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Second Test: England v South Africa, Nottingham, July 14-18

PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 9:15 pm
by Arthur Crabtree
Any changes for Friday at Trent Bridge?

A batter for Dawson seems the most likely, given Woakes is still out, if a change is made. But no change is more likely.

Re: First Test: England v South Africa, Lord's, July 6-10.

PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 9:18 pm
by rich1uk
probably depend how the pitch looks

i would hope they will add a bat to the squad at least so they have options

but we know how loathe england are to change a winning side

Re: First Test: England v South Africa, Lord's, July 6-10.

PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 9:54 pm
by Durhamfootman
Easy win in the end

well done

No change required, I'd imagine

obviously changes needed for SA

Re: First Test: England v South Africa, Lord's, July 6-10.

PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 10:44 pm
by Arthur Crabtree
England retain the same squad for Nottingham.

First Test: England v South Africa, Nottingham, July 14-18.

PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 11:30 pm
by bigfluffylemon
Amla's form must be worrying. In tests in the past two years, he's averaged around 35! Obviously he made a major contribution in the 15-16 series at home against England, but that's really been his only series success since the start of 2015. At 34, one has to wonder how much longer he can carry on unless there's a reversal soon. Nonetheless, given his record against England, he will remain the prize wicket for this series.

You'd think Duminy has to make way for Faf coming back. I know de Bruyn was Faf's replacement, but he's shown some promise in this game, whereas Duminy has simply not delivered over a long time on his early promise as a test player. However, with Rabada out, Duminy might be saved by South Africa's transformation selection policy - I would have thought Morris is the most likely replacement for Rabada.

Re: First Test: England v South Africa, Lord's, July 6-10.

PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 11:52 pm
by Arthur Crabtree
I think JPD got a couple of tons over the winter, but failed a lot too.

Not too sure if it's too early to draw conclusions about SA's batting yet. They lost a very good toss to win as it turned out, and the degree of difficulty today was steep (very surprising pitch. Lord's is often dry since the news drainage was installed, but that usually just makes it flatter). SA beat Australia well last year, and FDP, QDK and Elgar scored very well, and three others scored hundreds over their winter.

Re: First Test: England v South Africa, Lord's, July 6-10.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 4:00 am
by alfie
Very good win. Moeen did his job (I think Bayliss said something about him being happier -more relaxed? when he is able to see himself as batsman first ; hence the "Dawson main spinner" bit . Makes some sense) and Dawson after a rotten start played his part well. Have to admit the much-criticized selectors called this one right.

Same squad for TB is a little worrying though. Surely it won't be another desert ? If it gives the seamers help England arguably might do better with another batsman ...let us not forget SA had them four down in the first session and had missed Root twice : might have been a very different game. They will miss Rabada ; but I don't underestimate their fighting qualities or their ability to take wickets quickly especially in conditions that suit pace bowling. Call me conservative but in such a case I would prefer a little more solidity in the batting. If it is a road , fair enough , stick with this lineup ; but surely it couldn't hurt to leave oneself the option ?
Cannot see any case for five seam bowlers so TRJ is just injury cover.

England do look the stronger team. But I am always a little nervous when that appears so obvious...

Re: First Test: England v South Africa, Lord's, July 6-10.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 4:09 am
by alfie
Duminy played one excellent innings in Australia last season. But he doesn't produce consistently and I agree de Bruyn looked better. His bowling might keep him in though , depending on who else they pick. They might be a bit anxious about their second opener too...

Maharaj did quite well and with Philander fit and presumably Morris playing as well as du Plessis back they could end up with a better balanced team despite losing Rabada. As long as they can balance their quotas.

Re: First Test: England v South Africa, Lord's, July 6-10.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:37 am
by Arthur Crabtree
As is often the case, the best change the losing side can make is to field better (and not bowl no balls).

Re: First Test: England v South Africa, Lord's, July 6-10.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 9:57 am
by KipperJohn
Arthur Crabtree wrote:As is often the case, the best change the losing side can make is to field better (and not bowl no balls).


:thumb Winning the toss may have seemed important but it was SA's mistakes in the field that easily cost them a first innings lead which would have changed the complexion of the match. Even the failure to review the Broad lbw cost valuable runs, let alone letting Root off the hook. It should have been a much lower scoring and tighter game.

Re: Second Test: England v South Africa, Nottingham, July 14

PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 4:00 pm
by andy
Win the toss and bat at Nottingham..how times have changed..used to be a swing bowlers paradise, now you look to bat all day long...don't rate Dawson but the selectors clearly see something and will stick with him...defo won't turn as much here, so intresting to see how Mo goes here..

Re: Second Test: England v South Africa, Nottingham, July 14

PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 10:06 pm
by Arthur Crabtree
Feels like the constant background commentary that Joe Root would be ruined by the captaincy has faded away. Obviously it might be that this happens, no one knows, but the everpresent foreboding that this would be the case seems to have quietened.

Re: Second Test: England v South Africa, Nottingham, July 14

PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 11:11 pm
by bigfluffylemon
andy wrote:Win the toss and bat at Nottingham..how times have changed..used to be a swing bowlers paradise, now you look to bat all day long...don't rate Dawson but the selectors clearly see something and will stick with him...defo won't turn as much here, so intresting to see how Mo goes here..


Who says win the toss and bat first? The last test match played at Trent Bridge was this one:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cham ... 43969.html

Is this based on the form of the ground in the Championship this season?

Re: Second Test: England v South Africa, Nottingham, July 14

PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 11:24 pm
by Arthur Crabtree
Pitches at TB have varied a lot in the last decade or so, hard to know what they'll get. Obviously it'll swing if the climate is right.

Re: Second Test: England v South Africa, Nottingham, July 14

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 12:01 am
by Arthur Crabtree
SA had won four and drawn one at Lord's since readmission. But they are now going to England's lucky ground. England last lost at TB ten years ago, to India in the jelly bean Test. They have only one draw in that time, also to India with the memorably bad pitch. Six wins. Going back, since they lost to WI in 1991, my first trip to the ground, they lost twice to the great millennium Aussie side, and the SL game when Murali took 9-fer. That's four losses in 25 years.

But of course, SA lost at Lord's in spite of their record.