Day 4, 4th Test - SA v Eng - Johannesburg

[Trescothick]

Brilliant afternoon session as you say.. Its slowed down a lot but hopefully we'll get some more runs quickly again. Going along nicely.

[John]

South African bowling is being exposed. However badly its been going for England they have reminded everyone they have a very good batting lineup. Strauss failed but its far from a one man show.
If you look back to an early contribution I said we went in a bowler light. i hope the selectors take note they made a mistake hopefully SA will get a draw and put that situation right for the final test.

[Trescothick]

Vaughan drops....
Thorpe drops...

Things aren't looking brilliant. Still Tresco and Flintoff can bang a few balls around the park... Come one England!!

[Occasional Fan]

So, what do you think the plan is, Tresco? Something still says to me that Vaughan is desperate to get a result from this game - and, really, who can blame him? I would not be wanting to go into the last test on level terms. I don't want to tempt fate here, but Trescothick is looking settled and Flintoff could just do something spectacular (you never know!). If England were 300 ahead at drinks tomorrow morning, would you declare again and go for it? It's high risk, obviously, and England's own bowling has not looked great this match, but I can imagine that Vaughan and Fletcher gave everyone a clear message at lunch today, which is that it is time to dig deep and perform, because there is only one acceptable result for them in this match. This is turning into another cracking game!

[Occasional Fan]

OK: you can disregard that nonsense about Flintoff! Once again BANG - one - BANG - six - snick - OUT!

[Trescothick]

That is tremendously dissapointing that Flintoff did that. Gets a massive six and then straight out. It affects our chance of winning quite a bit. I know Giles can knock quite a few boundries because in all honesty to win the match we need to score runs quickly otherwise we're looking at a draw...

Its difficult to judge what target we want because our bowlers are all on either poor form or injured so the target needs to be higher. What also makes this more likely to be a draw is that the players have just gone off for light so giving not much play left. I would have liked England to add at least 40 tonight but we can't..

Prediction: Draw

Whats your prediction now Flintoffs gone and Day 4 has finished?

[Pete]

Best thing England can do is to try and bat as long as they can or hope for some rain tomorrow. Bowlers are injured / out of form so the win ain't possible.

[jot1]

i'll put my money on a draw. but very entertaining cricket nonetheless and that's what it's all about for me really

[Pete]

Jon Lewis has been called up for the 5th test match, flies out tonight.

[Occasional Fan]

My prediction, sadly, is now the same as it was at lunch: probably a draw; possibly a win for South Africa. And, please, not that! I'm not sure I can stand the strain of watching England fight next weekend for a tied series.