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

[m@tt]

Ali takes Du plesis.

Maybe wouldnt have happened if they were using the same bails from the NZ/SL series were twice the stumps were hit but the bails remained in their grooves.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Ha! Those bails given to someone as a paperweight for Christmas.

[Alviro Patterson]

The reaction from stump mic was pure gold

"Oooooowww...................."
"Oh, he's bowled him" says Jonny Bairstow in a calm fashion, whilst everyone else on the pitch was bemused.

[The Professor]

It's very clear from this that Anderson and Broad are in another level of bowling technique compared to the rest. Without them we'd be in a world of bother.

Woakes has been as good as broad just hasn't had that little bit of luck required

Today Wokes has been good but....imagine what out bowling would look like without Broad.

[backfootpunch]

It's very clear from this that Anderson and Broad are in another level of bowling technique compared to the rest. Without them we'd be in a world of bother.

Woakes has been as good as broad just hasn't had that little bit of luck required

Today Wokes has been good but....imagine what out bowling would look like without Broad.

well if you take away the two best bowlers from any team they will be significantly weakened

especially when those players are ranked 3 and 5 in the world

[The Professor]

Sorry I'm probably not expressing myself clearly

Id say he gulf between our top two and the rest of the pack is much larger than the gulf between other top bowlers within an international side and their more average buddies

[Arthur Crabtree]

Australia have had their top three removed, two Mitches and Harris.

[Arthur Crabtree]

But yes. There was hope Finn might match them, but it hasn't been a smooth path for him. Some younger players get talked up, but England need Finn, Wood and Woakes to close the gap.

Woakes bowled some hostile deliveries today. Got the ball up around the bat handle, on a puddingy pitch. He needs a good game to stay in when Anderson comes back, I presume.

[Dr Cricket]

pretty even game.
Cricviz model predict england to win.
betting sites have South Africa favourites to win.

Think England edge this, no idea why SA are favourites barring being number 1 test ranked team.

[backfootpunch]

But yes. There was hope Finn might match them, but it hasn't been a smooth path for him. Some younger players get talked up, but England need Finn, Wood and Woakes to close the gap.

Woakes bowled some hostile deliveries today. Got the ball up around the bat handle, on a puddingy pitch. He needs a good game to stay in when Anderson comes back, I presume.

you would imagine that woakes would have to massively out bowl finn to play the next test

i would say he did that today, was both quicker and more accurate

but will need to pick up a few wickets to have any chance of playing when anderson is picked

[hopeforthebest]

On today's performance Woakes is ahead of Finn but both must start taking wickets or Footitt comes into the reckoning when Anderson returns.

[hopeforthebest]

Interesting piece on Woakes by George Dobell:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-afric ... 55639.html

[Arthur Crabtree]

Woakes was pencilled in for a place for the first Test, after being out injured for a while, and based on net performances, and in spite of his lack of wickets in his few chances so far. So his efforts haven't gone unnoticed. But the bottom line is runs and wickets on the pitch, of course.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Dobell has a rather unflattering image in mind of the typical England supporter. Particularly given that this is coming from a chap whose own figure is little on the full size.

[hopeforthebest]

Dobell has a rather unflattering image in mind of the typical England supporter. Particularly given that this is coming from a chap whose own figure is little on the full size.

Yes and he should have pointed fingers at most commentators and pundits some even now have no idea that Woakes frequently bowls deliveries up to 90mph. On Sky they still talk about Finn as if he's really quick. Most writers and commentators know little about what goes on in the CC, their eyes are firmly fixed on the international arena.