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

[Arthur Crabtree]

I'm not sure if it really matters whether this starts on a national holiday or not, because I think the vast majority of South Africans don't care much about Test cricket. That's South Africa's problem...it's a sport popular with only a minority, and therefore the talent pool is limited. The successors to Kallis and Smith aren't measuring up....

Well, that was a bit of a golden era.

You can't always gauge the interest by counting the crowd. As with the CC, many people follow it that don't attend. Obviously, that doesn't bring in money.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Many seem to feel standards are dropping generally, as T20 reared players take establish themselves. Not just in SA.

[backfootpunch]

Funny that Cook has done so well in Asia, but he seems to have a weakness against off spin.

he averages 56 against right arm spin in his career

his weakness is seam bowling, he averages 37 against right arm pace bowlers and 34 against left arm pace bowlers

[Arthur Crabtree]

Australia got Lyon into the attack against him last summer, with some reward.

A leggie, Yasir got him 3/4 in UAE.

Obviously, he's made epic runs against spin on occasion. Maybe there's nothing in it.

[backfootpunch]

good shot from hales

had been waiting for him to start playing some shots

[Arthur Crabtree]

Australia got Lyon into the attack against him last summer, with some reward.

A leggie, Yasir got him 3/4 in UAE.

Obviously, he's made epic runs against spin on occasion. Maybe there's nothing in it.

Lyon got him 3/9, so not particularly significant. Same as Starc.

[backfootpunch]

Australia got Lyon into the attack against him last summer, with some reward.

A leggie, Yasir got him 3/4 in UAE.

Obviously, he's made epic runs against spin on occasion. Maybe there's nothing in it.

Lyon got him 3/9, so not particularly significant. Same as Starc.

perhaps he gets out to offies a little more than against other spinners

but that is to be expected since they turn it away from his bat and it still probably isnt much of an issue

[hopeforthebest]

Sa getting in the ears of the batsmen, hope it doesn't work.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I suppose it's normal for an opener to have a lower average against pace, as he'll always start against it. Might be more significant to know what the comparison is after he's scored 30. But I'm barking up the wrong tree.

[backfootpunch]

hitting piedt out of the attack would give south africa a massive issue

hope hales continue to play his shots

[backfootpunch]

I suppose it's normal for an opener to have a lower average against pace, as he'll always start against it. Might be more significant to know what the comparison is after he's scored 30. But I'm barking up the wrong tree.

my cricinfo skills arent good enough for something that in depth

[hopeforthebest]

Hales is certainly looking more at ease, let's hope this can continue.

[backfootpunch]

morkel and abbott seem to be trying to bore the batsmen out

bowling wide outside offstump and back of a length

they need wickets, i dont think nick compton can be bored out and while hales is scoring freely at the other end neither will he

they are just wasting energy at the moment

[hopeforthebest]

Disappointing end for Hales, maybe batting with the slow Compton made him feel he should be over positive. Mind you a much better showing from him. England must play with some caution as there's time enough.

[backfootpunch]

He didn't get to the pitch and should have changed his shot