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

[Ernest]

Seems to me these days there are more reasons for ending play early, than staying on the field.

"Lightning stopped play", sounds fair enough, but what do the palyers do, hang out of the windows watching the storm.

On the match front, it would seem a fair bet that England have now won the series by 2-1, they deserve it really, one reason amounst others, bad light , (which was not bad) robbed them od winning the 2nd Test.

We can in MHO take heart from the fact, that players like Pollock are not gods, so I would think that bodes well, when McGrath tours England this summer, he can't be the player he was.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Ernest

We can in MHO take heart from the fact, that players like Pollock are not gods, so I would think that bodes well, when McGrath tours England this summer, he can't be the player he was.

McGrath is better than Pollock and has been playing bloody well since he's came back from injury. You make it sound like it will be a walk in the park against McGrath!

McGrath won't be bowling negative wide of off stump either like Pollock has been doing.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Beny

I thought Jones bowled well but I'd love to see him get his length about 5-10cm furthur up.

Sometimes he gives away too many 4 balls. Quite often he'll bowl a fairly decent over but one delivery will be spanked for 4.

[John]

Well if England do the series 2-1 I think they deserve it as well on balance. I think they are a bit too strong for SA at the moment. But the gap is not that wide. I think England were slightly better in both batting and bowling.
What SA can take heart from is they are first team who have expose flaws in this England side. WI and New Zealand failed to do this this summer.
This is good for England because they now have a few months try to put those things right. As one of the radio commentators said "we are not going to win the Ashes if they play like they have played on this tour." So maybe it has acted as a necesarry wake up call.

[Kirsty Harris]

A strange day today, some good bowling by SA, but England look to be safe for a draw, unless a real clatter of wickets occurs tomorrow morning..

Poor old Trescothick , looked like he was going to get another big score only to be run out by Strauss (I bet Nass thought this was funny!!).

Strange shot from Vaughan - what was he thinking? Not very much, I suspect!!

Anyway, we still have the old pro Thorpe in the middle, and my money would be on him playing a nice Thorpe-esque innings to get us on a par with the SA score at worst. Shame Strauss got out right near the end - needs to work on his batting when the bowler goes around the wicket (a weakness at last!!!).

Flintoff bowled really, really well yesterday - great effort by a man who, in all honesty, is not match fit.

[Beny]

We can in MHO take heart from the fact, that players like Pollock are not gods, so I would think that bodes well, when McGrath tours England this summer, he can't be the player he was.

Tell me you're poking...

Here's the thing, not only has McGrath always been a better bowler than any Englishmen. He can also now swing the bowl both ways, something he could not do at his best.

[Zainub]

Some people on Channel 9 Commentary think Pigeon now-a-days is bowling as well as he has bowled all his life. Can't remember who.

On a side note in one of our test matches Ian Chappel made it to the box and said "I had a chat with Glenn McGrath today before play started, I asked him: "How are you mate?" He said: "I'm good, I'm always good"

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

I had a chat with Glenn McGrath today before play started, I asked him: "How are you mate?" He said: "I'm good, I'm always good"

Well he would, wouldn't he, he is not going to say, well no I am no good .

The fact is, and I know I am in a minority of one, Glen McGrath by the laws of nature, must be getting past his best paly by day, just like Pollock.

Originally Posted by Beny

Tell me you're poking...

Here's the thing, not only has McGrath always been a better bowler than any Englishmen. He can also now swing the bowl both ways, something he could not do at his best.

Beny I think you know I am not joking, but for him to swing the ball "any way", the conditions have to be right, are you saying McGrath has changed from being a front line pace bowler, to a run of the mill swing bowler?.

[Beny]

Ohh Ern...

I would have thought McGraths 8/24 against Pakistan would have proven how good he still is but obviously not.

in the 9 matches of the 2004/05 season he has played. He has averaged.... you might want to sit down... 19.51. (his batting average has improved too!)

Age is no barrier!!!

Somehow I can't see him descending from his current supurb fitness, to walking with a cane, before the ashes...

a run of the mill swing bowler?.

You mean like Hoggard?

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Beny

Ohh Ern...

I would have thought McGraths 8/24 against Pakistan would have proven how good he still is but obviously not.

No Beny, cant get away with this on, we had a bowler Devon Malcolm who ripped the heart out of South Africa, when they were good, he took 9 for not that bad in the 2nd innings to win us the game, not long after dropped.

Originally Posted by Beny

Age is no barrier!!!
Somehow I can't see him descending from his current supurb fitness, to walking with a cane, before the ashes..

Oh yes it is, in, and not just in cricket

Originally Posted by Beny

You mean like Hoggard?

Got it in one Beny, an old Hoggy