Day 1, 4th Test - SA vs Eng - Johannesburg

[R W S]

What a tosser - the skipper's called correctly and will have a bat(?). Jimmy Anderson is included at the expense of Simon Jones otherwise we are the same as the team that put in that abject performance in Cape Town. The Saffers drop Hashim Amla and go for Iron Gloves Boucher as their third keeper of the series. AB de villiers will play as a specialist batsman. Dale Steyn replaces the injured Langevelt.

Thunderstorms are expected (and we ope from Harmison as well)

There may be a bit of early movement and we can only hope there's no repeat of the 2 for 4 debacle of five years ago.

Post your comments here.

Come on England!!

[R W S]

Mike Dengler and myself will be down the pub from 11:00 - please join us if you get the chance.

Originally Posted by Mike

There's a cricket pub called Hanover Arms near the Oval just a short walk from the Oval tube. Lots of cricket memorabillia inside. They have a couple of giant screens there. It's on the corner of Hanover and Kensington Park Rd. Type SE11 4PP into multimap.com to see the location. Tel: 020 7735 1576

If you go here and put in your start post code and the target postcode you'll get the transport directions.

(If you've got two pound ten pence you can get into the cheap corner of the Wanders stadium! Cheapest tickets for the Oval this year are 42.50)

[Notts Exile]

Tresco out and England 46 - 1.

I have noticed that Ntini and Kallis are bowling as wide here as Freddie and Co were doing in the second innings of the last Test. I wonder if they'll receive the same sort of negative comments as we did?

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

I doubt it NE, they will instead be bowling intelligently to a plan.

[flanflinger]

Well Anderson for Jones. Methinks this has to be because of suspision of the amount of overs Freddie can bowl, and whther Jones has the ability to cover those overs.

Anderson has been bowling well in the nets though, but you do worry about a guy who has not bowled in a first Class game for six months, his last game was an ODI where, by all acounts he was dreadful. This may be a worry.

Personally, if he can get his head sorted, I think Anderson could have a very big future for England. His action is very similar to Pollocks, and if he can find Pollocks consistency we will have one hell of a player!!

[John]

I think Vaughan has shown that he is troubled by his bowlers form. As a South African I would of been worried about the out batting this morning on a moist pitch with Gibbs and Smith out of form. I would rather have Gibbs and Smith opening when the pitch is more settled.
Vaughan has sent out the wrong message. I am sure Ponting would of not thought twice and bowled.

[Beny]

Looks to be a nice cricket deck. Plently of good, but even bounce. Strauss looks to be in for a big one and Styne is showcasing his potential.

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

England 77-1 at lunch. England's session I reckon which vindicates (at this stage) Vaughan's decision to bat first. According to Messrs Bannister and Cowdrey conditions should ease as the day continues so hopefully England will be able to take advantage of this platform.

[Mike_Hock]

Seem to be hearing reports that Jones has a little niggle?

Good start from England though. I just hope that when Eng bowl Vaughan looks after Freddie

[Notts Exile]

Certainly any moisture beneith the surface will begin to disappear. The key factor may well be the cloud cover this afternoon. How much swing Pollock, Ntini and Kallis can get could have a big influence on whether or not we get to 250/300 before the day is out.