Fifth Test, Centurion. South Africa v England Day 1.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Trescothick

Comments like saying Strauss and Kallis went out to horrific blunders is silli... What do u expect from them? Double centrys each innings.

Surely the only thing anyone should ever expect from any batsman who is in form and carrying the hopes of their team is that they do not get themselves out: I'd never criticise any player for getting out to great deliveries... no matter what they scored... and if you had seen my positive comments about the batting of Butcher, Thorpe, Collingwood, Read and Batty in Sri Lanka last year you'd have seen no criticism from me for performances that, on paper, looked thin.

I'll concede that sacrificing your wicket by playing for the team is occasionally quite admirable.. but that's not what we've seen: it's been more a case of switching the brain off at critical times when the team need it switched on.. and that's not something that should be glossed over any more with a guy who has batted for a few hours and got runs on the board than for a guy who has just played himself in.

[Pete]

Why look for perfection? It ain't ever gonna happen.

[Pete]

Cricinfo Preview Newsletter type thing..

http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_data...er_200105.html

[John]

I also think this has been a good series. There has been lots to discuss which has always a sign of a good series. True there are quiet a few substandard performances but that has always been the case.
There have been some very good performances Hoggard and Kallis.
Just wait to the Aussies come and play their flawless cricket that can be boring as well.

[Ernest]

Start delayed because of rain, not looking that good all week, hope we gwt somw play in, drizzle expected to stop arroung 2PM local time.

[Mike_Hock]

Taken from cricinfo -

Coveers are still on, umpires walking around the outfield
looking10:00 local
Covers are still on, umpires walking around the outfield looking
10:00 local
All night rain and a morning drizzle still has the covers on the
pitch and runups
The umpires have just done a walk around but the drizzle is still
causing frustration
It is still very overcast and any thoughts of play will have to be
shelved for another hour
The covers have been partially removed to reveal a rather green
looking pitch
but as we speak the rain starts again and ground crew scurry to get
the covers back on
By the looks of the weather this will continue for most of the
morning
We will keep you informed ever 30 minutes
next update at 11:00 local (09:00 GMT)
The covers are being removed again, and yes we were not mistaken
last time round, that pitch is green
a couple of the players are out there having a look, with the
bowlers showing the biggest smiles

Looks like a low scorer! Wonder if England will carry an extra batsman? Or is the pitch so bad they will stick with four seamers and try and get SA out cheaply

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Let's hope both sides can sort there act out for this last Test and actualy show signs that they are worthy of their Test status.. because that's NOT been the case so far.

It hasn't even occured to you that because these sides are very evenly matched that Batsmen have not been allowed to fully get away (Hoggard has worked on Smith's weakness and applied it every time) and Bolwers who bowl badly have been punished.

Yep neither side is fully firing. But I think you are going over the top in saying that they are not "worthy" of Test status.

I think you will find that 99% of the people who have watched this Test series, with it's ebb's and flows, one team dominating and then the other team coming back, has been better Test cricket than one-side Test games.

[Mike_Hock]

Two changes - Nell in for Steyn and Hall in for Dippenaar.

Eng not yet confirmed their X1

[John]

I hope thats the last of Dipenaar. The question of white players being left out because of the quota system is an absolute joke. It has never really be implementated look at someone like Dipenaar absolutely useless if there was a proper quota system he would of been replaced by now. I don't know what Petersien is on about if someone with as little talent as Dipenaar can get in the side with a quota system than there is really no need for any white talented player to worry.

[Notts Exile]

I might be wrong John but I get the impression that when Pietersen played for Kwa-Zulu Natal he played as an off-spinner. He batted well down the order. Now he's recognised as one of the most exciting batsmen in England.

I wonder what changed ??