South Africa vs England (2012)
Printed From: Cricket World
Category: The Archives
Forum Name: Archived Match Threads
Forum Discription: Old 'Current Matches' Threads
URL: http://www.cricketworld.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6010
Printed Date: 20 May 2013 at 3:25pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.71 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: South Africa vs England (2012)
Posted By: Brad
Subject: South Africa vs England (2012)
Date Posted: 25 June 2012 at 7:44am
This will quite possibly be the best series of the past five years! I know the thread is early but I'm really keen 
|
Replies:
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 25 June 2012 at 5:09pm
|
Yes, this promises to be the series of the year... an epic battle is on the cards... can't wait to see this either. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 26 June 2012 at 6:50am
|
Just a pity there's only 3 tests and a gazillion one dayers.
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 26 June 2012 at 7:02am
|
You are still lucky Sledge - we will be playing SIX T20s against the Aussies pretty soon. Now beat that.
------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 26 June 2012 at 8:05pm
|
Yes Zuhair, I'm shocked that we are actually having a 6 match T20 series, and least of all i would want Pakistan to be a part of it. I can tell this for sure, the after-noon temperatures in parts like Chennai, Jaipur and Delhi during April - May are close to 45+ Celsius, Jaipur may even touch 47-48, Chennai is Humid like Hell ... they start IPL games at 4 p.m. meaning players practice from 3 p.m or so, it is the hottest period of the day, yet no one has a problem playing in the heat at IPL, but they have a problem with a 5:30 p.m start in the UAE.
------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 27 June 2012 at 12:51am
|
Sam, from my experience, 31 degrees in one place and 31 degrees in another place feels totally different. UAE is more like a desert, similar degrees will feel hotter there. For example, where I live in St. Vincent & The Grenadines, there is the mainland which is 133 Square miles, the biggest island, then south of that, is 31 other cays and small Islands, the biggest being 7 Square miles. The further down you go to the south in these islands, the hotter it feels, although the temperature reads the same. It rains less in those parts, so the place is hardly humid, but yet the heat is felt hotter in those parts. One day I played a cricket game on one of those islands, its the worse sun burn i've ever got playing a game of Cricket! ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 27 June 2012 at 7:15pm
|
You might be right spinny as I've never been to the UAE, however, commonsense seems to have prevailed and they are going ahead with 3 ODI's and 3 T20's. Coming back to the RSA v ENG series, I think it's a fair schedule of 3 tests 5 ODI's, the reason for 3 T20's I think is the WT20 that'll take place 1 week after this series is over... understandable. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: mystery
Date Posted: 27 June 2012 at 8:02pm
|
I'm okay with 3 T20s but i would love to have 5 test instead of 5 Odis.
------------- Rohit Sharma - What the world has seen is gear 1, gear speed 2,3,4,5,7,8,9 to be witnessed in IPL only. |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 10 July 2012 at 9:36am
|
South Africa up against Somerset in a 2 day affair (what's the point of that ??) and it's not going well. Mark Boucher's freak injury (hit in the eye by a bail after Tahir had bowled a tailender) means he goes home and a replacement will be sent over. It was likely to be Boucher's last tour and maybe his swansong as an international cricketer - he deserved to go out as a player and not a man whose eyesight could be permanently damaged. Morne Morkel's tour started awfully , with his 1st over going for 24 runs - 6 boundaries by Trego and 90 runs off 14 overs - he's definitely rusty! Steyn and Philander did better but Somerset recovered from 30-odd for 4 to over 300 for 8 before declaring. Openers Smith and Rudolph (strange choice , that) went early but Kallis and Amla were in cruise control by the end of the day 96-2. It's a typically easy paced Taunton wicket , I'd expect SA to declare later on today to give the bowlers some more work. After today they've only got a 3 day affair against Kent before the 1st test next week. If Kent play their B side you'd have to think SA will be undercooked for the test. ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: dips_december
Date Posted: 10 July 2012 at 10:33am
|
Mark Boucher's injury has really left me shocked! He's been a fighter and he deserved to go out on a high. Instead it might well be 147 tests and 999 international dismissals he will have to be contempt with. Hope he gets his vision back to normal. His presence would have been of such great value to the Proteas given his knowledge and experience about English conditions.
|
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 11 July 2012 at 5:58am
|
It's a blow Dips and AB de Villiers will be keeping wicket next week. They could have flown someone in quite easily , but I think they're bolstering the batting by using AB this way. It's probably good news for JP Duminy , who would have sat out the match methinks. Just where AB bats will be interesting , I think he's their best player just now and 6 , even 7 looks far too low to me. We could see something like - Smith , Petersen , Amla , Kallis , Rudolph , de Villiers , Duminy. I suppose whoever bats first will have some bearing - if England bat and score heavily , AB could well bat low , Alternatively , if they are rolled over he could still bat at 5.
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 18 July 2012 at 11:11am
|
Just a day to go before the 1st test and I'm rather excited! O'course the weather could stymie everything , but I'm holding thumbs. It looks as if Finn will be unlucky again , as Bresnan looks like making it. It should be a cracker and I'm unsure if winning the toss will be of any advantage.
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 18 July 2012 at 6:49pm
|
Should be a thriller of a series, looking forward to it. I'd still tip RSA to win and claim the No.1 spot! Hashim and Steyn the key men for RSA, Cook and Anderson for ENG. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 20 July 2012 at 6:31am
|
What a disappointing bowling performance by the South Africans. Yes , the pitch was slow , but there was no urgency or fire from Steyn and company - they look seriously undercooked. The early loss of Strauss should have really got their blood up , but Trott and Cook put on 170 without any real problems - I was surprised when Trott got out! KP was rather restrained before falling to a short one from Kallis , but the hero was Cook , whose 20th test century was flawless. He didn't give a chance and if he can get going again this morning ., could well get another daddy hundred. 260-odd for 3 at the close and plenty of batting to come , it should be a big score. One poser - just why did SA start with Philander and Morkel - Steyn didn't get the ball until the 11th over ! Philander looked inoccuous on the placid surface and Morkel sprayed it about and no-balled regularly. 30 extras , more than 10% of the total gave some indication of how battle hardened the South Africans weren't ! ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 20 July 2012 at 5:07pm
|
RSA have fought back very strongly sledge, ENG dismissed for 385 and now RSA 27/1 losing Petersen early, This is turning out to be a very interesting test match. I also found it surprising that Morne and Philander got the new ball yesterday rather than Steyn, however, RSA will be pleased that they have got ENG for under 400. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: alpesh
Date Posted: 21 July 2012 at 4:55am
|
A good day's cricket- what we had expected from these two teams. SA came back strongly with 3 wickets before England's last 4 wickets put on 100. The total isn't overwhelming, but I think England would gladly have settled for 385 before the innings started. Anderson got an early wicket, then Amla and Smith batted well. Too bad Strauss couldn't cling on to that tough chance from Amla at the end of the day, but even so it's fairly even. If England can get a couple of wickets early they'll be on top; if SA keep wickets in hand they'll want to establish a decent first-innings lead, in case the pitch breaks up a bit on the 4th/5th day. All in all, it's been absorbing test cricket and the weather hasn't been too much of a factor. Looking forward to three more excellent days. |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 21 July 2012 at 8:46am
|
Strauss should indeed have held on to that chance given by Hashim, he is not the kind of player who'll give you too many chances, with Kallis, AB, JP and Rudolph all still waiting to bat the situation looks good for RSA I'd say. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 22 July 2012 at 5:59am
So he we are , SA with 8 wickets in hand and 2 days to go and 18 runs lead.If these are the signs, England could be in for a long and tiring series ahead  .I'm getting a feeling that Vernon could run through England in second innings. Personally I want England to draw this and somehow win the series by 1 victory margin , looks unlikely now. Somehow I could not see the penetration in English bowling lineup, maybe they are tired/overworked, or maybe the conditions did not favour them much, maybe they needed someone like Finn instead.In English conditions all you need is favorable conditions to get into momentum. For sure Amala has the resilience to grind and grind out the opposition bowlers and deflate them. SA are in a very good position to dictate terms for the rest of the series, with Steyn, Morkel and Vernon they have great bowlers who can use the conditions really well. Tahir is already into 7th test match and has 18th wickets, well I found him to be very promising but he has not done justice to what he was billed to be. ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 22 July 2012 at 7:56am
|
I agree on Tahir not living up to the expectations, but then very often he is bowling in seamer friendly conditions, give him the sub continent wickets and he might well be running through the opposition. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 23 July 2012 at 12:24am
|
RSA are making this look ridiculously easy, congratulations to Hashim Amla on becoming the first South African to score a triple hundred and also the first man to score a triple hundred in England since 1990 (Graham Gooch) ENG have one hell of a task to save this test, RSA look good to go 1-0 up here... and honestly they deserve it. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 23 July 2012 at 2:35am
|
SA well and in control at the end of day 4. It would be extremely hard for England to save this match. Pitch was easy going by nature, but a few balls did move around. As the commies were saying, England should have bowled a bit straighter. A shame I gotta work tomorrow and not see the finals day play. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 23 July 2012 at 8:36am
|
Fantastic effort from Hashim and Jacques. Top stuff. England would have to play out of their skins to save this one
------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 23 July 2012 at 8:54am
|
Steyn has not got the new ball for the last 4-5 tests now and that's something that the team coaching staff and the captain must all be comfortable with. Has to be a plan to this.
------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 23 July 2012 at 9:07am
|
What a thrashing - I thought I was watching Hussain's England! Superb batting by Smith , Kallis and the excellent Amla - they made the English attack look completely impotent. Just the 2 wickets down and one of them a duck and well past 600 runs - incredible! Then they come out and bowl like tigers to a batting line up that just couldn't cope - KP looked very uncomfortable and Strauss's attempted sweep against the spin and out of the rough was sheer stupidity! Yes , they've been in the field for two long days and might well be mentally and physically shot , but I expected stronger resistance. I can't see them lasting very long today and definitely not past the tea break. A fantastic 3 days by the South Africans - flawless cricket and a pleasure to watch , they'll be looking forward to the kill today. ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 23 July 2012 at 9:09am
|
I forgot to mention that my phone is rather hot this morning - quite a few SA supporters wishing me a good day !
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 23 July 2012 at 10:16am
|
A golden opportunity for Bopara to seal his place , I wish he comes out with flying colors and saves the day for English along with Bell and Prior. Waiting for the cracking final day's play. Whatever the result, I will be happy about it.If SA win , they surely deserve it , if ENG save this then for sure they need to be praised for digging themselves out of such a hole. ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 23 July 2012 at 4:04pm
|
Congratulations to SA on winning the match comprehensively by an innings. No 1 status looks in a serious jeopardy now, England need to come back and come back strong and take the remaining two matches. ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 23 July 2012 at 7:15pm
|
Absolute thrashing, ENG coudn't manage with 20 wickets what South Africa managed with 2 wickets, even India didn't lose this badly last year! RSA's bowling has looked far more potent than England's, moreover with Hashim and Kallis in their ranks RSA are always sure of a solid batsmen at the creasewho is difficult to dismiss... I don't have words to praise Hahsim for his efforts, what a run machine this man has been! After watching this test, I'd say RSA to win 2-0. Can't really see ENG bouncing back, although they are a damn good side themselves, it is also important for RSA to show ruthless aggression, they have been known for chocking, now is the time to put the foot down, finish the job and become the No.1 test team in the world. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 24 July 2012 at 3:50am
|
In England sometimes the conditions can be cruelly against you just for a session or two which could change the complexion of the entire game.SA took advantage of second day conditions and there you are , now it looks like it is absolutely impossible for England to come back in the series. I would love to see if SA can survive a similar challenging conditions when they come into bat in next few matches, this 637-2 looks too bad on English bowling , but then test cricket is all about surviving the challenging session otherwise even the easier conditions stack against you. Conditions were good for England's second innings , but the pressure of losing bogged them down, irrespective of home/away. As much as I want England to win [1. They are a good team and kind of one among favorite 2. The only way Inida can get back No.1 back :) by beating them this year end], but I must they this .... England became No. 1 last Aug beating India, Since then they haven't played like one. - Lost 3-0 to Pakistan away - Drawn 1-1 with SL away - Won against WI at home 2-0 (One test was a drawn, don't know what would have happened if WI was full strength) If England do not win this series against SA , Sadly I would have to say England were "No. 1 team that wasn't", they became No 1. when they beat India thats it, but post that their points just floated them above the rest, just because of all the good work they had done to reach No 1 spot... Nothing more. Mind you, India became No. 1 and stayed for 22 odd months, however in England they started on July 21 2011, lost the series by August end and lost the No.1 status immediately. Atleast when India was at the top , they looked every bit of it. Strauss and team , please prove me wrong ... I will be the happiest guy :) if that happens. ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: alpesh
Date Posted: 24 July 2012 at 5:13am
|
SA Deserve to win this series as they are beating every body away from since 08 draw series with Ind though away and @ home. But Eng this yr only lost to Pak 3-0 which gave them a set back but SA has never been whitewashed by any team in test. Gary Kirsten is the best coach ever. First he took Ind to top now he said he will take away the tag of chokers from SA. He is best and has played with some of SA player. Every team needs a younger coach who himself can practise with them. I remember when Ind pace attack was struggling. He said leave bowling to batsman and ask amit mishra and Ishant sharma hey mate come bowl at me let me see if u can get me out. and obviously they couldnt get him out. Like Langer is with Aus, Andy Flower with Eng, every team needs a young coach who can hang around with guys. Ind is in bad poisition and so is WI and NZ |
Posted By: alpesh
Date Posted: 24 July 2012 at 5:33am
|
English Bowlers can take 20 Wickets, probably in the series, not in a match. Then why didn't you? After being white-washed by PAK, Strauss has been spoiled by taking 20 Wickets of Indian and West Indian Teams in England, not South Africans.That this is SA not India and West Indian . |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 24 July 2012 at 7:17am
|
England can save the series or not - is still guesswork, but what's for sure is that they are good and professionally strong enough to come back stronger.
------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 24 July 2012 at 8:20am
|
No miraculous backs-to-the-wall heroics , a complete annihilation by a finely tuned unit. I agree with an earlier comment , Gary Kirsten is some coach ! Dale Steyn showed yet again why he's the finest strike bowler on the planet and might well rewrite the record books. Graeme Smith was very relaxed at the post match interview and that confidence is something England will have to undermine if they're to get back in this series. Luckily they've over a week to lick their wounds and rest some tired bodies (and minds). I expect some serious improvements next week , but if they're to turn this around I think SA will have to go off the boil a little and all the luck goes England's way. A truly brilliant last 4 days by the South Africans - probably as good as I've ever seen since the all conquering Aussies of yesteryear - they are on fire. Right , now just where is that humble pie......................  ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 24 July 2012 at 6:10pm
What??? RSA won because they took advantage of better conditions??? ENG were crusing along at the end of day 1, RSA had the courage to fight back, then post a humongous total which even on ROAD is not easy to achieve, and then they bowled ENG out just like that! ... all this because of conditions and pressure on ENG batting???!!!???... Steyn, Philander, Tahir, Morne and Kallis are fools??? *Double face palm*
------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 26 July 2012 at 2:56am
|
Sam you should put a habit of reading the entire post properly. My post is pretty clear and nowhere it belittles the achievement or ability of SA, don't put your inference to what I have posted because it is way off the mark. ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 26 July 2012 at 5:59am
|
For SA, just look a the test batting rankings, 4 guys within the top 10. De Villers and Amla especially playing the best cricket of their lives, and Kallis seems to be doing a Tendulkar, his body just doesn't seem to want to give up cricket. England got some fine batsman in their ranks too, but the form of Amla and De Villers alone puts SA's batting ahead. Both teams have pretty good bowling attacks, and pretty good batting attacks. SA maybe just a little stronger due to the batting form. Morkel is mostly hot and cold and Tahir hasn't been brilliant yet, so can't really say the bowling is stronger than England. SA's greatest test will be facing england under cloud cover, with Bresnan, Anderson, Broad all being capable of swinging it and that's when they're at their ruthless best. But for me, without a doubt, SA's batting is a tad stronger than England. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 26 July 2012 at 4:46pm
may be only you can understand your posts Raj.  Spinny, with Hashim I think it's not just about form, it's also about sheer determination, I have never seen this man taking his batting casually or for granted at any stage ever since his come back, may be we can compare him to Rahul Dravid, amazing will to do well every time he comes out to bat, and his concentration levels never fall... I remember that Kolakata test when Hashim and Morne almost saved the test for RSA on day 5, Hashim scored a century in each innings in that game, and while all other southafricans were struggling, Hashim was like, I'm not getting out, you only have the other end to get wickets. Eventually all others got out and India leveled the series. AB on the other hand is more flamboyant, brilliant batsmen no doubt, he is more attacking as well, perhaps has more shots in his book than Amla, but Amla certainly is the more consistent and solid of the two. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 27 July 2012 at 5:43am
|
AB De Villers will take the game away from you, that's the difference right now between the 2. I will say AB is better currently. Remember that game in the IPL where he made 47 off about 17 balls when he murdered Dale Steyn. That's the difference, AB currently can be cruising, then switch gears and blister an attack apart.
------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 27 July 2012 at 9:21am
|
AB is the real deal - probably the finest batsmen to have emerged in the last 8-10 years
------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 27 July 2012 at 7:08pm
|
I'd probably rate both of them at par as batsmen, but AB is a brilliant fielder too, he can keep wickets as well, an excellent runner between the wickets, and I agree he can switch gears at will. But batting wise I'd rate both of them at par, Amla is not made for T20's, that's the way he is, we can't say AB is a better batsmen just because he can score more rapidly. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 01 August 2012 at 9:00pm
|
I think we are going to see a Rising star soon, James Taylor, boy his strokes look good, signs of greatness in store. Waiting for action and cloud cover please! ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 02 August 2012 at 10:53am
| yes Raj, I have raved about Taylor on here for a while now so am pleased that he is getting his go - maybe a year earlier than would have been ideal, he has plenty of belief in himself. |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 02 August 2012 at 6:14pm
|
194/3 RSA doing well here despite two of their best batsmen Hashim and Kallis getting out cheaply, Petersen closing in on his hundred, is another brilliant knock when under tremendous pressure by Alviro. James Taylor gets his well deserved chance, Bopara was never going to be the answer, Morgan is good but both Bopara and Morgan look better limited overs players, esp Morgan who has played some match winning knocks in ODI's. I don't know how good late Tom Maynard was, this could have been his break through year, and I feel terribly sad at what has happened to such a fine young cricketer...however, at the moment James Taylor is definitely the best option to try for England. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 03 August 2012 at 4:12am
|
I've never really rated Bopara, goes down in the same boat as Rohit Sharma. Talent, but too relaxed in their approach when at the crease. Kohli is currently the finest example of what make great cricketers, that determination to exceed!! You don't see that with Sharma, Bopara. Yuvraj once also talked about how he wished he took the game seriously like Kohli does, and the way he approaches the game. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 03 August 2012 at 8:13am
|
I'm very unhappy with England's starting XI - leaving out Swann has to be a serious error. Add to that , winning the toss and deciding to bowl in fine conditions tells me that the hammering at the Oval has left many scars. I suppose playing without a spinner meant they had to bowl first , but I think the visitors would have been very happy with the opposition's XI - especially the left handers in the side. Peterson did very well after a shaky start and will be hoping to continue the good work this morning. England have to egt into them quickly whilst the ball is new and I believe they'll need to bowl them out for no more than 350 to have a chance of a 1st innings lead. Broad bowled poorly in te 1st session , but recovered well with the 2nd new ball - they need that aggression today. That dismissal of Smith , called a dead ball by the umpire gave rise to plenty of debate in my local. I can't remember seeing a reprieve like that in all my cricket watching life , but I can understand the decision. It must have unsettled Finn and I think he needs to net with 3 stumps at the bowlers end to try and overcome the problem. I put SA just a shade ahead right now , but if these two make any sort of partnership England could be in deep doodah. Rudolph knows the conditions and with Duminy still to come , there's a lot of work still to be done. ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 03 August 2012 at 8:40am
|
The Finn thing with the stumps was a clever piece of gamesmanship by Smith, getting right into the umpires after the first couple of times it happened, and I bet he couldn't believe just how well and quickly it paid off. Unless Finn does sort it out quickly, every team on the planet will be at the umpires as soon as he does it from now on. |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 03 August 2012 at 9:14am
|
Yes Clobs , Smith was quick to bring it up with the umpires and that had to have an impact on the decision. Can we expect that every time a wicket falls and the wicket at the bowler's end is broken , that dead ball will be called ?
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 03 August 2012 at 10:27am
|
Sky mischievously showed Finn bowling Michael Clarke in the ODI series after kicking over the stumps at the bowling end, and suggested Clarke would be ruing that now! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 03 August 2012 at 7:14pm
|
Not playing Swann was a huge mistake, I have not seen ENG make such desperate moves in a long time, they are normally very assured of their batting and bowling line ups, always go in with a quality spinner in the side, this was a move in desperation to do something different after what happened in the first test. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 04 August 2012 at 4:24am
|
England need to bat for about a day and half here, get about 200 to 250 lead here to level the series.If England manage a sizable lead, I'm sure SA will crumble.
------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 04 August 2012 at 2:33pm
|
Game still evenly poised at the moment. Its been a pretty good test series so far, that's for sure.
------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 04 August 2012 at 6:09pm
|
Petersen of RSA gets a century, now Pietersen of ENG gets a century, a scintillating one. RSA need to be careful here, they need to bat well in their second innings to ensure nothing goes wrong. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 04 August 2012 at 7:53pm
|
What an innings from KP , turned the match on its head. Titch played his part in putting off all his shots and just giving rotating the strike back to KP, so that he takes them to safety. That was one of the very important test match partnerships. With just 68 runs behind , 5 wickets in hand and 2 days to go ... England firmly in driver's seat now. ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: DRAVID FAN
Date Posted: 05 August 2012 at 4:10am
|
The series is living up to its name so far. Very evenly poised match. Good to see some competitive test cricket after a while. Pietersen was fantastic. This is the best I`ve seen of him since his 03-05 form (which was probably his best in my opinion). Agressive but safe and impossible to dislodge. Watching Steyn getting hammered was not fun but I guess it just shows Pietersen`s dominance today. Other than that the seamers from both sides need to work on their lines. Too many half trekkers and balls on leg stumps. But this series is probably going to go South Africas way unless the English batting step up. In both tests the batsmen have been going after loose deliveries. |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 05 August 2012 at 11:18am
|
Pietersen gone early, Morne strikes!!! South Africa hit back! ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 06 August 2012 at 6:27am
|
The rain ruins whatever chance there was of a positive result for either side. After England got parity on 1st innings they logically were the ones who could force a result , but that's not going to happen now. Pietersen's innings was special and Steyn can thank his lucky stars that that return "catch" cleared his head , otherwise he'd need brain surgery ! Just a pity KP couldn't go on yesterday , but the SA openers looked pretty comfortable - Rudolph's county experience at Yorkshire being invaluable here. So a dull draw , unless SA fall apart this morning and then on to Lords for the final test. I'm in England from Friday , so I'll be hoping for better weather and an England win ! Big holiday for me - I get to meet my 8 month old granddaughter for the 1st time and then give my daughter away at the wedding! ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 06 August 2012 at 2:40pm
|
Good stuff Sledger, Family and Cricket and I know the beers will be involved. You're in paradise. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 06 August 2012 at 5:29pm
|
England 38/1 in 7 overs ... 214 to get now from minimum of 32 overs, gettable I'd say. Go England , chase it down. ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 06 August 2012 at 7:16pm
Congrats Sledge, have a good time.  Predictable draw in the end, RSA cannot lose the series now, should try for a 2-0 win at Lords. Kallis and Alviro are injury concerns but there is enough time between the tests for them to recover and also South Africa have enough batting strength to get over it. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 07 August 2012 at 12:53pm
|
Thanks Sam . Yes , an interesting final day and just a pity that the rain intervened. Another 20 overs available and either side might have won the match , but it wasn't to be. So Lords next week and England have to find a way to win against a side they have an abysmal record against at that ground! In the last 4 meetings they've been comprehensively beaten on 3 occasions , only drawing the last meeting after making SA follow on four year ago. Recent history tells us that the pitch at Lords holds up well (probably too well!) for the duration of the contest. A change in scheduling means that the timing is different - it's usually the 1st test against a top side , so maybe the conditions will be different. England will be wanting a result wicket , probably with a little more grass than usual , but that could backfire. Do they go in with 5 bowlers and leave out Taylor - it's an option , but something they're unlikely to try. Whatever happens , lets just hope for decent weather and a grand finale. This SA side is more positive than it's predecessors and I expect they'll give it their all to win. As for England , 5 losses in the last 10 tests is not that expected from the top ranked side and if they don't win , they don't deserve than ranking. ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 07 August 2012 at 6:10pm
|
Oh no , reports out that this could be KP's last test , very unfortunate if that happens. No prize for guessing where will all the blame go inspite of all other real issues with the management and politics that led to this fiasco, it will be IPL that will be blamed as root cause of all the problems.Funny world! ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 08 August 2012 at 7:38pm
|
even if England lose the test No.1 ranking, they have a consolation of becoming the new No.1 team in ODI's... after Australia, ENG are only the 2nd team to hold the No.1 ranking in both Tests and ODI's at the same time. All that could change though, in a month's time RSA could snatch both those positions from ENG and become the first team to hold all the the No.1 spots of Tests, ODI's and T20's at the same time!!! all they need is series wins in Tests, ODI's and T20's on this tour!!!
------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: mystery
Date Posted: 11 August 2012 at 10:43pm
|
Really shocking u-turn by Pietersen to me it all looks fake i mean he just want to play T20 world cup hope i'm wrong but still the way he said really does not look right something is really big going on behind door.
------------- Rohit Sharma - What the world has seen is gear 1, gear speed 2,3,4,5,7,8,9 to be witnessed in IPL only. |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 12 August 2012 at 1:10am
|
I'm happy that KP has seen the light and has returned to the England fold, the number of times he's said "I love playing for England" makes you feel he really does. The main thing that appears is that he has back tracked on IPL demands which was the most important thing, Andy Flower should be a happy man now... got to say Andy Flower along with Gary Kirsten and perhaps Dav Whatmore are the three best coaches in the world right now. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 12 August 2012 at 3:14pm
|
"Pietersen dropped over text messages" , this is the reality not because of IPL. I can bet if KP would not have released that apology video, the blame would have been put on greed for money and IPL and KP would have been dropped. Foolish anti IPL guys would have life long cribbed that IPL robbed KP's Test career. Now as KP said playing for England was his priority and ready to play to England as first priority, the real reason comes forefront, some text message sent to SA players, which SA authorities maintain that it was just a friendly banter. ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: Mikey
Date Posted: 12 August 2012 at 3:53pm
| This is beginning to become a joke... |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 12 August 2012 at 6:31pm
|
there are some brainless people who continue to defend IPL for reasons unknown, as if they have some share in the event, it is quite clear that KP had issues being available for the series against NZL next year because he wanted to be a part of full IPL season, something the ECB was not ready for... it was a majoe issue at hand which he addressed. That he is dropped over text messages in a completely different issue, it is like shouting "Aamer has been banned for spot fixing and IPL has nothing to do with it"... so what? yes IPL has nothing to do with it... ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: mystery
Date Posted: 12 August 2012 at 7:20pm
|
Very much agree with Sam it all started because of IPL and i feel Pietersen thing was a complete drama as he just wanted to show that he is a good guy and really want to play for England but in reality he was aware of him already been out of 3rd test and now most people will say that Its ECB who don't want him to play but i really happy that ECB did the right thing players like Pietersen deserve this.
------------- Rohit Sharma - What the world has seen is gear 1, gear speed 2,3,4,5,7,8,9 to be witnessed in IPL only. |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 12 August 2012 at 7:57pm
|
Now that KP won't be playing, the team looses bit of its charm ... atleast I loved to watch him play, but as they say no one is irreplaceable,sports work or wherever. England will move on, but then they will miss him for sure at certain times in future...Just as much KP would miss playing cricket. However England should somehow try to level the series to retain the No 1 spot. Good if they do for themselves and bit for India too  , coz if at all they won't level this sereis, then their points will reduce from 122 to 118/117 and even if India beat them this winter, then India won't be getting much points.------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 12 August 2012 at 8:19pm
|
It's sad but unfortunately I think they have done the only thing they could. The video was too little too late. For what it's worth, according to a reliable source the texts were along the lines of "Flower's just a headmaster", "Strauss thinks he's Mr Perfect", and "England only got to No 1 by beating crap teams". |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 13 August 2012 at 12:41am
|
I don't think this is the end of KP's international career by any means, if he is honest and he has sent those text messages then I don't see any reason why KP won't apologize for that, and if ENG want him back, I don't see any reason why they won't accept his apology. Things are always very simple, just be true to yourself, everyone makes mistakes, do the right things to rectify those mistakes and things will definitely fall in place. I once did terribly bad in an exam, for the first time in my life I knew I'll have a backlog, being a cricket crazy lad since ever, good old Ravi Shastri's words came to my mind
 ... I somehow remembered him once saying "everyone makes mistakes, it's people who learn from those mistakes are the ones who get rated" ... this inspired me... I put my head down , next attempt cleared my backlog, and never ever had a backlog again in my life! ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 13 August 2012 at 5:19am
|
The only positive that I see in this whole episode, it has opened the eyes of many people ... atleast those guys who have atleast some ability to think logically and practically, have seen lot of changes in what people post after the real reason was disclosed. However there will always be some absolute morons who do not understand that the real reason is not the IPL, but personal reasons for rift between management and player that leads to all this controversies. Is this the end of road for KP? If those text were sent by him and the content is what Clobs had posted, I am not sure if that should lead to a permanent damage. I agree he should not have sent any of those messages esp. to an opponent team,but the first two message which relates to England about Coach and Captain is not derogatory by any means. The final one , the third message is however "England only got to No 1 by beating crap teams" is the something to be concerned, coz it kind of undermines the team's hard work and achievement, but then India played badly in that tour, while they had hard earned victory against the Aussies. Maybe some period of suspension and he should be back. ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 13 August 2012 at 1:30pm
|
Congrats to ECB, KP is an arrogant person who thinks he's above everyone else. Show him you're not WICB or PCB who got no balls. Players must never be allowed to think they're bigger than the game. Show him who is the boss. Great players always come and go in the game, he's not the last that England will have! ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: mystery
Date Posted: 13 August 2012 at 2:03pm
|
Yes Spinny and the thing to note is that England only got to number 1 because of the whole team and Cook, Trot, Andersen and Broad were the major reason for it not Pietersen.
------------- Rohit Sharma - What the world has seen is gear 1, gear speed 2,3,4,5,7,8,9 to be witnessed in IPL only. |
Posted By: dips_december
Date Posted: 13 August 2012 at 2:46pm
|
I hope this is not the end of KP! Yes, England have taken the right decision and that too before a crucial test match. The team is obviously bigger than the individual. Having said that, the middle order looks really vulnerable now. I guess Bell has to be moved up and should play in between Taylor and Bairstow. Personally I would have given Morgan the go because he's got that flair about him! England would have been 2-0 down had it not been for KP in the 2nd test so they are up for a big challenge. Hope the others rise to the occasion. SA firm favourites though!
|
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 13 August 2012 at 3:20pm
|
Yes Mystery, KP wasn't in the best of nick for some time and England were still winning games comprehensively.
I know KP is a really good player, made a fantastic century in the last game, but a professional approach to the game by Flower and co is why England are where they are now, and good of them to stay on that part. Its why they can be on top and England and Pakistan will fight for the scraps - those 2 boards got no balls!! ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 14 August 2012 at 3:34am
SA reveal their goal to become No. 1 Test team  . Eng has 122 points while SA has 113 points, SA have a golden opportunity now to get bulk points, 1. If they maintain the lead, ENG and SA both will have 118 points with SA edging out ENG as No 1 on fractions 2. If they go better and make it 2-0 , they will be at 120 while ENG will slip to 117 3. If ENG pull one back , SA will get +1 and move to 114, while ENG will lose -1 and be there at top with 121 points This is an opportunity that needs to be grabbed by both hands, will they or will they choke ? My gut feeling is SA , knowing all this might not go for victory from the outset, they might be happy with safety first approach which might backfire, Kirsten might have plans but then it is the players who need to execute it, the SA team has always been team which falters when it matters the most. On the other hand ENG will want to win it for two reasons which are very obvious.I don't see any reason why ENG can't win at Lords, I guess the record against SA on this ground is not great for ENG, which they would want to put it back. Expect a double century from either Cook or Strauss at Lords. A Cracking Test at our hands
 .------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: mystery
Date Posted: 14 August 2012 at 11:33am
|
In the last test i think England's hope will depend on the toss IF they bat first than we will have a good match but if SA bat first than its game over for England.
------------- Rohit Sharma - What the world has seen is gear 1, gear speed 2,3,4,5,7,8,9 to be witnessed in IPL only. |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 14 August 2012 at 6:50pm
|
can't see ENG fighting back, esp without KP, RSA will either win or draw this easily. They should win actually, nothing great about ENG's batting, if they have Bopara and Baristow at 5 and 6 then God save ENG! ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 17 August 2012 at 12:48am
|
Good fightback by RSA, and good to see players other than the top 4 among the runs... looks like a sportive pitch, ENG will struggle big time. One thing I found strange about the KP episode... the ECB delayed naming the final test squad by half a day so that KP could apologize, turns out that KP apologizes for statements made after the headingly test and addressed his issues w.r.t his availability etc... they said he didn't apologize for the text messages he sent and hence he was not picked. Now KP has apologized for the texts, and now they say there are issues pertaining to "Trust and Mutual respect" which will take "time" to get sorted out ... so what was all that drama of delaying the squad announcement by half a day, if they already knew the problem will take "Time" to get addressed anyways? pathetic illogical people! However, I also agree that whatever statements KP made after Headingly were unnecessary, and highlighted his irresponsible and arrogant attitude, esp since he made those statements after scoring a match saving century, may be he was thinking now he is bigger than the team that he has got runs. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: alpesh
Date Posted: 17 August 2012 at 5:27am
| Partnerships between Rudolph and Duminy, then Duminy and Philander plumped South Africa's total but it's no more than respectable on what seems a good pitch. They'll rue a couple of contentious dismissals - and Kallis was definitely sawn off by the third umpire - but the lower order have prevented a massacre and there's plenty to play for tomorrow |
Posted By: alpesh
Date Posted: 18 August 2012 at 5:38am
| England have to bat until after lunch tomorrow - but if they get level with South Africa, they'll have a chance of winning the game. Instead of two heavyweights, South Africa have been a heavyweight and England have been like a middleweight trying to stay on terms with them |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 18 August 2012 at 7:05pm
|
Hashim and AB are they as we head in to the last 2 days of the test, what a gripping test match this has been and luckily I have been able to follow it, considering it's Eid time I'm spending some time at home! A lead of around 350 is what I'm hoping for... means another 220- 230 runs, Hash, AB, Rudolph and JP... hopefully RSA should be able to get there. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 19 August 2012 at 5:49pm
|
I have one question on Prior-Morkel Stumping, I heard some commentator few months back saying that both the bails needs to be broken as per new rules? ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 19 August 2012 at 7:19pm
|
8 wickets away from sealing the No.1 ranking South Africa... another century for Hashim, a special one on the day of Eid in most parts of the world!!! Well done South Africa, now go for the kill tomorrow... nothing's done, until it's done. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 19 August 2012 at 7:27pm
|
Its curtains No 1 status for England. In all probability it is just under a day now that they will have to relinquish what they achieved last Aug 22nd 2011 beating India. Unfortunate but the way they have played since getting to No 1 status does not auger well, 3-0 loss to Pakistan, 1-1 draw against SL, 2-0 win against WI (1 draw) and it almost looks like 2-0 loss at home to SA unless few batsman from English camp do what VVS and RD did in Kolkata 2001.It's a situation like that. Before the series started I had said that if they do not win this series, they would probably go down as No 1 that wasn't, the results don't speak much in their case, in many matches that they lost, it was close ... which could have gone either way, probably it was just a bad time, but then it is the cost of being No 1.Home or Away, it is always difficult to be Number 1 for a long time. England were lucky in a way, their points had reduced midway, but as rankings calculations were recalculated their points again increased by 6 points few months back, even that was not sufficient to retain the No 1 spot (I mean in all likelihood tomorrow).They got themselves to blame, bit of selections, some drops cost them dearly and maybe some form issues too with key players. I had never thought that England would be in such a situation, at max, I felt England will draw the series if they had a bad season. For me lesson learnt , never guess what happens in England, for second time in a row my anticipations/ prediction/ guess has been way of the mark. Now beating England won't fetch much points, got to hunt SA down to get that spot
.------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: alpesh
Date Posted: 20 August 2012 at 5:33am
|
The highest fourth-innings target successfully chased so far at Lord's is 342,by West indies in 1984. They did so losing just one wicket. There have been only two other succesful chase of 200-plus targets. Hashim Amla finished the series with an aggregate of 482. It's the third highest for South Africa in a series of three or fewer Tests, behind Jacques Kallis' 498 versus India in 2010-11, and Amla's 490 in two Tests versus the same team in 2010. |
Posted By: alpesh
Date Posted: 20 August 2012 at 5:38am
| Philander has brilliant start South Africa. He moved the ball brilliantly and removed both England openers.Bell and Trott have batted admirably against Steyn and Morkel, but they will be very chalange tomorrow morning ,I think 330 runs last day of this enthralling Test to save very difficulty |
Posted By: mystery
Date Posted: 20 August 2012 at 4:59pm
|
What a wonderful match finally Prior goes and its all SA now! ------------- Rohit Sharma - What the world has seen is gear 1, gear speed 2,3,4,5,7,8,9 to be witnessed in IPL only. |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 20 August 2012 at 5:08pm
|
Congratulations to SA on getting No1, hope this time their stay at the top is extended. ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 20 August 2012 at 5:50pm
|
superb stuff, congratulations to South Africa on becoming the new No.1 test team in the world, they get to what they were destined for, how else can you explain a team with the top two batsmen in the world Hashim and AB, top two bowlers in the world Steyn and Morne, the best all rounder in the world Kallis, and perhaps the best captain in the world Smith, not be the No.1 team in the world!!! Well done RSA, their date with destiny today! and this will be a long long stay at the top, can't see any team challenging them in near future, not even my beloved Pakistan, although I'd LOVE to see them take the fight to the proteas next year in their own den. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: alpesh
Date Posted: 21 August 2012 at 5:01am
|
Congratulations South Africa, Congratulations Captain Smith and Coach Kristen and undoubtedly HASHIM AMLA as a batsman peak of SA team and major credit goes to the bowlers
South Africa have been the better team in every department and I was very impressed, more so than I thought I would be. They have given England an exemplary lesson in how to play Test cricket well. They will be hard to knock off their perch
After so many years hard work,finally the South African reached the top of the world. Really they are deserved for it. Well done South Africa, Keep it up.
|
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 21 August 2012 at 5:23am
|
England are hurt and will go all out to prove their detractors wrong, unfortunately for India, England have sufficient time to iron out the loopholes, work on form and sort other issues before they tour. As I have always maintained that ENG had played good in sub-continent and just that they could not end up on the winning side.Indians should be wary of their improved ability against spin, should not have even a hint of overconfidence about home conditions,Indians should put their heads down and go for the kill, otherwise ENG might well level the series or maybe even beat India. On SA, they tour Australia this year end, One slip up and Aussies could well give a hard reality check and bring them to ground.Aussies may have some issues with the batting as of now, however Hilfy, Pattinson and Cummins can be a menacing attack. Moreover from SA's point of view, Tahir has been just an ordinay bowler (atleast so far) and if Brilliant Vernon Philander does not like the conditions down under ... they could well hand over the mace to Australia.
------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 22 August 2012 at 6:53pm
for some bull headed people who think they are the only intelligent ones in this world, and people like Andy Flower and other forum members are "Morons" http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/international-cricket/news/detail/item841642/Flower-laments-IPL-role-in-KP-saga/ - http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/international-cricket/news/detail/item841642/Flower-laments-IPL-role-in-KP-saga/
------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 22 August 2012 at 7:48pm
When you use my quote , it is as if your are referring to me. - You almost put it as if I have said that in this forum there are members who are "morons",which I haven't. - When you use quote my quote it is as if you are addressing me, so watch your language. ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 23 August 2012 at 4:43pm
|
Looks like Andy Flower wants to find an excuse and is diverting the attention, I am damn sure if he was playing now he would sure line up to play IPL. I have no doubts about it. ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: mystery
Date Posted: 23 August 2012 at 9:48pm
|
So basically the thing is whoever say IPL is the reason is idiot, stupid and or wants to find a excuse and whoever says IPL is not the reason is great , intelligent and honest guy :) Wow what a logic! ------------- Rohit Sharma - What the world has seen is gear 1, gear speed 2,3,4,5,7,8,9 to be witnessed in IPL only. |
Posted By: MalhotraRaj84
Date Posted: 24 August 2012 at 3:46am
http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/international-cricket/news/detail/item675820/Andy-Flower:-Id-want-IPL-contract/ - http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/international-cricket/news/detail/item675820/Andy-Flower:-I'd-want-IPL-contract/
"I find it very hard to blame any player for wanting to play in the IPL, because of the attractions," said the Zimbabwean, once officially the world's number one batsman. "Certainly if I was playing I'd want to play in it." Anyway he is coach and needs to give some excuse for the debacle and divert the media attention.So he is doing his best. I feel that he is sensing that his job at hand might be at stake. Few more such series loss could well be an end to his association with England coaching. ------------- Race to No 1 again ... started! |
Posted By: alpesh
Date Posted: 29 August 2012 at 5:43am
| I think as long as Team England stays united through to the end of the match, they are still in with a chance of pulling this off. KP the one truly great batsman England has had in the last 50+ years, is no factor |
Posted By: sam_ahmed
Date Posted: 30 August 2012 at 7:00pm
well a lot has happened over the last few days, RSA become the first team to hold the No.1 Ranking across all formats of cricket!!! Congratulations to this wonderful team!  Hashim Amla scoring a 150, continuing his amazing run of form. Andrew Strauss announcing his retirement from professional cricket, very surprising decision that because I didn't expected it, ENG will have to deal with far too many changes in their team now, KP is gone, Strauss is gone, Freddie was long gone... I'm not too sure if they have youngsters who are good enough to fill in for these wonderful players. ------------- God is a better planner... so whenever u'r plan fails, cheer up... God has a better plan for you! |