Third Test: England v South Africa, The Oval, July 27-31

[Arthur Crabtree]

Odd that Bayliss says they don't want a batter at eight, but the reporter says Dawson came in to bat at eight because Woakes was injured.

[westoelad]

Different story in The Guardian.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/ ... dex-finger

That's a markedly different emphasis from the DT! It must all be dependent on the specialists verdict but it does suggest he will play if passed fit.

Yes but this also confirms the fracture, only difference is that Ballance says he can hold a bat.There's a world of difference between holding a bat and controlling it to play a ball coming at you at 90mph or one dipping, seaming or swinging. At what about his fielding? Pretty selfish claim by Ballance to be honest. His recall in the 1st place was unbelievably amateurish. Scoring a volume of runs batting at 5 in the CC when the ball in most cases will have lost its shine and the opening bowlers no longer operating is in no way an indicator that he can cope with world class bowlers bowling with a new ball. It became evident during the2nd test that he hadn't eradicated the back in the crease technique that originally made him so vulnerable. Clearly the selectors hadn't checked this out prior to approving his selection. You can argue the case for particular selections or the balance of the side as much as you wish but until we have selectors who carry out duties professionally and coaches who can identify weaknesses and eradicate them,the team will continue to stagnate.

[captaincolly]

Different story in The Guardian.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/ ... dex-finger

That's a markedly different emphasis from the DT! It must all be dependent on the specialists verdict but it does suggest he will play if passed fit.

Yes but this also confirms the fracture, only difference is that Ballance says he can hold a bat.There's a world of difference between holding a bat and controlling it to play a ball coming at you at 90mph or one dipping, seaming or swinging. At what about his fielding? Pretty selfish claim by Ballance to be honest. His recall in the 1st place was unbelievably amateurish. Scoring a volume of runs batting at 5 in the CC when the ball in most cases will have lost its shine and the opening bowlers no longer operating is in no way an indicator that he can cope with world class bowlers bowling with a new ball. It became evident during the2nd test that he hadn't eradicated the back in the crease technique that originally made him so vulnerable. Clearly the selectors hadn't checked this out prior to approving his selection. You can argue the case for particular selections or the balance of the side as much as you wish but until we have selectors who carry out duties professionally and coaches who can identify weaknesses and eradicate them,the team will continue to stagnate.

Yep. According to Mailonline he is definitely out and whoever comes in will be a straight swap at 3 because Bayliss doesn't want to move Jennings.

[backfootpunch]

The selectors/management have done there best to demolish any small amount of self confidence Rashid has his entire international career

He had a very good champions trophy then didn't play the t20s against S.A.

Then they pick Dawson who is worse with the ball and the bat than Rashid

we have 4 seamers we don't need holding spinners we need one who can take wickets when the fast guys can't

[backfootpunch]

Is stoneman the next cab off the rank

He has scored heavily this season and scored two 50s for the lions against South africa A

[captaincolly]

Is stoneman the next cab off the rank

He has scored heavily this season and scored two 50s for the lions against South africa A

I'd be surprised if it's not him. He hasn't played in the last couple of T20 games for Surrey for some reason but I haven't seen anything about an injury. It's odd though because they surely wouldn't drop him.

[westoelad]

Interesting comment by Dobell on cricinfo re Stoneman
"He has been left out of Surrey's side for the last couple of T20 games and is understood to be training only against a red ball at present".
The article is confirming that Ballance has broken his finger and that Stoneman is the likely replacement as opener with Jennings at 3.
I can't see that he would be dropped by Surrey on current form so the above comment appears to have some credence.

[captaincolly]

Interesting comment by Dobell on cricinfo re Stoneman
"He has been left out of Surrey's side for the last couple of T20 games and is understood to be training only against a red ball at present".
The article is confirming that Ballance has broken his finger and that Stoneman is the likely replacement as opener with Jennings at 3.
I can't see that he would be dropped by Surrey on current form so the above comment appears to have some credence.

That makes sense. I couldn't understand why he hasn't been playing in the T20's but that must be the reason.

[dan08]

Interesting comment by Dobell on cricinfo re Stoneman
"He has been left out of Surrey's side for the last couple of T20 games and is understood to be training only against a red ball at present".
The article is confirming that Ballance has broken his finger and that Stoneman is the likely replacement as opener with Jennings at 3.
I can't see that he would be dropped by Surrey on current form so the above comment appears to have some credence.

That makes sense. I couldn't understand why he hasn't been playing in the T20's but that must be the reason.

Not really a place in Surrey's top 3. Roy, Finch, Sanga... and soon to have KP too.

[captaincolly]

Interesting comment by Dobell on cricinfo re Stoneman
"He has been left out of Surrey's side for the last couple of T20 games and is understood to be training only against a red ball at present".
The article is confirming that Ballance has broken his finger and that Stoneman is the likely replacement as opener with Jennings at 3.
I can't see that he would be dropped by Surrey on current form so the above comment appears to have some credence.

That makes sense. I couldn't understand why he hasn't been playing in the T20's but that must be the reason.

Not really a place in Surrey's top 3. Roy, Finch, Sanga... and soon to have KP too.

That is a pretty strong top 3! So maybe he has been dropped after all.

[bigfluffylemon]

Can't believe Dawson is going to retain his place. If England win the toss and the Oval turns, it may turn out to be justified, but at the moment it looks daft to keep him.

[westoelad]

Yes he's made an indifferent start in T20. It's looking increasingly likely he'll be involved in the 3rd test and so is in need of red ball practise but the dfficulty will be in finding some.

[westoelad]

Can't believe Dawson is going to retain his place. If England win the toss and the Oval turns, it may turn out to be justified, but at the moment it looks daft to keep him.

It's because Bayliss,who admits he knows very little about CC cricket, apparently has a big voice in test selection.
You're right-that's daft.

[captaincolly]

Yes he's made an indifferent start in T20. It's looking increasingly likely he'll be involved in the 3rd test and so is in need of red ball practise but the dfficulty will be in finding some.

It's typical FTECB poor planning to have no red ball games taking place at this time. Injuries and loss of form are inevitable during a test series. If we were playing the West Indies series now we might have gotten away with it because they're a mediocre outfit so it probably wouldn't matter if a player came in having had no recent red ball cricket. South Africa though are a formidable side.

[westoelad]

Cheeky comment by Dobell on Dawson's selection who's there it's rumoured because he's "a good guy"" . On that logic , reasons Dobell, Nelson Mandela would have been opening the batting for S. Africa for the last 50 years.