Rep South Africa in England Test Series and Tour

[amateur51]

A fascinating interview by Aggers with Mark Ramprakash at lunchtime today - a thoughtful talented cricketer who has had his fair share of demons to deal with but has plenty to offer young cricketers by the sound of it

[Vile Consort]

Very exciting morning I agree. i've just e-mailed TMS asking them to tell the South African commentatot to stop SHOUTING, mind - too piercing, man!

Oops, there goes Bell - time for Prior: Swann:Bresnan stands

And we could do with a more detailed description than "Oh! that was a good ball".

[DracoM]

Yes, but look at Bopara against the very best? And the runs vs India hardly count. IMO. the Indians just couldn't have given a toss about last year's Test series. They went through the motions. They no longer travel well. Their hearts are now in the IPL, Bigger pay, Bollywood status, all at home, biff, bash, big bucks.

[amateur51]

Yes, but look at Bopara against the very best? And the runs vs India hardly count. IMO. the Indians just couldn't have given a toss about last year's Test series. They went through the motions. They no longer travel well. Their hearts are now in the IPL, Bigger pay, Bollywood status, all at home, biff, bash, big bucks.

Right. Bopara's no good because the Indians don't care any more

Hmmmm

[AmpH]

You could have said the same about Graham Gooch, David Gower, Ian Bell, James Anderson etc etc at various times in their careers, unfortunately.

Bopara has 3 centuries under his belt from 12 Test matches and a batting average, before this morning, of about 33. Not conclusive either way, I'd say especially as he's in for Bairstow who the selectors want to hide from Steyn, Morkel et al

Indeed. Gooch famously began his Test career with a pair ( mind you it was against Lillee / Thompson ), Gower often flattered to decieve and both Bell and Anderson have taken time to really establish themselves. I think the Selectors picked Bairstow too soon. Taylor, now at Notts would have been a better bet.

Bopara is a highly talented cricketer who I have seen play quality innings ( in all forms of the game ) at county level. However to succeed at Test cricket you need a lot more than talent alone - you need technique, temparament and mental strength - and I suspect that it is in these areas where he is lacking. There are some parallels with Ramprakash here - Ramps had the technique to go with the talent, but not the temperament or mental strength to be able to thrive under pressure at the highest level.

Bopara's Test runs / centuries to date were essentially against a very weak WIndies side. He must surely realise that now is his last chance to establish himself as a Test cricketer or he will have to make way for someone else - frankly I would be surprised if he ' makes it '.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

i am beginning to think that i will be very surprised if England can recover their position in this Test, Smith and Amla seem very well set ... a ton by lunch etc ...

Bopara has one innings to show he can bat against quality bowling ....

[Don Petter]

i've just e-mailed TMS asking them to tell the South African commentatot to stop SHOUTING, mind - too piercing, man!

So have I, but he's still doing it!

[amateur51]

i am beginning to think that i will be very surprised if England can recover their position in this Test, Smith and Amla seem very well set ... a ton by lunch etc ...

Bopara has one innings to show he can bat against quality bowling ....

I know I know ... statistics, but ... Gooch played 20 Test matches before his average reached the dizzy heights that Bopara's is at the mo after 12.

The "one more innings" approach would take us back to the 1980s, surely. And we all know what that means

[Vile Consort]

Oh dear!

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!!

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

steady lads steady .... an innings defeat ... it is only a game ... no one died .... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

but what a thrashing RSA made England look totally ineffective ..

[EdgeleyRob]

Howzat.

[amateur51]

England stormed back with the new ball last evening and took two quick wickets after South Africa had been put into bat by Strauss and had cruised to 250+ for 3.

Currently 263-5, runs hard to come by, England bowling is very tight. Blowers at full tilt at TMS

Weather sounds dodgy but we can hope.

[amateur51]

Just before lunch KP comes on to bowl and gets one to turn and Rudolf is out for 19 stumped Prior RSA 318-6. Good effort from Rudolf the nighwatchman, and from Pietersen the occasional bowler

Oh I am so fed up with this South African commentator - everything's a drama and he SHOUTS so much. Someone put a table cloth over his cage, like they do with a noisy parrot

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

he is too .... an embarrassment for the selectors Pietersens wicket eh?