South Africa Tour 2019/20

[ESG]

Having just looked up his Test and FC stats they are better than I thought, so an apology to him. Let's see how they all fair in Sri Lanka.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Having just looked up his Test and FC stats they are better than I thought, so an apology to him. Let's see how they all fair in Sri Lanka.

Be interested to see who goes to Sri Lanka.
There's talk of Jennings getting on the plane due to way he plays spin and obviously there's a place due to Burns being out. Foakes is being talked up as he is Englands best glove man and will be keeping to mostly spin (so why wasn't he on the plane to NZ and SA?)
But it's the spinners which will be most interesting for mostly who doesn't get picked. England went with Leach, Rashid and Ali last time, Rashid and Ali aren't in the squad at the moment and Bess has seized his opportunity. So assuming we are playing three spinners again, do we pick another specialist or do we go with two part timers in Denly and Root? The part time option free's up another spot for either a specialist batsman or bowler but I like this option as it could bring in Curran to the starting XI.
Knowing Ed Smith and Root they'll probably pick Bairstow!

 

[Ex-Member1]

Another cracking day for England. Only 4 wickets required tomorrow to go 2~1 up. 4 wickets for Joe Root!

 

[The Big Dady]

I just LOVE England and test cricket.

 

[Ex-Member1]

Game over after huge last wicket stand, 2-1 to the boys. COYE

 

[Swiss Tony]

Alls right in the world when England win a Test match and God truly is English,come on lads go on and make it 3-1.

 

[Blueronron]

That's a bad result for those who love to mock and write off Joe Root as Captain

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

I don’t rate Root as a test captain and I’m pretty happy with the result so I guess that dispels that theory

 

[Ex-Member1]

Touche!

 

[rigsby]

That's a bad result for those who love to mock and write off Joe Root as Captain

Joe Root is an all rounder not a a captain.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Wouldn’t describe him as a all rounder, more of a batsman who turns his arm over, a bit like a Michael Vaughan.
He may well grow to be a good captain (don’t think anyone else is in line). But for me he makes too many bad calls.

 

[Willis]

Wouldn’t describe him as a all rounder, more of a batsman who turns his arm over, a bit like a Michael Vaughan.
He may well grow to be a good captain (don’t think anyone else is in line). But for me he makes too many bad calls.

I also am not a fan of Root as captain. He doesn’t appear to be a natural leader and too many of his decision in the field are uninspiring. It seems to me that he was made captain due to a lack of a credible alternative who would regularly play in the test side.

He’s a genius with the bat and I would much rather he play and focus as a #4 and not be encumbered by the captaincy, but until someone else comes to the fore as a FEC what other choice is there?

 

[Grayson]

I agree with those who think Joe Root is a poor captain.

I suspect he will stand down if we lose in Australia again next winter. Rory Burns to replace him, as long as he gets his place in the team back again and secure. Let the best players be the best players.

 

[Blueronron]

Wouldn’t describe him as a all rounder, more of a batsman who turns his arm over, a bit like a Michael Vaughan.
He may well grow to be a good captain (don’t think anyone else is in line). But for me he makes too many bad calls.

The bad calls are only noted in defeats, the good calls are accepted part of his role, which is a double edged sword

Can you imagine if we had drawn and his bowling would have been called out, great win but SA are very very poor side lets not forget this

However a win is a win and good for the team spirit, but we must remember our ashes defeats was against a poor Aussie side who we made look world class

Still a long way to go but on the right track, the days of Bairstow, Ali walking into the team are gone I believe, they have to earn the right, though I believe I read Ali doe not want to part of test cricket and concentrate on One dayers, where the money is I guess

 

[Ricky Otto]

I mentioned earlier in the thread that I was hoping that the 1st test performance was down to the illness plaguing the squad, it seems there may have been something in that as we were pretty dominant aside from that. An away series win in South Africa is always an achievement so well done to the boys, was rooting for silverwood to do well so pleased me even more than usual