Second Test. SA v England. Cape Town, Jan 2-6

[Dilbert]

Don't think scoring 750 would have helped. If SA had scored 450-500, the bowlers would be too tired to enforce a follow on/win

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes, that's the thing. IF Hamish and ABDV had gone, it would have put pressure on some underperforming players.

Still some unlikely possibilities.

SA bat past England and press on the last day.
England bowl SA out cheaply in the morning.
A speeded up last two days a la Abu Dhabi/Adelaide05.

[Dr Cricket]

you lot are probably right.
still ironic how Stokes innings didn't actually speed up the game, since SA just batted the overs England would have done otherwise.

the funny and ironic part is that if england batted longer it would have given them more time in the game since they would be bowling more overs at SA at the end rather wasting time setting a total.

If I was a captain, I would be putting this in my database, if a similar situation happen again I would learn from my mistake and bat 10-20 overs more.
I know it is only a game but in international captain I only declare around 150 overs.
Stokes special innings made england declare at 125 overs.

when you look at carefully it turn out declaring later in this situation was better.

[Dr Cricket]

Don't think scoring 750 would have helped. If SA had scored 450-500, the bowlers would be too tired to enforce a follow on/win

yeah that a valid argument, although depending on the pitch/time they could bat 20-30 overs just to give bowler a rest.
plus in theory SA would be batting in the tougher condition and it is far tougher for them to get a draw.
right now Sa only need to bat one session and they get the draw, with 750 they would still need to bat another 6 sessions.

in my eyes that a massive difference.

plus I didn't mention Adelaide.
750 takes Adelaide out of the question.
the only reason adelaide situation happens is because teams didn't score enough or declared early in the first innings.

quite weird saying this but right now SA are more likely to win then england.

[Dr Cricket]

the key point is that if England batted longer, they wouldn't need to bat in the 3rd innings barring resting bowlers.
rights now they looking at batting around 50-70 overs which could have been spent on bowling on day 4/5 if they batted longer or scored more runs in the first innings.

basically declaring early cost them 50-70 overs which could have been the difference between a win and a draw.
especially when you considering batting should be the toughest on day 4/5.

just a suggestion and a thought for any captain out their.
Hard to blame Cook or anyone considering I only saw this today lol.

[The Professor]

I feel England need more occasional bowlers. We have Root who nearly broke Amla today and we also tried Hales (!) today too to no great effect.

It sometimes works to mix it up. Too much specialism these days.

[Gingerfinch]

I feel England need more occasional bowlers. We have Root who nearly broke Amla today and we also tried Hales (!) today too to no great effect.

It sometimes works to mix it up. Too much specialism these days.

We have five bowlers plus Root. This should be ample. Just sounds like a flat wicket, which coupled with sieve hands, doesn't give you much chance of success.

[The Professor]

What happened to all the back of hand spin deliveries. That used to tear South Africa up.

[braveneutral]

Tough for A Cook as on paper it was the perfect declaration with runs on the board, a shaky SA team in regard to form and plenty of overs left in the game. He can never get it right!

It all comes down to what ifs and there are plenty of scenarios that could have occurred by batting on or not. Broad could have taken a zipper to the hand for example.

[Arthur Crabtree]

What happened to all the back of hand spin deliveries. That used to tear South Africa up.

Gary Ballance?!

[dan08]

This is a bit misleading...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Because he isn't British?

[braveneutral]

If only it was KP in the photo.

[Arthur Crabtree]

It would have said 'South African born'.

[Durhamfootman]

another couple of drops, I believe. Can't afford to do that.