Day 5, 4th Test - SA Vs Eng - Johannesburg

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

And to a man whom everyone on the field knows was concussed yesterday.

England shouldn't be bowling more bouncers at Smith than they are permitted to do so under the laws of the game.

However, IMO the fact that Smith was concussed yesterday shouldn't come into it as far as the umpires are concerned. He is an opening batsman and should be treated accordingly. If he can't deal with the bowling because of what has happened he shouldn't be out there in the first place. In addition, in the last match the fact that Gilo had a back spasm and couldn't get out the way of short pitched bowling didn't stop SA bowling short balls at him from around the wicket.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Glamorgan Wanderer

England shouldn't be bowling more bouncers at Smith than they are permitted to do so under the laws of the game.

However, IMO the fact that Smith was concussed yesterday shouldn't come into it as far as the umpires are concerned. He is an opening batsman and should be treated accordingly. If he can't deal with the bowling because of what has happened he shouldn't be out there in the first place. In addition, in the last match the fact that Gilo had a back spasm and couldn't get out the way of short pitched bowling didn't stop SA bowling short balls at him from around the wicket.

That's fair comment, GW. However, the umpires are responsible for the safety of the players and at the back of their minds, even though they may have consciously thought it through as you have, they will have a subconscious concern about having a guy out there, allegedly against his doctors' advice, who is known to have had a head injury yesterday. That's why I think Harmison was taking more of a chance against Smith that he would have been if he had done the same against Gibbs (he'd still have been no-balled, but maybe not warned).

[Richard Jenkins]

This game's drifted away from a result unless wickets fall rapidly now; An hour of play left if no interupttions happen and 4 wickets to go; can England do it? Will SA hang on?

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

You're probably right OF.

Jenko, I reckon a draw is on the cards at the moment unless someone other than Hoggy can step up to the plate and take a wicket. Is Anderson bowling as badly as his figures suggest?

[Richard Jenkins]

Looking good for Gibbs to be in the running for MOm

So trescothic,Gibbs,strauss,hoggard could be picked .

[flanflinger]

Gilo Strikes, Bye Bye Gibbsie

[Mike_Hock]

Gibbs gone to Giles! What a breakthrough! Plumb. Good call by the ump. Unlucky for Gibbs on 98

[Maranello]

I believe they can still win it, as long as they get one of these two in the next 30 mins, Pollock did not last long in the first innings, and after that its only Ntini and Steyn. Should be able to get those in the last 30 mins or so.

[Richard Jenkins]

Strangley only 162 runs off 25 overs are required.All three results could still happen. Mind, Seven an over would be going some.
Not sure I'd bowl giles and Anderson now. i'd try to break this partnership by rotating the bowlers a bit. Still got runs to play with.

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

Did Smith really start celebrating when Gibbs went to 98 as suggested by Cricinfo? If so, he must be feeling even more daft now that he is out without reaching his ton.