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

[The Professor]

Dream scenario tomorrow: England get 330+, Compton gets a century and at least one of Alo, Bairstow and Stokes chip in with a half century.

Need to watch out for Steyn with the new ball though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

On a good pitch, with Compo, Stokes, Bairstow, Moeen and Woakes, England have a whole batting line up left. they could get anything.

[hopeforthebest]

imo South Africa are on top at stumps on day 1. England need a lot more runs to put a first innings scoreboard pressure. If Amla and ABD settle they are not going to score just 50's. They will make it count.

I agree. England need hundreds tomorrow. They do have the advantage of bowling last though.

Having put England in and have only 4 wickets when the conditions were supposed to be for bowling I think SA will be very disappointed.

[backfootpunch]

first session tomorrow is vital if we are to win the game

if we only lose 1 max 2 wickets we will be in a good position to make 350+ which will be useful on a pitch that does offer some seam movement, especially with the new ball

having four seamers will be helpful so moeen wont have to do much work, though having seen how some of the SA batsmen played spin in india it might be a good idea to get him on early against the left handers to see if any demons remain

[alfie]

Interesting first day. Thought Steyn was excellent , but the rest of the SA attack perhaps didn't make the most of good bowling conditions. Taylor and Compton in contrasting styles both played very well - heartening for England to see someone other than Cook and Root standing up right at the start of the series. I was particularly pleased with their running - Compton was always keen to take the quick single ; and Taylor was busy as ever.

On Taylor : several posters continue to express disapproval for the long delay between Test appearances for him - and you can certainly make a case that he might have been recalled earlier. But when you consider how much more complete a player he is now than in 2012 , might not the time spent back in first class cricket have been to his eventual benefit ? He knows his game so much better now ; and gives the impression of a much more established batsman than one who has played only a handful of Tests. In any case what's done is done and the important thing is he now looks a fixture in the middle order ; and along with Root is giving that part of the lineup a solid look . Dare I say perhaps justifying the (somewhat controversial) decision to "move on" an experienced former mainstay of the team ?

Well of course I mean Bell

Day two could easily go either way : early wickets , a new ball in fifteen ...the long batting lineup might not be enough. But if a couple of the remaining bats can get set and see England to 300 plus I fancy they have better variety in the attack - and an extra seamer - and might be able to make batting last a bit tricky for SA. I think this one will spin as it goes on...and Moeen is in a bit of form judging from the warm up.

More interesting than the ritual carve up going on in Melbourne anyway.

[meninblue]

2 consecutive fours by Ben off Steyn.

[alfie]

2 consecutive fours by Ben off Steyn.

Hah! Thanks for reminding me of the early start , adi !

[meninblue]

Ben caught by Duminy while trying to play aggressive cricket. 5 down. Saffers may restrict this total below 300.

2 consecutive fours by Ben off Steyn.

Hah! Thanks for reminding me of the early start , adi !

Big Bash is also about to start in next 10 minutes. Lots of stars in Melbourne Stars.

[alfie]

Stokes got a bit overexcited there...

Guess that's the way he plays.

[hopeforthebest]

Stokes got a bit overexcited there...

Guess that's the way he plays.

Stokes is not a number 6 batsman, he rarely plays to the situation. Reminds me of Flintoff in his last years when they moved him to 7 in the oder for the same reason.

[sussexpob]

Stokes needs to learn a lesson from his batting partner. Came out to disrespect a very good bowling duo and always looked like he wouldn't last. Just a rubbish innings in context.

[alfie]

No century for Compton...but a fine and vital - 85.

Perhaps the new ball got him too aggressive ? He was playing more shots against it - but attacked the wrong ball from Morkel.

Moeen needs to get in now...

[hopeforthebest]

No century for Compton...but a fine and vital - 85.

Perhaps the new ball got him too aggressive ? He was playing more shots against it - but attacked the wrong ball from Morkel.

Moeen needs to get in now...

That sums up my thoughts exactly Alfie. Injudicious shot selection.

[meninblue]

This is what separates Cook and Joe from the rest. When they make 50's they make it into 100+,150+ and 200+

[alfie]

Morkel demolishing the innings...

This is not going to be a par score. Bad waste of a lot of effort from yesterday.