Re: South Africa v England, 1st Test, Centurion, Dec 16-20

by DJ_Smerk on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 03:32

True, and it's not like he's never dealt with the Saffies before.

Strauss
Collingwood

Couldn't hurt, could it?

by Henry on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 03:36

Quick, bouncy Southern African pitches aren't really Colly's thing. I can see him nicking off to the slips a lot.

by DJ_Smerk on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 03:38

>>Implying the rest of the England batting line up are accustomed to quick, bouncy pitches.

by Brass Monkey on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 03:39

We aren't bad on them IMO. Strauss especially, he absolutely loves a bit of bounce and pace in a pitch. But also Prior and KP, who like to play on the up. Cook doesn't like any sort of pitch.

by Henry on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 03:40

More than Colly, yes. Strauss, Pietersen and Trott being 3 examples.

by DJ_Smerk on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 03:43

It's weird to think that batsmen actually like quick pitches. You think they'd only enjoy batting on the slow ones.

by Brass Monkey on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 03:45

It's harder to play shots on a pitch where the ball isn't coming onto the bat - better timing or stronger shots are required.

by Shoeshine on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 03:47

Brass Monkey wrote:Shoey, it's not like I want him to score quickly. My problem is that, if Strauss isn't scoring, that we then get into the problem where we could've batted for a session and a half with no wickets lost, only be 100 on the board and next thing you know it's 130/4.

Smerks - TBH, with Collingwood, he'd be more likely to have to deal with the vagaries of the new ball - it's not like he can't bat in difficult situations, just that the new cherry seems to be his enemy more than most.

Well, I think that says more about the players following in that circumstance. For all Cook's flaws, he's not responsible for the likes of Bell getting out 3rd ball.

Do agree about Collingwood and the number 3 position.

by Brass Monkey on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 04:02

Shoeshine wrote:
Well, I think that says more about the players following in that circumstance. For all Cook's flaws, he's not responsible for the likes of Bell getting out 3rd ball.

Do agree about Collingwood and the number 3 position.

I don't disagree that a batsman who has scored 30 off 120 balls (if he's had a few Red Bulls) has done better than some walnut-scrotum who has just got a 3 ball duck. I'm just saying that we're never going to be fully in the ascendancy with that amount of crabbing. Unless Strauss has done the job for him, of course.

by JKLever on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 04:44

Broad at 7 is a big mistake if they go that route, which I think they probably will.

SA looked weaker in batting depth during the ODI's will look considerably longer with Boucher at 7 compared to England

Looks like Alastair Cook is the new forum 'Ian Bell'

by DJ_Smerk on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 04:47

Not just yet, Lever.

Ian Bell will keep his cult status for a bit longer yet.

by Shoeshine on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 04:51

JKLever wrote:Looks like Alastair Cook is the new forum 'Ian Bell'

Not quite no. Cook frustrates me. Bell I've given up on.

by PeterCS on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 04:53

Saj at 7?

by Shoeshine on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 05:05

PeterCS wrote:Saj at 7?

Having dinner with him?

by DJ_Smerk on Tue 08 Dec 2009, 05:06

Shoeshine wrote:
PeterCS wrote:Saj at 7?

Having dinner with him?

Try that new Italian place, Peter. Try the carbonara, I hear it's exquisite.