England v South Africa ODIs, 2017.

[rich1uk]

stokes almost gets a caught and bowled first ball, would have been a really good catch if it had stuck tho

[rich1uk]

stokes gets amla tho in his first over, pretty average delivery and was there to be hit but Amla hits it straight at the fielder

[rich1uk]

not sure how happy i am seeing Stokes bowling here considering he is obviously having problems with his knee and we have our first game in the Champions Trophy in just 5 days time

[alfie]

not sure how happy i am seeing Stokes bowling here considering he is obviously having problems with his knee and we have our first game in the Champions Trophy in just 5 days time

Does seem a bit crazy-brave ... I know he is a competitive so and so but there is a long summer ahead ; if he is really feeling it rest might be the smart thing to do as it is unlikely to improve through pounding into the pitch...

Not as if they're short of bowling options.

[meninblue]

not sure how happy i am seeing Stokes bowling here considering he is obviously having problems with his knee and we have our first game in the Champions Trophy in just 5 days time

Yes, he was injured in IPL and definitely looks like the niggle is still a cause of concern. He did perform in spite of not being full fit, but if this injury is not managed well, then he might miss some matches in CT which would be a huge loss for England.

[alfie]

Welcome breakthrough by Plunkett...du Plessis not going on from his start. Run rate has been handy ; but with AB joining de Kock now at 93/2 SA will need a few from this next partnership.

Good timing as it means Rashid can now bowl at AB before he has settled in.

Good fifty for de Kock

[meninblue]

Nice 50 by Quinton. Needs to convert it into a 100.

[rich1uk]

SA well on target here

need wickets soon

[alfie]

These two indeed moving along smoothly. England need a wicket soonish.

But once - if - this stand is broken , things might get a bit tougher for SA. The rest of their bats aren't in the class of these two. They still need to score at well over seven per over from here.

Similar sort of pattern to game one so far. Wonder how far the parallels will extend ?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Nearly 160 off 20. A sort of average T20 chase down, but with two down.

[alfie]

Wood and Plunkett have done a job in slowing the runs lately ; but they only have so many overs left. SA now looking to get after Ball.
Morgan will have to return to his spinners again soon. ( and how keen they are to bowl Stokes much more ?)

Fifty for AB

The need for a wicket is getting quite pressing : not sure where it is coming from...

hah ! Plunkett

[alfie]

And I'm claiming that. I swear I had my finger poised over "submit" as the wicket fell

[Arthur Crabtree]

Priceless scalp for Plunkett. That's what he's in the team for.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Mo-Rashid have an over to bowl, though really they should have another spell each. Depends how many Stokes is going to bowl.

[rich1uk]

that wicket gives us a chance, i dont think SA are as strong at 5/6/7 as we are but they are in a good position still and QDK looking good