South Africa Tour 2019/20

[Shrimpers are Magic]

A proper 5 day Test, perhaps the reformers will sit up and take notice now.

Test cricket is alive and well in England with sold out grounds the norm. However, this is not the case elsewhere (unless England are the visitors)
I don't even think the series in OZ v NZ is a sell out although I appreciate the MCG has a huge capacity.
The game is dying and to pretend otherwise really is like sticking your head in the sand. The administrators are trying to come up with a solution when there might be none.
I for one have sympathy.

 

[Ex-Member1]

India v Pakistan has huge attendances, and Sri Lanka fill their grounds too. I think talk of the demise of Test cricket is premature. To the many purists out there Test cricket is the only true form of the game. Arguments for and against will rumble on for sure but don't let's write it off quite yet.

 

[Blueronron]

Pakistan playing back home is another plus rather than in Dubai

Its only when emerging nations like Bangladesh and Afghanistan play away that crowds drop but the plus side is the fans they bring are worth a thousand of those that sit and moan

Tigers and Afghanistan are always welcome to the fold purely because of the respect and love they have to the game

Remember many moons ago ,people moaned about Sri Lanka and they didn't turn out too bad

 

[Ricky Otto]

Pakistan playing back home is another plus rather than in Dubai

Its only when emerging nations like Bangladesh and Afghanistan play away that crowds drop but the plus side is the fans they bring are worth a thousand of those that sit and moan

Tigers and Afghanistan are always welcome to the fold purely because of the respect and love they have to the game

Remember many moons ago ,people moaned about Sri Lanka and they didn't turn out too bad

Agree with that. The Afghan fans were great when I went to the Oval for England's last warm up game before the world cup last year.

 

[Ex-Member1]

Good luck with telling Indians that Test cricket is in demise. Having visited the country several times, attending matches and seeing the enthusiasm for the game in general, hordes of people huddled round shop TVs etc, it is alive and kicking. Mess with it at your peril!!

 

[AndyT]

That was a fantastic Test Match. Everything that is great about the longer form of the game.

 

[southend4ever]

I am so pleased that this game arrived when the 5 day game was being questioned. What an advert. Superb.

 

[Ricky Otto]

Sounds like that was a big toss to win and we could be batting a long time on this pitch in its current state

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Sounds like that was a big toss to win and we could be batting a long time on this pitch in its current state

They need to be with the attack we have. Close to 400 is a must but we’re a long way away at the moment. So much on Stokes once more but he’s the best cricketer in the world so let’s see how it goes

 

[Swiss Tony]

Apparently 320 first innings is par,400 would be a very handy lead,fingers crossed.

 

[Blueronron]

Stokes looking in the mood, please not famous last words .....
Average run per over this morning 5.93
Pope looking like the future as well

 

[Swiss Tony]

Great stuff watching Pope and wood slapping SA all around the ground,one eye on the weather now.

 

[Ex-Member1]

Cracking day, a couple of late wickets would be a bonus.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Best days test cricket England have had for a while. Really looking like a test six at the moment but would still like to see Foakes given the gloves back which gives us a strong seven.
Still think 18 wickets is a big ask without Jimmy, Jack Leach and Archer mind and there’s definitely some weather around.
Perspective required as South Africa aren‘t a strong side at the moment but still a huge improvement from NZ.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Score board pressure. This is what happens when you post over 400 first innings runs.
Added bonus is the night watchman is still there and not scoring any runs.
Still eight sessions to go - huge opportunity to go ahead in the series.

 

[Ex-Member1]

Weather forecast not good, let's hope the Gods don't conspire against a much improved England performance.

 

[Blueronron]

Watching under 19 World Cup, some good looking players in Australia team

 

[The Big Dady]

South Africa v England match restarts, expected 38 overs in this extended session, subject to no more rain interruptions.

South Africa resume on 113 for 5

Bess 5 for 41

 

[ESG]

Very pleased for Bess. Thought he looked promising in the home series against SA. Leach is not a test spinner.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Harsh on Leach, think he’s been more than okay and gives Root the control that Ali or Rashid don’t. Bess is taking his chance though so good luck to him, he’s bowled well.