Idle cricket musing

[Brendan]

It doesn?t look like rain will affect play today but it is going to be very humid (all this assuming that the BBC?s weather site is accurate) so the ball may get some movement in the air. Edgbaston favours traditional swing and seam bowlers so Sidebob and Anderson should do well and may bring England back into the game. If memory serves this is also where Freddy had that golden game in 2005.

Anyway all that is assuming that you have a team that can match SA which you don?t so you?re going to lose.

[Ted Max]

Blunt. No frills. Effective. You have aligned your posting style on this thread to that of the team you follow.

I, meanwhile, put some good contributions in early, but have lacked penetration as the series has gone on.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

If I were a gambling man, Brendan .... As it is, I can only throw down the gauntlet. Gadzooks you knave. Outside.

[i believe in miracles]

[Brendan]

I think you should keep discussions regarding your lack to penetration strictly between you and your physician. Perhaps he can prescribe an ointment or something.

[Ted Max]

He says I'm doing all the right things - hitting good areas, getting a little movement, and there's nothing wrong with my length. It'll come good in the end.

[Keef]

Brendan Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> It doesn?t look like rain will affect play today

> but it is going to be very humid (all this

> assuming that the BBC?s weather site is accurate)

Fcuking BBC!

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Dare I say, things are looking up?

[Brendan]

Good. Let?s hope we have a game on here.

Perhaps Ted can take some advice from that wicket. When a big man delivers it fuller he gets results.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Perhaps it was all down to the initial toss?

[Brendan]

Yes a favourable toss can influence the result especially if you can predict how far into the session balls are going to start swinging.

[Brendan]

Something interesting here that is actually related to that serious business of cricket. We are watching one of the most successful all rounders in the game, ever. Look how he stacks up to Mr G Sobers himself.

____Sobers / Kallis

Tests: 93 / 122

Innings: 160 / 205

Not outs: 21 / 33

Runs: 8032 / 9681

Average: 58 / 56

Hundreds: 26 / 30

Fifties: 30 / 47

Best: 365 / 189

Wickets: 235 / 236

W/For: 34 / 31

Catches: 109 / 127

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Well that's where it's all going wrong. You lot are playing rounders and we're playing cricket.

[Keef]

Eary wicket for Sidebottom (thank God it's not frontbottom). More of the same please!

[bignumber5]

we see to be back with bat in hand - must have been a decent morning session. S/A 48 more runs off the last 4 wickets - perhaps not a totally lost cause after all...

[mockney piers]

that's it, Keef, you were right!!!

[Keef]

Innit! Shame for Cook, I like him. Now lets hope Pietersen can do what he's meant to be so good at...

Bowlers have done their bit.

[Ted Max]

What is Vaughan's on? Crucial innings for him and England, for this match and the series, possibly even for the long term, and he's gone having a flail at a wide one, long before that sort of shot selection was anywhere near appropriate. As was Cook. And now Bell's in the same "positive" frame of mind.

Were none of them actually watching the Safs bat at Headingly? Or even McKenzie, Kallis or Prince just yesterday, if Leeds is too far back for them to remember.

[Ted Max]

Told you. Bell was looking to get out and achieved his aim. Witless.

[Keef]

Not looking at all god is it, unless Pietersen, Colly and Freddie all have the innings of their lives, and I can't really see it to be honest.

[Marmora Man]

At present (fingers crossed) Pietersen an Colly are doing better than I was expecting. If England are still batting tomorrow it could become an interesting match.

[Marmora Man]

And Pietersen has just gone! for 94.

[Marmora Man]

And Pietersen has just gone! for 94.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Ho hum, Pietersen's gone for 94. Not much longer to go.

[Keef]

And when we needed Freddie to be stubborn he goes for 2. That's that really

[Marmora Man]

nothing for it - need to go for s drink - unless Ambrose surprises?