South Africa v England, 2nd Test, Durban, Dec 26-30

Basil wrote:5 bowlers is the sensible way to go - but this is England we're talking about so Luke Lightweight is probably ahead of Plunkett in the queue. Actually don't be surprised if we field the same eleven.

horace wrote:

Basil wrote:5 bowlers is the sensible way to go - but this is England we're talking about so Luke Lightweight is probably ahead of Plunkett in the queue. Actually don't be surprised if we field the same eleven.

they did you guys proud in the first test

Red wrote:Sooky is finding Trott's procrastinations at the crease quite consternating.

skully wrote:So what's Trott do then? Waste time? Or hang around looking mortified when dismissed? Or just a boring farker with the bat?

Looked OK in T5 of Ashes 09.

However, the main source of frustration for Smith wasn't England's relief at securing a draw but from the mannerisms of Trott at the crease. Trott likes to take his time to prepare for each delivery, which often involves marking his guard and assessing the field, and was given an official warning for time-wasting during the ODI series.


"It's been a constant thing throughout the one-dayers and the Tests," Smith said. "I'm all for a batter taking their time - I'm not the quickest at the crease - but when a bowler has to constantly keep stopping and reassessing throughout the game it gets a bit frustrating.


"It's not something we are going to lose sleep over, but it's a second here and there for him to make a better effort to improve the pace of the game which is what everyone wants."

Roo wrote:Jonathan Trott won't be changing the way he bats despite riling the South Africans with the slow nature of his preparations for each delivery. During the final day of the first Test in Centurion, Graeme Smith became increasingly annoyed by Trott's mannerisms, and the umpires told the England batsman to make sure he was ready for the bowler.


Trott had previously been warned about his pace of play in the one-day series, and on a number of occasions during his 69 on Sunday the South African bowlers had to abort their run-ups. However, Trott doesn't see what all the fuss is about and won't be making any concessions during the second Test at Durban.


"I've never really had any complaints before," he said. "It's one of those things, I do to get myself prepared and make sure I'm in the right frame of mind to help contribute to the England side.


"I don't play cricket to get under people's skin. I play cricket to be effective and I have my things I do to get myself ready for battle. Maybe it can mess with their over-rate or whatever, but it's just what I do and I won't be changing it.


"It's what's got me to this position to be able to play for England and it's an exciting time. I won't be trying to do anything different to what I know best."