If it's cold and overcast in the Morning should we declare?

[Occasional Fan]

Vaughan's century is only a little bit pf personal vanity - something which Geoffrey Boycott understands well. Vaughan should make his decision for the team, not for himself, and I am sure he will. If the conditions are as you describe, I think he should declare overnight and put the South Africans in right from the start. If they're a bit doubtful, bat on for another 50 runs or one hour, whichever comes sooner.

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

Originally Posted by Pete

With favourable contitions, bowlers should do well, they don't need to be Glen McGrath if the pitch is doing all sorts (Ask James Kirtley - 6/34 against South Africa) . Sure, you still need to make use of the conditions and you could still bowl badly, but it should be a hell of alot easier bowling on that than on a flat deck.

amny of the england fans have been seriously underestimating the saffers batting lineup. infact they can all bat down to dayle steyn (with Ntini being a slogger, taking up the role of harmnison or zaheer take with the bat)

[Pete]

Conveniently forget the part where I said the forcast was meant to be overcast all weekend. South Africa batted under bright sunshine all day.

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

It was overcast when vaughan declared and then a couple minutes later the sun came out! anyway well done to vaughan for declaring straight away to have maximum time to bowl saffers out. still his bowlers let him down anyway and will have to still take 14 wickets in 1 day probably.

[Maranello]

Not one day, there are still two days left!!! England need to take 4 wkts tomorrow, and then England bat after that, so if they get the first four wkts before lunch for another 50 odd runs, England could bat for two sessions, let the big hitters loose and give SA a target to chase on Day 5.

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

somehow i thought saffer swill be following on

yes but saffers will probably not get much of a lead, it will be about even probs. england will need more than 3 sessions to bowl saffers out. maybe four. they will probably take half - one session to get the last four wickets of the first innings! that leaves 1-2 sessions where trhey need a lead of 350+ if saffers are not gonna win. i only think a draw will be possible due to 2 days taken up getting 411 runs only, and slow over rates

[Alison]

Originally Posted by Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1

i only think a draw will be possible due to 2 days taken up getting 411 runs only, and slow over rates

Yes, in terms of time it took two days for us to make 411, but if you look at the number of overs, it was 124 overs, which, if I've got my maths right, would usually be expected to take just over 4 sessions. The length of time it took was down to the weather, which no-one has any control over, unless someone has discovered how to make it rain on cue!

[Occasional Fan]

Alison - that is correct. It should also be noted that the overs actually took five sessions to deliver, so the criticisms of Michael Vaughan's over rate which appear elsewhere in the board, whilst still valid, are at least arguably slightly one-sided.

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

Originally Posted by Alison

Yes, in terms of time it took two days for us to make 411, but if you look at the number of overs, it was 124 overs, which, if I've got my maths right, would usually be expected to take just over 4 sessions. The length of time it took was down to the weather, which no-one has any control over, unless someone has discovered how to make it rain on cue!

yes. but the run rate was still slow, plus the weather etc. dosn't change the fact now there are only 2 days to go with still 2 innings to be played

[Alison]

It doesn't change the fact of how much time is left in the match, however it may change where the responsibility for the situiation should rest.