Proteas 3rd test

Reinhard

Anyone watching the game?

The Kallis dismissal was a shocker.

I can just imagine how the English media will react if England win this test and draw the series without KP in the team (even though he saved the 2nd test for them).

Bob-Dubery

Reinhard wrote Anyone watching the game?

The Kallis dismissal was a shocker.

I'm keeping an eye on the score, but not watching. Lord's is not in the best shape ever, having been used for the Olympics, and some folks thought that Smith was brave to bat - especially given that it was overcast at the toss.

First day of the match. Plenty of time for things to take shape or reveal themselves, but this is not an ideal start.

I can just imagine how the English media will react if England win this test and draw the series without KP in the team (even though he saved the 2nd test for them).

Well since he quit the ODI side England haven't lost a match in limited overs cricket.

giggsy

Reinhard wrote The Kallis dismissal was a shocker.

Cant see how the third umpire could give that out - what is the point of DRS if they still get it wrong?

giggsy

X-rated Bob wrote some folks thought that Smith was brave to bat - especially given that it was overcast at the toss.

At the toss the sky was blue and the sun was out - but Smith should know England, its now raining at lunch...

Bob-Dubery

Giggsy wrote
X-rated Bob wrote some folks thought that Smith was brave to bat - especially given that it was overcast at the toss.
At the toss the sky was blue and the sun was out

Ah! That's what I get for believing what I read online :-[

giggsy

X-rated Bob wrote
Giggsy wrote
X-rated Bob wrote some folks thought that Smith was brave to bat - especially given that it was overcast at the toss.
At the toss the sky was blue and the sun was out
Ah! That's what I get for believing what I read online :-[

This series was one of the reasons why I got myself a Walka - really great little device to watch the cricket on

Reinhard

Alice Cooper is in attendance ?

V8

My mate reckons the middle order owes us a few runs - Personally I think the umpires owes us a few wickets...

C'mon AB!

giggsy

Reached 300 - great going by the bowlers - Philander is looking good (and Morkel just got to 25). Giving us something to defend - looking forward to seeing our bowlers having a go

Bob-Dubery

Giggsy wrote
Reinhard wrote The Kallis dismissal was a shocker.
Cant see how the third umpire could give that out - what is the point of DRS if they still get it wrong?

The problem was still a human problem, not a DRS problem. Tucker was shown footage that showed the ball hitting Kallis on a hand that was not in contact with the bat. He either didn't see that or doesn't know the rules. Or the on-field guy, who couldn't see the pictures, made the wrong decision based on what Tucker told him.

DRS is a good thing. It's not perfect, but it is better. IMO more wrong decisions would be reached without DRS.

Reinhard

Aaaaand Morkel gets Strauss again ?

Bob-Dubery

Reinhard wrote Aaaaand Morkel gets Strauss again ?

There is no "I" in "team" but there is a "you" in "bunny"

giggsy

Reinhard wrote Aaaaand Morkel gets Strauss again ?

:applause: Great timing too

giggsy

X-rated Bob wrote
Reinhard wrote Aaaaand Morkel gets Strauss again ?
There is no "I" in "team" but there is a "you" in "bunny"

Its Easter apparently - Steyn got his bunny too 8)

Reinhard

Good review on the Trott appeal. I hope we get into the middle order quickly.

Reinhard

Another wide delivery gets a wicket.

Bob-Dubery

And what a test match it was! Strauss decided to fight hard to keep the coveted number 1 ranking and got his team into the right frame of mind for such a battle. Smith, for whom a draw would have been sufficient, decided not to shut up shop but to go for the resounding series victory. The result was a top notch game with lots of interest and good, tough cricket. The bowlers mostly did very well, the pitch always offered something to the bowlers and the new ball always proved a potent weapon. So the batsmen who got runs in this match earned them. England were not out of it at tea on the last day and they refused to roll over.

Some folks well say "well, Pietersen wasn't there." Well if Pietersen had been there then Jonny Bairstow would not have been, and Bairstow played very well. So I don't think that was a key loss of personnel for England or made things that much easier for SA in the end. SA might have thought they could exploit Bairstow's supposed weakness against the short ball, but he showed that he's got that one figured out, and counter-attacked very well.

Great game. Honour and dignity in defeat for England.

refuogee

I am so proud!! This feels almost as good as winning the Rugby World Cup in 2007!!

Sean

X-rated Bob wrote Great game. Honour and dignity in defeat for England.

Yep, I feel exactly the same. There was no point in working the draw except for "only losing the series 1-0", but they went for it, which was great. And the fact that Smith responded likewise was fantastic. I've been very hard on Smith for many years, and I suppose sometimes unjustifiably :-[ , but I've certainly been seeing him in a different light lately (and not because of victories, just the way he's been approaching his role as captain). Had SA lost yesterday, which would have been calamitous, I would still have respected his decision to "not close shop" as you put it, and go for the 2-0 series win. Really a great game, and as test cricket should be played imo

Delta-Male

I just have one question, is it fair to have a England player of the series, and a S.A. player of the series? Then to also give them the exact same amount? I thought that award goes to the single player who performed best throughout the series... Not the playerS..... :-\