Looks like it is going to be pretty square on the first innings. A real shame Bairstow did not get his century, but well played anyway.
You’d think there would be a result in the match (apart from weather).
And Amla to the rescue again. Seems like a target of 300 (should RSA get that far) would be rather difficult.
With a target of 346 and sitting at 16/2 England would have to pull off one of the greatest come backs of all time to win this one.
…that’s what’s going to make it such an historic victory? [/grasping].
Although to be fair, if they do pull it off they’ll have a reasonable claim to be No. 1. But as I look north over the river I see grey clouds squatting over Lord’s. It’s pretty humid under that blanket, so a good morning to be bowling. It’s meant to be clear skies in the afternoon, but who’ll be there for that?
(I was at Lord’s on Saturday - 7 hours in the direct sun. The crowd slowly wilted, so I don’t know what it must have been like to play. It was a good day’s play to watch though. The memory that sticks- non-partisanly - would probably be Prior’s drop of Amla on 2 - not so much for the drop itself, but for the agony he was clearly in, knowing what he’d just done. It took him a good minute to get on his feet again. But it was a good atmosphere, and there was a lot of support for the England bowlers towards the end of the day.)
That was a costly drop indeed.
After being annihilated on a pitch that didn’t suit us, the last two tests have been well contested. But really, South Africa thoroughly deserve the series and no 1 ranking. Far more of their players have contributed in this series, and they have shown they can play in all conditions.
Bairstow the biggest positive for us this series. After looking all at sea against short-pitched bowling in the WI series, he’s sorted out that problem very quickly, which bodes well for his future career. Best of luck to him. He’s smacking a few now as well.
It’s all fun and games at the minute as Prior and Swann have a bash about. But the new ball is happening in 3 overs time and unless England can get basically all of the runs in those 3 overs, SA will win by cleaning them up with the new cherry.
Shame that they won’t let us keep playing with this old ball though.
And indeed, Swann is now run out, as they try to get every run possible before the new ball. Little silly but understandable when the blood is up. Never mind. Jimmy and Finn won’t be sticking around - not got the talent for that. At least we’ve made it look somewhat respectable.
Hard to see a comeback from here, but it has been a good series as befitting the best two test teams going around.
I don’t really get the various nuances of test cricket, not like some of the contributors on this thread anyway, but by God I do love it.
Prior’s gone. 294/9.
Those of you who were being tortured by hope can now breath a sigh of relief. Anderson and Finn are not going to withstand Steyn and Philander with a new ball. Bairstow, Prior, Trott and Swann have done an amazing job in the circumstances, but that’s that.
I just watched my first live ball of this est- and Prior got out. RSA should pay me.
I didn’t realise Prior had such good stats as a batsman. He is pretty handy.
And the last wicket goes as I type.
Great effort to get that close.
Yes, well that’s taht. Beaten by the best, unquestionably.
It’s no real surprise. When you look at the two teams, SA shade the bowling attack (although I don’t think our unit clicked in this series in the same way it has in others) and easily have the better batting line up (although Bairstow has been a great find). They were already number one when they came here, and this was an exercise in proving it.
But I’m glad England made a fight of it in the last two matches; I do feel sorry for Strauss that captaincy has had the inevitable effect on his concentration/stress levels and I’m afraid he’ll decide to make this his swansong.
SA were the better of the two teams - I don’t think there is much dispute about that - and deserved both the win and the ascent to #1 status that comes with it. Their bowling attack is bloody difficult to look comfortable against without some serious help from the pitch. Will be interesting to see what they can do in the sub-continent.
Unfortunately, it’s England that have to go to India next and, given the deficiencies highlighted by Pakistan earlier in the year, I don’t hold out loads of hope. The bats are really going to have to buck their ideas from the series in the UAE - also, we need to find some method of getting the 20 wickets required. Finn seems to have played himself in - but I think I would want to play two spinners, so the other pace bowler is going to be a real question. Swann played well today but him coming in at 8, Anderson at 9, Finn at 10 and Monty at 11 looks ropey as hell.
The final score was closer than I expected. Still wish it had been a longer series though. I’m looking forward to November when the South Africans tour Australia for another three match series.
Poor England, having to now go to India after the Indian team get to warm up against a sub-par New Zealand side.
By the sound of it (ECB press conference hastily being arranged), Strauss is stepping down as captain. A real shame in that I like Strauss, but his form has been pretty awful over the last couple years, and it’s been a difficult year for the team as a whole. Probably the right decision.
I wonder if this means Pietersen will go on the India tour now?
Who will be next in line? Cook or Bell? (Please don’t say Broad).
I think bringing Pietersen back would be really impossible for a new captain.
Almost certainly Cook. He is the ODI captain, and has already led England in away tests in Bangladesh.
Trouble is, if Pietersen doesn’t go, that leaves us with a super-green batting line-up in India, with only three established batsmen.
Cook is officially the new captain.
I agree that we look weak without Pietersen - but him rewarding with a return after being partly responsible for Strauss’s retirement seems perverse, to say the least. He can’t return without demonstrating an understanding that he’s part of a team, not a solo superstar - and November is almost certainly too soon for that to be believable.
The news conference hasn’t even started yet, but already BBC news is reporting Strauss is retiring from all forms of cricket, and Cook is replacing him as England captain.
Hope Strauss enjoys his retirement, he’s been a fine player and captain for the side. Best of luck to Cook. With four tests in India this winter and a side to rebuild, he’s certainly going to need it.