South Africa Vs England,3rd Test, Final Days Play.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Glamorgan wanderer

Isn't this a bit of a knee-jerk reaction Jenko? You are talking about a side which was the only one to be unbeaten for the entirety of 2004 and who hold the record for the most consecutive victories by an England team.

I agree with you about the side GW, but I can't help but agree with Richard over not getting themselves acclimatise, been the story of this South Adrican tour.

England came here underprepared, I know I am repeating myself, but since the Zimbawe Test series was cancelled, they have had no real cricket, and this is since last August.

You can't expect a team to come and play in the levels of heat there have been in South africa, and not even being match ready, and still be able to compete with the home side, used as they are to these conditions.

like Jenko, I blame the England cricket managment, for not arranging a few matches in conditions, about the same as in South Africa, they could with a bit of good will, have played some 4 day matches, against South African domestic sides.

[Richard Jenkins]

That's what scares me. When the fast bowler top scores in the second innings you know you've got problems.
Flintoff , G.O Jones and Key all got out in important situations and they should have been playing holding roles .
We didn't use our nounce; instead of trying to boxl SA out in their second innings we should have kept them in the park for as long as possible, realising that time is important. As it was, we fell short by 40 overs.
I hope England Fire on all 11 cylinders for the next test.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Beny

What dose'nt kill you only makes you stronger. Question is, has this killed England.

No. This is one loss, the first one in 14 matches. Most of us here expected at least one loss in the series. I agree with Jenko though (perhaps not with such strong language) that the team should have headed for the hills already (5000 feet, Jenko, not 5000m, but high enough to make you puff a bit anyway, and higher than anywhere in the UK).

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Ernest

like Jenko, I blame the England cricket managment, for not arranging a few matches in conditions, about the same as in South Africa, they could with a bit of good will, have played some 4 day matches, against South African domestic sides.

The ECB say it's the fault of themsleves, the ICC and the SA Cricket Board, the pressure to get so many games in is huge.

Originally Posted by John Carr

We raised our eyebrows when he received the first draft from the South African Board.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cric...nd/4154155.stm

I can't help agreeing with Thorpie - we all knew the programme, it ain't going to change on this tour- everyone agreed to it.

Originally Posted by Thorpie

It's one all after three Test matches. We've taken a beating in Cape Town but there's no reason to be too down about it. These things happen in sport

Let's hope there is some common sense shown in future years.

[Notts Exile]

I don't understand how the ECB can moan about back to back Test Matches over the Xmas and New Year period in Australia and South Africa when we have them in the English summer. At least you can justify a 26 Dec and 2 Jan start by the abnormally large crowds they generate. How can they justify our back to back Tests in July and August ??

[flanflinger]

I think the real problem is not two test back to back. That has been done for years. the problem was having the First test so close to the second test, which as it was played on Boxing day, had to be close to the third test.

Two tests back to back is not perfect (but acceptable) but three was and is too much...

[Notts Exile]

I think you're spot on there FF, I think the PE Test was scheduled so late due to the South Africans trip to India.

[Richard Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

No. This is one loss, the first one in 14 matches. Most of us here expected at least one loss in the series. I agree with Jenko though (perhaps not with such strong language) that the team should have headed for the hills already (5000 feet, Jenko, not 5000m, but high enough to make you puff a bit anyway, and higher than anywhere in the UK).

Whoops ! 5000 meters. Where's the test ground? Kashmir?

Yes well obviously it' s humble pie time. 5000 ft (1750Mish) is a different matter completely. The highest I've been is the Eiger/Jungfrau which is around 4000m (using my Atlas) and i was struggling for air.

So limited training for the change is required.

[Occasional Fan]

I wouldn't understate the need for acclimatisation even at 5000 feet though. Sure they won't get altitude sickness at that level, but you can still start to notice the difference if you run around a bit up there. Then again, perhaps some of them are a little bit fitter than I am ... well, most of them ... or all of them ... and a lot fitter ... but they should still be in Johannesburg now, not Cape Town, IMO.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Richard Jenkins

Yes well obviously it' s humble pie time. 5000 ft (1750Mish) is a different matter completely. The highest I've been is the Eiger/Jungfrau which is around 4000m (using my Atlas) and i was struggling for air.

I've been to 12,000' a few times.. and to the top of Mt Blanc once (isn't that something like 15,000'-16,000'). Didn't notice much of a problem myself.. but this seems to be quite an individual thing: one friend of mine (very fit) said that the last few hundred feet of Mt Blanc were horrendous (take 6-7 steps and then rest).. and a guy who was going up with me bailed out at the snowline (maybe 12,000') because he was throwing his guts up (some people just lack commitment :-D ).

Thjinking about it.. I'm pretty sure there's a road in America that tops 12,000'.. perhaps somewhere in Colorado... or just north of there... maybe Rocky Mountain national park. Anyway.. I recall seeing lots of grossly overweight Americans not looking too stressed by the altitude :-)

Bottom line: whilst it may be the case that strenuous activity would be that much of an ordeal at a mere 5,000'... I'd not expect a bunch of fit cricketers to really notice!