4th test

[sufcintheprem]

Does anyone care? Probably should do. Although I'm hardly the biggest cricket statistician, I seem to be struggling to think of the last time we played five specialist bowlers (ignoring a few big innings from Freddie/Broad).

It is also, of course, Pietersen's first test as captain. Didn't start well losing the toss but he seems to be quite active around the fielding. Also seems to be more dialogue between bowlers than normal.

Not that it's made much difference of course. Harmison came out like a steam train but tired a bit while South Africa will be happy that they have batted out the difficult first hour Smith mentioned when opting to bat. Working fairly close by, I have to say I wouldn't have put my team in but I think Smith has a slight edge on my captaincy.

South Africa ahead on points at the minute I'd say and England could do with a wicket before either of these gets settled. Can't say I recall McKenzie ever looking settled at any point in any match but it might happen.

 

[canveyshrimper]

...and Cook drops Smith off the first ball of the match, oops!

 

[Pubey]

bingo!

56-1 McKenzie c Cook b Flintoff 17

 

[SUFCLiam]

good start for the bowlers but cook was unlucky with the catch

 

[sufcintheprem]

good start for the bowlers but cook was unlucky with the catch

A hint of Essex bias perhaps...


:)

 

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Although I'm hardly the biggest cricket statistician, I seem to be struggling to think of the last time we played five specialist bowlers (ignoring a few big innings from Freddie/Broad).

2 tests ago at Headingley. Sidebottom, Anderson, Pattinson, Broad and Panesar.

 

[SUFCLiam]

A hint of Essex bias perhaps...


:)

yes i am a bit bias with essex players

 

[SUFCEssex]

was cook's drop of harmison's first ball back?

 

[The General]

was cook's drop of harmison's first ball back?

Yes........

 

[SUFCEssex]

Yes........

oh dear....

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

An awful start to the Pietersen era. He loses the toss, first ball Harmy bowls is short and wide and is hit straight to Cook at gully who floored it. South Africa then got off the mark when Ambrose tried to catch the ball with his mouth and they picked up a bye.

Harmy's bowling quite well. Decent pace and a good line. The ball that Smith was dropped off was probably his worst ball of his first over. For the first 45 minutes or so England were keeping things tight, South Africa were playing and missing, or in Mackenzie's case not playing and hitting it, but then the bowling started to get a little short and Anderson and Harmy seemed to tire a little and were getting milked, although Freddy picked up MacKenzie's wicket.

 

[SUFC_Al]

Two in quick succession for Harmy, Smith and Amla.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

My name is super steve harmy
i'm big and i'm barmy
i bowl right arm fast
for england
england!

When i walk down the street
all the people i meet
say hey big man
what's your name

my name is....

 

[Pubey]

i thought the second line was "they all think i'm barmy!"

oh well... harmy deserved a couple,

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Why did my last post go to lower case?

Jimmy has now got them in all sorts of trouble, but it looked as if might have been outside the line.

C'MON ENGLAND!

 

[sufcintheprem]

Why did my last post go to lower case?

Jimmy has now got them in all sorts of trouble, but it looked as if might have been outside the line.

C'MON ENGLAND!

Looked ok to me.

On the wickets, Kallis managed to get his bat out of a cracking delivery from Anderson shortly before. Saffers are hanging on here and Harmison is looking like the 2004 model. All very encouraging. that last ball to prince had him tucked up with a ball destined tfor his ribs. Vintage.

 

[Bluesmanager]

And there goes another one 105-4.

 

[The General]

Plum as plum can be that 4th one!

 

[Bluesmanager]

"Three wickets in eight balls and The Oval has been set alight. Harmison is roaring in - this is the big man at his very best - at 90mph, Anderson has bagged his 100th Test wicket and KP is officially a cricketing genius. Bring on the Ashes!"
BBC Sport's Jonathan Stevenson at The Oval

Alright mate, keep your hair on - let's give him a series before we bite his head off.

 

[SUFCEssex]

been a good day for england so far then, can't wait to get home from work and settle down to watch the last bit of action.