congratulations

[jot1]

Congratulations South Africa. Great game. Now at least we can't lose anymore. And a special for man of the match, Justin Kemp, South Africa's new Lance Klusener. Please take Prince out of the team and put Arno Jacobs or Martin van Jaarsveld in.:P

[Ernest]

I will join in that, congrats South Africa, over 600 runs between the teams, cricket won, South africa won, and england played their part in your great win.
Well done.

With the series nearing it's end, I have to say this has been one of the most enjoyable series "ever", some good cricket played, games up and down, we had everything.

looking forward to next time, and I wish South africa Good Luck!!!

[Pete]

One of the best series ever?

The best One Day series i've seen for a while was Pakistan and India, they were consistantly hitting scores of 300+. That was one day cricket at its best.

[Ernest]

Come on Pete, get a grip lad , I was talking mainly about the Test Series .me one day stuff.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Pete

The best One Day series i've seen for a while was Pakistan and India, they were consistantly hitting scores of 300+. That was one day cricket at its best.

Hmmm. In my experience the best ODI games are the low scoring (say < 220 an innings) ones: I much prefer to see games in which top bowlers have the batsmen in real trouble (and pinch hiters exposed) and occasional bowlers found out for what they are (second rate) than games in which the batsmen can pretty much do what they want, when they want and how they want.

In low scoring matches the games phases develop more interestinly: the significance of the fielding restrictions in the first 15 overs is highlighted.. the need to play with care through the middle overs comes to the fore.. and the impact of any blasting in the closing overs grows.

In a match where 300+ totals are posted all that is generally lost.

[Paoli]

Ok....That means an ODI at the MCG would be played in front of 10,000 purists.

Like it or hate it Racheal (and i'd hate to get your opinion on Twenty20), people are enthralled by the big hitting and not the bogging down of ends.

And Ern, the game against South Africa...i dont think England had too much to do in a "great win". All their was was an assurance that KP is going to play in the Ashes and that Michael Vaughan still can't crack an ODI ton. If you had've restricted Kemp to maybe 70 off 50 there may have been a chance.

In agreeance with Pete. I think Pakistan vs. India was cricket at its best really.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

And Ern, the game against South Africa...i dont think England had too much to do in a "great win". All their was was an assurance that KP is going to play in the Ashes and that Michael Vaughan still can't crack an ODI ton. If you had've restricted Kemp to maybe 70 off 50 there may have been a chance.

Who has got out of bed the wrong side this morning Paoli, it would not have been much of a win had England just made 100 or so, there would have been no contest.
Never said Michael Vaughan could hack it in one day cricket, in fact if you read my posts you will see, I dont even think he should even be in one day cricket.
Why is KP going to play in the Ashes, because he has made a couple of hundreds in 9 or so one day innings.
Oh yes Kemp, one of those days Paoli, with those short Boundries, Warne, McGrath, Bedi, Harold Larwood would have gone for the same.

[Zainub]

In agreeance with Pete. I think Pakistan vs. India was cricket at its best really.

I agree with that as well, although the upcoming India tour could see even better cricket

ps: Ernie, the one-day series isn't over as yet

[John]

I hope the series is over. It would be nice to win one more. To be honest England don't deserve much from the one dayers. I have been surprised by the lack of imagination in their play. Their bowling has been a shambles. Gough with a bad knee has been made to look good by the rest who remind you of the England sides of yester year. Considering the standards England have reach in the past 18 months its been a bit of a surprise. A welcome one for Smith's underconfident troops.

[Zainub]

England came back to draw the one-day series in WI as well, so they can do it this time as well IF they learn from their mistakes.

England are not in a crisis or anything, they are just missing a one man called Andrew Flintoff, remember he was voted best player in the one-day game last year. Him not being in their affects the team balance a lot, they are a much stronger team with him, and in one way it is hardly a surprise that their bowling in particular looks so lacklasture without them, this is not the first time this has happened after all. Last summer too, in the Nat West series, when Freddie was only playing as a batter, England's bowling suffered.

No crisis this for England, they're just missing a very good 3 in one player, most sides in world cricket would struggle to replace someone like him in their sides.