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

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by jot1

very entertaining cricket nonetheless

Can't argue with that, Jot1. It's a great match.

[Occasional Fan]

All over for the day, according to Cricinfo. If I were South Africa, I'd be looking for a good night's sleep tonight and come out fighting in the morning. If I were Michael Vaughan, I'd be looking for a good night's sleep as well - but I'd be pretty sure to say my prayers before turning in.

Glad to see Trescothick make a score, and in fact Michael Vaughan himself with 82 and 54 might just have broken his drought. Just hope that that is not in a losing cause. Tomorrow will tell ...

[Trescothick]

I don't think its as desperate as some people are making out... I don't think South Africa will get the win personally because England will still be batting tomorrow morning for a fair while and lets say they set a target of 230-250. South Africa have around 250 to make in 60 overs: Thats over 4 an over. Not saying its not possible. BUT its also possible for SA to crumble like England have and possible lose.

So can go either way, but most likely a draw,

[Pete]

We hope they'll still be batting tomorrow for a fair while! Even so, 4 an over wouldn't be that impossible.. A few of our bowlers have been going for that already. I suppose they could set defensive fields though and hope Gilo can hold up an end effectively.

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

whats up with england lower order? all these mini collapses? were going well strong with vaughan and tresco and then vaughan out.... and so too thorpe and flintoff in a matter of minutes or something.

[John]

A draw is proably the most likely and fair result. But South Africa have got to learn the lesson they need another bowler. I know we are not overflowing with talent in this department ( neither are England if they called Lewis). But against Englands batting line up you need another bowler.
Well as far I can see the Chris Read fans have won the debate over wicketkeeper.

[Moss]

An interesting day - I watched the higlights programme at 6 o'clock, and there were some good comments from Croft and Colville on today's play, not least of all the old wicketkeeper chestnut!

It was nice to see Vaughan do something, ditto Trescothick's bold century.
Kallis's head bounced horribly on the ground - I'm surprised he held onto the ball!

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

I think it will be a draw. depending if the saffers have to chase a total of over 250 or not!

Although no-one has ever chased over 140, or something stupid like that, for the second innings at this ground, I still feel saffer are perfectly capable of chasing 250 on the last day, with around 70 overs left. if england manage to take the total onto around 300, i think it will be a draw probably, because england will ot have the firepower to bowl saffers out easily in the second innings (in my opinion) with harmison bowling like that, and anderson bowling to the slips.

It will probably end up being a draw though, with slow over rates from both sides, and bad light probably calling the game off early. it will be all to play in the last match. been a hell of a series so far though!

[Mike_Hock]

Skysports reported that Harmison WILL bowl in the second innings. Thats a major bonus.

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

it is a bonus, as long as he dosn't bowl to second slip anymore