Second Test: England v South Africa, Nottingham, July 14-18

[alfie]

Never heard of a "curates egg" before. Learn something new everyday

You probably don't read old editions of Punch And I guess it isn't an expression usually linked to cricket ; but I thought it appropriate in this case .



Magnificent leg side catch by Bairstow

England on top.

[sussexpob]

Bavuma looks like he left a delicious sandwich back in the dressing room and wants back at it, hes going at everything.

[alfie]

This is an interesting test for Root's leadership now : England are nearly at the tail ; fifteen more overs to the new ball though so he has to decide how to handle his bowlers .

Really hope he doesn't allow the remaining proper bats any release through marking time with change bowlers - nothing against a couple of overs from one of the spinners at some stage but I want to see them pressured consistently even if that does mean using up Broad again...

[sussexpob]

No suprise there... Bavuma can go back to that Sandwich. Couldnt leave the ball alone, back he goes

[alfie]

More conventional dismissal of Bavuma though the same personnel involved

England might fancy running through the tail from here ? Though Morris is no mug with the bat...

[Aidan11]

Have they been off the field for rain at some point?

If not then this over rate is really bad.

[sussexpob]

Have they been off the field for rain at some point?

If not then this over rate is really bad.

Yeah, morning session only had 25 overs

[sussexpob]

This is an interesting test for Root's leadership now : England are nearly at the tail ; fifteen more overs to the new ball though so he has to decide how to handle his bowlers .

Really hope he doesn't allow the remaining proper bats any release through marking time with change bowlers - nothing against a couple of overs from one of the spinners at some stage but I want to see them pressured consistently even if that does mean using up Broad again...

Id personally put Broad on for Wood now. I smell blood.

[alfie]

This is an interesting test for Root's leadership now : England are nearly at the tail ; fifteen more overs to the new ball though so he has to decide how to handle his bowlers .

Really hope he doesn't allow the remaining proper bats any release through marking time with change bowlers - nothing against a couple of overs from one of the spinners at some stage but I want to see them pressured consistently even if that does mean using up Broad again...

Id personally put Broad on for Wood now. I smell blood.

And even he doesn't clean them up it won't be a disaster if they end up deferring the new ball for a bit- might not get ninety overs in today anyway. Over rate has been poor since tea , 17 overs in 85 minutes...

[alfie]

But it's Dawson coming on...

At least it will speed up the over rate. But they don't want to afford these two an easy period of play so I hope he's on the money...

[KipperJohn]

Excellent knock from Philander, well supported by Morris. Runs on the board for SA - always handy.

[sussexpob]

Poor captaincy from root. Put his worst bowlers on with south Africa in full retreat.

[The Professor]

South Africa really need to sort out their issue with openers.

Amla is basically an opener for them at the moment due to one or the other failing.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Impression I get from the highlights is that England didn't make enough of their dominance in the morning session, but more emphatically that SA haven't exploited good batting conditions later on leaving England slightly happier.

Startling referral from Stokes!

A problem that SA hooked so badly on such a sluggish surface?

[bigfluffylemon]

South Africa are probably slightly on top here after that partnership. England often struggle to score on sluggish surfaces, and will have to bat fourth to boot.