abbott when Steyn returns in order to keep the quota.

Agreed.

De Villiars doesn't want the keeper job, and like so many other batsmen-who-can-keep, he's much better as a specialist batsman. De Kock can bat at 7 - can't do much worse than Bavuma, and he's a definite talent, if a bit raw.

Amla does not seem to be an effective captain, but there's no other candidate, unless you give it to a bowler or the already overburdened ABdV. Bowlers seldom work out as captains.

Where are Philander and Tahir, injured?

There's a lot of talk in the English press of SA being a team in crisis, and how quickly this England side are improving. Personally I think that while this was a good performance, that might be rushing to judgment a bit. Let's see how they both get on at Fortress Cape Town before we write the obituary of the no. 1 SA team.

[Slipstream]

im not sure its worth risking jimmy for the next test if he isnt 100% fit now that we are 1-0 up, especially with finn and woakes bowling well in this test

jimmy is 33 now and one serious injury away from potentially retiring i would give him more time and get him fit and firing for the last two tests

Anderson could have played in this Test, Broad said it was hardly a niggle. If he doesn't play in the 2nd Test they should just send him home.

[dan08]

Is he definitely fit?
Rabada for Steyn. Not sure there'll be other changes. The squad they picked was for the first two Tests. There'll be a change if ABDV can't carry the gloves for another game.

De Kock and Morris have been added to the SA squad. So presumably Rabada will replace the injured Steyn, then De Kock will keep with one of Bavuma and Duminy dropping out. The selectors will then hope Rabada has a good enough game that they can drop Abbott when Steyn returns in order to keep the quota.

Agreed.

De Villiars doesn't want the keeper job, and like so many other batsmen-who-can-keep, he's much better as a specialist batsman. De Kock can bat at 7 - can't do much worse than Bavuma, and he's a definite talent, if a bit raw.

Amla does not seem to be an effective captain, but there's no other candidate, unless you give it to a bowler or the already overburdened ABdV. Bowlers seldom work out as captains.

Where are Philander and Tahir, injured?

There's a lot of talk in the English press of SA being a team in crisis, and how quickly this England side are improving. Personally I think that while this was a good performance, that might be rushing to judgment a bit. Let's see how they both get on at Fortress Cape Town before we write the obituary of the no. 1 SA team.

De Villiers actually has a much better record when he keeps. Still think he'd be better off ditching the gloves though.

Philander is injured, Tahir dropped.

[alfie]

I had thought SA might bring in a new opener ; but it seems that second innings flurry has convinced them to stick with van Zyl for now. Obviously de Kock takes the gloves now and either Faf or Bavuma must drop out. Presumably Rabada for Steyn , who surely can't recover overnight. The keeping change will help ; but I am not sure it will be enough to revitalise the batting.

England have Anderson fit and rested which will further help their bowling strength and shouldn't miss Woakes' batting talents too much given the number of all rounder types in the side. So they should approach the often difficult assignment in Cape Town with some confidence.

Would caution against getting carried away though : I thought before the series they had the ability to take a SA side which is clearly missing (as you would) their lost icons ; and I have had no reason to change my mind after witnessing events in Durban. But there are still some proud and classy players in the home team , and England in recent times have had a tendency to follow a fine performance with a very disappointing one - if they are not completely focused on their game they will find the locals are not down and out yet. Hopefully that inconsistency can be put behind them now , as I'm sure Bayliss will be making sure they are conscious of the risks.

Hope for fine weather...

[mikesiva]

It doesn't rain but it pours...Abbott injured, Viljoen added to the squad.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-afric ... 56889.html